CHAPTER 1 STUDY PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

1.1 INTRODUCTION (VIDEO)

1.2 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (Article
1.3 SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY (Article)
1.4 SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - (SlideShare)
https://www.slideshare.net/KuldeepMishra15/sustainable-development-53121161
1.5 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (Article)
1.6 IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES (Article)
1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL SCENARIO IN INDIA (Article)
1.8 UCEE- A CASE STUDY OF UTTRANCHAL (Case study)

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1.2 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The environment is complex and actually made up of many different environments, including
natural, constructed and cultural environments, environmental studies is the inter disciplinary
examination of how biology, geology, politics policy studies, law, geology, religion
engineering, chemistry and economics combine to inform the consideration of humanity‟s
effects on the natural world.

This subject educates the students to appreciate the complexity of environmental issues and
citizens and experts in many fields. By studying environmental science, students may develop
a breadth of the interdisciplinary and methodological knowledge in the environmental fields
that enables them to facilitate the definition and solution of environmental problems. It is
essentially a multidisciplinary approach and its components include Biology, Geology,
Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Sociology, Health Sciences, Anthropology, Economics,
Statistics and Philosophy. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach.

Environmental science is also referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates

information and ideas from multiple disciplines. Within the natural sciences, such fields as

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biology, chemistry, and geology are included in environmental science. When most people
think of environmental science, they think of these natural science aspects, but what makes
environmental science such a complex and broad field is that it also includes fields from
the social sciences and the humanities.

The social science fields that are incorporated into environmental science include geography,
economics, and political science. Philosophy and ethics are the two fields within the
humanities that are also included in environmental science. By combining aspects of the
natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, the field of environmental science can
cover more concepts and also examine problems and topics from many different points of
view.

1.3 Scope of the study

Environmental studies describe the interrelationships among organisms, the environment and
all the factors, which influence life on earth, including atmospheric conditions, food chains,
the water cycle, etc. This discipline has multiple and multilevel scopes. This study is
important and necessary not only for children but also for everyone. The scopes are
summarized as follows:
1. The study creates awareness among the people to know about various renewable and
non renewable resources of the region. The endowment or potential, patterns of
utilization and the balance of various resources available for future use in the state of
a country are analysed in the study.
2. It provides the knowledge about ecological systems and cause and effect relationships.
3. It provides necessary information about biodiversity richness and the potential dangers
to the species of plants, animals and microorganisms in the environment.
4. The study enables one to understand the causes and consequences due to natural and
main induced disasters (flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclones etc.,) and pollutions
and measures to minimize the effects.
5. It enables one to evaluate alternative responses to environmental issues before deciding
an alternative course of action.
6. The study enables environmentally literate citizens (by knowing the environmental
acts, rights, rules, legislations, etc.) to make appropriate judgments and decisions for
the protection and improvement of the earth.
7. The study exposes the problems of over population, health, hygiene, etc. and the role of
arts, science and technology in eliminating/ minimizing the evils from the society.
8. The study tries to identify and develop appropriate and indigenous eco-friendly skills
and technologies to various environmental issues.
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 9. It teaches the citizens the need for sustainable utilization of resources as these
resources are inherited from our ancestors to the younger generating without
deteriorating their quality.
10. The study enables theoretical knowledge into practice and the multiple uses of
environment.

Importance for the study

• World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries.
• The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited.
• The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are advanced.
• The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of leaving the resources to the
future generations.
• The unplanned exploitation of natural resources lead to pollution of all types and at all
levels.
• The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health of all living things
on earth , including man.
• The people should take a combined responsibility for the deteriorating environment and
begin to take appropriate actions to space the earth.
• Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and species extinction.
• The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of pollution.
• The number and area extinct under protected area should be increased so that the wild
life is protected at least in these sites.
• The study enables the people to understand the complexities of the environment and
need for the people to adapt appropriate activities and pursue sustainable
development, which are harmonious with the environment.
• The study motivates students to get involved in community action, and to participate in
various environmental and management projects.
• It is a high time to reorient educational systems and curricula towards these needs.
• Environmental studies take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human
interactions with the natural environment. It integrates different approaches of the
humanities, social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies
these approaches to investigate environmental concerns.
• Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the
knowledge, values, behaviours and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and
stability within and among countries.

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1.4 Sustainability and Sustainable development (please go through the link)

https://www.slideshare.net/KuldeepMishra15/sustainable-development-53121161

1.5 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Our environment is constantly changing with a massive influx of natural disasters. Increasing
awareness about the environmental problems surrounding us is the need of the hour. We are
on the brink of a severe environmental crisis as the current environmental problems are
making us vulnerable against the disasters and they also pose a risk in the future. Basically
we are in a state of planetary emergency with environmental problems piling up high around
us.

The environmental problems that require urgent attention are in the following:-

1. Global Warming: Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practices
like emission of Greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the
oceans and the earth‟ surface causing melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and also
unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, excessive snow or desertification

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2. Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industry and
motor vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants. Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are
toxins responsible for pollution. While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban
runoff; air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released by industries and factories
and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste that
deprives soil from essential nutrients.

3. Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the
planet that protects us from the sun‟s harmful rays. Depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of
the atmosphere is attributed to pollution caused by Chlorine and Bromide found in Chloro-
floro carbons (CFC‟s). Once these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, they cause a hole
in the ozone layer, the biggest of which is above the Antarctic. The CFC‟s are banned in
many industries and consumer products. Ozone layer is valuable because it prevents harmful
UV radiation from reaching the earth. This is one of the most important current
environmental problems.

4. Acid Rain: Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere.
Acid rain can be caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting
vegetation which release sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Acid rain
is a known environmental problem that can have serious effect on human health, wildlife and
aquatic species.

5. Natural Resource Depletion: Natural resource depletion is another crucial current

environmental problem. Fossil fuel consumption results in emission of Greenhouse gases,
which is responsible for global warming and climate change. Globally, people are taking
efforts to shift to renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas and geothermal energy.
The cost of installing the infrastructure and maintaining these sources has plummeted in the
recent years.

6. Climate Change: Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced
in last couple of decades. It occurs due to rise in global warming which occurs due to increase
in temperature of atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels and release of harmful gases by
industries. Climate change has various harmful effects but not limited to melting of polar ice,

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change in seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent occurrence of floods and change in
overall weather scenario.

7. Loss of Biodiversity: Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats
and and loss of bio-diversity. Eco systems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in
danger when any species population is decimating. Balance of natural processes like
pollination is crucial to the survival of the eco-system and human activity threatens the same.
Another example is the destruction of coral reefs in the various oceans, which support the
rich marine life.

8. Deforestation and desertification: Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and
produce fresh oxygen as well as helps in regulating temperature and rainfall. At present
forests cover 30% of the land but every year tree cover is lost amounting to the country of
Panama due to growing population demand for more food, shelter and cloth. Deforestation
simply means clearing of green cover and makes that land available for residential, industrial
or commercial purpose.

9. Ocean Acidification: It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25% of CO2 is

produced by humans. The ocean acidity has increased by the last 250 years but by 2100, it
may shoot up by 150%. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as
human osteoporosis.

10. Overpopulation: The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces
shortage of resources like water, fuel and food. Population explosion in less developed and
developing countries is straining the already scarce resources. Intensive agriculture practiced
to produce food damages the environment through use of chemical fertilizer, pesticides and
insecticides. Overpopulation is one of the crucial current environmental problems.

11. Waste Disposal: The over consumption of resources and creation of plastics are creating a
global crisis of waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive
amount of waste or garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and, less developed
countries. Nuclear waste disposal has tremendous health hazards associated with it. Plastic,
fast food, packaging and cheap electronic wastes threaten the well being of humans. Waste
disposal is one of urgent current environmental problem.

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12. Water Pollution: Clean drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Water is becoming
an economic and political issue as the human population fights for this resource. One of the
options suggested is using the process of desalinization. Industrial development is filling our
rivers seas and oceans with toxic pollutants which are a major threat to human health.

13. Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to migration of population from high density urban
areas to low density rural areas which results in spreading of city over more and more rural
land. Urban sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and
health issues. The ever growing demand of land displaces natural environment consisting of
flora and fauna instead of being replaced.

14: Public Health Issues: The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to health of
humans, and animals. Dirty water is the biggest health risk of the world and poses threat to
the quality of life and public health. Run-off to rivers carries along toxins, chemicals and
disease carrying organisms. Pollutants cause respiratory disease like Asthma and cardiac-
vascular problems. High temperatures encourage the spread of infectious diseases like
Dengue.

15. Genetic Engineering: Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic
engineering. Genetic modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes
from an allergic plant can transfer to target plant. Genetically modified crops can cause
serious environmental problems as an engineered gene may prove toxic to wildlife. Another
drawback is that increased use of toxins to make insect resistant plant can cause resultant
organisms to become resistant to antibiotics.

1.6 IMPACTS DUE TO CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Climate change is changing our economy, health and communities in the following
diverse ways.
(a) Global warming - Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface
temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from
burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise
escape from Earth.

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 (b) Global dimming - Global dimming is defined as the decrease in the amounts of solar
radiation reaching the surface of the Earth. The by-product of fossil fuels which are
tiny particles or pollutants which absorb solar energy and reflect back sunlight into
the space. This phenomenon was first recognized in the year 1950.
(c) Impacts of fossil fuels - Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur
dioxide, carbon monoxide etc. when burnt that can have severe consequences on the
habitats.
(d) Sea level rise - As climate change increases ocean temperatures, initially at the
surface and over centuries at depth, the water will expand, contributing to sea level
rise due to thermal expansion. Thermal expansion is likely to have contributed to
about 2.5 cm of sea level rise during the second half of the 20th century.
(e) Increase in natural and anthropogenic disasters - global warming is the root cause
for the increase in natural disasters and the change in the environment is triggered by
increasing differences in heat and cold. As industry injects more greenhouse gasses
and particles into the atmosphere, there is a double edged sword effect of increasing
temperature combined with global dimming.
2. Environmental degradation and pollution - Environmental degradation can happen in a
number of ways. At the point when environments are wrecked or common assets are
exhausted, the environment is considered to be degraded and harmed.
(a) Habitat destruction - Habitat loss affects over 2,000 mammal species around the
world, and is considered the greatest threat to species across the globe. Habitat can be
destroyed directly by many human activities, most of which involve the clearing of
land for other uses such as agriculture, mining, logging, hydroelectric dams and
urbanization.
(b) Invasive species - These species adversely affect the habitats and bioregions they
invade economically, environmentally, and/or ecologically. Such invasive species
may be either plants or animals and may disrupt by dominating a region, wilderness
areas, particular habitats, or wild land-urban interface land from loss of natural
controls (such as predators or herbivores).
(c) Environmental Pollution - Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years
to recoup. Industry and motor vehicular exhaust, toxic chemicals, municipal solid
waste and burning of fossil fuels are the major areas of concern responsible for
pollution. Besides this water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban runoff;
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 air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released by industries and factories
and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste
that deprives soil from essential nutrients.
(d) Ozone depletion - An invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us
from the sun‟s harmful rays is being depleted by chlorine and bromide found in
Chloro-floro carbons (CFC‟s). Once these toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere,
they destroy this layer of protection, the biggest of which is above the Antarctic.
Ozone layer is valuable because it prevents the high energetic ultra violet radiation
from reaching the earth‟s surface.
(e) Photochemical Smog – Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution produced when
sunlight acts upon motor vehicle exhaust gases to form harmful substances such as
ozone (O3), aldehydes and peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN).Photochemical smog
formation requires two conditions: a still, sunny day and a temperature inversion
(pollutants accumulate in the lower inversion layer). Ozone causes breathing
difficulties, headaches, fatigue and can aggravate respiratory problems. The peroxy
acetyl nitrate (CH3CO-OO-NO2) in photochemical smog can irritate the eyes, causing
them to water and sting.
(f) Land degradation – Soil degradation has been defined as a process that leads to
decline in the fertility or future productive capacity of soil as a result of human
activity. It occurs whenever the natural balances in the landscape are changed by
human activity through misuse or overuse of soil. Degraded soils which result in poor
or no production are also called problem soils.
(g) Eutrophication and algal blooms - Eutrophication is when the environment
becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as
lakes as it can cause algal blooms. Fertilisers are often used in farming, sometimes
these fertilisers run-off into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels.
(h) Ocean acidification - It is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans,
caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. An estimated 30–
40% of the carbon dioxide from human activity released into the atmosphere dissolves
into oceans, rivers and lakes.
(i) Groundwater contamination – Groundwater pollution occurs when pollutants are
released to the ground and make their way down into groundwater. Groundwater
contaminants come from two categories of sources: point sources and distributed,
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 or non-point sources. Landfills, leaking gasoline storage tanks, leaking septic tanks,
and accidental spills are examples of point sources. Infiltration from farm land treated
with pesticides and fertilizers is an example of a non-point source.
(j) Thermal pollution – Thermal pollution is the act of altering the temperature of a
natural water body, which may be a river, lake or ocean environment. Many
organisms are killed instantly by the hot water resulting into a high mortality. It may
bring other disturbance in the ecosystem. The egg of fish may hatch early or fail to
hatch at all. It may change the diurnal and seasonal behaviour and metabolic
responses of organisms. It may lead to unplanned migration of aquatic animals.
Macro-phytic population may also be changed. As temperature is an important
limiting factor, serious changes may be brought about even by a slight increase in
temperature in a population.
(k) Loss of biodiversity - Human activities are leading to the extinction of species,
habitats and ultimately there is a loss of bio-diversity. Eco systems, which took
millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any species population is decimating.
Balance of natural processes and biogeochemical cycling is crucial to the survival of
the eco-system and yet human activity threatens the same.

3. Health Concerns - Environmental factors are a root cause of a significant disease burden
that can be attributed to poor water quality, availability, and sanitation; vector-borne
diseases; poor ambient and indoor air quality; toxic substances; and global environmental
change.. Below are estimates of deaths globally from the most significant
environmentally-related causes or conditions, and from certain diseases with a strong
environmental component:
 Unsafe water, and poor sanitation and hygiene kill an estimated 1.7 million people
annually, particularly as a result of diarrhoeal disease.
 Indoor smoke – primarily from the use of solid fuels in domestic cooking and
heating – kills an estimated 1.6 million people annually due to respiratory diseases.
 Malaria kills over 1.2 million people annually, mostly African children under the
age of five. Poorly designed irrigation and water systems, inadequate housing,
poor waste disposal and water storage, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, all
may be contributing factors to the most common vector-borne diseases, including
malaria, dengue and leishmaniasis.
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  Urban air pollution generated by vehicles, industries, and energy production kills
approximately 800 000 people annually.
 Road traffic injuries are responsible for 1.2 million deaths annually; low- and
middle-income countries bear 90% of the death and injury toll. Degradation of the
built urban and rural environment, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, has
been cited as a key risk factor.
 Lead exposure kills more than 230 000 people per year and causes cognitive
effects in one third of all children globally; more than 97% of those affected live in
the developing world.
 Climate change impacts – including more extreme weather events, changed
patterns of disease and effects on agricultural production – are estimated to cause
over 150 000 deaths annually.
 Unintentional poisonings kill 355 000 people globally each year (3). In
developing countries – where two-thirds of these deaths occur – such poisonings
are associated strongly with excessive exposure to, and inappropriate use of, toxic
chemicals and pesticides present in occupational and/or domestic environments.

4. Overpopulation - Human overpopulation is among the most pressing environmental

issues, silently aggravating the forces behind global warming, environmental
pollution, habitat loss, the sixth mass extinction, intensive farming practices and the
consumption of finite natural resources, such as fresh water, arable land and fossil fuels,
at speeds faster than their rate of regeneration.

5. Resource depletion - Due to the rise in population, deforestation is introduced for forests
to make way for housings and other human uses. As a result of deforestation, presently
about one half of the forests that once covered Earth have been destroyed. An estimated
18 million acres of forests are destroyed each year. Since deforestation is so extensive, it
has made several significant impacts on the environment, including Soil erosion, Global
Warming caused by the rise of greenhouse gases, Extinction of species and loss of
biodiversity, flooding and drought. One of the most pressing issues that deforestation
creates is soil erosion. The removal of trees causes higher rates of erosion, increasing
risks of landslides, which is a direct threat to many people living close to deforested
areas. As forests get destroyed, so does the habitat for millions of animals. It is estimated

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 that 80% of the world‟s known biodiversity lives in the rainforests, and the destruction of
these rainforests is accelerating extinction at an alarming rate.

1.7 ENVIRONMENTAL SCENARIO IN INDIA

In India the environmental problems are becoming serious because of the interacting effects
of increasing population density, industrialization and urbanization, and poor environmental
management practices. Open burning of waste and landfill fires are a major source of air
pollution in India‟s large cities. They are the largest source of air pollution in Mumbai which
do not add to the city‟s economy and contribute about 20% of the pollution due to particulate
matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. They also emit 10,000 grams TEQ of
dioxins/furans every year in Mumbai alone.

An average of 32,000 people will be added to urban India every day, continuously, until
2021. This number is a warning, considering how India‟s waste management infrastructure
went berserk trying to deal with just 25,000 new urban Indians during the last decade.

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India appears to be digging its own grave deeper and quicker than the rest of us, nearly 30%
of India's gross agricultural output is lost every year due to soil degradation, poor land
management and counter productive irrigation.

The wetlands and lakes are also being hit hard. Mainly by the industrial boom that hit India a
decade ago, the main problems being improper disposal of industrial waste like chemicals
etc. It is predicted that almost 5.3 Million hectares of forest have been destroyed since the
independence. Most of it being chopped down for housing, industrialisation and river
projects. It is estimated that the number of Mangrove Forests have more than halved in the
last 20 years. Unless stringent regulatory measures are taken, environmental systems will be
irreversibly degraded. Lack of political commitment, lack of a comprehensive environmental
policy, poor environmental awareness, functional fragmentation of the public administration
system, poor mass media concern, and prevalence of poverty are some of the major factors
responsible for increasing the severity of the problems.

1.8 Environmental Education’s Role in Sustainable Development: Case Study of India

The Rio Summit in 1992 produced Agenda 21. This international agreement developed a
strategy for addressing sustainable development throughout the world by calling for increase
community participation in addressing environmental, social, and economic concerns that
affect their community. Although there was much debate about approaches for sustainable
development, there was near universal support for the need to provide improved educational
opportunities for students that allows them to develop valuable life skills such as
communication and critical thinking.

Case Study

Uttarakhand Environmental Education Center (UEEC) – Uttaranchal, India

The Area
Uttaranchal is a state in northern India, bordered by Nepal in the east and China to the north.
The state area is approximately 51,000 km2 and consists primarily of mountain ridges and
valleys, with some peaks having an altitude of over 7,800 meters.
Uttarakhand Environmental Education Center (UEEC) works with some of the nine million
inhabitants who live in the state, primarily in the zones between 1,000 and 3,500 meters. The
area in which UEEC works is forested primarily by oak (Quercus incana) and is part of the
upper watersheds of many large river systems of the Asian sub-continent, principally the
Ganga and Yamuna Rivers..
UEEC History
In 1986 the government of India decreed the importance of teaching environmental education
in schools throughout the country, in reaction to an increased awareness of unsustainable
practices throughout the country, particularly in agriculture. The government hoped to use
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environmental education programs in schools and communities as a conduit to increase
awareness about the environment, and give citizens the knowledge and skills to respond to
environmental issues

UEEC & Environmental Education

The UEEC was created to meet these goals as a non-governmental organization (NGO). The
mission of UEEC “works to develop cohesive communities empowered to create personally
and ecologically rich, sustainable lives for themselves and future generations, using „the
village as an ecosystem‟ as an organizing concept” .In order to advance the mission of UEEC
the concept of “the village as an ecosystem” became the dominate strategy for promoting
their goals. This concept and corresponding curriculum, uses the village as the unifying
model, focusing on the local village ecosystem and the human/environment interactions
taking place.
Rather than observing their surroundings in a form of “nature-study”, students use their
village ecosystem as a practical laboratory in which to apply ideas learned in the classroom to
their lives within the village .
UEEC and the government identified three possibilities for implementing the concepts of
environmental education into schools: infuse environmental education themes into (1) pre-
existing curriculum, (2) an extra-curricular class or club, or (3) a separate class. After the
three alternatives were tested, the third option was chosen as the most beneficial and holistic
for students. Continued development and improvements of the class has led it to be a
mandatory subject for students during their grades 6 through 10 . As a separate long-term
class, ideas and skills from several other subject areas can be incorporated and gives students
ample time to develop these skills in a practical setting.
However, to effectively teach the necessary concepts and skills development, a new
curriculum was needed. Existing materials were often too broad and difficult for students to
relate with or understand such as worldwide deforestation . Because of these factors, a
curriculum that addressed the “…concepts of sustainability and the carrying capacity of the
village ecosystem” was needed . Collaboration between teachers, ecologists, and community
members enabled the development of a curriculum entitled Our Land, Our Life for the class.
The concepts of Our Land, Our Life are geared toward promoting an increased student
understanding of ideas through practical skills development, idea exploration, and how these
concepts relate to and interact with the village.
A final consideration of the curriculum focuses on successful teacher development in using
the curriculum by way of practical and effective trainings .

The student investigations gather data from numerous sources such as community members,
local government officials, as well as personal quantitative experiences. A final step gives
students opportunities to share their investigations and potential solutions in community
forums .
For example, 6th graders would study the natural vegetation of their village, while 7th
through 10th graders would use those preliminary experiences in forest-area rehabilitation
practice.

Our Land, Our Life is taught to over 35,000 students within the Uttaranchal state by 600
UEEC trained teachers in 318 schools. The government and UEEC have plans to increase the
number of participating students and schools throughout the region . However,UEEC is faced

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with challenges in maintaining the course‟s overall effectiveness, development, and teacher
retention.
Conclusion
The unique approach taken by UEEC to address environmental and community concerns can
attribute its success to a long-term commitment toward community improvement, its
adaptability, and developed community trust (Hollweg, 2007). The expansion of these
attributes allowed UEEC to promote their goals, and contribute positively to improving
community resources in the villages in which they work. By creating opportunities for
students to experience and learn first-hand about their village resources, UEEC is able to
influence sustainable development and resource management in the region of Uttaranchal
through improved educational techniques that use the village environment as a unifying
theme.

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