National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 stresses upon appropriate integration of environmental awareness and sensitivity towards its conservation and sustainable development in school curricula. Some of the recommendations of NEP 2020, to make environment education an integral part of school curricula, are inclusion of environmental awareness including water and resource conservation; introduction of environmental education as a contemporary subject at relevant stages; incorporation of traditional Indian knowledge systems and India’s future aspirations with regard to environment; inculcation of respect for environment; appropriate integration of environmental awareness and sensitivity towards its conservation and sustainable development in all B.Ed programmes.

NCERT has initiated the process of development of National Curriculum Frameworks where in inputs are invited from various stakeholders including various Ministries/Departments, States and UTs drawing from grass root levels.

Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) has been launched, which focuses on mindful and deliberate utilization of resources and its philosophy is to promote sustainable lifestyles. As part of the activities undertaken in this Mission, CBSE and NCERT are organizing various activities such as quiz competitions, webinars, exhibitions, poster/painting contests, rallies, seminars, workshops and expert talks celebrating various important events such as International Day of Forest, World Water Day, Earth Day, International Day for Biodiversity, World Environment Day etc.  Sessions on LiFE also includes as part of the Live telecast in various PM e-Vidya channels.

The concerns, concepts and issues related to water and its conservation have already been infused in the existing school curriculum. As such, the curricular materials prepared by NCERT incorporate such concerns adequately across all subjects at all stages of school education. There are chapters in Science textbooks from classes VI – XII that relate to environmental concerns, concepts and issues. Social Science and Language textbooks also integrate concerns related to environment. NCERT has also prepared supplementary materials for students and teachers related to environmental education.

The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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