Nilgiris UyirSholai is a place-based climate education programme designed to help students, particularly those in public schools, understand and respond to the growing challenges of climate change. Recognising that today’s children will experience the impacts of a changing climate, the programme seeks to build climate literacy, nurture critical thinking, and inspire informed and meaningful action.
At the heart of the programme is a place-based climate education module that enables educators to explore climate and environmental concepts through the socio-ecological context of the Nilgiris. Located in a fragile mountain ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity, changing weather patterns, and close relationships between communities and nature, the Nilgiris provides a living classroom for climate learning.
The module connects scientific concepts with teacher's and students’ lived experiences through experiential activities, field observations, community engagement, audio-visual learning, and local knowledge. Students explore themes including weather and climate, biodiversity, waste and wildlife interactions, energy, and air, land and water pollution.
They are encouraged to observe their surroundings, ask questions, learn from their communities, and explore practical climate actions within their schools, homes, and neighbourhoods.
The programme aims to nurture climate champions who can contribute to pro-climate solutions and the well-being of people and nature. It primarily engages students of Classes 6–8 and supports teachers and educators with contextual curriculum resources and experiential teaching approaches.
Implemented across the Nilgiris District, the first phase of the programme was delivered over six months, with approximately 25–30 hours of classroom and field-based learning.
Through this approach, Nilgiris UyirSholai seeks to make climate education relevant, accessible, and rooted in the landscape that students call home.
The curriculum adopts an engaging, experiential approach, combining audio-visual tools, hands-on activities, observations, and simple environmental audits.
It balances classroom and field-based learning, helping students connect concepts with real-world contexts.
Students develop knowledge, skills and a deeper connection with the environment through experiential learning.
Develop a foundational understanding of climate change and its environmental, social, and economic impacts in local contexts.
Observe, document, and analyse changes in water, waste, biodiversity, and energy use in their surroundings.
Strengthen inquiry, observation, and critical thinking through experiential and project-based learning.
Appreciate indigenous knowledge and intergenerational perspectives.
Demonstrate awareness of sustainable practices and responsible environmental behaviour.
Build a sense of connection, stewardship, and responsibility towards local ecosystems.