Green School Scheme Set To Be Launched in Maharashtra

To tackle the rising heat in Maharashtra, the state government is set to launch a significant eco-friendly action. Plans are underway to introduce a "Green School Scheme" aimed at creating a more comfortable and healthy environment for school students.

Under this scheme, school buildings and campuses will combine designs and technologies that help lower temperatures naturally. The state government's Environment and Climate Change Department is collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on this initiative.

I am writing about this because the intensity of the heat is no longer only a seasonal issue; it is directly impacting students' health, academics, and daily lives. Temperatures are rising rapidly, particularly in urban areas, due to the incidence of concrete and a lack of greenery. The plan to make schools' climate represents a crucial step for students, parents, and educational institutions alike.

The Green School Scheme is an initiative aimed at naturally lowering temperatures within school grounds and creating a more comfortable environment for students. Under this scheme, school building designs, construction materials, and the surrounding environment will be improved to help the impact of heat and reduce dependence on artificial cooling systems. The Environment Department has already directed the Education Department to launch this project.

This project is the result of a partnership between UNEP and the Environment and Climate Change Department of the Government of Maharashtra. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties in August 2025. Its primary objective was to address global challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

The Green School Scheme is actually part of UNEP’s "BeCool Programme." The primary objectives of this programme are:

• Reducing urban temperatures
• Promoting eco-friendly construction methods
• Applying nature-based solutions
• Creating climate-flexible infrastructure
• Introducing natural cooling systems in buildings and public spaces

Passive cooling is a method of temperature control that relies on natural means rather than electrically powered air conditioning systems. Measures include planting shade-providing trees, using reflective roofing, ensuring natural ventilation, utilising heat-resistant construction materials, incorporating green roofs and vertical gardens, and increasing the presence of water bodies and green spaces. Such measures also help reduce electricity consumption in the long run.

The Environment Department has proposed improvements to the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to the Urban Development Department. Through this, mandatory guidelines regarding passive cooling could be incorporated into future construction projects.

Work on mapping 'Urban Heat Islands' has already commenced in 30 cities with the assistance of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). These maps will be used to identify heat-prone areas, where special measures will be applied.

The government has selected three cities as "Deep Dive Cities": Kalyan-Dombivli, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur. Special plans will be applied in these cities to manage temperatures and develop climate-flexible infrastructure.

If the Green School Scheme is applied, students can directly enjoy several benefits, such as lower classroom temperatures, a healthy learning environment, a reduced risk of heat-related illnesses, decreased dependence on electricity, and a green, eco-friendly campus. So, the overall academic environment could also improve.