World Environment Day Events in Chennai & Bangalore 2025

There is more to World Environment Day than corporate jargon and planting a tree (that you forget to water for the rest of the year). If you are looking at fun and engaging ways to connect with Nature, here are a few activities you can sign up for — outdoors, and from within the comfort of your homes.

Caring for the crocs

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) offers a range of volunteering programmes for children and adults. If you are looking for something to do over the weekends, their Docent Programme (₹3,000) “supports the education and curatorial departments at MCBT”, says Pramila Rajan, director. “The primary motive is to spread awareness about reptiles and promote the need for their conservation.”

Docents (18+) will be involved with activities like enclosure maintenance (pen cleaning, enclosure upkeep, etc.), park maintenance, etc, and they are expected to contribute a minimum of one day a month for a period of at least six months. Kickstarting this month is their Junior Volunteer Programme (11-17 years), a two-day camp for children. Their Be A Zookeeper Programme is tailormade for varied age groups and teaches children why we need zoos, the people behind them, etc. 

Details on madrascrocodilebank.org/

A file photo from 2022 of Prakiruthi and Rohini, elephants at Anna Zoological Park
| Photo Credit:
Velankanni Raj

Adopt an animal

There is more you can do for your city’s zoo than just visit it. Many zoos across the country offer virtual animal adoption programmes, including Vandalur Zoo in Chennai and Bannerghatta National Park in Bengaluru. Individuals can adopt animals such as tigers, elephants, bears, monkeys, and even birds, reptiles for a day or a year. At Bannerghatta, for instance, you can adopt an Asiatic elephant for ₹3,00,000 a year, or a Rusell’s viper, spotted pond turtle for ₹3,000 annually. The adoption fee covers expenses towards the animal’s feed, enclosure maintenance, health care expenses, among others.

Details on aazp.in/ and bannerughattabiopark.org/

The underwater tunnel aquarium at VGP Marine Kingdom
| Photo Credit:
M. Karunkaran

Intern with the fishes

If you are looking at working at the intersection of ‘wildlife conservation, education, and social impact’, city-based Emden (a consulting firm focussing exclusively on social causes) has an internship programme for people across age groups. Volunteers can work on paid internships for projects at organisations such as Tree Foundation, VGP Marine Kingdom, Reptile Conservation Alliance, among others. Over the course of their projects, they can explore a range of activities: assisting in conservation projects with documentation, data collection, and research related to wildlife and ecosystem conservation; learning about reptiles; support zoo master plans; explore conservation breeding programmes by studying breeding strategies; education and outreach initiatives by accompanying students on Nature tours, to name a few.

For more details, contact 9591530610.

Spot the fireflies 

At Bengaluru’s Arovi – Connect With Nature, a Nature play zone for children, a festival dedicated to fireflies has been planned this month. Once a common sight in Bengaluru, fireflies are disappearing due to urbanisation, rising pollution levels, and the use of artificial lighting, says founder Imran RA. “Many children have never seen a firefly,” he says, adding how he can still witness fireflies at his farm near Arovi in June, just before the monsoon. Other activities offered at Arovi include farming, caring for animals, Nature walks, mud play, tractor rides, and more.

On June 6,7,8 & 13,14,15 at Arovi, Sarjapur Road. 5:15 pm to 8:45 pm. ₹600 per person

A sloth bear at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Sponsor a bear

At non-profit Wildlife SOS’ sloth bear rescue facility in Bengaluru, you can choose to volunteer or sponsor an animal. Situated within the Bannerghatta National Park, the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC) is home to over 60 sloth bears. A majority of these animals have been rescued from the 400-year-old ‘dancing’ bear tradition. As a part of the virtual sponsorship programme, individuals get familiar with their day-to-day activities. Sponsors get access to a ‘digital package’ comprising a sponsorship certificate, detailed health updates on the sponsored animal, an animal fact sheet and a collection of printables such as bookmarks and illustrated prints of the sponsored bear.

Sponsorships are ₹3,500 for a month, and ₹42,000 for a year. Details on wildlifesos.org

Cubbon Park in Bengaluru
| Photo Credit:
Sudhakara Jain

Explore Cubbon Park

At Bengaluru-based organisation A Green Venture — that organises eco walks and promotes Nature education in schools — two walks to explore Cubbon Park are being planned this month. Open to adults and children (4-10 years), the walks cover activities such as spotting insects, Nature sensory learning, exploring large trees, facts on flora and fauna, bird watching, tasting edible roots and leaves, quizzes, games, and more. 

On June 8 and 22, from 9 am to 11 am. A ticket is priced at ₹800, and includes one adult. To register, Whatsapp 9886400312