National Green Corps: a Sustainable Approach of Indian Government for the Environmental Protection *Gaddeyya Gandipilli **Ranganathan R **Subhashini Kuramana
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ISSN 2231-5829 National Green Corps: A Sustainable Approach of Indian Government for the Environmental Protection *Gaddeyya Gandipilli **Ranganathan R **Subhashini Kuramana To Cite: Gandipilli, Gaddeyya . R. Ranganathan and Kuramana, Subhashini (2021). National Green Corps: A Sustainable Approach of Indian Government for the Environmental Protection, BRICS Journal of Educational Research, 11 (2), 54-57. *Assistant Professor Abstract: Department of Education, Human beings and other living things of the earth depend on their surrounding Andhra University, environment for their growth, development and healthier life. Over Visakhapatnam-530003, exploitation of natural resources for human needs demand the sustainable Andhra Pradesh utilization and protection of the environment. After Stockholm Conference, the international society recognised the urgency of environmental awareness and ** Senior Professor education with global perspective. In connection with environmental Department of Education, protection, the Government of India started a student intensive scheme Andhra University, National Green Corps (NGC) in all educational institutions especially in schools Visakhapatnam-530003, of various states. National Green Corps, known as Eco-Club programme is a Andhra Pradesh holistic and environmentally sustainable approach initiated in the year of 2001 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The *** Faculty Centre of Environmental Education (CEE), a centre of Excellence located at Department of Botany, Ahmedabad, Gujarat coordinate and monitor the overall program of NGC with Andhra University, specific objectives such as increasing environmental awareness among school Visakhapatnam-530003, students, understanding about the eco-systems and their functions through Andhra Pradesh field visits and demonstrations, developing scientific attitude of the students and involving students and community with cooperative manner to protect environment. Considering the impact of NGC on environmental protection, the Corresponding Author: authors exposed the overview of National Green Corps as a sustainable Dr. Gaddeyya Gandipilli, approach with global perspective. [email protected] Key Words: National Green Corps, Clubs, MoEFCC, Centre of Environmental Education, Stockholm Conference INTRODUCTION The survival of human race is depends on their environment and exploitation of endangered species. Moreover, education plays a there is a paramount need to increase the knowledge, attitude, major role to develop environmental concern of students towards awareness, skills and behavioural changes of humans to environmental sustainability. Through environmental education, safeguard the natural resources (Gupta et al., 2014). Education the budding minds of the students can expand the environmental brings a behavioural change of the children and improves their consciousness and sensitivity towards threats of environment sensitivity towards several environmental problems such as (Dhavse, 2003). Smt. Indira Gandhi, the first women Prime exploitation of natural resources, the loss of biodiversity, Minister of India laid foundation stone for the environmental degradation of forest area, environmental pollution and over protection and established a special wing the Department of BRICS Journal of Educational Research | April-June 2021 | Vol - 11 | Issue - 2 54 Environment with the spirit of UN Conference on the Human build capacity to manage environmental problems. Even though, Environment (UNCHE) held at Stockholm, Sweden (1972). the programme goes beyond schools, it can promote interaction Considering all the environmental threats and global issues, between students, teachers, parents, community, NGOs and Government of India(GoI) established an autonomous body the Governmental Organizations. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change National Green Corps: Environmental Perspective (MoEFCC) as a nodal agency to monitor and regulate the environmental activities (Sarabhai et al., 2002). As a centre of Students are one of the stockholders of the society, who can excellence of MoEFCC, Government of India, the centre for spread and involve in several programs of national and environment education (CEE), is acting as the nodal agency to international significance. As an initiative of Government of promote environmental awareness and innovative programmes India (GoI), National Green Corps, a small group of students or to build the capacity of citizens in the field of Education for cadets (30 to 50) are working in several schools (green schools) Sustainable Development (ESD). CEE adopted two major to conserve nature and natural resources. The principle aim of initiatives Paryavaran Mitra (Friend of the Environment) and NGC is creating awareness on environmental conservation and National Green Corps (Eco-clubs) to create environmental sustainable development. Therefore, the sustainable approaches awareness and responsibility. The principle aim of Paryavaran like waste management with “3R” Principle (Reduce, Recycle Mitra is to promote leadership in the area of environmental and Reuse), development of botanical gardens, medicinal management while the National Green Corps focused the long gardens, and terrace gardens, seed balls of forest plants, nursery term efforts of students for environment conservation. for local plantation, rain water harvesting, community forestry Paryavaran Mitra (PM): Friend of the Environment and development of landscapes are highly focused to protect natural resources with the coordination and participation of This programme implemented based on five themes namely, different stockholders. Hence, these programs will creates some water & sanitation, biodiversity and greening, energy, waste learning experiences and ethics like environmental discipline management and culture & heritage. and responsibility towards sustainable development which is Some Key strategies of PM nowadays global perspective. Moreover, the activities of (1) Environmental protection as a part of school curriculum National Green Corps linked with cultural aspects and (2) Environmental policy implementation at school level conservation of natural resources. (3) Community coordination and participation Genesis of National Green Corps (4) Local governance to manage environmental issues In the financial year 1983-84, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated a central sector (5) Association with international environmental initiatives scheme the Environment Education Awareness and Training (6) Leadership and partnership in environmental activities (EEAT) to promote environmental education and awareness National Green Corps (Eco Clubs) among all section of the society include school children. Under EETA, environmental centred programmes namely National The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Green Corps (NGC), National Environment Awareness (MoEFCC), an autonomous Governing body for the Campaign (NEAC) and National Nature Camping Programme conservation of environment and forests of India launched a (NNCP) were started with specific objective. Environmental landmark programe National Green Corps popularised as Eco- protection is an immense task to all individuals, groups or club” program in 2001(Fig.1). The principal aim of NGC is government with global perception due to the loss of spreading environmental awareness among school children by biodiversity, over population and supply of food demand, child centred activities like tree plantation in and around schools, pollution of ecosystems, degradation of ecological habitats, over conservation of water resources, waste to wealth (waste exploitation of energy resources, increase of CO level, global management), recycling of nutrients, clean and green, seed balls 2 warming, climate change and extinction of endangered species. for forest cover improvement and rallies on environmental Keeping the above issues, MoEFCC has launched the National issues. Through Eco-clubs, the young generation can easily Green Corps Programme (NGC) with environmental acquire the attitude, knowledge, awareness, skills and creative consciousness. NGC is a unique programme aimed to build a minds which promote the environmental responsibility. These cadre of young green corps working towards environmental environmental activities can develop natural thinking, joy of conservation and sustainable development. Each Eco Club has learning, learning by doing and finally meaningful learning. By 30 to 50 NGC students who actively participated in national green corps, the students or young generation environmental activities. completely transformed into the image of responsible citizens and take necessary action towards environmental threats and Major themes of National Green Corps Programme issues. They also actively participate and motivate their parents · Conservation of diversity (species diversity, genetic and neighbours regarding environmental conservation. Finally diversity, ecosystem diversity) this programme can leads the young generation towards environmental sustainability and create sound mind and · environmental protection scientific spirit to promote environmental conservation. · Conservation of water resources including ground water Through NGC, students explore towards various environmental concepts, learning experiences, novel methods and practices and · Tree Plantation and community forests 55 BRICS Journal of Educational Research | April-June 2021 | Vol - 11 | Issue