The Big Green Fest on January 18th, 2025, was a truly special day for us at DLRC. Hosted by Pune Climate Warrior (PCW) at Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium, this lively event gave us the chance to showcase how deeply sustainability is woven into our curriculum. Our booth proudly displayed authentic, eco-friendly student work, reflecting the values we live by every day at DLRC.
As I stood by the stall, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. The thoughtful displays, the beautiful decor, and the way our team and students represented DLRC’s spirit impressed everyone who stopped by.
The success of our participation was a result of incredible teamwork. A huge thank you goes to our facilitator Prathamesh Pawar who took charge of everything, planning the exhibits, organising volunteer slots, and guiding the team and students.
I am also deeply grateful to our amazing volunteers who made our booth shine. Priyanka helped set up the exhibition. Ismail Dada, Sarita, Vaidehi, and Katha contributed their time and energy. Our fantastic students, Knishk, Emily, Raghav, Aadya from Grade 8, Aditi, Yukta, Pal from Grade 9, and Aastha from Grade 11, brought enthusiasm and dedication that made this event a success.
The festival itself was a wonderful celebration of sustainability. Everywhere you looked, there were inspiring ideas and creative eco-friendly solutions. Some stalls showcased bamboo products, bio-enzymes, smokeless stoves, and marigold-dyed napkins. Schools and NGOs presented incredible environmental projects, showing how simple ideas can lead to real change.
There were also fun, hands-on workshops where people tried their hand at cloth bag painting and terrarium making. These activities were not just enjoyable but also meaningful, helping everyone take a small but important step toward a greener lifestyle.
One of the most thought-provoking parts of the festival was the talks by experts. Anuj Khare’s session on Pune’s biodiversity gave us a deep appreciation of the natural world around us and Satish Khade’s talk on Shivaji Maharaj’s environmental legacy was equally illuminating. We often remember Shivaji Maharaj as a brilliant military strategist, but his leadership was also deeply connected to environmental conservation. He understood that a kingdom’s strength did not come only from its forts and armies but also from water, forests, and fertile land.
One of the biggest challenges of his time was water scarcity. To tackle this, he built stepwells, reservoirs, and check dams across his kingdom. His forts, like Raigad and Rajgad, had rainwater harvesting systems, ensuring a steady water supply even during droughts. These systems not only supported his army but also helped local communities survive harsh summers.
Shivaji Maharaj was also deeply committed to protecting forests. A great example of this is the Bhavani Forest near Mahabaleshwar, which was preserved under his rule. He ensured that forests were not overexploited and even imposed strict rules against tree cutting. These forests acted as natural defence barriers for his forts and played a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Western Ghats. Today, this region remains one of India’s richest biodiversity hotspots and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Listening to Satish Khade’s talk, I kept thinking: if a 17th-century ruler could create a system that balanced power and environmental care, why do we struggle to do the same today? With deforestation, water shortages, and climate change affecting us every day, Shivaji Maharaj’s approach feels more important than ever. His story reminds us that true leadership is not about conquering land but about protecting it for future generations.
The festival had a peaceful yet vibrant energy throughout the day. It wasn’t just a gathering, it felt like a movement. For DLRC, it was more than just taking part, it was a chance to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and inspire others to take action.
As I left the venue, my heart was full. This wasn’t just an event, it was a reaffirmation of everything DLRC stands for, blending education with action, fostering responsibility, and staying deeply connected to nature. Together, we are building a greener future, one step at a time.
Written and researched by:
Meenakshi Dalmia, Co-Founder, DLRC, The Learning Farm. 20th January 2025
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