Analysis and Conclusion

With the growth of global environmental threats and the rapid expansidn of the culture

of consumerism it was accepted, as early as 1960s, that environmental degradation, if

allowed to continue at this rate, would endanger the existence of human beings. With

this, a new realization has dawned that unless we turn to an ecologically sustainable

development, the f h r e of mankind will be at stake. A public, which is environmentally

conscious and educated about the need for sustainable development, is essential for

achieving the goal. This naturally calls for a change in attitudes and behaviour and a

radical revision of the values of the society. It inevitably follows that there is no other

choice but to add a new dimension i.e., 'educate for the environment', not merely

learning through or from the environment as it used to be in the past. Despite the fact

there is a fairly deep knowledge of environmental issues, an extensive body of literature

and a variety of means, modes and agencies for the transmission of knowledge,

environmental social education is easier said than done. What can therefore be stated

as the central argument of the present study is the virtual impossibility of achieving

total literacy in environmental issues.

Examining the environmental or ecological communication initiatives of

various agencies such as governmental, non-governmental, voluntary, involuntary,

formal, informal, individual, collective, instituted and so on, we have come to the

conclusion that on the average their reach is around 10% of the total population in

the country. The initiatives are by and large confined to the educated among whom

the responsive do not exceed 15 to 20% at the national level. However, about 38 to

43% of the forest people in northern India are eco-system people whose way of life

hardly upsets the environmental equilibrium. In the case of Kerala, the percentage of

the educated being very high the ecological awareness initiatives reach a larger number

but the responsive among them fall below the national average. According to our

estimate it is only 6 to 7%. Further, in Kerala there exist hardly any who come under

the category of the ecosystem people excepting a few in the forests living as gatherers.

The tribal people in the State are mostly wage earners and those with land prefer

cash crop agriculture, which seldom goes in harmony with the forest eco-system

unlike low-level hunting, gathering and shifting cultivation. Proletarianized and

urbanized they are marginalized, and hence impoverished.

Environmental Concern among five different groups: A random sample study

Fig. 14 LRA = Literate Rural Adults; LUA = Literate Urban Aduks; HEP = Highly Educated Professionls; CNS = CollegeAJniversity Students; EA = Ecological Agents

Arandom sample study was made among five different groups notwithstanding

the problem of overlap, using an informal and unstructured diaIogue method without

disclosing the purpose of assessment. The sample consisted of hundred persons

belonging to different places and the researcher engaged in an investigative dialogue

with them. The method involved listening to the interactions in the meetings and

seminars on environmental issues. We have drawn data also fiom the record of

responses and reactions of college teachers and students enrolled in the environmental

forum called Eco-Fraternity organised by the present researcher himself The sample t

analysis yelded varying percentages oftlle people with environmental concerns among

the five categories of respondents - 12 % among the literate rural adults (LRA), 14

% among the literate urban adults (LUA), 10 % among highly educated professions

(HEP) like doctors/ advocateslengineers, 15 5% among the collegeluniversity students

(CIUS) and 49 % among ecological agents (EA) like Nature educators, foresters,

pollution control staff, and members of fraternities. (Fig. 14)

It i,s well attested by a wide variety of environmental assessments that the

ecological carrying capacity, homeostasis and resilience have been fast shrinking in

Kerala, the details of which we have discussed earlier at length. However, there is no

corresponding rise of environmental awareness among the people. The level of

awareness in the state is not worth the time and money spent for the fhcilities of

ecological communication. At the same time the warnings of environmental hazards

are not without social responses. But the responses are driven by fears of short-term

dangers to oneself rather than by long-term disasters of the larger society. There is a

steady rise of fear among the educated middle class in Kerala about the danger of

pollutiordpoisoning of atmosphere, water and soil. However, this fear has led many

to be cautious of the air they breathe, the water they drink and the stuff they eat and

not to abstain from practices adding on to the danger. This self-protective attitude

encouraging people to seek individual alternatives and remedies is ultimately rnarket-

friendly. For instance, the fear of chemical poisoning of the vegetables and h i t s has

created a special market for KO-farm products and crops free of artificial fertilisers

Fig. 15 Number of Voluntary Agendes participated in the National Environment Awareness Campaign 1993 - 2003 and the percentage of impact

Year

Ref; National Environment Awareness Campaign, Project proposals, Government of Kerala Regional Resource Agency, State Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Pattom, Thiruvananhapurarn.

and pesticides. It is evidently the fear about one's own health hazards and even that is

not a result of ecological awareness. Many farmers today keep a few plants in their

vegetablelplantain gardens fiee of chemical fertilisers and pesticides for their

household consumption as aloof &om the rest grown for the market. ActuaIly this

practice is at1 indication of the lack of adequate ecological education about the

consequences of soil pollution. (Fig. 15) They do not know th-nt the practice hardly

helps them be free of the dangers of soil pollution.

A large majority of people would be outside the environmental awareness

campaigns always, as they are selective and confined to small groups. Awareness

does not develop among all in these little camps, reducing their utility further. The

percentage of those gaining awareness is not more than 15 to 17 on an average. (Fig.

16) Even this very small number of people with environmental awareness does not

succeed in practising it, because it demands a radical sh& in the life-style. So we

cannot generalize upon the effect of environmental serninarshvorkshops just by counting

the number of programmes and participants. (Fig. 17) SocioIogcaliy speaking, the

workshops/seminars serve the various ego-needs of both the organrzers and participants

u,ho involve often with individual motivation seldom to have anyfiing to do with

environmental objectives. Thus the formally convened awareness campaigns get

contained by the contemporary socio-economic structure and cultural processes.

Fig. 16 Rise of Environmental Pollution and Awareness Levels during the period 89-2004 in Kerala (Em-ferternity)

Fl Pollution Level

Awareness Level

Pig. B

Fig.17 Rough Estimate of the tota1 % of people communicated through the various methods /Means/programmes in KeraIa

As a result of eco-resoration cum community development programmes under

the Eco-development and Kerala Forestry Projects, their concern for forest

conservation has got enhanced. Ecological co~nmunication through livelihood

development strategies and forest-related cultural self-respect restoration has led to a

substantial advance in certain select areas like the Periyar Tiger Reserve where even

women do conservation tasks voluntarily.

In the current state of widespread environmental illiteracy and anti-ecological

lifestyle, one can easily draw the conclusion that disasters alone communicate. People

do learn from ecological disasters. But that is a belated learning, often of little or no

use, for most of the ecological disasters occur under irreversible conditions. The

present study focussing on different issues at different places arrives at the conclusion

that the market-fnendly middle class that is altruistic and regardless of the environment,

constitutes the most intractable for any educator in ecology. A class of high literacy,

its problem is that of inappropriate knowledge and ecological cornmunic~tion,

therefore, has to be powerfir1 enough to make its listeners unlearn many things. To

the educated middle class of Kerala, ecokogical matters are of no importance, for

their priority is invariably one of marketdriven enterprises. Their natural resources

and energy needs under conditions of limited supply hardly allow them to be eco-

friendly. The small strips of land, the kind of agriculture practised there, the way non-

degradable waste gets accumulateal and destroyed, and the pattern of everyday life

etc., bring the middle class household to the fore as a microcosm of the fast

degenerating landscape - eco system complex called Kerala.

The upper class land-use pattern its chemical intensive agriculture, polluting

industrial enterprises, mismanagement of the waste and the resource-extravagant life-

style exert an ever-mounting deleterious impact on the eco-systems of Kerala. The

development endeavours designed for the upper class by the State as well as the

central governments invariably involve gross environmental hazards. Ecological

education is sponsored by the State also, but there is no insistence on environmental

protection in the development initiatives of the State, with the result that environmental

stipulations of the government get violated by the government itself. Environmental

ideas remain a mere rhetoric in most of the cases and ecological communication, a

cry in the wilderness.

Environmental values, passions and ethics have not secured any place in the

mainstream as yet. Environmental justice has no legal recognition in the normal course

of jurisprudence. Most of the lawyers and judges do not seem to be enlightened by

ecological wisdom, though at times favourable judgements come, thanks to some of

the clearly articulated environmental laws. The status of ecology in the juridic0 - political, ideological, cultural and social fields, is deplorable. So, environmentalist

initiatives are counter cultural and radical still in Kerala, often accused of being against

development, resisted and at times even condemned. Ecological movements have

always been the dissent and protest of a minority in Kerala, the success of which

depended either on the favourable court verdicts or intervention by the Central Ministry

of Environment and Forests, rather than on mass support. Ecological education and

communication can hardly be fruithl in such a situation.

Environmental higher education including research has grown in the State

and the output is not insignificant. 'The accretion of knowledge in the environmental

sciences is commendable at the national level and its percolation at the State level,

not neglegibie. Actually, environmental sciences are much more critical and subversive

than many other sciences are. But as in the case of any other specialists, environmental

scientists in the State are contented too. There are very few activists among our

environmental scientists. Like other sciences, environmental sciences are also

development sciences in their actual practice. The dominant economy has contained

them along with their scientists, leaving little or no chance for the dissemination of

the science among the people. In fact, people should get the science retold in their

language of cognition equipping them to participate in the relevant policy debates.

But as in the case of other areas of knowledge, socialization is far beyond the agenda

of environmental science education in Kerala.

Although formal and informal education has increased environmental

awareness, it is to be concluded that more scientifically based education is needed,

particularly on possible solutions to the problems rather than mere information about

the problems. People should be given the opportunities to learn the techniques and

skills needed to protect the environment. Moreover, the drawback with the State is

that we do not still have comprehensive environmental education programmes to

prepare our citizens for the problems of the future. For this, a State Consortium for

Environmental Education and Training may be set up and the curriculum should be

revised in such a way for environmental education to become an integral part of

school and college education.

Another conclusion that the study could arrive at is that environmental

reporting has not yet become a regular feature in most of the newspapers of the State.

Apart from recurrent short public rnformation bits that target simple themes like

afforestation or atmospheric pollution by vehicles, correspondents dedicated to a range

of developmental issues are hardly found. The environmental contents and the space

allotted to environmental discussion in the Malayalam or English newspapers are

negligible. Coverage of global environmental issues in them is extremely poor. There

is nothing unusual about it, for that is the kind of link the market economy has with

the news industry.

Although so many causes of the environmental crisis are structural with roots

in social institutions and economic relations, basically it is seen as a political issue, in

the sense that a political response is necessary to avert the crisis. But an explicitly

political stance on the environment has been slow to develop in Kerala. As a fast

growing consumer society susceptible to the temptations of the market, there is nothing

strange about it. The political parties, by and large, represent the consumer upper

middle class interests.

In the party politics and bureaucracy the main actors are all of the middle

class with vested interests. Naturally these interests though conflicting against one

another do coalese and prevail upon the larger public as the dominant. This situation

precludes the possibility of the ecological matters gaining priority.

Although some environmental movements in Kerala like the KSSP have

acquired prominence for their work in bringing science to the people through formal

and informal education, the level of mass support mobilized by them is very low for the

above socio-economic reasons. KSSP is neither willing nor able to intervene in a radical

way to facilitate communicative action in the middle class society. This is not to

underestimate KSSP's contribution in the field. The conclusion that we draw is that

however organized the movement is, the task of creatively and critically applying science

and technology in the daily life of people by drawing their attention to degradation,

pollution and depletion of resources, and realising sustainable environmental

management practices, is a near impossibility. The inadequacy of sociological strategies

of conununicative action is a specific reason, despite the various modes of communication

adopted like street play, procession, exhibition, public dialogue etc.

It may again be concluded that the widespread scientification in formal and

inforn~al education, supported by KSSP and other NGOs has not succeeded in bringing

with it a widespread scientification of environmental activism. This activism is

certainly based on scientific knowledge of the environmental dangers, but does not

seem to intend to transform its social orientation into a technological one, nor does it

seem to apply science and technology to facilitate environmentally sound production.

The middle class bias makes the KSSP act paradoxically by sometimes

showing ambivalence in environmental attitudes. While preventing the construction

of a large hydroelectric project in the Silent Valley and closing down the Gwalior Rayons

Factory in North Kerala and Punaloor Paper Mills in the southern region on the ground

that these units polluted Chaliar and Kallada River respectively, other ecologically

unsound production units (eg. FACT, Alwaye) are allowed to remain in operation without

much pressure for cleaner production. This is normally justified by refemng to the

provision of jobs in a situation of widespread unemployment. As a consequence, the

environmental activists either lose in their struggle with economic activists, or they

give in because they become convinced that the employment arguments are more

important. The common justification is that the problem of unemployment takes

precedence over the danger of emissions.

Similarly, there is a rather quiet acceptance of the deforestation and

unsustainable planting in upland Kerala because the petty middle class households

constitute a large vote bank and politicians lend a serious ear to them. As a result, the

Government acknowledges the encroachment as facts and legalizes the forest

plantation transformations from time to time. This resembles the uncritical acceptance

of industrial pollution.

This demands effective environmental leadership in order to achieve better

stewardship of environment and judicious use of natural resources. The key

characteristics of environmental problems are: inordinate delay in seeking solutions;

complex systems, an emotion-charged context, a relatively weak and scattered science

base, an absolute need for integration across a wide array of areas of knowledge and

human attitudes and concerns. Together, these characteristics demonstrate why

environmental leadership in the State may require special effort and attention. Such

leaders can build up a communication programme throughout the institution or society

or company that helps to prevent the recurrence of environmental mistakes. The need

for environmental leadership in Kerala has never been greater.

In view of the escalating environmental decline, the State of Kerala needs to

embark on programmes for effective. implen~entation of environmental education at

all levels, applying scientific and technological solutions, restructuring its economy

and making dramatic changes in values and life styles. Doing all this quickly will

contribute to the starting of an unbureaucratised, grass roots revolution involving the

whole masses. To create a Statewide environmental concern similar to that observed

during the Silent Valley agitation, the suggestion that a Day along the lines of Earth

Day be organized in India and Kerala in particular must be warmly welcomed. With

the love of the people of Kerala for festivals, the entire day would very well turn into

one of festivity and of celebration of Nature, reflecting the immense range of

environmental concerns in the State today.

Most of us think that this kind of awareness should come from the common

public, that they should be the ones to be educated and alerted about the dangers to

the environment. But in fact this should rightly begin with the leaders, rulers and

higher authorities, because unfortunately, they are often the ones responsible for the

country's environmental degradation by implementing wrong policies and by

ineffective governance. Moreover, educated urban individuals are today so alienated

from their environment that they have become, what is called, 'resource illiterate'.

This demands a new education of the uneducated and a re-education of the educated.

Intensive and continuous education of people through one or other communication

method is to be undertaken.

Appendix : A - Drinking Quality Problems of Kerala

Parameters in water samples crossing respective standards and their effects

Appendix: B Important Non-Governmental Organisations (Used for data collection for the study)

Cochin Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) School of Environmental Studies Cochin - 682 016

Effect by ingestion through drinking

Encrustation

Taste, corrosion

Gastrointestinal irritation

Encrustation

Taste. staining. corrosion

Toxic multiple effect

Taste. corrosion, liver damage

Adverse effect on domestic use

Association for Welfare Action in Kerala Environment 'Paroor', P.O. Thrikkariyoor Ernakulam Dt. - 686 692

Source: STEC, 'Fresh Water Resources ofKerala, Thiruvanathapuram', 2004, p68

Sandard (mdl 1

300

250

150

30

0.3

0.05

0.05

0.05

Parameter

Total Hardness

Chloride

Sutphate

Magnesium

Iron

Lead

Copper

Manganese

Environmental Centre - Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad Parishad Bhavanam, Trichur - 680 002

Friends of Periyar Periyar Wildlife Reserve, P.O. Thekkedy Iduki District - 685 5 15

Samples

Ecofraternity of College & University Teachers, P.O.No. 2 17, Kottayam

High Range Wildlife Preservation Association (HRWPA) Vagavurrai Eastate, Talliar - 685 614

Kochi

International Centre for Study and Development Shangrila Hills, P.O. Valakom Quilon Dt. 691 532

H

2

4

3

5

1

Jana Kshema Sangham (JAKS) Archbishop's House Pattom P.O. Trivandrum 695 004

KDE

L

1

1

1

2

14

4

Kerala Association for Non-Formal Education and Development (UNFED), Saksharatha Bhavan Vazutha. Trivandmm 675 072

H

Kannur

Kerala Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Gandhi Bhavan P.O. Thycaud, Trivandrum - 695 014

L

2

1

H

1

3

L

1

2

3

2

Malanadu Development Society Kanjirapally - 686 507

Minivet Nature Club (Elenthikara) Elenthikara, Ernakulam Dt. Kerala 683 5 12

Mitraniketan Mitraniketan, P.O. Vellanad, Nadumangad, Trivandrum - 695 543

National Association for Tribal Uplift, Research and Education Mully, Attappady, P.0 Athikadavu, Via Coimbatore

National Women's Welfare Centre Ariyancode P.O. Ottasekharamangalam - 695 1:!5

Nature Action Group (Valakom) Kunnackal Muvattupuzha Ernakulam District

One Earth - One Life P.O. Edat Cannanore District - 670 327

Parisara Samrakshana Ekopana Salnithi (Coordiantion Committee of Environmental Protection Movements) Science Centre, Beach, Calicut - 673 001.

Peace and Disarmament Society of Kerala, P.O. Perumkadavila Trivandrum - 695 124

Peermade Wildlife Preservation Society Stagbrook Estate Peemade - 685 53 1

Prakrithi Samrakshna Samiti (Society for the Conservation of Nature) Varada, Nandavanam Trivandrum - 695 001

Rural Agency for Social and Tech~lological Advancement Arivaram, P.O. Karnbaladad Wynad Dt. 673 12 1

Sasthamkotta Lake Protection and Redemption Council P.O. Sasthamkotta Quilon Dt. 690 521

Social Action Movement of Idukki P.O. Puliyanmala, Kattappana South Iuka District - 685 5 15

Society for Environmental Education in Kerala (SEEK) SEEK Bhavanam Edat P.O., Cannanore Dt. Kerala

Society for Integral Development Action Koovapally Kottayam Dt.

Society for the Protection of Environment (SPEK) Calicut, Kerala - 673 017.

Thekkady Wild Life Society Vandanrnedu, Idukki Dist.- 685 55 1

Viswadarsanam Feny Land, Nariyapuram Pathanamthitta Dt. 689 5 13

Working Group on Environmental Protection Cochin Science Association S.R.M. Road, Cochin.

Wynad Prakrithi Samrakshna Samiti Sultan's Battery Wynad-673592

Zoological Club Payyanure College, P.O. Edat Cannanore Dt. - 670 327

Centre for Development Studies Ulloor, Trivandrum - 695 01 1

Friends of the Trees (Cochin Chapter) Cochin town Planning Trust Cochin

Friends of the Trees (Kottayam Chapter) Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Kottayam-l

Friends of the Trees (Quiion Branch) Kerala Social Service Fomm (KSSF), L)ivisional Forest Officer Nagampadom, Kottayam - 1 Quilon

Friends of the Trees (Trivandrum Chapter) B-8, Jawahar Nagar, Trivandmm

National Fishermen's Forum Sree Devi Niwas Compound Cochin - 682 006

World Wide Fund for Nature- Kerala State Office, Kawadiar, Trivandrum - 695 003

Kerala Association for Social and Women's Welfare, NSSM Building, Manayilkulangara, Kollam - 12

Kerala Education Development and Employment Society (KEDES) 509, Sangeeth Nagar, Trivandmm - 695 014

Kottayam Social Service Society, Kanjirapally 686 5-7, Kottayam Dt

National Association for the Blind - Kerala, Pattom, P.O., Trivandrum - 695 004.

B.P. Moideen Seva Mandir Naranganam Rural Development Society , Mokkam (PO), Calicut District West P.O. Pathanamthitta Dt - 42

Centre for Overall Development, National Fish Workers Forum, Alphonsa Bhavan, Thamarassery P.O.. Chemreshmi Centre, Kozhikode - 73. Valiathura P.O., Trivandmm - 08

Centre for Inter Disciplinary Studies (CIS), Organization for Industrial, Ganga Bhawan, G.P.O. Lane, Spiritual and Cultural Trivandmm Advancement - International

(OISCA - South ) Conservation of Nature Trust, Bl24, OISCA, South Chapter, Gandhinagar Colony, Calicut Calicut - 673 005

Educational And Socio- Economic Action Council, Non-formal Education and Development Bhavan, Post Periyaram 67- 5-3, Kerala,

Gandhi Yuva Sanghdana, Pothanpodam, Muthlamada P.O. Palakkad - 678 507

GREENS, (Group Endevour for Environment and Nature Sustenance) Nature Lovers Club of Government Secretaries, Sastringar, Karamana P.O., Trivandrum - 695 002

Haritha Nature Club, St. Thomas High School, Kumanthod P.O., Karikotakary, Kannur District - 670 704

People's Service Society, Palakkad Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Palakkad 478006

People's Fomm for Development, Kudappanakunnu P.O., Trivandmm 695 043

Rajiv Gandhi Centre Venganoor, Trivandmm 695 523

Satyachitra Arts & Sports Club Social Service Society Ampalathumbhagom P.O., Kollam - 690 520

Swadeshi Science Movement, Convent Road, Cochin 682 035

Centre for Industrial Safety & Environmental Concerns (CISEC), Kottamukku, Kollam

Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Environment Cell of YWCA , Cannanore Raod, Calicut Pin 673 01 1

Alter Media (A-M), Brahmasom Madom Bldg, M G Road, Thrissur

The Dale view Punalal, Via Poovachal, Trivandmm -75

Vembanad Nature Club, Sreekovil, P.O. Muhamma, Allappauzha

Viswadarsanam, Feny Land, Nariyapuram Pathanamthitta 6895 13,

Theeram Samrakshana Samithi, Kolavipalam Beach, Kottakkal, Kozhikode - 21

Thekkady Wild Life Society, Post Box 9,P .O. Kumily, Idukki - 09

Society for Integral Development Action (SIDA), Koovappally, Kottayam Dist.

Society For the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), P.M.G. Junction, Trivandmm

GovernmentaUScientifie Organisations

Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Trichur

State Committee on Science, Technology and Environment (STEC), Sasthrabhavan, Pattom, Trivandmm

Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, PMJJunction, Vikas Bhawan PO, Trivandmm

Kerala Women's Commission, Poojappura, TVM - 695012

Kerala State Education Research & Training, Poojappura, Trivandmm

Land Use Board, Vikas Bhavan, Thimvananthapuram

Anakkara Vikasana Sangam, Kerala State Pollution P.O. Anakkara Control Board (KSPCB), Idukki District, Pin 685 5 12 Plamood, Trivandmm

Cadre for Environmental Studies and Kerala Language Institute, Action (CESA), Trivandmm - 695 003. Utility Building, Nayarangadi (Nehru Bazar), Thrissur, 680 001Kerala Forest Department,

Forest Head Quarters Vazhuthakad P.0 Centre for Industrial Safety & Environmental Concerns (CISEC), Centre for Earth Science Studies, Kottamukku, Kollam - 691 01 3 Thimvananthapuram

National Society of the Friends of Trees, Tropical Botanical Garden and Bombay Research Institute (TBGRI),

Palode, Thimvananthapuram Prathistanam Fellowship for Ecospidtuality, Amritham, Ashtamchira, Trichur Centre for Water Resources Development

and Management, Kozhikode Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC), Agency for Non-Conventional Energy Peroorkada, and Rural Technology (ANERT), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 005 Thimvanthapuram.

Source: ( i ) World Dictionary of Environmental Orgunisation, Indian Institute o f Ecology and Environment, New

Delhi, 1997, pp. 425-428. ( i i ) Directory of Voluntary Agencies, STEC, Thimvananthapuram, p. 1-83. ( i i i ) Environmental Education Initiatives in South India, A Directory o f Centre for Environment Education,

Southern Regional Cell, Bangalore, 1997, pp. 160-172. (iv) Directory ofEnvironmenta1 NGO.7 in the Asia Pacific Region, Friends o f the Earth, Malaysia,

Penang, 1983. (v) Environmental NGOs in India, WWF, Kerala, 1999, pp. 21 1-231.

Occasion for data collection

Appendix: C -National Environment Awareness Campaign

Year Major theme Fund allowed

1989-90 Conserving our Water Resources. Lakhs Save environment, save yourself Save environment, save yourself Conservation of Biodiversity & Public awareness Waste management and animal welfare 6.324 Joint Forest Management & Eco development 7.3 Women and Environment 7.53 Medicinal plants 10.5 Pollution prevention and Control and conservation and plantation of trees 10.35 Keep our Water Resources clean 12.03 Keep our environment clean and green 13.21 Sustainable Development 13.75 Water - elixir of life 14.10 Water - elixir of life 14.29

No. Of voluntary Agencies.

Source: Annual report of NEAC, STEC, Thiruvananthapuram, 2003.

Appendix : D - Occasion for data generation

Ecofratemity of College and TJniversity Teachers, Kottayam, Kerala, a registered society established in 1990 has been conducting a number of environmental awareness and action programmes for college teachers and students. The researcher, who is also the Director of these movement, has organised about hundred programmes like organizing talks, lectures, seminars, workshops, consultations on local and global environmental problems, bringing out publications on environmental related issues such as articles, pamphlets, notices, books, bulletins and magazines, organizing competitions for students celebration of environment days, months and year such as Earth day, World Environment day, Wildlife Week, National Environment Month and organizing environmental exhibitions. Environmental action programmes include: campus cleaning and greening programmes, Rallies, processions, public meetings, field trips, nature surveys, research and study on local environmental problems, panel exhibitions, film shows, nature study camps, trekking, bird watching and star watching, ctc. -all serving as effective media for environmental communication among teachers and students.

A summary of the important programmes organised by the researcher used for data generation for the study is given below.

Three days seminar on 'Environmental Education': for 300 participants, including selected students, teachers and members of the public, at Corpus Christi School auditorium, Kottayam, Kerala, from 28Ih to 30'h October 1989.

A Week Long Campaign among the Public to Cast their Votes to environmentally conscious and nature loving candidates only, during the Parliamentary election in 1990.

18 days Long Environmental Exhibition at Baselius College, Kottayam, Kerala from 23rd Dec. 1989 to loth January 1990 for the students and general public. More than one lakh people viewed the exhibition.

One day seminar on Creating Academic Atmosphere in Higher Education' at Baselius College, Kottayam on 6Ih January 1990 for teachers, students and general public.

A day Long Interfaith Dialogue, under the title 'Parliament of Religions', for selected College teachers, post graduate students, prominent public men and trainees from seminaries, held at Baselius College, Kottayam.

Three days Nature Study Camp at Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary, Kerala from 23* to 2Sh February 1990 for selected students and teachers of Mahatma Gandhi University.

A One day Consultation on 'Environmental Education' at Sophia Centre (Old seminary), Kottayam on 231d June 1990, attended by Principals of local Colleges, Vice-chancellors and specially invited College teachers who were engaged in the task of environmental education.

One day seminar on 'Environmental Issues' at Baselius College, Kottayam for the members of Baselius Nature Chb, Kottayam on 2nd August 1990.

The Hiroshima day Remembrance and Prayers, followed by Tree Planting Campaign and Green Belt Construction around the College campus of Baselius College, involving about 100 students and a few teachers, on 61h August, 1990.

One day seminar on 'Forests of Kerala -Environmental Issues', at Baselius College, Kottayam on 24Ih Nov. 1990 for the members of Baselius Nature Club.

4 days Live-in seminar on 'Environmental Education' for NSS Programme Officers and College Teachers in charge of environmental activities of Mahatma Gandhi University from 201h Sept. to 23'd Sept. 1990 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, S.H. Mount, Kottayam, Kerala, .

3 days Workshop on 'Curriculum Development in Ecology' held at Baselius College, Kottaya~n from 20th to 23rd October 1990 for Zoology teachers of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala.

3 days Live-in Workshop on 'Elnvironmental Education' for student volunteers of National Service Scheme of Mahatma Gandhi University and Nature Clubs of affiliated Colleges from I " to 3rd November, 1990 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre. S.H. Mount P.O., Kottayam-6, Kerala

3 days 'Aranya Darsan Nature Study Programme' for NSS Programme Officers, and Nature Club Advisors at Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary, Kerala from 9" November to 1 lIh November 1990.

3 days Nature Study Camp at Silent Valley National Park, Kerala for a team of College teachers from 16Ih to lYth November, 1990.

Three days seminar on 'Environmental Education' at St. Thomas Training College, Pala for 300 B.Ed students, from 1" February to 3" February 1991.

Tl~ree days Nature Study Camp at Silent Valley National Park, Kerala for the Baselius College Nature Club Members from 2" to 4Ih March 1990.

Three days live-in Workshop on 'Environmental Education' for student leaders of Nature Clubs of M.G. University, from 2* to 4Ih August 199 1 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, S.H. Mount, Kottayam-6, Kerala

Six days Orientation course on 'Education Through Environment' for College teachers from 28Ih August to 2"' September, 1991, continuously held at three different centres.

Two days Environmental Education seminar at Christavasramam, Manganam on 28"' and 291h Aug, 199 1.

Two days symposium on rare/endangered/endemic species of Western Ghats - arranged by the Forest Depth. On 30th and 3 1" August, 1991 at the Social Forestry Complex, P.T.P. Nagar, Thimvananthapuram.

Two days Nature Study Camp at Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary on 1" and 2nd Sept. 1991.

Two days seminar on 'Environmental Education: for College teachers at Pastoral Centre, Amnapuram, Pala, and Kerala on 30" Nov. And Is' Dec. 1991.

Three days 'Bird Watching and Environmental Study Programme' for College teachers at Thattekkad Bird Santuary, Kerala from 13Ih to 15Ih Dec. 1991.

Three days 'Nature Study Camp' for the members 0fM.G. University Union at the Wild Life Santuary, Mullakudy, thekkady, Kerala from 30th Dec. 1991 to 2" January 1992.

Four days live-in Training Programme on 'Eco-Development and Nature Conservation' at the Anglade Institute of Natural History, Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, Kodaikanal, from 6'h to 9Ih February 1992 for a selected group of College teachers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

One day Study Programme on 'Ecological Farming Methods' at the organic farm land of Mr. K.V. Dayal at Muhamma near Alleppy, Kerala on 22"Vebruary 1992 for a selected group of College teachers.

A Week Long live-in Workshop on 'Eco-Development and Nature Conservation' for selected College teachers from South n from 24" to 30Lh April 1992 held at Ashirbhavan, Kacheripady, Ernakulam, Kerala.

Two days live-in Consultation to chalk out Future Action Programmes on Environmental Education, involving a selected group of College teachers, on 6'h and 7Ih June 1992 at Ashirbhavan, Kacheripady, Ernakulam.

Three days Live-in seminar on 'Communication Techniques for Raising Awareness on Environmental Education' for a selected group of College teachers from 22"d to 24" May 1992 at Benziger Memorial Centre, Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Three days Live-in 'Orientation course on Environmental Education ' for selected student leaders of NatureIEco-clubs of Colleges under M.G. University, from 20th to 22" dug. 1992, at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, S.H. Mount P.O., Kottayam-6.

Two days live-in seminar on 'Medicinal Plants of Kerala' for selected College teachers of Kerala and Mahatma Gandhi University from 29Ih to 30Ih August 1992 at Banziger Memorial Centre, Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram.

Three days live-together on "Traditional Methods of Farming and a Study Trip to the Farm land of 'Karshakasree' near Trichur, from 19Ih to 215' September 1992 at Y.M.C.A. Hall, Kolencheny, Kerala.

Three days live-in seminar on 'Change Life Style-Sustain Nature Life' for selected girl students of Mahatma Gandhi University, from 30Lh Oct. to lSL Nov. 1992 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, S.H. Mount, Kottayam, Kerala.

One day seminar on 'Eco-Justice and Peace Education' for the members of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, (FOR INDIA) on 21s1 Nov. 1992 at A.I.P.F. Rural Development Centre, Paranthal, Via, Pandalam, Kerala.

Three days live together on 'Star watching" for selected College teachers of Kerala from 271h to 29Ih November, 1992 at Charal Mount near Kozhencherry, Kerala.

One day seminar on 'Education Through Environment' held at N.M. Christian College, Marthandam, on 13* Dec. 1992 for selected College Teachers from five Colleges in Kanyakumari Disirict.

Three days stay-in Workshop on 'Nature Living and Nature Cure' for teachers, and general public held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, S.H.Mount, Nattasseny, Kottayam from 21"-23rd December 1992.

Three days stay-in Orientation course on 'Worthy Campus Life' for B.Sc Degree (Zoology) students at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Kottayam from 15"' to 17Ih January

A Mass Environmental Education Programme namely 'Inter Collegiate Enviro-Quiz' involving all students and a large number of teachers of all Colleges and Universities in Kerala, held in three successive stages- College level competition on 14Ih Dec. 1992, Zonal level competition on 20'h February 1993 and State level competition on 61h June 1993 at Dooradarshan Kendra, Thimvananthapuram, Kerala.

Publication of following books for creating awareness on environmentally related subjects authored K.P. Joy, the researcher, namely 'Ecology, Evolution and Zoo- geography', 'Environmental Rt?volution Through Education ', 'Eco-Development and Nature Conservation : 'Genetics for Degree Students', 'Evolution and Zoo Geography', Greening ofMinds and 9 other books in Malayalam including 6 translations for CPREE Centre, Chennai.

A week long Workshop on 'Eco-Justice and Nature Conservation' for selected College and University teachers of Kerala held at Ashirbhavan, Kacheripady, and Ernakulam from 24Ih to 30Ih May 1993.

Three days live-in 'Orientations course for College Teachers' from 2"d to 4& July 1993 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Kottayam.

Four days seminar on 'Education Through Environment' for Training College Teachers held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Kottayam, Kerala from 71h to loth June 1993.

21 days 'Refresher course in Environmental Biology' for selected College and University Teachers of Mahatma Gandhi University held at Baselius College, Kottayam from 3rd to 26Ih September 1993.

Three days stay-in seminar on Education Through Environment' for selected student leaders of Nature Clubs and N.S.S of Mahatma Gandhi University held at Christavasram, Manganam, near Kottayam, Kerala from 29'" to 3lS1 October 1993.

Three days live-in 'Eco-Friendly Live together' for College teachers at Christavasram, Manganam, Kottayam from 26'h to 29Ih November 1993.

One day Chain Seminar on 'Feel the Environment' for student members of 'Green Seeds' at K.G. College, Pampady, Kottayam, Kerala on 22"d January 1994.

Chain seminars: One day seminar on Environmental Education at S.H. College, Thevara, Ernakulam on Sh February 1994 for selected College students.

Two days Workshops on 'Developing a New Vision for Eco-Fraternity' for selected College Teachers of Mahatma Ciandhi University held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Kottayam on 2Sh and 26"' March 1994.

Five days Environmental Systems Study Programme for selected College and University teachers of Kerala, under the title 'Save Wayanad' held at Sultans Battery, Wayanad from 16Ih to 20Ih April 1994.

Seven days live in Workshop on 'Eco-Spirituality and Eco-Leadership Training' for selected College and University teachers of Kerala held at Ashirbhavan, Emakulam from 25Ih to 3 1" May 1994.

One-day seminar on 'Environmental Education' for selected College students of St. Mary's College, Manarcad, Kerala held on 2nd July 1994.

One day chain seminar on 'Feel the Environment' for members of Green Seeds at Alphonsa College, Pala on 30th July 1994.

One day seminar on 'Education Through Environment' for selected student members of Green Seeds of St. Stephens College, Uzhavoor on 6Ih August 1994 held at St. Stephens College, Uzhavoor, Kerala.

'Training to Trainers' 3 days live-in workshop for prospective resource persons held at Chaithanya Passtoral Centre, Thellakom, near Carithas, Kottayam, Kerala, from 1 8Ih to 281h August 1994.

Three days live in Eco-Leadership Training Programme for members of 'Green Seeds' held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, thellakom, near Carithas, Kottayam, Kerala, from 20" to 22"' August 1994.

'Enviro-Quiz' 1994, A Mass Environmental Education Programme for College and University students, held at three Stages - College level competition on 31-8- 94, Zonal level competition on 22-10-94 and State level Competition in March 1995.

'Eco -Interaction' - 3 days stay in Environmental Action Programme in and around Thodupuzha involving College teachers of Kerala, held at Newman College auditorium and Pappootty hall at Pulimoottil tourist Complex, Thodupuzha from 2Sth to 30th Oct. 1994.

One day chain seminar on 'Education Through Environment' for members of 'Green Seeds' at Sir Syed College, Thaliparamba, Kerala on 28Ih Oct. 1994.

One day chain seminar on 'Eco-degradation and Nature Conservation' held at Al- Amin College, Edathala, Ernakulam district on 27Ih October 1994, for members of Green Seeds.

'Environment and Development' one day Chain seminar on Environmental Education, held at S.H. College, Thevara, Emakulam District for members of Green Seeds on 3 1" Oct. 1994.

One day Chain seminar on 'Feel the Environment' for members of Green Seeds, held at All Saints College, Thiruvananthapuram on 181h Nov. 1994.

One day seminar on 'Education Through Environment' for the Students of B.K. College Amalagiri on 7Ih January 1995.

Three days live in Nature Study Camp for selected members of Green Seeds from different Colleges, held at Mullakudy Forest of thekkady Wild Life Santuary from 20Ih to 22nd January 1995.

'Live with Nature' three days live-in Nature Study Camp at Vallakadavu forest of thekkady Wild Life Sanctuary from 27"' to 29Ih January 1995 for selected members of Green Seeds of different Colleges of Kerala.

'Environmental Impact of tourism Development in Kerala' a 3 days live-in seminar held at Animation Centre, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from 3" to 5Ih March 1995 for selected College and University teachers of Kerala.

'Cultural Exchange and Environmental Study Programme to Lakshadeep Islands' for selected College students and teachers, traveled by ship (M.V. Tipu Sultan) from 17"' March to 2 1" March 1995, a joint programme ofGreen Seeds and Eco Fraternity.

Special Training on 'Substance Abuse (Drug and Alcohol) HIV-AIDS and Treatment Models including Peer Counseling' - a week long live in seminar from 241h to 29Ih May 1995, for selected College and University Teachers including programme officers of NSS held at T.M.A.M. (Thomas Mar Athanesius Memorial Orientation Centre), Manganam, Kottayam, Kerala.

Three days stay in Survey and Study of the 'Forest Ecosystem' at Arippa Forest Training Institute, Kulathupuzha near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from 29Ih Sept. 1" Oct. 1995 for selected College teachers.

Three days live-in seminar on 'Environmental Problems of Kerala ' from 30th Sept. to 2"* Oct. 1995 for selected College teachers, held at Mitranikethan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Three days live-in seminar on 'Education through Environment and life Style Changes' for selected students from 23rd to 25Ih February, 1996 held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, thellakom, Kottayam.

'the Sea and You' a three days live-in seminar on Marine Environment for College and University teachers, held at Santhom Catholic Centre, Kanyakumari, from 12" to 14Ih April 1996.

Three days live-in 'Eco Orientation Camp at Thattekkad Wild Life Sanctuary', Thattekkad, Kerala from 8Ih to 9" November 1996 for selected College teachers.

One day seminar on 'Education Through Environment' held at C.M.S College, Kottayam on 16Ih Nov. 1996 for selected students from different affiliated Colleges and local schools jointly organized by Eco Fraternity and Kottayam Rubber town Round Table, Kottayam, Kerala.

Three days live in seminar on 'Environmental Ethics for the 21" century' for selected students of Colleges and Universities held at Malanadu Development Society, Parathode, Kanjirappally, Kottayam, Kerala from 22" to 24"' Nov. 1996.

Orientation course on 'Effective Environmental Communication and Management' at Mitranikethan People's College. Thiruvananthapuram from 7Ih March to 9Ih March 1997 for selected College and University teachers.

One day seminar on 'Water Management' held at Hotel Aiswarya, Kottayam for College teachers, environmental activists and representatives from industries on 12Ih March 1997, jointly organized by Eco Fraternity, School of Environmental Studies of Mahatma Gandhi University and C.P. Ramaswamy Environmental Education Centre, Madras.

Three days live-in workshop on 'Cultivation and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Kerala' from 201h to 22"d June 1997 for selected College teaches, held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, thellakom, Kottayam from 20Lh to 22" June 1997.

Three days live-in seminar on 'Eco Feminism and Women Empowerment' for selected College and University Teachers, held at Ashirbhavan, Kacheripady, Ernakulam, Kerala from 5Ih Sept. to 7Ih Sept. 1997.

Three days live-in Workshop on 'Eco-Journalism' held at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kottayam Dist. Kerala State for selected journalists and teachers from 21" to 231d November 1997.

Three days live in workshop on 'Air Pollution and Ambient Air Quality Management and Monitoring Techniques' for selected College and University teachers from 20th to 22nd March 1998, held at Ashirbhavan, Kacheripady, Emakulam, Kottayam.

Seminar on Meenachil Saline 'Water Intrusion for University Students on 16th April, 1999 at the School of Environmental Studies, M.G. University.

Three Day Workshop on Biodiversity Issues held at SES & IMG, Trivandmm from 24th to 27th February 2000 for Government Officers.

Energy and Environment Conservation Seminar and Workshop for Students on 17th March 2002 at Kottayam.

Training Course on Environment Management for College and University Teachers at School of Environment Studies in December 2002.

Seminar on Ozone layer Protection for Students on 16 September 2003 at Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan, Kottayam.

Workshop of Meenachil Saline Water Intrusion on 3rd February 2004 for Selected Students of Colleges in Kottayam on 17th February 2004.

World Environment Day Celebration on 5th June 2004 under the auspicious of Friends of Trees and Tree India Environment Journal at Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan, Kottayam.

One Day Discussion Seminar on Natural Disaster Management for Member of the Senior Citizen Forum, Kottayam on 1st March 2004 at Public Library Hall, Kottayam.

Appendix E - Environmental Orientation to School Education, organised by CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai (Occasion for Data Collection)

I . Target Assigned

Name of the Programme Teachers Training Student Training Innovative Programmes Exposure Visits

Total Number of Programmes 3 5 250 8 7

Students C o m p e t i t i o n 50 Set t ing up o f Resource Centre 1 Other P rog rammes (Col lege Teachers Hc Students) 65

2. Target Achieved a. Teachers t r a i n i n g p rog ramme

b. Students training programme

Target I Achieved I Number of I Resource materials I Topics covered I Remarks

Resource materials distributed

Nine sets of books in Malayalam b English

Topics covered

"given below

'NRbM -Natural Resource and Management EP- Environmental Pollution. SWM-Solid Waste Managetneiit WC -Water Conservation. BD b LP = Biodiversity and Local Problems, MBN = Man and Environment

c. Exposure visits

Remarks

Positive Impact

recorded

Target assigned

35

35

assigned Participants

Achieved

35

35

Number of Participants

d. (1) Students competition

Type of competition 1 total no of competitions 1 Details of Prizes distributed I Remarks

distributed

Posters and books of different titles supplied

Date of visit

9 in five Years Period

Total 1400

1450

Male 650

650

I noted

Female 750

800

'NRbM, EF1 SWM, WC

Place of visit

Thattekkad Wild Life

Sanctuary, and

Bird Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger

Rese~e, Wetland Ecosystems

1. Essay Writing (H.S. Section and U.P Section)

3. Painting

4. Elocution

of Mahatma Gandhi University. Source: Summary Reports of five years (1997 - 2002) from the official records of School of Environmental Sciences

Positive impact

conducted

+1 Final Level Competitions participation of schools

Participants

Selected Teachers (1)

b Students (SI

total Numbers

290

Details of the field activities

Forest ecosystem studies, medicinal plants, bird watching, Museum

Remarks

Encourging evaluation report

Appendix F: (Occasion for Data Generation)

Number of Nature Clubs Membership strength

Activities: Nature Education 'Camp Nature Education trips Environmentally important day Celebrations Advisers Meetings Nature Awareness Classes SlideTalks Film Screenings Teachers Training workshops No of participants for Teachers Training Workshops Other activities Friday Forums

Source: Annual Report (April 2001- March 2002) World Wide Fund For Nature-, Kerala State Office