SCHOOL BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THE SCENARIO OF ASSAM, INDIA: KEY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The present world is facing serious environmental issues, such as climate change, ozone layer depletion, global warming etc. which create threats to the entire ecosystem. In this connection, Environmental Education has been emerged as measuring tool to such environmental issues which has in turn established Environmental Education as the need of the hour. The sole purpose of Environmental Education is to attain Sustainable development. Considering this, the Government of India started promoting Environmental Education with various initiatives in the formal system of education. In this direction, the Government of Assam has also initiated School Based Environmental Education Programme. The present paper is an attempt to highlight the background of initiating the elevation of Environmental Education in India to attain sustainable development for the 21st century. In this paper, the authors have tried to explore various school based Environmental Education programmes undertaken by Government schools with special reference to the State of Assam, India. In exploring these programmes, the syllabi and academic calendar prepared by SCERT, Assam, Board of Secondary Education, Assam and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council have been taken as basis. Also, this paper will provide insight into the endeavour towards the school based environmental education programmes under Eco-Clubs in Assam, India. In the conclusion, suggestions are put forwarded for furthering sustainability through environmental education. KEYWORDS: Environmental Education, Sustainable Development, Formal Environmental Education Programmes, Non-formal Environmental Education Programme, National Green Corps, School Eco Clubs.