Role of WWF to Create awareness about Environmental Issues through Environmental Education in N.W.F.P

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

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 60’s 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 and educational programs.

 Like other part of the world this problem is also identified in Pakistan and initially it was addressed by private organizations and they play 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 contributing to this sector, but very little attention has been paid to environmental education and awareness on policy level on the part of government.

 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:

The Purpose of this study is to analyze the role of WWF in imparting environmental education in NWFP through a qualitative study of markhore Conservation and Conservation of forests link to livelihood opportunities through environmental education

 Significance of the study:

 This study will document the success stories and help to replicate lesson learned in other like wise areas and also will contribute to the insertion of environmental education and awareness in the curricula of teacher training institute

 Objectives:

1. Analyze the role of WWF in environmental education and awareness in NWFP
2. explore various methods of imparting environmental education  and creating awareness
3. Identify gaps and suggest measures for further improvement and Contribute to the insertion of environmental education and awareness in the curricula of different educational  institutes

Research Questions:

1.            Identify the methods and tools of environmental education and awareness through which WWF is creating awareness?

2.            Explore the effect on the target community?

Research design:

Qualitative method will be used to understand the phenomenon under study by using semi structure interview with school children and informal discussion with community members.

 Methods of data collection:

Semi structure interview with students from selected schools at primary and high schools, also informal discussion with the community members and document analysis

 Samples:

Primary schools student, currently the part of this study and internship students of WWF-NWFP during last 10 years.

 Limitations:

 Due to short training courses to school students, it will be difficult to identify them now after a long gap. Due to this limitation the researcher will dependant on current students and teachers of the school as well as the document available now which was documented at that time (for old students).

 Ethical:

The researcher will approach all those parents and explain them the purpose of this study and request them for the written permission to interview their son’s or daughters for this purpose. The researcher will try not to harm any one feeling or status by this study. This researcher will follow the ethical guidelines (BERA, other)

 Research Methods/Timeframe:

 Develop Research Proposal and obtain approval                                     90 days

Develop and test questions                                                                        40 Days

Develop and test tool                                                                                  30 days

Obtain participants                                                                                      30 days

Administer instrument(s)                                                                             30 days

Data collection and analysis                                                                       120 days

Research Report                                                                                         100 days