The Andhra Pradesh government and Heartfulness, a non-profit group, started a Net-Zero Residential School pilot at the A.P. Social Welfare Residential School in Kuntamukkala, Krishna district. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath said this will help students care for nature across Andhra Pradesh. “Nurturing a sense of responsibility towards nature at an early age will prepare them to become environmentally conscious future leaders,” he said. The pilot aims to build an Integrated Ecological Campus with green belts, a rainforest, wetlands, and microgreens, closing the Net-Zero loop. It focuses on giving students an eco-friendly learning space and student-led green governance with plans to expand statewide. Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Venkata Krishna Prasad said this project will spread awareness of the Net-Zero concept in residential schools across the state. NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha called the project a powerful learning experience that makes students responsible citizens. APSWREIS secretary Prasanna Venkatesh explained the seven-year project hopes to reduce carbon emissions, improve soil and biodiversity, and cut freshwater use. “When sustainability becomes a way of life in residential schools, it becomes a lifelong habit,” he said. Forests by Heartfulness Chairman Ramakantha and Director Saravanan Subramanian also attended. The event ended with a mass tree plantation drive involving green enthusiasts.