Worldview Education Helps Mumbai Students Connect With Nature Through Its Nature Turks Programme

Mumbai children in urban India between the ages of 11 to 18 spend more than one-third of their day on the internet, primarily through their mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Screen use is spread throughout the day while they are engaging in many other activities, such as studying, eating, socializing, etc. This has led to an unhealthy lifestyle with regard to active play and eating habits. Many young children do not feel well psychologically and are often stressed and depressed. Research has returned clear indicators that spending time with nature improves the children’s physical, psychological, cognitive, social and spiritual well-being. Thus, we need, now more than ever, to bring our Gen-Z outdoors. 

NatureTurks, an environment focused learning initiative introduced by Worldview Education, helps students build an intimate connection with nature and shaping their understanding of the interdependent nature of their relationship with flora and fauna around them. A group of students from NES International School took this opportunity to explore and understand the reciprocal relationship with nature on a four-day NatureTurks program at Worldview's outdoor learning campus. The program took the students through a journey of cultures, traditions and practices that are in sync with nature and its quirks. The program focuses on four components - Culinary, Adventure, Sports, and Tradition & Culture. 

Nishtha Sinha, a student from the group, expressed her reasoning for choosing the NatureTurks program as ‘wanting to be in a different atmosphere than usual, including at home & school, and wanting to put a barrier between herself and her gadgets for a while.’ She went on to appreciate the art of teamwork she learned through the course of the program and mentioned that star gazing was her most memorable experience. She would like to suggest that her peers at school and neighbours in her building get outdoors! 

‘’Students with an urban upbringing do not get to see nature up close so often, and this was a great opportunity for them to appreciate nature, live in the outdoors, revisit forgotten games and traditions, try out adventure activities and understand their importance’’, said Dr. V. Balasubramanian, Director, NES International School who joined the students for the program. 

Sampreeth Reddy Samala, CEO of Worldview said, “We are committed to reducing the ‘nature-deficit’ that exists in urban lifestyles today. It is essential to reduce the screen-time children get and convert that into more green-time. It helps in holistic development and growth. Also, as children develops connection with nature and notice the value that it adds to them, they will naturally start championing conservation.”

The experiences from the NatureTurks program do not have to end when the students return home. What they will each be leaving with is a greater understanding of ways to take these lessons back to their families, homes, and communities.