Environmental Education is a process of recognising values and clarifying concepts in order to develop skills and added tools necessary to understand and appreciate the inter-relationship among man, his culture and his bio-physical surrounding. It creates an overall perspective, which acknowledges the fact that natural environment and man-made environment are interdependent. It should consider the environment in its totality and should be a continuous lifelong process beginning at the pre-school level and continuing through all stages. It should be inter-disciplinary and examine major environmental issues from local, national and international points of view. It should utilise various educational approaches to teach and learn about and from the environment with stress on practical activities and first-hand experience. It is through this process of education that people can be sensitized about the environmental issues.
To achieve the above objectives, the Ministry has been implementing
several schemes and programmes. Some of the major schemes implemented for imparting
environmental education and for creation of environmental awareness among the
general public are as follows:
:Objectives :
The programmes conducted/initiatives launched as part of this scheme are categorised under Formal and Non-Formal sectors.
Though formal education is the mandate of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Ministry of Environment & Forests has been interacting with the MHRD, NCERT, State Departments of Education etc. to ensure that environmental components are adequately covered at the school levels by infusion into the school curricula at various levels. The major initiatives taken by the Ministry in this direction recently are mentioned below : Environment Education in School System
Under this project, which was initiated in 1999, an exercise to strengthen environment education in the formal school curriculum has been undertaken. During the first phase of this project, a comprehensive study was conducted to assess the status of infusion of environment content in the school curriculum in the country and to assess the effectiveness of classroom teaching. The study was conducted in all the States/UTs of the country and textbooks of all the classes from standards I to XII were analysed. Based on the findings of the study, the textbooks in Science, Social Science and Languages of middle school level in eight States (100 schools in each State) are being modified to strengthen the infusion of environmental concepts. The modified textbooks would be used for one academic session (2002-2003) in the selected schools of the selected States on pilot basis. The concerned teachers of the selected schools would also be trained to effectively teach the modified textbooks. The States participating in this project are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab and Uttaranchal. Depending upon the success of the pilot implementation, the revised curriculum may be taken up in the remaining schools. The findings of the Phase I study are also being shared with the States/UTs which are not participating in this project so that they can also environmentalise their textbooks. Environmental Appreciation Course
Though there are several courses on environmental sciences at present in the formal system, there are no structured courses available outside the formal system for people who desire to learn about environmental issues. The Ministry has taken an initiative in this regard and it presently working out a frame work for environmental appreciation courses in consultation with IGNOU. Environmental Concepts in Management & Business Studies
Realising that the industry Managers and leaders need to be sensitized towards environmental issues and concepts of Environmental Management so that they can play an important role in introducing environmentally sound practices in their operations, the Ministry has taken an initiative to introduce/enhance environmental concepts in the Business/Management Education. A committee comprising representatives from Management Institutions, AICTE, UGC, Industry and MoEF is already looking into various aspects like course content and syllabi of the existing courses so that gaps could be identified and suggestion could be given for enhancing/introducing the environmental content where necessary.
Environmental Education, Awareness and Training plays a significant role in encouraging and enhancing people's participation in activities aimed at conservation, protection and management of the environment, essential for achieving sustainable development. The Ministry, therefore, accords priority for the promotion of non-formal environment education and creation of awareness among all sections of the society through diverse activities using traditional and modern media of communication. Some of the major activities undertaken in this regard are as follows: National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)
The NEAC was launched in mid 1986 with the objective of creating environmental awareness at the national level. It is a multi-media campaign which utilises conventional and non-conventional methods of communication for disseminating environmental messages to a wide range of target groups. Under this campaign, nominal financial assistance is provided to registered NGOs, schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, women and youth organisations, army units, State Government Departments etc. from all over the country for organising/ conducting awareness raising activities. These activities which include seminars, workshops, training programmes, camps, padyatras, rallies, public meetings, exhibitions, essay/debate/painting/poster competitions, folk dances and songs, street theatre, puppet shows, preparation and distribution of environmental education resource materials etc., are followed by action like plantation of trees, management of household waste, cleaning of water bodies etc. Diverse target groups encompassing students, youth, teachers, tribals, farmers, other rural population, professionals and the general public are covered under NEAC. The programme is being implemented through 28 designated Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) for specific states/regions of the country. The list of these RRAs along with their addresses is given at the end. The applications for participation in this programme are invited every year through advertisement in major national and regional newspapers during the months of May/June. Any additional information can be obtained from the concerned regional resource agency. Eco-clubs (National Green Corps)
The main objectives of this programme are to educate children about their immediate environment and impart knowledge about the eco-systems, their inter-dependence and their need for survival, through visits and demonstrations and to mobilise youngsters by instilling in them the spirit of scientific inquiry into environmental problems and involving them in the efforts of environmental preservation.
Since the modification of the scheme in 1993, more than 10,000 Eco-clubs had been provided grants until 2000-2001 in various parts of the country. Considering that the total number of schools covered were grossly inadequate compared to the total number of schools in the country and keeping in view the potential of this programme in sensitizing the school students. It was decided to intensify this programme to cover each and every district of the country.
A programme of raising ‘National Green Corps’ through the Eco clubs was, therefore, launched during 2001-2002. Under this programme, Eco-clubs are being set up in 100 schools of each District of the country. 47,000 Eco-clubs have been set up so far in the country. This programme is being implemented in each State/UT through the Nodal agency appointed by the State/UT Govt.
The Government of India provides financial assistance for establishment of Eco clubs @ Rs.1000 per Eco-club, Training of Master Trainers, teacher training and distribution of resource materials. Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
The GLOBE is an International Science and Education Programme, which stress on hands-on participatory approach. India joined this programme during the August, 2000. This programme, which unites students, teachers and scientists all over the world, is aimed at school children. The students of GLOBE schools are required to collect data about various basic environmental parameters under the supervision of a GLOBE trained teacher and use it for explaining hypothesis as well as to enhance their scientific understanding of the earth. This data is also used by the scientists in their research work. The GLOBE also provides an opportunity to the students to interact not only with the GLOBE scientists but also with the students from GLOBE schools in other parts of the world. About 100 schools spread over different parts of the country have already joined this programme. The teachers of these schools have also been trained in various GLOBE protocols. An International training workshop for trainers was successfully organised at New Delhi during January, 2002. The participants at this workshop, which included representatives from Nepal and Thailand besides India, were trained in Basic and Advanced GLOBE Protocols by a training team from GLOBE Headquarters in USA. Mass Awareness
Despite great efforts to spread environmental awareness by the Ministry through several schemes, it is felt that a large population especially in rural areas is still left out. The best way to reach out to them and make them aware of the environmental problems is through media, particularly the electronic media. "Mass Awareness" has therefore been identified as one of the thrust areas of the Ministry, not only to intensify the efforts already being made in this direction but also to launch new initiatives. The Doordarshan and few other television channels are proposed to be extensively used for telecasting environment based programmes and infomercials. Professional Media agencies which are hired to assist the Ministry in carrying out the campaign also play a major role. To encourage individual efforts in producing films/documentaries on environment/wildlife related themes in the country, the Ministry has sponsored organisation of a film festival "Vatavaran – 2001" by Centre for Media Studies, Delhi in April 2002.
The Ministry also sponsors various programs which do not fit into straitjacketed programs like NEAC, NGC, etc., and are aimed at creating environmental awareness among children. These include environment quiz (both written as well as televised), organization of activities for observation of special occasions such as earth day, special programs for children, etc. These proposals which are received throughout the year from various NGOs and other agencies, are considered on merit as and when received and are supported. Few examples such programs are:
An international written Environment Quiz program known as Green Olympiad conducted by TERI. It is conducted in more than 200 centers across the country. Last year the quiz was conducted in both Hindi and English and more than 70,000 school students from India, Russia and UAE participated in this competition. The regional winners were selected for the televised quiz program named TERRAQUIZ which was telecast on National channel of Doordarshan. It was a great success in sensitizing the children about environmental issues.
Awareness activities / events by NGOs, academic institutions etc. on the occasion of special Environment days like Earth Day etc.
Written environmental quiz programs in different regional languages are being started. The winners of written quiz would participate in a televised quiz program.
Organization of an annual Vacation Program on Environmental Resources for high school level students namely “Vacation program on Natural resources- building a broader constituency of support for conservation” by ATREE.
Consideration of Proposals by the designated Committee - The Internal Screening Committee (ISC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests will meet on quarterly basis for consideration of proposals for:
The cut-off dates for receiving proposals in the Ministry seeking grant are:
This scheme was started in 1983 to strengthen awareness, research and training in priority areas of environmental science and management.
So far the following nine Centres of Excellence have been established by the Ministry by providing financial assistance : -
|
Sr. No. |
Name and Address |
Communication Details |
|
1 |
Centre for Environment Education Nehru Foundation for Development Thaltej Tekra Ahmedabad – 380 054. (Gujarat). |
Telephone: +91-79-6858011 Fax: +91-079-6858010 email: ceeindia@vsnl.com |
|
2 |
C.P.R Environmental Education Centre 1 A, Eldams Road Chennai – 600 018. (Tamil Nadu). |
Telephone: +91-44-24341778, 24346526 Fax: +91-44-24351022 email: cpreec@vsnl.com |
|
3 |
Centre for Ecological Sciences Indian Institute of Science Bangalore – 560 012. (Karnataka). |
Telephone: +91-80-3601463, 3601429 Fax: +91-80-3602121 email: ragh@ces.iis.ernet.in |
|
4 |
Centre for Mining Environment Indian School of Mines Dhanbad – 826 004. (Bihar). |
Telephone: +91-326-206372, 202486 Fax: 0326-203042 email:gurdeep-s@123india.com |
|
5 |
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and natural
History (SACON) Kalayampalayam Coimbatore – 641 010. (Tamil Nadu). |
Telephone: +91-422-807973, 80798 Fax: +91-0422-657088 email: centre@sacon.ernet.in |
|
6 |
Centre for Enviornmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems University of Delhi South Campus New Delhi – 110 021. |
Telephone: +91-11-601966, 4678876 Telefax: +91-11-7256237 |
|
7 |
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
Pacha Palode Thiruvananthapuram - 695562. (Kerala). |
Telephone: +91-472- 869246 Fax: +91-472-869646 email: gmnair@satyam.net.in |
|
8 |
Madras School of Economics Gandhi Mandampam Road Chennai – 600 025. (Tamil Nadu). |
Telefax: +91-44-22354847 Fax: +91-44-22352155 Email: sankar_u@hotmail.com Website: http://www.mse.ac.in |
|
9 |
Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health
Traditions 50 MSH Layout, 2nd Stage 3rd Main, 2nd Cross, Anand Nagar Bangalore – 560024. (Karnataka). |
Telephone: +91-80-8565890, 8565873 Fax: +91-80-8565873 email: s.ajith@frlht.org.in website: http://envis.frlht.org.in |
The proposals on the priority areas on environment received by the Ministry are referred to experts for comments and considered by an Internal Committee constituted under the scheme.
|
S. No. |
Regional Resource Agency |
Jurisdiction |
|
1. |
Director, C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation, No. 1-A, Eldams Road, Chennai- 600 018 |
Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
|
2. |
Director, |
Gujarat, Dadar & Nagar Haveli |
|
3. |
President, |
Rajasthan |
|
4. |
Director (Environment), |
Punjab |
|
5. |
President, |
Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh |
|
6. |
Secretary, |
Eastern Uttar Pradesh |
|
7. |
President, |
Haryana, Chandigarh |
|
8. |
Honorary Secretary, Uttarakhand Sewa Nidhi Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan, Jakhan Devi, Mall Road, Almora – 263 601 (UP) |
Uttaranchal |
|
9. |
Director, Deccan Development Society, A-6, Meera Apartment, Basheer Bagh, Hyderabad- 500 029 (AP) |
Andhra Pradesh |
|
10. |
Director-Convenor, School of Fundamental Research, 29, Pratapaditya Road, Kolkata– 700 026 |
West Bengal |
|
11. |
Secretary, Gram Vikas Kendra, K- 3/57, Hans Stoehr Road, TELCO Town, Jamshedpur -- 831 004 (Jharkhand) |
Jharkhand |
|
12. |
General Secretary, Rural Youth Coordination Centre, House No. 210, Indira Nagar Rajapur, Post - Patna G.P.O., Distt-Patna-800 001 (Bihar). |
Bihar |
|
13. |
Director, |
Orissa |
|
14. |
Chairman, |
Kerala, Lakshwadeep & Minicoy Islands |
|
15. |
Managing Trustee & President, |
Goa, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra |
|
16. |
Executive Director |
Madhya Pradesh |
|
17. |
General Secretary, |
Assam |
|
18. |
Director, |
Jammu |
|
19. |
Senior Scientific Officer, |
Manipur |
|
20. |
Principal Secretary |
Nagaland |
|
21. |
Member Secretary |
Tripura |
|
22. |
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests |
Mizoram |
|
23. |
Secretary, |
Sikkim |
|
24. |
Secretary |
Meghalaya |
|
25. |
Secretary |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
26. |
Member Secretary |
Himachal Pradesh |
|
27. |
Executive Secretary |
Karnataka |
|
28. |
Director |
Kashmir |
|
29. |
Member Secretary, |
Chattisgarh |
Shri S. K. Jain
(Deputy Secretary)
Environment Education
Ministry of Environment & Forests
Government of India
Paryavaran Bhawan
CGO Complex, Lodi Road
New Delhi - 110 003.
Phone : +91-11-24366837