RCE Kodagu - 2019

Location

Kodagu and Bengaluru
Vana Vikas, 5th Floor, 18th cross, Malleshwaram Bengaluru, Karantaka
India
See map: Google Maps
IN
Forest Conservation Education Programme in Rural Schools
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Forest Conservation Education Programme in Rural Schools
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Kodagu
Contributing organization(s) : 
Centre for Environment Education
Karantaka Forest Department
Karnataka Model Forest Trust
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Santosh R Sutar
Organizational Affiliation: 
Centre for Envionment Education
E-mail: 
santosh.sutar@ceeindia.org
Name: 
Manjunath KS
Organizational Affiliation: 
CEE Karnataka
E-mail: 
manjunath.ks@ceeindia.org
Format of project: 
Manuscript
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Update
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
Chinnara Vana Darshana
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
India
Ecosystem(s):
Forest
Target Audience:
Primary, Secondary, Teacher Ed.
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the project area can be well described in terms of the forest area. The forest and wildlife coverage in this area is very rich. People residing in and around this area are economically poor or not to well do. They are very rich in social and cultural values. These social values are well embedded in their sustainable livelihoods.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
The project is primarily around the forests and wildlife regions of the Karnataka State. These forests are realizing a greater pressure from the developmental activities especially the ecotourism. These activities are having adverse impacts on socio economic lifestyles of the local community and affecting forest ecosystems. Also yet time resulting into conflicts between community and forest department. Imparting ESD in these areas are a challenge especially among community and forest authorities to resolve these issues and concerns.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
June, 2016
Rationale: 
The forest conservation education program in schools is one of the tools whereby teachers and students can have better understanding about forests and their ecosystem services. Such programmes help them to improve their understanding about forest, natural resources, biodiversity etc. In India, though environmental education is integrated into the school curriculum, students most often, learn these concepts within the four walls without exploring in the field.
Unlike urban elite schools, rural school teachers and students never get an opportunity to learn the environmental related concepts in the forest areas as they can’t afford to pay and visit these areas. Providing such as an opportunity for rural schools help them in imparting better understanding about and their importance and motivate them to act upon to protect the same as they are neighbors.
Objectives: 
1. Improve the understandings among rural school students and teachers on the importance and conservation of forest and its resources in the light of sustainable development.
2. Introduce students and teachers to the rich biodiversity in the forest areas with a focus on the correlation between forest and human beings.
3. Enhance skill based learning among students and teachers on forest and biodiversity conservation.
4. Demonstrate hands on activities on forest and biodiversity conservation to teachers and students linking to their curriculum.
5.Make students experience different habitats and motivate them to protect these valuable forest resources.
6. Inculcate a practical conservation ethos among students and teachers.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
- Developing curriculum linked educational materials
- Development of educational modules to suit different forest ecosystems in the state
- Capacity building trainers on forests and ESD
- Undertake camps for rural children on the forest areas
- Evaluate and document the activities executed
Size of academic audience: 
200 teachers 5000 rural students
Results: 
The programme was initially piloted in few pockets of forest areas of the state. Considering the impacts of the programme, the state govt has converted this programme a state level outreach programme probably a largest outreach programme in the country on forest theme. Today, this programme provides an opportunity for about 10,000 students every year to explore and understand forests and their importance.
Lessons learned: 
Programme or projects if effectively piloted and showcased with positive impacts, one can influence the state govt to bring about a state level programme or a policy.
Key messages: 
As an effort from RCE Kodagu has resulted into a large scale programme whereby over 10,000 rural students and teachers are provided with an opportunity to explore and experience forest and ecosystems. Through hands on activities students learn more about the forest and its related issues and concerns linking it to the curriculum. Thereby resulting into long term impacts on forest conservation.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
RCE Bangalore
Funding: 
Funding from State Forest Department

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Biodiversity Day 2018e.jpg (6.41 MB) Rural Student expressing their concern on Biodiversity during camp CEE
References and reference materials: 
PDF icon Neighborhood Camp Report.pdf
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
Theme
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Indirect
Update: 
Yes