Rare species in CBSE schools

In a renewed effort, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently requested all its affiliated schools to surrender any preserved museum specimen of plants and animals that are rare and threatened (as per the Wildlife Protection Act 1972) to the ministry of environment and forest department.

According to Vineet Joshi, chairman, CBSE, activists had noticed the presence of wild animals and birds that were kept in captivity in some schools during their visits to schools recently. Following which, a committee of experts met at the CBSE office and unanimously agreed to follow the Wildlife Protection Act and sensitise students towards care and protection of biodiversity.

"The CBSE had issued a circular on November 9, 2010, wherein the board had asked all its affiliated schools to surrender any rare and endangered species to the ministry of environment and forest department. But, since some endangered species have still been noticed by activists during visits to the schools, we have written to the principals to ensure that no endangered species of plants and wild animals, including birds and insects, are kept in captivity and used for classroom/laboratory study," says Joshi.

Since the board does not have a list of schools, which have been keeping these rare species in their laboratories, all CBSE affiliated schools, whether government or private, have been warned with a notice.

"It is possible that the school authorities are not always aware whether the specimens fall under endangered or rare category. Hence, it is essential that both students and teachers are educated and sensitised," he adds.

Joshi believes that in the age of information and computer technology, students can do without practical dissections. Instead, virtual specimens can be used for studying plant and animal diversity.