ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BY STUDENTS

In1972, a Conference held under UNEP/UNESCO/IEEP for the first time defined the aims and objectives of any ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. The aims and objectives were AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILL and PARTICIPATION to the Individual and Community. Over 30 years all over the world the objectives of ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EE) have implied in almost all countries in varying effectiveness.

Ecological illiteracy is a curse on the modern urban civilized living. A young boy or a girl does not know where we get life supports. Gandhiji desired that the real education is one wherein any individual knows about the very surrounding. The wastage of materials and energy sources and the waste accumulation is an indication of the direction in which the urban living can be visualized in the future. It is for this, it is said that “ In Urban places, Man gets freedom but looses sense of direction” . Present day younger generation in the schools and the colleges are unfortunately being de-linked from the present living environmental conditions. The inter-linking of the younger generation in schools and colleges to the living environment is inevitable. Informal education by the science nature clubs in academic institutions can be effectively involved in the awareness and useful data generation with the help for senior citizens, scientists and experts in the field.

A non-formal environmental education model " Ecological & Environmental Studies by Students" (EESS) contributed based on a pilot study has been listed as one of the 20 outstanding initiatives around the world in the eco-education guide by the Earth day Network for global usage. The EESS Model was initially developed in 1987-88 by over 32 arts, science and commerce students, a teacher and 3 community experts lead by environmental engineer V. Jagannatha along with his four Space Scientist colleagues at Bangalore. The model being used since 1988 envisages community empowerment through students non-formal studies, documentation and reporting on the civic and environmental problems existing with the community.

The EESS Model : The Ecological and Environmental Education by Students is a simple zero-cost informal field based model involving student, teacher, community experts and concerned agencies. Students study real environment irrespective of their educational background for 32 hours in a year spread over 8 months with one hour a week. They critically study a parameter of environment such as water quality, lakes, vehicles, flora & fauna, slums, industries and so on. Community experts and interested teachers provide the specific theoretical and field guidelines. Concerned departments and agencies provide the required data and information wherever available. For more on EESS model visit http://www.vishalcomputech.faithweb.com/mlan

The model was first implemented and the results were presented by 32 students during 1987. Later, it was presented at the State Popular Science Conference at Tumkur in Bharat Jana Vigyana Jatha organized by the Karnataka Rajya Vigyana Parishat,1987. The model has been tested in five developing countries in South America through CES-Intag, India and International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC),Japan. Recently, the informal model was accepted for presentation in education methodology conference at IDATER'99, UK.

Project Agastya proposes to formalize this initiative by coordinating a programme organised jointly with the ministries of Education and the Ecology & Environment in the Government of Karnataka, and make the real study (theory & practical) of the ecology & environment an integral part of the School/College curriculum. The programme would be initiated in 25 select educational institutions in Bangalore. These institutions would be selected to represent the cross-section on the basis of the geographical zones, demography & level of education.

The EESS Model is conceived, designed and implemented by Er. V Jagannatha, a Space Environmental Engineer, and one of the Honorary Director, Project Agastya.

THE OBJECTIVE :

The primary objective of EESS in Project Agastya is to

To facilitate deployment of factual information for the application of environmental sound life style and practices amongst various stakeholders in domestic, industrial and services sector at Bangalore through younger generation with the support of community.

The other objectives of this Programme are :

To create awareness among the teaching & student community about the real ecological/environmental situation in our Society, pertaining to water & water Resources Management, and develop their interest in assessing actual & useful data generated with the help for senior citizens, scientists and experts in the field.
Induct study of into ecological/environmental situation in our Society school/college curriculum.
To establish eco-Groups & Nature groups in Schools & Colleges, and to involve them in our activities.
To promote awareness about on the scarcity value of water, to promote the significance of a Scientific approach to Water Resources Management among the domestic consumers of Water & Energy.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This program would be represented by the Educational & Research Institutions, the ministries of Education and the Ecology & Environment in the Government of Karnataka, various stake-holders of the Water Resources, the Civic authorities, the Corporate, the Domestic Consumers (both domestic & commercial) and other like-minded individuals & Organizations.

OUR PARTNERS :

In addition to UNIDO-ICAMT & the 25/Bangalore Foundation, Project Agastya shall consider partnering with a few select organisations, viz.,

1. Educational & Research Institutions.

2. The ministries of Education, Ecology & Environment in the Government of Karnataka.

3. The British Council & the British Council Library.

4. The FKCCI/CII/GMCI, etc.

5. Lions/Rotary Clubs.

6. The Institution Engineers (India), Bangalore Chapter.

7. Individuals/Corporate bodies/ Organisations willing to sponsor the Programme.

What we can offer to our Partners :

Tremendous Goodwill by being associated with our Initiative.
Publicity in the media.
Logos &/or Name would appear in limited publicity materials, banners, backdrops*, etc.
An opportunity to network with a large number of NGOs, individuals & Organisations working in Sustainable Development in the domains of Urban development, energy & Water, as well as Educational & Research institutions.
An opportunity to showcase your range of products & services to your target audience.

* Conditions Apply.

Venue & Date :

It is proposed to have this Programme organised during the last week of July 2003. The date & Venue would be finalised after consulting the concurrence of our Partners.