Oasis Foundation was involved in the establishment of School Herbal Gardens in the residential government schools run by the Karnataka Residential Educational Institution Society. Twenty-five schools were selected in Mysore district during 2023–24. The project was sponsored by the National Medicinal Plants Board and implemented through the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority.
Schools were selected on the basis of a minimum of 500 square metres of open space, and the interest and participation of the students and school authorities. Each school garden consists of 250 plants of more than 25 varieties of species. Post-plantation follow-up activities are carried out in the second year of the project and will continue through year four.
Objectives
- Encourage and promote the “Herbal Garden” concept in schools, giving students an opportunity to work closely with herbal plants.
- Inculcate a sense of familiarity from childhood with surrounding biodiversity and its conservation, especially herbal plants.
- Educate school children in identifying different types of herbs and their uses, including growing them in a garden.
- Encourage students to use herbs in food.
- Popularise commonly available traditional knowledge for future generations in a practical way.
- Build health awareness and improve the school environment.
- Form Eco Clubs and Nature Clubs.
- Prepare seasonal calendars for vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants.
Activities in each school
- Awareness sessions on medicinal plants led by technical experts.
- Establishing 500 sq. m of herbal garden.
- Formation of an Eco Club and distribution of IEC material.
- Application of manure and gap filling.
- Conducting a knowledge test.
- Follow-up visits.