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Priyanka Lal

Nature & Wellbeing Educator; YouCAN Fellow; Lawyer & Fitness Instructor by training/background

Youth Conservation Action Network (YouCAN) – Earth Educators Fellowship; works inside an NGO-run Government Special Home for children in conflict with law

Cohort

4 Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Priyanka is a human rights lawyer with a deep passion for how we learn and grow. She believes nature must be central to any education that shapes individuals into thoughtful leaders. Her teaching experience spans diverse groups of children, including those in conflict with the law. She believes in staying fit and connected to the land and people around. She loves climbing and playing rugby. Priyanka is committed to building a supportive village that nurtures young people into the leaders of tomorrow.

Passion Project

Primary Focus Area

Youth Well-being, Nature Connectedness, Nature Education , Eco-Literacy

Special Expertise

Working with children in conflict with law, Designing Trauma-Sensitive and Non-Rote Sessions, integrating art music movement and sensory experiences into environmental education, using collaborative projects (like letter exchanges) to widen young people’s worlds

Creative Nature Connectedness for Children in Conflict with Law uses ecology themes, art, movement and hands-on experimentation to spark empathy and awareness. Activities include Lost Lakes (visualising human impact on water), natural tie-and-dye, clay animal modelling, music with waste materials, and eco-exchange letters with coastal children. The project nurtures joy, expression, collaborative learning and the five components of nature connectedness through reflective circles and creative action.

Communities engaged

Children in conflict with law residing in a Government Special Home; staff of the home; visiting facilitators (artists, scientists, actors) who interact with the children

Pedagogical Style

Deeply empathy-centred and trauma-aware; refuses rote learning and fear-based discipline; treats young people as partners with agency and opinions; combines structured intention (clear concepts like “human impact on lakes”) with playful, sensory, creative activities; foregrounds mutual respect, group work and co-creation, so that sessions feel like a safe, dignified space rather than “punishment” or “remedial” class