As far as the teaching of Environmental sciences in schools, colleges and universities is concerned, it will be an organised effort to teach students about how natural environments function and particularly, how human beings can manage their behaviour and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. It is a learning process that increases peoples knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make decisions and take responsible action.
Raising an environmentally literate generation of problem solvers will help ensure that tomorrow's decision-makers are prepared for the challenges they will likely face. Environmental issues have come to occupy the centre stage of the discussions, both academic and policy making in the recent past not only because of growing ecological imbalances in the Ecology and environmental of India but more importantly because of concern and importance attached to equity and sustainability as components of quality of life in the development strategy. The need for sustainable development is a key factor to the future of mankind and the environmental Education is a step towards sustainable development in India.
Apart from practical part of this multidisciplinary research field theoretical understanding in schools and colleges will lead to find solutions to Environmental issues like habitat loss and degradation, Biodiversity loss and migration of wildlife species, Flash floods and continued landslides/Soil erosion, Pressure on dwindling natural resources, Deforestation for fuel and construction purposes, Health hazard due to poor sanitation and inadequate waste/debris management practices, Eutrophication of lakes, Increased transportation of construction material, Dumping of debris in dry water courses and on river/streams sides, Contamination of water and damages due to heavy silt deposits in the rivers and climate change of India.
Few years ago Vice chairman All India Council Of technical Education (AICTE) in a communication letter under No. Acad/(Al B)/Status of syllabi/2012 Dated: 25 April,2014 to all Secretaries of States/UTs for implementation of Supreme court order Environmental studies as compulsory subject in Technical Institutions at all levels and similarly University Grants Commission also passed fresh instructions under letter No. D.O. No. F. 13-1 /2000(EA/ENV/COS-l) Dated: 30th March, 2015 to all the universities wherein it is mentioned that in spite of the deteriorating status of the environment, study of environment has so far not received adequate attention in our academic programmes. The Supreme court of India in a PIL filed by Sh. M.C. Mehta {WP(c) 860 of 1991}has issued directions for implementation of Environmental studies as compulsory subject in all Educational institutions
Recognising this, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed the UGC to introduce a basic course on environment at every level in college education. Accordingly the matter was considered by UGC and it was decided that a six months core module course in environmental studies may be prepared and compulsorily implemented in all the Universities/Colleges of India and also to create awareness among the student population for preservation of environment which will go a long way for providing safe and healthy atmosphere for the future generations. Furthermore the letter reads the compliance to this effect may kindly be communicated to UGC immediately as non-compliance will tantamount to contempt of court. UGC and AICTE took land mark decisions to implement the supreme court order now the ball lies in state governments court.
