Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Zainakote, Srinagar, has secured second rank in the Junior Category of the Youth for Earth Award 2026, earning national recognition for the second time after its earlier success in 2024.
The school received the award at the International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2026), held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The award carries a cash prize of 30,000.
The recognition was conferred for the school’s innovative project to develop a plant-based sustainable packaging material from Typha, locally known as Petch, a wetland plant found abundantly across Kashmir.
The project was recognised for its potential to provide an environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic packaging while addressing concerns related to waste generation and ecological degradation.
According to the organisers, the initiative stood out for its practical application and its integration of environmental conservation with community welfare. By using Typha as a raw material, the project seeks to reduce dependence on plastic-based packaging while also reviving traditional weaving practices associated with the plant and potentially creating livelihood opportunities for local artisans.
The award-winning team, SABZ: The Green Guardians of Kashmir, represented the school under the mentorship of Nyla Ali, Eco Club Incharge at the institution.
The International Conference on Sustainability Education brought together educators, researchers, policymakers and student innovators from India and abroad to deliberate on contemporary environmental challenges. The conference also provided a platform for young innovators to showcase projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Reacting to the achievement, Principal Tahira Manzoor said the recognition reflected the commitment of the school’s students and teachers to innovation and environmental responsibility.
“Receiving this award for the second time is a matter of immense pride for our institution. It demonstrates the capacity of our students to develop meaningful solutions to real-world challenges and compete successfully at national forums,” she said.
Mentor teacher Nyla Ali said the award would encourage young innovators working on sustainability-related issues.
“The project demonstrates how locally available resources can be transformed into sustainable products that benefit both the environment and the community. We hope this recognition inspires more students to engage with environmental problem-solving and social innovation,” she said.
