Growing up with Nature Class 4 The World Around Us Chapter 4 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Reena and Amit were thrilled about visiting their village located near a forest for a special harvest festival. This time, their village was becoming fully solar-powered, which added extra excitement for them and their family. The story highlights their experience of witnessing eco-friendly celebrations and how rural life is closely connected to nature.

As they entered the village, they noticed vibrant orange-red flowers on the Palash tree, which is called the "flame of the forest." It is named Kesuda in Gujarat. Their father explained the significance of the Palash during the flowering season, when it turns the entire forest reddish-orange. Children can observe and list other colourful flowers in their locality, encouraging an appreciation for local biodiversity.

Village homes are made using clay, hay, cow dung, and other natural materials. They are often decorated with traditional paintings done by mixing rice flour and water, usually by elderly women in the family. These decorations not only beautify the homes but also keep them cool and eco-friendly. Children can try making a model house using clay, wooden sticks, grass, and leaves, decorating it with an art form they like.

Reena and Amit observed their grandmother making paint using natural extracts from flowers, leaves, and stones. This traditional way of preparing dyes teaches children about the benefits of using natural resources, and they can try making a simple dye at home with adult supervision by boiling colourful plant parts. After preparing the dye, they can use it to paint pieces of cloth, experiencing how colours from nature can be used safely and beautifully.

Villages preserve traditional art forms such as Gond art, where artists paint on walls using natural colours to depict nature, including trees, animals, and people. This not only keeps traditions alive but also highlights respect for the environment by avoiding chemical-based materials in their daily life and practices.

Rural homes use earthen pots and bamboo baskets to store grains. To protect from insects and pests, people line the inside of pots with neem leaves and coat the outside of bamboo baskets with cow dung. These age-old but effective ways show how natural resources are used in sustainable farming and storage.

For example, in Uttarakhand, "Tumri" is a round or oval-shaped container made from dried bottle gourd. Traditional methods like this protect stored produce and avoid harmful chemicals.

• Earthen pot lined with neem leaves
• Bamboo basket coated with cow dung
• Tumri (dried bottle gourd) in Uttarakhand

Grandparents in villages often know many traditional remedies using plants. For example, neem oil applied on the skin helps keep mosquitoes away. Tulsi (basil) leaves are used to treat cough, and ajwain (carom seeds) are used to ease indigestion. Learning which plant parts are helpful teaches children about basic healthcare using natural resources.

During the evening festival, the village is full of cheer, with houses and fields lit up by solar-powered lights. People gather in traditional attire, offer prayers to nature and perform folk dances to the beat of dhol and nagada. Local traditions often involve thanking plants and animals for supporting life. Sacred groves—protected forest areas—showcase how the community conserves nature and celebrates its resources.

Festivals and rituals are connected to plants and animals. For example, Vat Purnima is linked with worshipping the Banyan tree, Hari Jiroti involves planting fruit trees, and the Kaziranga Elephant Festival raises awareness about elephant conservation. These events help children understand the importance of respecting and protecting nature.

• Reduce paper waste by using both sides of the paper and recycling
• Say no to plastic bags and use cloth bags instead
• Spread awareness on saving plants in your community
• Leave food and water for birds, especially during summers
• Plant trees at home, school, and parks
• Organise or join clean-up drives to keep surroundings tidy

Many things we use daily come from nature, such as fruits for eating, cotton for clothing, and neem for healthcare. However, using them carelessly can harm the environment. Overusing wood causes deforestation; overusing water leads to scarcity; excessive farming can make soil unfertile; and over-fishing affects marine life. It's important to use resources wisely and protect the environment for future generations.

Children are encouraged to reflect on what they use from nature and the changes that might occur if there was no electricity for two days. Students can also design their own herbal garden, drawing different herbs and labeling them, and think of ways to protect the environment at home, school, parks, or their locality. Simple actions like planting saplings, using eco-friendly products, and saving water can go a long way in protecting the earth.

1. What natural items do you use every day?
2. List possible challenges if nature’s resources are overused. For example, overusing wood affects forests. What about water, soil, and sea products?
3. How can you help protect your environment?
4. Draw or plan your own herbal garden, showing your favourite herbs and their uses.

In summary, the chapter "A Journey Through a Forest" teaches children about the close relationship between communities and nature. It highlights the importance of respecting, conserving, and celebrating the natural world through festivals, daily practices, and traditional knowledge.

CBSE Class 4 The World Around Us Chapter 4 Revision Notes – A Journey Through a Forest

These Class 4 EVS Chapter 4 revision notes explain all the main points of "A Journey Through a Forest" in a simple way. Use these notes to quickly review facts about traditional village life, how nature is used responsibly, and the importance of festivals. They help students in understanding concepts for school exams or homework in an easy format.

With important terms, tables, and real-life examples, these revision notes make it easier to remember details about village practices and the environment. Students can also find practical activity ideas and questions to practise for better exam preparation and real-world learning.