Evaluate the Role of different Organizations in Environmental Education and Awareness in N.W.F.P
Dr.Sultan Muhammad Khan
Background and justification
Environmental education and awareness is to bring a positive change in masses attitude towards environment. Environmental education and awareness is as old as environmental degradation, but in developing countries like Pakistan people always seeks to improve their livelihood, without concerning about their environment. It has been revealed certain times that forest plays vital role in environment.Forest, which is considered as the most momentous natural resource through out the world, Pakistan has unfortunately only 4.8% of the total area covered with forests, which is far less than the prescribed 20 to 25% considered necessary for the balanced economic development and environmental stability of the country. With a rapid growth in population and poverty, most of the people relay on forests for their livelihood, but due to unawareness and lack of environmental education, they are contributing more to the loss of forests cover rather than their income (Hussain, 2005).
During 60s worsening global environmental conditions causes significant public concerns that forced different government and non government organizations to react against environment degradations. These concerns led to different environmental awareness programs.
Like other part of the world, in Pakistan different organizations plays vital role in environmental education and awareness, and has identified certain good and replicable lessons, like identifying schools as the most appropriate target for any environmental education and awareness program. Students need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to participate significantly in the conservation and development process. Though different organizations are contribution to this sector, but very little attention has been paid to environmental education and awareness on policy level.
Considering the importance of environmental education, there is urge need to document the success stories and lesson learned of different organizations which, could be replicate else where in the country, identify gaps in their work for further improvement and sensitized police makers to include environmental education as a part of curricula in different education institutions. In order to do it all, this research study is proposed.
Purpose
Conservation of forests link to livelihood opportunities through environmental education
Objectives
Analyze the role of different international organizations (NGOs) in environmental education and awareness in NWFP
Analyze the role of government organization related to Environment and forest in NWFP
Identify gaps and suggest measures for further improvement and Contribute to the insertion of environmental education and awareness in the curricula of different education institutions