The Hindu : New Delhi News : UGC formulates new course on environmental studies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

UGC formulates new course on environmental studies

By Lakshmi B.Ghosh

NEW DELHI, JUNE 9. After schools, it is now the turn of universities across the country to go green. With the University Grants Commission (UGC) finally coming out with a textbook for implementation of a "compulsory" course on Environmental Studies -- as per Supreme Court ruling -- in colleges across the country, conservation may finally manage to get its due space in higher education.

In line with the Supreme Court ruling that directed the UGC to formulate a basic course on environment meant for every college student, the Commission had decided on the formulation of a six months core module course in environmental studies that could be taught by Universities across the country.

While pointing out that the UGC has already notified all Universities, UGC Chairman, Arun Nigavekar, said although the Commission had done its job, it cannot force Universities to introduce it. "We have complied with the direction given to us by the Supreme Court by formulating the course. It is now up to the Universities to ensure its implementation by getting it passed through their Academic Council or other bodies."

Following the setting up of an Expert Committee headed by Erach Bharucha, the director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environmental Studies, a Core Module Syllabus for Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses of all branches of higher education was framed.

Although the UGC maintains that the success of the course would eventually depend on the "initiative and drive of teachers and students", The Expert committee includes Prof. C. Manoharachary of Osmania University, S. Thayumanavan of Anna University's Center for Environmental Studies, D.C. Goswami of Guwahati University's Department of Environmental Science, R. Mehta from the Ministry of Environment and Forests and N.K. Jain from the UGC.

Divided into eight units covering 50 lectures, the core module syllabus for Environmental Studies includes classroom teaching and fieldwork. While the first seven units will cover 45 lectures through classroom teaching to enhance knowledge, skills and attitude towards the environment, the eighth one will be based on field activities and would be covered over five lecture hours to provide students with first hand knowledge on various local environmental aspects.

Although the UGC has mentioned that Universities can make use of outside expertise for teaching purposes, they would have to utilise the course material provided by the UGC.

The examination for the course would be conducted along with the annual examination with the core course to be awarded in four credits. As far as the question papers would go, the UGC has decided to divide it into the three categories of short answer pattern, essay type answers and field work, with the second part carrying the highest marks of 50 points.

From the need for public awareness and institutions in environment to the more basic issues of natural resources, renewable and non renewable resources, forest resources and deforestation the book covers a range of issues. According to the book's author Erach Bharucha, the textbook aims at creating awareness about environmental concerns by creating a pro-environmental attitude and a behavioural pattern based on creating sustainable lifestyles.

The book covers a range of topic from water, resources, mineral resources and food resources to energy resources and land resources. Clearly an attempt to give students a crash course in the very basics of environment and its concerns, the book will also look at biodiversity at the global, national and local levels as well present pollution case studies and disaster management, it will also take a look at AIDS, women and child welfare and other interlinked subjects.

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