Environmental Sustainability and Education

Abstract

Protection and worshipping the nature has a long tradition in our India. The land, trees
and even animals are placed on a high pedestal since Vedic times. Religious traditions
are very rich and reverse in values. In this regards it may be mentioned here that
education plays a vital role to understand or motivate the mind of citizens to protect and
improve the environment in modern times. To educate the citizens in Indian perspective
it is necessary to recollect our ancient religious scriptures contributions such as Atharva
Veda wherein the concept of respect for earth has been pronounced. Further Rig Veda
regarded plants as have divine power. So it is very much important to include
environmental issues as one of the chapter for the schools and college levels. The role
of Government to protect the nature is important as our forth chamber popularly known
as local self-Government can influence the rural people how to protect environment for
our own cause. The office of the Panchayats and other bodies is required to perform
Constitutional duties which are provided under Art 48-A of the Indian Constitution
which provides that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment
and to safeguard forests and wildlife of the country. The whole world is facing
multifarious enviro problems of climate change as such various measures were taken
by the International Organizations such as Stockholm Conference, 1972, earth Summit,
1992 etc. to streamline the environmental issues. The U.N Conference on human
environment had taken various measures but still situation demands more consciousness
and sacrifices for our future generations.