Darjeeling’s TIEEDI expands reach with climate internship tie-up in Telangana

DARJEELING,: TIEEDI Permaculture Foundation, a Darjeeling-based environmental organization has recently tied up with Mahatma Gandhi University at Nalgonda, Telangana in trying to empower youths to lead environmental regeneration programs by integrating structured internship into the university’s academic framework.

An MoU was signed on Tuesday between the university and TIEEDI for the launch of this “Climate Action Leadership Programme” at Nalgonda which also aims at making the district a “zero waste model”, a similar venture which the environmental organization has been working on here at places like Sonada.

In a press release the TIEEDI founding director Utsow Pradhan said, “We are thrilled to join hands with MGU to place students at the heart of environmental action. Together, we aim to not only address waste challenges in Nalgonda but also create a generation of leaders committed to sustainability.”

The press release from TIEEDI maintained that this initiative aimed at empowering youth to lead environmental regeneration efforts in Telangana and beyond.

“The partnership, formalized on the MGU campus, seeks to integrate structured internships into the university’s academic framework, enabling students from the 1st to 4th semesters to earn academic credits for their participation in live social impact projects. Through this collaboration, MGU will also initiate steps to transform its campus into a zero-waste ecosystem,” said Pradhan in the press release.

According to the press statement, this programme will focus on transforming Nalgonda district into a zero-waste model, starting with villages and municipal areas along with have student-led projects in biodiversity conservation, waste management, and environmental awareness that would also earn their credits as per the New Education Policy (NEP) of Government of India. It will also try to create platforms for corporate social responsibility (CSR) investment in grassroots sustainability initiatives added the press release.

“Under the MoU, MGU will facilitate student participation, while TIEEDI will design and oversee internship modules aligned with both academic and environmental goals. The initial agreement is valid for one year, with provisions for renewal based on outcomes,” said Pradhan.