Eco-warrior!

A SCHOOLGIRL environment campaigner is spearheading a drive to give young people a voice in the battle against waste and the challenge to save the habitiats of endangered species.

Anoo Bhuyan, a class 12 student at The Indian School in Bahrain, passionately believes that everyone in every age group and in every situation can make a difference.

She has built up the membership of the school's 'Eco Club' from 10 to 200 and motivated several of her friends to support the initiative despite busy study schedules.

Members have now designed and created a series of powerful posters in a determined bid to show that age is not a barrier when it comes to spreading the green message.

The powerful poster includes a 'tree of knowledge' containing practical tips and tricks, details on packaging waste, a letter to the students, information about the Top 20 ways global warming will change your life and they have created 'green bubbles' on ordinary people/local environmental initiatives and 'blue bubbles' highlighting the work of famous environmentalists.

Anoo, 17, from Isa Town, said: "This summer when schools were closed for two months the eco warriors came together in different houses to work on a campaign that does not fade into the wall but is simply a work of art.

"There was a lot of research that had to be done and we included things that would interest the students. It could not have been done without the endless support of all our parents who ferried us around the country and bought us stationery and supplies.

"As students we have a choice. We can either agree that we are too young to do anything or turn the idea on its head and believe that as we are young and have novel ideas that adults will turn around and listen to.

"As young people we can do many things - even adopt trees and look after them. The point is, our message has to be made attractive and interesting. We have to remember that values learned early have a lasting impact."

Last year members of the club built a paper recycling bin that, since January, has collected 760 kgs of paper. Members say it is one of their biggest achievements to date.

Anoo added: "It seems funny that other people's waste should interest us so much. But just in our school 7,000 students are throwing away their old books every year and as many homes are throwing away newspapers and magazines.

"Being students it is one of the most practical things we could do. It is what made us decide to build and personalise our Eco Bin. We feel every school or institution, big or small, should have one."

Enthused by the bin's success Anoo, has even introduced one in the building she lives in and has been surprised how many people found telephone directories as old as 1993 to bin. She also convinced her class teachers to accept assignments written on recycled paper, of course!

The club's latest poster campaign initiative was designed by Anoo Bhuyan, Ashwini Mohanlal, Jumana Zulifikarali, Karandeep Bhasin, Manju Gopinath, MC Nidhin, Mitali Suri, Nishat Patel, Roma Suri and Preiti Kaur.