Pune, India Mar 31: While nature education often conjures images of textbooks or expensive summer camps, The Youth COSMO is offering a refreshing alternative, right in the heart of the community.
On April 5, the Pune-based social enterprise will host its 28th edition of Earth Katta, a free, open-access gathering designed to reconnect children, families and members of the community with the natural world through immersive, nature–led experiences.
This edition, themed “Hiss & Tell! – Decoding the Secret Lives of Snakes,” invites attendees to move beyond fear and myths, and instead build understanding and respect for one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures.
Mark your calendars:
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Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
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Time: 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM IST
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Venue: Ileka School of Applied Learning, Pashan, Pune
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Cost: Free (Pre-registration required) https://www.theyouthcosmo.org/
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More information: https://www.theyouthcosmo.org/
earthkatta
Event Spotlight: ‘Hiss & Tell!’
What comes to mind when you hear the word snake?
Fear? Myths? Mystery?
This Earth Katta aims to change that narrative. Participants will get the opportunity to:
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Discover snakes in their neighbourhood and learn to identify common species
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Engage in the “Snake-a-doo” game, designed for experiential learning
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Listen to real-life snake rescue stories from experts
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Participate in interactive, hands-on activities
By transforming fear into curiosity, the session hopes to foster a deeper ecological connection and awareness.
“If we are serious about addressing the climate crisis, we must move beyond textbook-based environmental education. Research consistently shows that early, direct exposure to nature builds long-term ecological responsibility. At The Youth COSMO, we believe children don’t need more information about nature, instead what they need is a relationship with it. Earth Katta is designed as a scalable, community–led model that creates spaces where curiosity replaces fear, and learning happens through direct experience”, said Hrishikesh Bichu, Co-founder & Director – Strategy.
Reimagining Nature Education Through Community
A flagship initiative of The Youth COSMO, Earth Katta is a vibrant, inclusive space where children aged 7+ and their families come together to explore nature through music, games, DIY activities, and open conversations. Moving away from traditional classroom formats, the initiative focuses on nurturing curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
With over 28 editions conducted since 2023 and a growing community of 2,000+ participants, Earth Katta is steadily building a movement around nature–led learning in urban India designed to address the growing “nature deficit” among children.
A Growing Movement Beyond Classrooms
Founded by Hrishikesh Bichu, Rima Bichu, and Nidhi Bennur, The Youth COSMO is building a scalable, community-first model centered on nature–led experiences. Its approach brings together innovative products, nature -ed publications, and community programs that foster immersive engagement with the natural world, creating a deep and lasting impact on child development. Key initiatives include Stories of Nature, Periodicals, Open Sky Classroom, Earth Katta, among others.
Expanding its vision of reconnecting children with nature, The Youth COSMO hosted ‘Rootopia’ in November, a one-day immersive event that brought traditional Indian games such as Kalaripayattu, Lathi Kathi, Bhatukali, Bagh Chal, cloth board games, and heritage game exhibits to over 650 children, families, educators, and conscious citizens. The initiative highlighted a powerful idea: reconnecting with nature often begins with reconnecting with our cultural roots.
