Nameri Wild Classroom: Assam Introduces Nature-Based Learning for School, College Students

The Assam Forest Department has introduced an experiential learning programme at Nameri Tiger Reserve to help students gain practical knowledge of wildlife, biodiversity and environmental conservation through direct interaction with nature. Announcing the initiative, Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the programme, titled ‘Nameri Wild Classroom’, is designed for students studying in Class 8 and above, including college students. The initiative will offer residential learning experiences lasting two or three days, allowing participants to explore the forest ecosystem and understand the importance of protecting the state's natural resources beyond what they learn in classrooms.

According to Baruah, the programme aims to bring school and college students closer to nature by providing opportunities to study the environment through observation and hands-on activities.

The Nameri Wild Classroom programme will feature a range of outdoor educational activities, including birdwatching, guided walks through forest areas, wildlife tracking and learning sessions centred on river ecology. Students will also have the opportunity to experience rafting on the Jia-Bharali River, adding an adventure-based component to the educational programme. In addition, the initiative will introduce participants to the traditional practices and ecological knowledge of communities living in and around the reserve, helping them understand how local people interact with the surrounding landscape and contribute to its cultural and environmental identity.

Naturalists and forest department personnel will guide students throughout the programme, explaining the connections between forests, wildlife, rivers and human communities. The guided sessions are intended to help participants understand how different elements of an ecosystem depend on one another and why maintaining ecological balance is essential. Students will also maintain field journals to document their observations and learning experiences during their stay. Certificates will be awarded to participants after they successfully complete the programme, providing formal recognition of their participation in the nature-based learning initiative.