Eco-Creativity & Innovation Hackathon Sparks Sustainable Solutions at National Showcase

New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized the Eco-Creativity & Innovation Hackathon: National Level Showcase today at the NDMC Convention Centre, aligning with the Prime Minister’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) Campaign. This initiative promotes sustainable and mindful living among citizens, especially the youth.

The Hackathon was launched on June 5, 2024, through the Code Mitra platform by Pi Jam Foundation in partnership with Amazon Future Engineer, and supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under its Environment Education Programme (EEP). The initiative aimed to inspire young minds to tackle local environmental challenges using technology and innovation. It provided a platform for students across India to develop creative solutions to pressing environmental issues.

The event saw overwhelming participation, with a total of 411,711 students submitting 190,033 innovative ideas. Participants hailed from 14 states including Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi. Punjab led the participation, particularly from districts like Sangrur, Patiala, Ludhiana, and Amritsar. Other top-performing states included Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh.

The top five student ideas were announced and celebrated, along with the top five teachers and State-level nodal agencies for their efforts in mobilizing student participation. The felicitation ceremony was graced by Leena Nandan, Secretary, and Shri Tanmay Kumar, Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

In his address, Secretary Leena Nandan highlighted the significance of Mission LiFE as a people’s movement, emphasizing how India is becoming a global leader in environmental awareness and protection initiatives. Special Secretary Tanmay Kumar underscored the importance of adopting mindful resource utilization instead of wasteful consumption, appreciating the Department of School Education & Literacy’s initiative in renaming Eco-clubs as Mission LiFE Eco-clubs.

The final showcase featured 35 innovative projects selected from across the competition, showcasing the creativity and dedication of students toward addressing critical environmental challenges. The widespread participation highlights the growing enthusiasm for environmental education and the role of technology in shaping a sustainable future in India.