‘Environmental Education’ is a term that has
gained much currency in academic institutions in Nepal over the past decade.
Young students are introduced to it early in school and scholars go on to
pursue it for a doctoral degree. But the words in this term, used in
conjunction with each other, have barely acquired meaning in the real world;
they ring empty when we think of the stench of our streets and the complaining
but inactive citizens that walk upon them.
Environmental Education is meant to promote education
through and for the environment, with a main objective to garner protection and
conservation. The teaching of the subject at various levels in schools,
however, does not seem to have evinced such interests.
Students find better avenues instead through
eco-clubs and annual campaigns on World Environment Day where they participate
in recycling, tree planting, cleaning localities, essay competitions and
animal-feeding programs.
But these may not be enough, for it is apparent
that complex issues such as conservation of resources, consequences of climate
change and global warming have prominently emerged; a school curriculum for
secondary education that does not address these is surely a matter of concern.
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| Environmental Education |
What is
the scope of environmental science in Nepal?
Environment
science is no doubt one of the good interdisciplinary science subject.
In
this topic I want to lighten on one of the branch of undergraduate engineering
degree with least of student awareness in Nepal “Environmental Engineering” related
to Environmental science. The field focuses on design of technology for
improving environmental quality.
Basically
Environmental engineering includes study of pollutants fate and transport in
environment , on basis of engineering technique and knowledge about
environmental parameters they design of air pollution control system and
modules pollutants flow behavior and chemical exchange in air and water,
recycle and upcycle of waste water into its natural form, converting waste as
source of energy, analysing proper site for hazardous waste management and
monitering environment hygiene, municipal water supply design, optimization and
treatment , wastershed management, toxic contaminated site remidiation ,
disaster risk assessment and prediction, study of impact in Environment due to
any new project and product’s life cycle, …etc. climate dynamics, ozone
depletion, alternative energy are some of the new on going research falls under
realm of environmental engineering.
The
major task of this profession is to protect public health by preserving and
enhancing the Environment.
Those
who have a strong commitment to the environment can make a successful career in
this field. Environmental engineers are broadly educated and technically
trained in the environmental field to address the spectrum of issues facing the
environment.
The curriculum subjects of study includes not only mathematics,
physics, chemistry and engineering design but a range of disciplines like
biology, microbiology, ecology, public health, geology, meteorology(atmospheric
science) and computer modeling that provide interdisciplinary knowledge to
combat complex environment problem.
Career Prospects
Ample
job opportunities are available for environmental engineers and their duties
vary depending on the project and may include collecting and analyzing data
using scientific procedure.
These
professionals are recruited as central and state pollution control boards and
several NGOs in every state who are up in arms against all forms of
environmental pollution.
Environmental
engineers can work as consultants, helping their clients to comply with
regulations and to clean up hazardous sites. Distilleries, fertilizers plants,
textile mills, water treatment industries, refineries, mines, cement
industries, oil and gas company,.. etc. are industries use the service of
environmental engineers. They also work and assist many other engineers to make
there design environmental sustainable.
Therefore,
I think environmental science has a lot of scope in Nepal. You may be able to
find employment in the government, in non-government organizations (NGOs), or
in the private sector (with environmentally responsible companies). You can
also start your own NGO.
Institutions providing degree in Environmental Science:
Source
/ Reference:
1.
Shahi, Pragati and Raut,
Sukriti(2011),"Textbooks of yore", The Kathmandu Post, 10 June 2011
2.
Study Experience and Internet Research
