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Animesh K. Mohapatra ¹, Mriganky Bhadauria ²

Affiliations
1 Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Unit-IX, Bhubaneswar-751022, Orissa, IN
2 Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Puskar Road, Ajmer – 305004, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

The prevalence of the ideas of secondary students (class X) about causes, consequences and remedies of water pollution was determined using a closed form of questionnaire. Many of the Indian students in the present study were unaware of the devastating effect of deforestation, chemical fertilizers employed in agricultural fields, offshore mining, smoke, volcanic eruptions, weathering of soil and rocks on pollution of water and its impact on humans viz. blindness, DNA damage, deformities of bones etc. Prevalent alternative conceptions and misconceptions were: sewage, pesticides, soil erosions do not pollute water; water pollution causes acid rain; radioactive waste dumped in oceans and greenhouse effect could minimize water pollution and BOD of sewage water is very less than that of pure drinking water. It exposes the lacuna in Indian educational system and suggests a strong drive to displace misconceptions at the early stage of learning itself, before they become embedded in an alternative conceptual frame work.

Keywords

India, Secondary School, Science Education, Water Pollution, Environment, Awareness

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Animesh K. Mohapatra ¹, Shilpa Roy ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Regional Institute of Education, Unit-IX, Bhubaneshwar-751 022, Orissa, IN
2 Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Puskar Road, Ajmer-305 004, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Like most other developing countries, India has benefited from the availability of a growing spectrum of pest control chemicals but has produced its share of pesticide poisoning and wider environmental contamination. In past years, pesticide pollution has become one of the major agendas among environmental problems. Pesticide pollution basically refers to development of more specialized and toxic chemicals and their increased use. These chemicals include a wide variety of insecticide, fungicide, herbicides, etc. Pesticide residues in food have been investigated in India over the last three decades. Varying amount of DDT and BHC residues have been found in agricultural products like milk, fats, meat, fodder, etc. This study was conducted to explore the ideas, attitude and level of understanding of Punjab farmers about the benefits and hazards of pesticides. The results clearly showed that Punjab farmers have poor knowledge about management and handling of pesticides. Majority of Punjab farmers were aware of the fact that pesticides get washed by rain water and move into water bodies, body should be covered properly during pesticides handling, and crop rotation would minimize pesticide consumption. However, many misconceptions like crop production increases with increased number of spray, alcohol is an alternative for pesticides, vegetable can be preserved by spraying pesticides, pesticides mixed with the fertilizerswould destroypestsmoreeffectively, and food products size would increase with use of pesticides are prevailing in the mind of Punjab farmers.

Keywords

Pesticides, Organic Farming, Pesticide Pollution, Perception of Farmers.

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Animesh K. Mohapatra ¹, Reena Mohapatra ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, Regional Institute of Education (NCERT), Ajmer-305 004, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

In a world where Man is aggressively competing with fellow Man for political and economic superiority, his concern for the well being of the earth upon which he lives, and the earth upon which he depends for his shelter and sustenance is being overlooked. This study is an attempt to contribute to the growing body of knowledge about senior secondary students' conceptions and views concerning global warming. The results of the present study show significant differences in understanding level of boys and girls on various concepts of global warming. There is a degree of uncertainty in students' minds as to what exactly causes global warming and what they could and should do to check it, though students generally seemed well informed about carbon dioxide and CFCs as greenhouse gases, global warming makes the earth hotter and causes melting of polar ice and it can be reduced by planting more trees.

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