Polar explorer launches environmental awareness programme

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Renowned environmentalist and polar explorer Robert Swan launched the fourth phase of Project SEARCH, an environmental sustainability awareness programme, here Friday.

The project's fourth phase aims to reach out to around 170,000 students from 170 schools across seven cities in the country to spread awareness about waste recycling among them.

Speaking at the launch function at the India Habitat Centre, Swan urged the school students present there to "raise the game on recycling".

Swan hailed his student-oriented environmental project as a major conservation initiative, claiming that unlike many organisations that "hop the green bandwagon" merely for publicity, "we the project) didn't stop at Phase 1".

Speaking of his 1997 expedition to the Antarctic, Swan told students that "if we could go and recycle 1,500 tonnes of waste in Antarctica, then why can't you do it at home".

Swan's organisation, 2041, will be a partner in the project, which is a joint initiative of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and food packaging major Tetra Pak India.

TERI associate fellow Supriya Singh, who participated in Swan's International Antarctic Exploration (IAE) programme this year, will participate in various Project SEARCH initiatives throughout the year.

Swan also launched a contest for teachers from participating schools on the occasion, the winner of which will accompany Swan's expedition team to South Pole in 2013.

TERI director Ranjana Saikia said: "Children form a key segment of society and are an important source of creativity."

"Programmes like this not only boost children's learning process but also help in tapping their constructive energies," she added.

An exhibition created entirely from recycled Tetra Pak cartons was also on display on the occasion.

Kandarp Singh, managing director-south Asia, Tetra Pak, said: "The conviction of the teachers and the students towards Project SEARCH is a clear indication of the promise this initiative has."

"We are very proud to have Robert Swan as our new ambassador. His association with Project SEARCH is certain to motivate our students to reach even greater heights," Singh added.