Connecting with the Urban Ecology of a cityscape during a Nature Exploration Workshop in Bengaluru
After Lucknow and Moradabad, Shruthi facilitated a Nature Exploration Camp conducted by the Pratham Foundation in Bangalore. The students here came from a semi-urban background since they lived in the periphery areas of the fast-paced Bangalore. They had exposure to urban opportunities and modernity, so if they lacked anything, it was the connection with whatever of their natural environment was left. Our facilitator took this opportunity to get the participants to observe the urban ecology they shared.
We planned and designed the activities in the workshop to introduce the life that thrives even in the concrete hubs of the cities. They included Nature Bingo, Nature art in the form of Nest building, and video screenings of birds and insects in nest building actions. Students read an Illustrated storybook highlighting Urban Ecology. We explored the most commonly found trees, insects, butterflies, etc, in the surroundings, followed by a comic creation based on Urban Ecology.
The nest-building activity revealed the young architects present in these children. It was impressive how these students were considerate about aesthetics, size, comfort and cushioning. It was a splendour to observe the students wondering about the size and species of the birds that would build or fit in such nests, the size of the eggs, and the cushioning required to keep them safe and warm.
The video screening session was a challenge, with no projector being present. However, the chosen videos gave a glimpse into the houses of birds and insects and the purpose they mainly serve. The facilitator took this opportunity to introduce the concept of natural building.
We divided ourselves into groups and read an Illustrated Kannada book, There’s Nothing There, jointly published and supported by the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum, Nature Classrooms and Sutta Mutta project. The book was chosen as a part of the workshop as it rightly introduces the small elements of nature that we, as urbanites, conveniently choose to overlook. We used it to encourage the students to observe their environment and its inhabitants on their way home that day.
During the Nature Walk on the second day of the camp, the subtle indications of alertness in observing the surroundings directed to the impact the previous reading had made. The nature walk also made it obvious that introducing easy-to-handle tools such as magnifying glasses and binoculars scales up the enthusiasm level in children. The curiosity with which the students watched the Lion ant through magnifying glasses was more precious than any major discovery!
Despite the challenge of leading a large group, which generally causes a disturbance to the normal functioning of the natural environment, we spotted, observed, identified and learnt about a few trees, insects, birds, and butterflies. The nature exploration walk on the premises bordering the Bannerghatta National Park was truly energizing.
The final activity of creating an Urban Ecology Comic surfaced the authentic and individual observations of the children. Using the Illustrated book as a reference material helped the students to bring their imaginations to life. The activity displayed how uninformed the children were about their everyday surrounding environment. The students hardly drew any birds or insects besides the ones they saw in the book or during their walk.
The positive side of the activity was that it ensured that each child participated, presented and reflected. Art exposes the excitement, dedication and sheer indulgence in young people. Challenges occur when they have to work in groups to create stories. The stories and art display diversity in the thinking and creativity process, giving a glimpse into an individual’s inner self!
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