Environment education and water security are the need of the hour. If we want to give a safe future to the next generation, then we have to protect the environment and water from today itself.
Summary of the article:
Friends, listen to my cry, today we are facing two big crises like water shortage and environmental imbalance. If we do not think about these crises today, then we will not be able to live on this earth and neither will we have life left. Nothing will happen to the earth, it will remain in this form or in some other form, but human civilization will be destroyed like the dinosaur species. Therefore, we need to think seriously about both these problems and take practical steps. These problems can be solved in only one way and that way is Environment education not only makes people sensitive towards nature but also inspires them to adopt such behavior which can ensure water security.
What is environmental education?
The knowledge or understanding which makes a person feel connected to nature and makes him sensitive is environmental education. This education makes us realize that the resources present on the earth are limited and strengthens the feeling of preserving them. When we explain to children and adults that water, air, soil and biodiversity are our lifeline, they also take steps towards saving them. This is environmental understanding. In the context of environmental education, Hsu writes that “Environmental knowledge is a major goal of environmental education. It involves acquiring a basic understanding of the environment and related issues. This knowledge is not deep scientific expertise, but general knowledge that the general public may have about the environment. In the last three decades, many studies have highlighted the importance of environmental literacy and knowledge in education.” (Hsu 2004) Needless to say, environmental education is not only the study of deep principles, but general awareness in the context of the environment also comes under environmental education.
Environmental education is a process of developing society in the context of nature through which individuals and communities become aware of the environment. They understand its complexities and develop the necessary skills, attitudes and behavior for its conservation and promotion. The purpose of environmental education is to enable people to identify, analyze and solve environmental problems. When they become aware of the environment, the path to sustainable development opens up.
Today, we are facing various challenges like environmental crises like deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, climate change etc. To solve these problems, knowledge of scientific techniques alone is not enough, but an aware civic consciousness is also necessary that can create a harmonious relationship with nature. This is the role of environmental education.
Environmental education is not only limited to schools and universities but it positively affects every aspect of life and career. It also includes many practical aspects like tree plantation, water conservation, waste management, and plastic free campaigns. This education makes students sensitive towards the environment and teaches them to use the resources of the earth judiciously.
Needless to say, environmental education not only provides knowledge but it also develops environmental consciousness and lays the foundation of sustainable development. Only an aware and educated society can take effective steps towards environmental protection. Therefore, environmental education is the need of the hour.
What is water security?
The availability of sufficient, safe and accessible water to every person is called water security. In today’s time, water security is in danger due to excessive exploitation of water resources, pollution and unbalanced development. Water crisis has taken a serious form in many villages, cities and even big metropolises.
Water security means not only the availability of drinking water but also the fulfillment of the needs of irrigation, industry, sanitation and ecosystem. Conservation of water resources for present and future generations and their judicious use is water security. People have been using water judiciously since ancient times. In the context of rainwater harvesting, K. E. Lee, M. Mokhtar wrote that “Rainwater harvesting is an alternative water source that has been used for centuries in countries where there is often a shortage of water.” (K. E. Lee, M. Mokhtar and team 2016) Today we need to promote these techniques.
Today many areas of the world are facing a water crisis. Even in a country like India, many areas are affected by water scarcity, water pollution and exploitation of water sources. Climate change, irregular rainfall, increasing population and uncontrolled urbanization have made the water crisis more serious. Therefore, it goes without saying that we need to make efforts at various levels to achieve water security. Water security activities include rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, conservation of rivers and ponds, prevention of water pollution and proper management of water. Apart from this, public participation in water use, public awareness and clarity of policy-making are also necessary. Water security is not only the responsibility of governments or policies but the participation of every citizen is necessary in it. If we all understand the importance of water, do not waste it and adopt traditional water conservation methods, then the problem of water crisis can be solved to a great extent.
Deep connection between environment education and water security:
There is an umbilical connection between environmental education and water security. Today when the world community is moving towards a water crisis. Then it is very important for us to understand that to deal with this crisis, it is very important to bring about public awareness and change in human behavior. Water conservation will be possible only when we will be able to make environmental education an integral part of our lives. Environmental education not only explains the importance of water but also inspires us to take practical steps towards water conservation.
Environmental education is the foundation of water conservation:
Living life in balance with nature is another objective of environmental education. Environmental education awakens such consciousness within us that tells us that water is not just a natural resource but is the basic foundation of life. As students or citizens start understanding environmental issues in depth, they become more responsible towards the conservation of resources like water. Even today most people do not know where the water they use comes from and where it goes. Environmental education removes this lack of knowledge and gives knowledge of environmentally friendly life systems. As Sultan Rasyid and his team write, “The method of building a rainwater harvesting system is as follows: 1. Digging the soil to make a well. The depth of the digging should not exceed the groundwater level; 2. Reinforcing the well walls with concrete and laying bricks and ceramics. 3. Filling the well bore with coral, palm fibre, crushed stone and charcoal; 4. Installing pipes as rainwater reservoirs by connecting roof gutters to wells; 5. Creating drainage channels from infiltration wells to trenches to apprehend excess water.” (Sultan Rasyid and team 2022) We need to make this rainwater conservation system an integral part of our lives by spreading awareness about it.
How to use water judiciously:
Environmental education teaches us that water is a limited resource and every drop of it is precious. It tells us how we can save water on a large scale by making small changes in daily life. Activities like leaving the tap open, using more water than needed or ignoring leakages are the causes of water wastage. Environmental workshops and campaigns conducted in educational institutions and communities help people understand how water can be used economically in irrigation, bathing, cleaning and household purposes.
Why Rainwater Harvesting is Important:
In a country like India where most of the rainfall occurs in a few months, rainwater harvesting is extremely important. Environmental education revives and explains this traditional technique. Through rainwater harvesting we can use water for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation and household purposes. Rainwater harvesting helps in replenishing the groundwater level, which can also tackle water crisis in drought-affected areas. When students are taught rainwater harvesting techniques in schools and colleges, they take initiative to implement it in their homes and society. In the context of rainwater harvesting technique, S. A. Palermo and his team write that “Rainwater harvesting is a method or technique used to collect rainwater from the roofs of buildings, ground surfaces, roads or rocky hills and use it as a source of clean water supply.” (S. A. Palermo and team 2019) This is not a technique that people cannot adopt, it is a simple technique that everyone can easily understand and adopt in life.
How is domestic water recycling possible:
Environmental education also explains the concept of water recycling in simple language. Today, when the water crisis is taking a serious form, it becomes necessary for us to understand how to reuse every drop. For example, it is also necessary to understand how grey water coming out of the kitchen or bathroom can be used in gardening, cleaning, etc. Through environmental education, we can provide information to society in terms of modern technologies like bio-remediation and filtration systems. As a result, people can make arrangements for water recycling at home or community level. Environmental education also promotes innovation. With this knowledge, students prepare new models that can make water recycling possible at low cost.
How can rivers, ponds and wells be saved from pollution:
Rivers and reservoirs in India are not only water sources but also symbols of cultural and religious importance. But urbanization and industrial pollution have put them in danger. Environmental education plays a dual role in this context. On the one hand, it provides information based on scientific facts, on the other hand, it also motivates people emotionally by adding cultural values. Environmental education teaches how harmful it is to dispose of plastic, chemicals, domestic waste, etc. in water sources.
At the school level, connecting students with the cleanliness of rivers and ponds, training them to check the quality of water, all these are various aspects of environmental education.
Under environmental education, special importance is given to local traditions and tribal knowledge systems. For example, some tribes worship ponds and lakes and consider it their religion to keep them clean. This feeling can also be kept alive through environmental education.
Some successful examples:
- In many schools of Telangana, children together built rain water harvesting units, which saved water in schools.
- In some villages of Rajasthan, local NGOs have reduced the water crisis to a great extent through environmental education.
Rainwater Harvesting Units in Telangana Schools: An Inspiring Initiative:
The state of Telangana has made students aware and active towards water conservation by making environmental education a part of the school curriculum. As a result, students in many government and private schools in the state have jointly constructed rainwater harvesting units. This effort has not been just an educational project but has become a powerful example of water saving in practice. But needless to say, the success of such programs depends on the combined efforts of teachers and students. In this context, Sultan Rasyid and his team write that “The implementation of this program requires the cooperation of teachers and students. Regular water tank maintenance activities can be done with the participation of teachers and students. Participation of teachers and students is part of the initiation of water conservation culture.” (Sultan Rasyid and team 2022)
The students, with the help of teachers and local engineers, have arranged to collect rainwater falling from the roofs in underground tanks through pipes. This water is being used for cleaning schools, gardening and sometimes even in toilets. This has not only saved water but has also increased the sensitivity and awareness of children towards water conservation. This model can become an inspiration for many other schools. This initiative has proved that when children are given practical education, they can play an important role in improving the environment.
Water crisis overcome by environmental education in villages of Rajasthan:
Water crisis has been an old and deep problem in a dry state like Rajasthan. But in recent years, local NGOs in some villages have succeeded in fighting this crisis by making environmental education a medium. These NGOs have trained local people by organizing workshops in villages. Especially women and youth were given information about scientific and traditional methods of water conservation, which has yielded positive results.
The villagers were told how rainwater can be stored by constructing small ponds, check dams and kunds. Along with this, people were also given information about judicious use of water, domestic reuse and prevention of water pollution.
As a result, some villages saw an increase in water level after years and the fields could get adequate irrigation. Environmental education not only imparted knowledge but also made the community self-reliant and organized. This model shows that if education is linked to practical life, it can make a big contribution towards social change.
Way forward: What can we do?
- Environmental education should be made compulsory in schools and colleges either as a main subject or in some other process.
- Community awareness campaigns should be run to stop wastage of water and these campaigns should be widely publicized.
- It is very important today to revive local water sources by coordinating between gram sabhas and urban bodies.
- Using digital media, youth and every section of the society can be inspired for water security.
Conclusion:
There is a deep connection between environmental education and water security. This connection plays an important role in the direction of sustainable development. When children are given practical knowledge of environmental conservation in schools and colleges, they actively participate in activities like water conservation. As is proved by the example of rain water harvesting units in schools in Telangana. In water-scarce areas like Rajasthan, local NGOs have brought about a remarkable change in water management by making the community aware through environmental education.
For future water security, it is now necessary that environmental education should be made compulsory in all educational institutions. At the same time, community awareness campaigns based on public participation should be run to prevent wastage of water. Not only this, we should make joint efforts with gram sabhas and urban bodies towards the revival of traditional water sources. At the same time, the young generation can be connected to water conservation through effective use of digital media. This movement of environmental education and water conservation campaigns can become more widespread. Only when education, technology and society work together in this direction, the water crisis can be dealt with and a safe, environment-sensitive future will be ensured.
Reference:
Hsu, H.S. 2004. The effect of an environmental education program on responsible e environmental behavior and associated environmental literacy variables in Taiwanese college students. Journal of Environmental Education. 34: 37-48
E. Lee, M. Mokhtar, M. M. Hanafiah, A. A. Halim, and J. Badusah, “Rainwater harvesting as an alternative water resource in Malaysia: potential, policies and development,” J. Clean. Prod., vol. 126, pp. 218–222, 2016
A. Palermo, V. C. Talarico, and B. Pirouz, “Optimizing rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable water uses and surface runoff mitigation,” In International Conference on Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms, 2019, pp. 570–582
Sultan Rasyid, Muhammad Ardi, Mithen Lullulangi, Nurlita Pertiw. (2022). Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) for Schools: Scenario Water Resources Development in Yunior High School. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 6 january 2022, page 131. Cross check
Sultan Rasyid, Muhammad Ardi, Mithen Lullulangi, Nurlita Pertiw. (2022). Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) for Schools: Scenario Water Resources Development in Yunior High School. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 6 january 2022, page 130. Cross check