2 Public Awareness for Environmental Management- Need, Scope and Importance

Hardeep Kaur and Sunil Mittal

1. Introduction

2.Scope

3.Need of Public awareness

3.1.Population explosion

3.2.Poverty

3.3.Agricultural growth

3.4.Ground water

3.5.Deforestation

3.6.Land degradation

3.7.Technological advancement

3.8.Genetic diversity

3.9.Urbanization

3.10.Air and Water pollution

4. Importance of Public awareness

4.1.Environment education goals

4.2.Objectives of Environment education

4.3.Guiding principles of Environment education

5.Indian Government initiatives towards public awareness

1.  Introduction

Environment literally means surroundings and is derived from French word ‘environ’. Environment constitutes all the abiotic and biotic components. Every organism is dependent on its environment for food, shelter and living. There is continuous exchange of matter and energy in the environment which is necessary for making it hospitable for various organisms. Survivability of the organism is dependent on steady supply and removal of waste from environment. Environment provides conditions for existence and development of living organisms. Rapid urbanization, increase in population and industrialization are the serious problems which have disturbed the balance of the nature. It has led to depletion of natural resources with pollution of soil, air and water. Evolving concepts of development and modernization have drastically put pressure on the ecosystems and deteriorated healthy atmosphere. Modern day human are so busy to achieve their goals that they are least bothered about what is happening in the surrounding and its impact on environment. All these factors makes it essential to spread awareness among the public.

2.  Scope of public awareness

Quality and integrity of environment can be preserved by public awareness. Dwindling environment is the biggest threat to the existence of human beings. Loss of valuable natural resources and pollution lead to harmful effects as well as abiotic stress on flora and fauna. Public awareness is one of the basic principles in environment management. It involves:

1. Developing sensitivity and awareness towards environmental issues.
2. Inculcating and imbibing the stringent need for conservation of natural resources and surrounding environment.
3. Encouraging active participation of the people in environmental protection and development.
4. Developing expertise for the active identification and finding remedy to environmental problems.
5. Assessment of socio-economic, ecological and aesthetic aspects and impacts of various environmental programmes initiated to improve environmental health.

3.  Need of public awareness in Environment management

It is very important to make public aware about the deadly consequences of the environmental degradation as it would lead to massive extinction of life if left unattended and reformative measures are not undertaken. We are facing various environmental challenges that need to be tackled stringently for sustainable growth and development. Eco-friendly approach needs to be followed in every nation to acquaint for the threats posed in the name of industrialization and development. Natural resources are limited in the world. We are dependent on natural ecosystems for the products obtained from forests, grasslands, oceans and from agriculture and livestock as well as water, air, soil, minerals, oil etc. which are indispensable part of our life support systems. Life would be impossible without these all substances. Increase in population put pressure on these limited natural resources. The earth cannot sustain the ever growing demand for resources. Moreover misuse of resources is the other contributing factor to environmental deterioration. Wastage and pollution of water resources, generation of non-biodegradable materials like plastic, non-recyclable electronic waste, nuclear waste are the other serious threats. Manufacturing processes generate solid waste, chemicals and gases that pollute the environment. Alarming increase in waste generation cannot be managed by natural processes as most of the synthetic waste is non-biodegradable. These keep on accumulating in our environment leading to a variety of diseases and other adverse environmental effects that seriously affects our lives. Air pollution leads to chronic respiratory diseases, water pollution to gastro-intestinal diseases, and many toxic pollutants are known to cause cancer. This alarming situation can only be dealt by initiatives taken by each one of the individuals daily towards preserving environmental resources. Neither government alone can manage and safeguard the environment, nor bunch of environmentalists can prevent environmental degradation. Sensitization can only be done to create self-responsibility. Therefore, efforts at individual level can lead to sustainable development.

Various environmental challenges are as below:

3.1. Population explosion

Current population in India has reached nearly 1.34 billion with population growth rate of 1.2%. Some of the reasons for rapidly growing population are illiteracy, poverty, high fertility rate, reduced mortality rates and infiltration from neighboring countries. It puts extensive pressure on natural resources to meet growing demands. Hence, population growth is the biggest challenge. Women literacy and awareness are some of the measures that need to rigorously practice to circumvent this challenge.

3.2. Poverty

Environment –poverty nexus dates back from ages. Poverty was one of the main agenda for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framed by United Nations and its eradication from the world is the first goal for year 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Although number of poor as well as the proportion of poor below the poverty line (according to the Tendulkar poverty line) have been declining over two decades as per government reports, but about 270 million are still below the poverty line. Initiatives like MGNREGA have been taken to improve the poverty presiding in India. Majority of poor people are directly dependent on the natural resources for their basic needs like food, fodder fuel and shelter. Environment degradation has adversely affected the status of poor who depend upon natural resources for their immediate needs. Thus, the challenge of poverty and the challenge of environment degradation are two sides of the same coin. The population growth and poverty are interlinked as every child is the bread winner for the family.

3.3. Agricultural Growth

The main aim of green revolution was making nation food sufficient but the strategies adopted in achieving this aim lead to harmful effects directly on the rural and indirectly on the urban communities. Introduction of high yielding varieties, indiscriminate use of fertilizers, insecticides have led to development of resistant varieties of flora and fauna, decreased soil fertility, disturbance of the natural ecosystems etc. Lack of appropriate knowledge to use insecticides and fertilizers, awareness for the banned chemicals and ignorance of the potential ill effects has led to surfacing of serious diseases like cancer along with harmful effects and disruption of agricultural ecosystems. The people must therefore, be acquainted with the eco-friendly methods to sustain and increase agricultural growth without damaging the environment.

3.4. Ground water

Rational use of groundwater is necessary as aquifers are limited, confined and ground water level is declining day by day. Leaching chemical fertilizers and pesticides, industrial effluents have polluted surface water and affected the quality of the groundwater. It is essential to maintain the water quality of rivers and other water bodies. Strategies for provision of safe drinking water and keeping water bodies clean are the key challenges. Initiatives under Corporate social responsibility (CSR) by the industries for effluent treatment can be helpful. Mandatory and stringent law for tackling industries not abiding the rules for waste disposal and awareness among public to act as whistleblower can help to open new paths for providing fresh and pure drinking water to the nation.

3.5. Deforestation

Massive deforestation is the result of industrialization. Submerging of forests due to building of dams for hydroelectric power plants has led to displacement of local people, and damage to flora and fauna. Dams on river Narmada, Bhagirathi etc. have become hot topics for debate in political and scientific spheres. Forests cover in India has been decreasing from last few decades owing to pressures of development. Vast areas have turned into wastelands. These areas can be rejuvenated by increasing vegetative cover. The tribal communities respect flora and fauna to sustain their lives. Local people should be integrated with knowledge and skills of the forest department for restoring and conserving forests. Well planned strategies by joint management of forests should be evolved. We must recognize the power of awareness and integrity of the public towards environment issues from past. ‘Narmada bachaoandolan’ is one such acclaimed protest for preserving environmental integrity by the local people. The demonstrations, hunger strikes, protests, rallies and written representations have made an impact on the direction of the movement to stop the building of large and small dams along the Narmada. Media attention of these events has taken the issues from a local level to a more national scale. These protests have forced the World Bank to withdraw its loan from the projects.

3.6. Land degradation

Land is a limited resource. With the increase in human population and economic development, demand for land is increasing. Total land area of India is 329 million hectares out of which only 266 million hectares have potential productivity. 143 million hectares of land is under cultivation and remaining land area (85 million hectares) has suffered from soil degradation. Nearly 30% of the land in India is degraded. From 123 million hectares, 40 million hectare land is completely unproductive. Overgrazing, water and soil erosion leads to further land degradation. This degradation can be avoided by reforestation and local public efforts to restore land usage.

3.7. Technological Advancement

Present day people are more concerned about using latest technologies without knowing potential ill effects of the gadgets and electronic devices. Although these have become indispensable part of living in present time but overuse and unnecessary ignorance about potential ill effects need to be tackled. Development has to go hand in hand with vigilance, sensitivity and security toward management of natural resources. This change can be brought in education, administrative procedures, outlook and institutions.

3.8. Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity need to be conserved by taking proper measures. Interbreeding of the wild populations has greatly reduced with urbanization and deforestation leading to alarming disappearance wild genetic stocks/extinction. Lack of genetic diversity in tigers has been stated as the cause for their extinction. Habitat loss and fragmentation has led to confined breeding. The protected areas like sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves are isolates populations thereby decreasing interbreeding efficiency. Steps need to be taken for preserving genetic biodiversity as every creature is important to maintain balance in nature.

3.9. Urbanization

Urbanization and industrialization has led to various environmental problems like solid waste disposal, development of slums and sewerage disposal. Clean towns and cities are therefore major challenge which can be accomplished only by the cumulative effort of government and people.

3.10. Air and water Pollution

Most of the industrial setups do not comply with the environmental standards setup for waste disposal and treatment. Stringent implementation of the environmental policies is necessary to prevent environmental deterioration. Their implementation needs resources, technical expertise, political and social obligation. Awareness to environmental policies is mandatory for achieving public support for their implementation.

4. Importance of Public awareness in Environmental management

Depletion of the natural resources and environmental degradation necessitates the need for action plan for environment protection. Climate change, loss of biodiversity, ozone layer depletion, and illegal trade of endangered species, habitat destruction, land degradation, ground water depletion, invasive species, environmental pollution, solid waste and sewage disposal pose serious threat to forest, marine, freshwater and other land ecosystems. Ignorance and lack of concern for the environmental issues pose hurdles in environment management. Government alone cannot manage the entire issues single handedly without public support. Every individual should be the integral part of campaign for the prevention of environment degradation as we are the only ones to reap the benefits of clean environment. Prevention is always better than cure. Reducing wastage of natural resources and remaining alert about the sources that lead to pollution and degradation of our environment will enable us to prompt government action for environmental protection. This is possible only through massive public awareness. Newspapers, radio and television strongly influence public opinion. Press and media add on to the public efforts and enforce politicians to respond positively to a strong public movement. NGOs and small help groups are continuously working towards sensitizing people towards environment. Various green policies formed by the government are the fruits of public efforts. Sensitization of the society about environmental issues and challenges initiate skill and expertise development in the individuals leading to appropriate solutions to the environmental issues. Idea of ‘DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT’ can be accomplished by public awareness only. Public can play important role in law making and their enforcement.

4.1  Environmental Education Goals:

The objective of environmental education is that the public should become conscious, attain knowledge, change outlooks, and realize capabilities to combat real-life environmental problems. For this, the general public should be acquainted with integrated inter-disciplinary and holistic education. This is only possible with a new approach to education itself—which should be provided in schools and universities.

The goals of environmental education as pointed out by the UNESCO is to create environmental awareness in the world population—an awareness about the whole environment and problems associated with it and generate commitment in people to work individually and in union towards solving existing problems and preventing new ones from emerging.

4.2. The objectives of environmental education formulated at the UNESCO’s Tbilisi Conference (1977) were as follows:

i)Awareness: To make people sensitive towards environment and associated problems that arises due to its misuse.

ii)   Knowledge:  To  help  people  gain  experiences  and          basic  understanding  of  the environment and related problems.

iii)    Skills: People must gain skills for recognizing and resolving environmental problems.

iv)    Attitude: Help people acquire values and feelings of concern for the environment and encourage their participation in keeping our environment clean and safe.

v)      Participation: Provide an opportunity to get involved at all levels in the task of resolving environmental problems.

4.3. Guiding Principles laid down by the UNESCO ICEE at Tbilisi in 1977 were as follows:

The need is to consider the environment as a whole, that is, the natural, technological, social, economic, political, cultural, moral, historical and aesthetic environment.

1. The need is to have a continuous life process of environmental education—from pre-school level to formal and non-formal education levels.
2. An interdisciplinary approach to spread awareness of environmental problems and knowledge about environment is necessary.
3. Major environmental issues are to be ‘examined from local, national, regional and international perspectives.
4. The complex nature of environmental problems is to be recognized, critical thinking and problem-solving skills need to be developed in people.
5. The value of local, national and international cooperation in addressing environmental problems is to be highlighted.
6. The need is to use available knowledge about the environment and the various available approaches to teaching and learning.
7. Learners must be acquainted with the real causes of environmental problems and the way these get expressed and must be encouraged to participate in prevention and resolving environmental problems.
8. School-level education needs to link up aspects of sensitivity to environment, knowledge of environment and problem-solving.
9. The need is to stress on current as well as potential environmental situations.
10. All plans for social, economic and other kinds of growth and development must pay attention to environmental aspects.

In our country, various government and non-government organizations are involved in environment protection and conservation. Some of the well-known organizations include government organizations such as the Ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) and NGOs such as Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-I), Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN) etc. Various environmental activists have played important roles in protection and conservation of environment and lead to massive revolutionary movements for conservation of nature. Some of the renowned people are M S Swaminathan, Medha Patekar, Sunderlal bahuguna, R.K Pachauri etc.

5.   Indian Government initiatives towards public awareness and environmental education

The Government of India with Ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MOEFCC) has focused on environmental education and is undertaking programmes that involve public contribution to keep our environment safe. Few mentionable schemes are as follows:

I. The ‘Environmental Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT)’ is a scheme of

the Ministry for improving the understanding of people at all levels about the relationship between human beings and the environment and to develop capabilities/skills to improve and protect the environment. This scheme was launched in 1983-84 with the basic objective to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society and to mobilize people’s participation for preservation and conservation of environment. EEAT Scheme has the following objectives:

• To promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society;
• To spread environment education, especially in the non-formal system among different sections of the society;
• To facilitate development of education/training materials and aids in the formal education sector;
• To promote environment education through existing educational/scientific/research institutions;
• To ensure training and manpower development for environment education, awareness and training;
• To encourage non-governmental organizations, mass media and other concerned organizations for promoting awareness about environmental issues among the people at all levels;
• To use different media including films, audio, visual and print,, theatre, drama, advertisements, hoardings, posters, seminars, workshops, competitions, meetings etc. for spreading messages concerning environment and awareness.
• To mobilize people’s participation for preservation and conservation of environment. The objectives of this scheme are being realized through implementation of the following programmes launched over the years:

II. National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)

The NEAC was launched in 1986 with the objective to create environmental awareness at the national level. In this campaign, nominal financial assistance is provided to schools, universities, research institutes, colleges, women and youth organisations, NGOs, army units, government departments etc. from all over the country for conducting awareness raising and action oriented activities. NEAC activities have been supervised and monitored by thirty four Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) . 11754 organisations participated from across the country during NEAC 2013- 2014.

III.  National Green Cops (NGC)

NGC is a major initiative of MOEFCC for creating environmental awareness among young children. This scheme has indicated the importance of grass root level in enhancing the environment awareness at mass. Launched in 2001-02 the scheme aims at sensitising the young minds towards environmental conservation and sustainable development. The scheme has come up with a network of more than 1, 00,000 Eco clubs across the country in 14 years, making it one of the largest conservation networks. This programme provides in-depth field experiences to school children and offers opportunities to convert their ideas into creative action.

IV.  Swach Bharat Abhiyan

A major initiative by the present government towards a clean and safe environment is the Swach Bharat Abhiyan. The objectives of Swachh Bharat include eliminating open defecation through the construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and beginning a responsible mechanism of monitoring toilet use. Run by the Government of India, the mission aims to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing 12 million toilets in rural India at a projected cost of ₹1.96 lakh crore (US$30 billion). The mission contains two sub-missions: Swach Bharat Abhiyan (“Gramin” or rural), which operates under the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation; and Swach Bharat Abhiyan (Urban), which operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The mission includes ambassadors and activities such as national real-time monitoring and updates from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are working towards its ideas of swach Bharat. Various public figures and Brand Ambassadors have been selected by the government to propagate the message. Due to the massive volunteer ship and government determination the overall national rural “household access to toilet” coverage has increased to 62.45 per cent and usage of 91.29 per cent in 2017.

Other awareness programmes

• Awareness cum action programs in and around the protected area, in wildlife corridors, biodiversity hotspots, rivers and wetlands
• Awareness programs which focus on communities that are critical to conservation of forests/wildlife/environment
• Quiz Programmes/Competitions etc.
• Yatras based on the environmental issues
• Organising appropriate awareness programmes on the occasion of mass congregations like industrial exhibitions, trade fairs, health melas, sport meets, conferences, training inter-school/college/university competitions etc.
• Any other programme/activity that promotes awareness about environment.

References

• (http://www.indiaonlinepages.com/ population / india-current-population.html)
• http://www.moef.nic.in/division/national-environmental-awareness-campaign-neac
• http://www.moef.nic.in/division/environmental-education-awareness-and-training-eeat
• http://www.moef.nic.in/division/national-green-corps-ngc