A Survey of Environment Awareness and Participation among Osmania University Students0. IntroductionEnvironment has become the major concern for people across the globe. The ecosystem is severely altered with the increase in the population and depletion of the natural resources. The quality of environment is significantly altered due to loss of bio diversity, de forestation activities, extinction of wild life and alarming rates of pollution of air, water and soil. The frequency and intensity of Natural catastrophic disasters is also increasing resulting in loss of lives and property. Human beings are exploiting the planet earth to satisfy their greed and comforts of life without thinking about the future consequences. Hence, the need for environmental education and awareness becomes paramount as an essential measure to curtail the situation to a greater extent. The objective of environmental education includes awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills and participation of people in protecting the environment (Kang and Chawla, 2011; Soundararajan, 2013; Kant and Sharma, 2013)In 1978, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Tbilisi Declaration mentioned the need of widespread use of environmental education (EE) . During the Tbilisi Convention, environmental education was defined as: a process of developing a world population that is aware of and concerned about the total environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and commitment to work individually and collectively towards solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.Environmental education and awareness become very crucial in the context of escalating environmental problems that need immediate attention of all people in the society. There is a need to educate the public on environmental issues and promote action in order to minimise the damage of the environment.The Geographical Association`s Environmental Education Working Group (1980) defines Environmental Education (EE) as a multitude of processes and activities by which an understanding of environment is developed and through which caring and committed responses are evolved. Environmental education is concerned with improving knowledge, emotions, feelings, attitudes, and values. Environmental education aims at producing informed and responsible citizens capable of playing an active role in all matters concerned with the environment in which we all inhabit (Maigari, 2002). People need to be made aware of the importance of our environment in which we live and the need to preserve and protect it, as well as the consequences of our actions in the course of developmental activities.Environmental Awareness is only possible when all sections of people are motivated to understand the importance of all aspects of the environment, the damage caused to the environment due to natural and man-made disasters, evil effects of environmental damage and loss of ecological balance on the human being and society at large. Hence awareness is closely associated with knowledge, motivation, values and participation. Students of higher education are young, energetic and in the pursuit of knowledge. The society looks upon them as they are the source of future development. Environmental friendly development is required for a safe and healthy future. The present study attempts to study the environmental awareness and participation of Osmania University students. I. ObjectivesThe specific objectives of the study are to-1. Study the level of environmental awareness among the respondents 2. Examine the extent of concern for the environment problems3. Assess the respondents knowledge about environmental problems4. Evaluate the level of respondents motivation and participation in environment activities; and 5. Know the popular sources which respondents use to obtain information about the environment.

III.Review of Literature

Shazli Hasan Khan (2013) conducted a study on the environmental awareness among secondary school students of Aligarh city, Uttar Pradesh. Study finds that there is no significant level of awareness among senior secondary school students, but they could be made aware if proper guidance and counselling is given to them about environment and environment related awareness programmes. Arunkumar J (2012) in the paper published in International Journal of Research in Social Science, made an assessment of Environmental awareness among Teacher Trainees in Tiruchirapalli district, Tamilnadu. The study carried out on 300 teachers reveals that the teacher trainees have average environmental awareness.Mohammed Yahaya Abbas and Ripudaman Singh (2012) studied the environmental awareness, attitudes and participation of students of Lovely Professional University, Punjab. Results from the study revealed high level of environmental knowledge and positive attitudes towards the environment among the students, but low level participation in environmental protection activities. This implies that, other factors than environmental knowledge and awareness may be the stimulants to induce students` active participation in environmental protection and improvement activities.Vani Sarraju Rao (2011) submitted her Masters theses presented to San Jose University on the topic Public Awareness about Global Warming in Hyderabad, India. Data was collected from 850 respondents belonging to different occupations including students, Government, Corporate Sector, Academia, NGOs, Media and Home makers. The analysis of data using paired T-tests indicated differences in levels of awareness about global warming, across age and education. Respondents associated global warming with the issue of air pollution. They showed a tendency to advocate action by society and government rather than by individual initiatives to address the problem.Harju-Autti, P (2013) carried out his study on Measuring Environmental Awareness in Nine States of India. The results showed that the best perceived state of the environment was found in the Far Eastern states, the Northern states and Kerala. The best levels of environmental awareness were found in Maharashtra, Far East states and West Bengal. Most room for development for both the states of the environment and for the environmental awareness was found in Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand.IV.Materials and MethodData for the study is collected from the Students of Osmania University by distributing a structured questionnaire to study the level of awareness, concern, knowledge, motivation and participation in environmental activities. The questionnaire is structured into three parts. Part-I is meant to collect data on the demographic details of the respondents. Part-II includes questions to assess the extent of environmental awareness among the respondents. Part-III is intended to elicit information about the care and concern of the respondents towards environment and other environment aspects. Hundred questionnaires were distributed. Convenience sampling is used to collect data from the respondents. Out of the total, 88 responses are received on time. The data collected from the respondents is analysed using SPSS software. The data is analysed and presented in the form of tables and charts. Cross-tabulations were made where necessary. Simple statistics like percentages and averages are used to analyse the data. T-test is used to prove the validity of the Hypotheses framed.

V.ANALYSIS5.1. Demographic Data about the RespondentsTable No.1 - Demographic Data of the respondents

GenderFrequencyPercent

Male4854.5

Female4045.5

Total88100.0

Level of Education

UG4045.5

PG4854.5

Total88100.0

Age Group

18-22 Years4854.5

23-27 Years3438.6

28-32 Years66.8

Total88100.0

Faculty

Social Science2225.0

Sciences3640.9

Arts66.8

Commerce1820.5

education66.8

Total88100.0

From the above Table No.1 the following observations can be made:1. Percentage of male students (54.5%) is slightly higher than that of female students (45.5%)2. More than half (54.4%) are in Post Graduate level and 45.5% respondents are at UG level3. Distribution of the respondents according to age group reveals that Majority (38.6%) are in the age group of 23-27 years, followed by 54.4% in the age group of 18-22 years. The students in the age group of 28-32 years are only 6.8%.4. The respondents are distributed in the faculties of Science (40.9%), Social Science (25%), Commerce (20.5%), Arts (6.8%),and education ( 6.8%)

5.2. Environmental awareness Following Questions are posed to the respondents to assess their awareness of the environment 1. How many kinds of birds do you see in your neighbourhood (Other than Pigeons)2. Which is the biggest dumping yard of municipal solid waste in Hyderabad 3. Which organization is responsible for the prevention and control of environmental pollution4. Which organization is presently doing the job of garbage collection in your city?5. Rate your level of environmental awareness6. Rate your awareness about Global Warming7. Most important reason for environmental pollution

ResultsTable No.2: No. of Birds seen in the neighbourhoodNo. of BirdsFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

2-42831.831.831.8

5-71618.218.250.0

8-1089.19.159.1

>103236.436.495.5

Do not know24.54.5100.0

Total88100.0100.0

Table No.3: Awareness about the location of biggest dump yardBiggest Dump YardFrequencyPercent

1Secunderabad5056.8

2Dilshuknagar1011.4

3Jawaharnagar22.3

4do not know2629.5

Total88100.0

Respondents are asked about the biggest dump yard in twin cities. Surprisingly, 56.8% respondents felt that the biggest dump yard is located in Secunderabad, while it is a well known fact that the Jawaharnagar dump yard is the biggest. In spite of the fact that media is reporting the severity of the problems faced by people around jawaharnagar dump yard, only 2.3% respondents could answer this question correctly. Considerable respondents (29.5%) reported their lack of awareness on this aspect.

Table No.4: Respondents awareness about Organizations responsible for Prevention and Control of Environmental PollutionOrgn. Responsible for prevention and control of PollutionFrequencyPercent

PCB2629.5

Municipal Corporation4045.5

RTC22.3

Do not know2022.7

Total88100.0

Figure No.2: Organizations rated as responsible for Control of Environmental Pollution

To know the awareness of the respondents regarding the organization responsible for prevention and control of pollution only 29.5% responded correctly by choosing the option Pollution Control Board. Large number of respondents (45.5%) felt that Municipal Corporation is the responsible body. It can also be seen that 22.7% have truthfully admitted that they do not know the answer to this question. Hence, it can be inferred that awareness on this aspect is also very less among the students.Table No.5: Respondents awareness about Organizations responsible for garbage collection

Orgn. Responsible for garbage collectionFrequencyPercent

ValidPCB1011.4

Muncipal Corporation7585.2

RTC11.1

Do not know22.3

Total88100.0

From Table No.5, it is clear that majority of the respondents (85.2%) answered this question correctly. However it is a matter of concern that the remaining 14.8% are not aware of the important aspect of the environment.Table No.6: Level of Environmental Awareness among RespondentsEnvironmental AwarenessFrequencyPercent

Good2831.8

Average4854.5

Poor1213.6

Total88100.0

Figure1: Environmental Awareness according to Gender

The respondents are asked to rate their level of awareness. Only 31.8% of them said that their awareness level is Good. Majority respondents (54.4%) rated their awareness at Average level and considerable respondents (13.6%) said that their awareness level is poor. Comparison of Environmental awareness among men and women reveals that women rated their awareness as Good compared to men. More number of women rated their awareness as Poor compared to their male counterparts.Figure No. :Environmental awareness among different faculties.From the figure it is evident that environmental awareness is slightly higher in Science students followed by students of social sciences. Commerce students rated their awareness as Poor while faculty of arts rated their awareness as AverageTable No.7: Level of awareness about Global Warming among Respondents

Awareness on Global WarmingFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

a Lot3640.940.940.9

Moderate2225.025.065.9

Little2225.025.090.9

Nothing89.19.1100.0

Total88100.0100.0

Respondents awareness about Global Warming indicates that 40.9% of them know a lot about it while 25% rated their awareness as Moderate and the other 25% respondents rated their awareness as Little. However, considerable 9.1% said that their awareness about global warming is NIL.Table No.8: Reasons for environmental pollution

Reasons for Env. PollutionFrequencyPercent

ValidPopulation1618.2

Lack of civic sense22.3

lack of proper facilities89.1

All the above6270.5

Total88100.0

Majority of the respondents (70.5%) felt that Population increase; lack of civic sense and lack of proper facilities for prevention of pollution are responsible for environmental pollution. However, 18.2% respondents chose population increase, 9.1% felt lack of facilities as the reasons contributing to environmental pollution.5.3. Concern for environment problemsFollowing Questions are posed to the respondents to assess their concern for the environment 1. Principal mode of Transportation2. Most important environmental problem in the city3. Ban the use of Plastic bags4. Level of concern for the environment5. To what extent does your concern for the environment influence your everyday behaviour 6. Willingness to pay little extra in tax if the money is spent on environment

Table No.9:Mode of Transportation used by the respondentsMode of TransportationFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidCar/Van/Jeep66.86.86.8

Two Wheeler1618.218.225.0

Bus/Train5865.965.990.9

Auto89.19.1100

Total88100.0100.0

It is interesting to note that majority of the respondents (65.9%) are using Public Transportation System for their conveyance. However, 18.2% of them are using two wheelers and another 9.1% are using Auto for their transportation. Nearly 7% of the respondents are using four wheelers. People are more concerned about their convenience rather than concern for the environment in terms of mode of transportation.Table No.10: Important Environmental Problem rated by the respondentsImportant Environmental problemFrequencyPercent

ValidPollution6270.5

Water scarcity1618.2

Water Quality44.5

Loss of Greenery66.8

Total88100.0

Majority of the Respondents (70.5%) felt that Pollution is the most important environmental problem in Hyderabad followed by Water Scarcity as indicated by 18.2% of the respondents.

Table No.11: Respondents opinion about ban of Plastic BagsBan on Plastic bagsFrequencyPercent

ValidStrongly agree6270.5

Agree2022.7

Strongly disagree44.5

Do not know22.3

Total44100.0

Majority respondents (70.5%) strongly agree and 22.7% of them agree to the proposition of ban on the plastic bags. It is interesting to note that nearly 5% of them disagree to the proposition and another 2.3% said they do not know which means they are not bothered about the problem.Table no.12: Level of concern about environment among the respondentsLevel of ConcernFrequencyPercent

ValidVery Worried2629.6

Worried3438.6

Sometimes Worried2730.7

Never Worried11.1

Total88100.0

The Level of concern is denoted by four options very much worried, worried, sometimes worried and never worried. Most of the students (38.6%) said that they are worried about the environment problems around them while 29.6% said that they are very much worried and another 30.7% said that they are sometimes worried. The percentage of the students who said that they are never worried is very negligible and can be ignored. Hence, it can be said that students have positive attitude towards environmental concerns.

Table No.13: Influence of environmental concerns on daily activities of the respondentsInfluence of env. Concern on your behaviourFrequencyPercent

Environment plays direct role in evey day activities4045.5

Environment plays direct role in some of my daily activities2831.8

I think of it during daily activities but it doesn't change my behaviour1820.5

Do not know22.3

Total8697.7

Total44100.0

Analysis of the influence of environmental concerns on daily activities of the respondents also revealed positive findings. Nearly half of the respondents (45.5%) agreed that environment plays a direct role in their day to day activities and another 32.8% of them said that environment influences some of their daily activities. Only 20% respondents said it does not have any change in their behaviour.Table No.14: Respondents opinion about paying extra tax for environmentExtra spending on Env.FrequencyPercent

ValidStrongly agree4450.0

Agree2427.3

Disagree1213.6

Strongly disagree66.8

Do not know22.3

Total88100.0

Half of the respondents (50%) strongly agreed and another 27.3% agreed to the proposition of paying extra tax if it is spent for the purpose of environmental protection. Only 13.6% and 6.8% said that they disagree and strongly disagree respectively to the proposition. Again this analysis reveals positive attitude and concern for the environmental protection.

5.4. Knowledge about environmental problemsFollowing Questions are posed to the respondents to assess their Knowledge about environmental problems 1. When is World Environment day observed 2. What are green house gases3. Best Source of Energy4. The poisonous gas released in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy5. Cause of Hiroshima & Nagasaki disaster

Table No.15: Respondents knowledge about World Environment Day

World Environment day is observed onFrequencyPercent

Valid5th June6675.0

20th March86.8

5fth December89.1

Do not know89.1

Total88100.0

Majority (75%) respondents have good knowledge about the World Environment Day. Out of the remaining, only 9.1% truthfully admitted that they do not know the date on which World Environment Day is celebrated.

Table No.16: Respondents knowledge about Green House GasesGreen House Gases are FrequencyPercent

ValidUsed in factories2427.3

Heat trapping atmospheric gases2629.5

Used in agriculture66.8

Do not know3236.4

Total88100.0

Majority of the respondents do not know that Green House Gases are the heat trapping atmospheric gases. Only 29.5% of the respondents answered the question correctly and hence it can be said that the respondents knowledge on this aspect is less.

Table No.17: Respondents knowledge about best source of EnergyBest Energy SourceFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidNuclear Energy69.19.19.1

Solar Energy6877.377.386.4

Thermal Energy22.32.388.6

do not know1011.411.4100.0

Total88100.0100.0

Majority (77.3%) of the respondents felt that Solar Energy is the best source of energy compared to other energy sources.Table No.18: Respondents knowledge about Bhopal Gas TragedyGas released in Bhopal Gas TragedyFrequencyPercent

ValidCarbon di oxide66.8

Methane2427.3

Methyl iso cyanate3843.2

Do not know2022.7

Total88100.0

Less than half (43.2%) respondents answered the question on the gas released in Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Remaining 56.8 % do not know the correct answer. Hence the knowledge on this level can be said to be Average.Table No.19:Respondents knowledge about Hiroshima & Nagasaki IncidentNagasaki & Hiroshima people are victims of FrequencyPercent

ValidRadiation Pollution5259.1

Oil spill89.1

Volcanic eruption1415.9

Do not know1415.9

Total88100.0

Nearly 60% respondents chose the right answer. The other 40% are ignorant and do not have knowledge of the incident.

5.5. Responsibility and Participation in environment activities1. Who should take responsibility of protecting the environment2. Whether participated in Environment activities3. Level of Participation in Extension Activities

Table No. 20:Responsibility of Environmental protection FrequencyPercent

ValidGovernment511.4

NGOs613.6

People/society2659.1

Industries49.1

United Nations24.5

Total4397.7

MissingSystem12.3

Total44100.0

Nearly 60% respondents felt that people and society at large should take up the responsibility of protecting the environment. Out of the remaining 40% respondents, 13.6% said NGOs, 11.4% said Government should shoulder this responsibility. However, 4.5 % respondents said that environment protection is the responsibility of the United Nations.

Table No.21: Respondents Participation in Environmental Activities

Participation in Environmental ActivitiesFrequencyPercent

ValidYes2352.3

No2147.7

Total44100.0

Only 52.3% respondents said that they have participated in environmental activities. The rest of 47.7% have not participated in such activities.Table No.22: Respondents Level of Participation in environmental activitiesLevel of ParticipationFrequencyPercent

Low3236.4

Medium3236.4

High2427.2

Total88100

High participation in environmental activities is observed to be less at 27.2% while equal percentage of respondents opted for Medium and Low participation.An attempt is made to see if Environmental Awareness has any influence on the Environmental Participation by the respondents.Table No.24: Environmental Awareness influence on Environmental Participation Level of ParticipationTotal

HighMediumLowHigh

Environmental AwarenessGood1012628

Average12201648

Poor201012

Total24323288

From the table above (table 24), cross-tabulation between students` environmental knowledge and participation level reveals that, respondents with low level awareness and low level participation are 10. Similarly, those with low level awareness and participate moderately in environmental activities are 0. And those with low level environmental awareness and fully participate in environmental protection activities is only 2. This numerically reveals that, at low level of environmental awareness there are very few people participating in environmental protection and conservation activities. The number increases with the increase in environmental knowledge at medium level and low level participation recording 16 persons, 20 and 12 persons in medium and high level participations respectively. So also, at high level awareness, 6 persons were recorded low participation, 12 persons at medium level participation and 10 persons at high level participations.Thus, collectively, there are 48 respondents ranking at Medium environmental awareness level at all the three levels of participation, and this indicates an average proportion of people being aware.

5.6. Sources of information about the environmentTable No.23: Sources from which environment information is obtainedFrequencyPercentValid PercentCumulative Percent

ValidNewspaper1125.025.025.0

TV and Radio2250.050.075.0

Others613.613.688.6

both 1 and 2511.411.4100.0

Total44100.0100.0

From the above table, it is evident that majority of the respondents (50%) rated TV and Radio as the important source of environment information. One fourths of the respondents (25%) rated Newspapers as the important source. Some (11.4%) respondents said that both Newspapers and TV/Radio are used to get information about the environment. Only 13.6% use other sources like Internet, Library to seek information.5.7. Respondents suggestionsThe questionnaire included two open ended questions to record their suggestions to improve the environment and steps to be taken by the Government towards protection of the environment.For the first question on the role of the People for environmental protection, the following suggestions were recorded.No. of Respondents1. People should stop using plastic bags 162. Chemicals from Industries should not be dumped in Hussain Sagar 83. Use less smoke emitting vehicles 224. Use public transport 105. Plant more trees 386. Form citizen groups and conduct mass awareness programmes 87. Throw waste only in the Garbage 68. Voluntary participation of Youth in environmental activities29. Use media to spread awareness about environment 810. Population Control211. Use solar energy 412. Control Noise pollution2For the question on the steps to be taken by the Government for environmental protection, following suggestions are received:No. of Respondents1. Ban on Cigarettes 82. Afforestation / Increase forest cover183. Plant more trees on the road sides 44. Effects of pollution in Media25. Appoint volunteers to spread awareness 146. Strict administrative action 87. Impose punishment to those who cause threat to environment28. Introduce environmental education from school level 109. Display hoardings about environment at important junctions 410. Allocate more budget for environment211. Collect tax for environment and use it strictly for environmental purposes612. More waste recycling plants to be established6

VI.Findings1. Awareness Only 2.3% respondents knew that the biggest dump yard is at jawaharnagar. Only 29.5% respondents Pollution control Board as the control and regulatory authority for Pollution control Most of the respondents (85.2%) knew that MCH is doing the garbage collection Only 31.8% rated themselves as having high level of environmental awareness Forty percent respondents rated themselves as having good knowledge on Global Warming

From the analysis, for majority of the questions, the correct response was less than fifty percent. Hence Awareness levels of the respondents can be said to be low.

2. Concern

Majority of respondents strongly agreed to the proposition of ban on Plastic bags Nearly half (46.5%) respondents felt that environment directly plays a role in their daily activities About 30% of the respondents said that they are very worried about the environment and 38.6% said they are worried. Half of the respondents strongly agreed to spend extra money for the sake of environment.

In the light of the above findings it can be said that the respondents have positive attitude and concern for the environment.

3. Knowledge Majority respondents (75%) knew that World Environment Day falls on June 5th every year Only 29.5% respondents knew that Green House Gases are heat trapping atmospheric gases. Near 43.2% respondents knew that Methyl Iso Cyanate poisonous gas was released in Bhopal Gas Tragedy More than half of the respondents (59.1%) know that People of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are victims of Radiation Pollution 77% respondents said that Solar Energy is the best energy resource. More than half (54.5%) respondents rated themselves as having average level of environmental awarenessIn the light of the above findings, it can be said that respondents have average level of knowledge on the aspects of the environment.4. Participation

52.3% respondents said that they have participated in environment related activities 27.2% respondents rated their participation in environmental activities as high.Women lagged behind on environmental awareness and hence special awareness programmes are needed to educate them. VI.ConclusionThe study surveyed and investigated university students environmental awareness level, Knowledge of environment, as well as their level of participation in environmental activities. Results from the study revealed that a significantly higher proportion of students exhibited average levels of awareness and knowledge about environment. In the contrary, the study also revealed that, respondents have spite of high level of concern for the environment. They showed low level participation in environmental activities. In other words, students though have concern for environments are not showing active interest on environmental problems. Hence there is a need to explore the factors that have a direct influence and stimulate them to undertake environmental protection activities. Conducting awareness programs in the campus, involving them in environmental activities are important measures for improving student participation. Encouraging the students to participate in seminars also enhances their awareness and knowledge of the environment. Motivating and capturing the immense potential of Students towards environmental issues go a long way to strengthen the cause of environment.

Suggestions for Further Research

1. Comparative studies on environmental awareness among students of different colleges and Universities2. Studies on environmental awareness among people working in different sectors on a larger scale can be taken up by the researchers3. Studies can be made to find out the factors that influence and motivate the students towards environment4. Studies on the environmental components in the curriculum from school level to higher education will be useful to the planners and administrators of Higher education.

References:1. Abbas, Mohammad Yahaya and Singh Ripudaman (2012). A Survey of Environmental Awareness, Attitude and participation amongst University students A Case study. International Journal of Science & Research. Vol.3 (5), pp.1755-1760.2. Arunkumar, J (2012). A study on assessment of Environmental Awareness among Teacher Trainees in Teacher Training Institutes. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences. Vol.2(3), Pp. 312-321.3. Harju-Autti(2013). Measuring Environmental Awareness in Nineteen States in India. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology. Vol.3 (5), Pp. 544-554.4. Khan, Shazli Hasan (2013). A Study of Attitude towards environmental awareness in relation to certain variables among senior secondary school students. Scholarly research journal for Interdisciplinary studies. Vol.1(5), Pp.1258-1264.5. Rao, Vani Surraju (2011). Public Awareness about global warming in Hyderabad, India. Masters Thesis. Available online at http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/do/search/?q=public%20awareness%20on%20global%20warming%20in%20hyderabad&start=0&context=1595801 (accessed on 15.3.2015)6. Singh, Anita, Sony Kumari and Jaspal Singh (2014). A Comparative Study of Environmental Awareness among Secondary School Teachers in Bareilly District, UP, India. Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology. Vol.4(1), Pp.60-64.

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