A total of 26 students from Classes VI to X participated, guided by teachers Tr Anita Surwade and Tr Annie Gomez. The programme, held under the school’s Care for Creation initiative, aimed to foster responsibility toward conservation and a cleaner, greener planet.

The group assembled at the school for a safety briefing, equipped with eco-friendly instructions to avoid single-use plastics, and at the scenic Taloja Hills, greeted by meadows of Panicled Dewflowers. Students were divided into smaller groups, recording observations in their nature diaries as guides and teachers explained the ecological importance of flora and fauna.

The trail revealed a vibrant ecosystem. Birds such as the Greater Coucal, Green Bee-eater, Fan-Tailed Flycatcher, and kites captivated participants, while streams and waterfalls teemed with crabs and aquatic life. Guide Ms Roshni Thiwary demonstrated the medicinal value of native plants and explained species interdependence, including the Plain Tiger butterfly’s reliance on milkweed.

Students expressed their enthusiasm through reflections. Class VII student Jai Kulkarni called the trail “informative and fun,” while Class X’s Laiba Tole was thrilled to spot butterflies like the Common Grass Yellow and Chocolate Pansy. Others described the experience as a refreshing reconnection with nature.

Post-trail activities included poster-making and reflections. Principal Mrs Kalyani Chaudhuri praised the initiative and encouraged the formation of a Bird Lovers Club to protect birds in the school premises.

The trail doubled as an outdoor classroom, blending scientific learning with an appreciation for natural beauty, leaving students inspired to protect biodiversity.