Commentary: Education Is A Powerful Tool For Biodiversity Conservation

In today’s world, as the pressure on the natural resources skyrockets, biodiversity is depleting and constantly battling for existence. Conservation has become a necessity, and to ensure its effectiveness, efforts are required to engage the people who are directly or indirectly dependent on these resources. On ground, real and long-lasting change happens when the local communities take ownership in the conservation efforts. If the local residents do not see themselves as a part of the solution and their needs are not considered, conservation becomes a daunting task. Therefore, the focus is now on integrated conservation and development strategies that promote coexistence and are led by local people.

An inclusive and participatory approach is required with an outlook that people and nature must coexist in order to create a sustainable balance. By cultivating close connection between people and the ecosystems through education and awareness, this strategy promotes conservation as a shared commitment rather than an obligation. It empowers individuals by emphasising on knowledge-sharing and voluntary participation, to protect the planet’s future.

Interpretation as a tool for conservation education

Compared to other conventional conservation practices that could depend mostly on direct interventions and regulatory measures, conservation education emphasises on non-invasive, instructional, and collaborative ways to maintain biodiversity. To promote biodiversity conservation, an initiative by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been the establishment of interpretation centres under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Project. But what is interpretation?

Interpretation here refers to simplifying and explaining complex ecological information to the people in an interactive and engaging manner. The setting up of interpretation centres and corners was started with an aim to offer accessible education about a river’s ecological and cultural value to citizens of all ages. So far, three main interpretation centres have been established in prominent locations along the Ganga river by WII — Ganga Avlokan at Haridwar, Anubhuti at Kanpur, and Ganga Darpan at Varanasi. Each centre has been developed based on specific themes tailored to its location. The theme focuses on Ganga’s journey from origin till destination, its biodiversity and associated threats, the mythological and cultural importance of the river and the need of community involvement for rejuvenation and conservation of the river.

These interpretation centres are serving as a knowledge sharing platform about ongoing river conservation efforts in the Ganga river and its tributaries. Within each of these centres, an activity room has been developed equipped with educational games, puppets, publications and wall painting to engage students and local community members. It is a common assumption that interpretation centres have limited impact and they are not as effective; however, the evidence suggests otherwise. As per visitors’ survey data, since the year of inception, these centres have seen an increase in the visitor numbers. Since 2020, Ganga Avlokan centre in Haridwar has increased visitor engagement by 36%, serving as an informative gateway to the river’s journey and biodiversity. Anubhuti centre has witnessed a visitor increase of 53%, and Ganga Darpan has shown a 22% visitor growth.

Expanding reach through knowledge corners

While the interpretation centres present detailed space for learning about the river and conservation, they are limited to three key locations. To reach out to more people, especially students, as they are the future stewards of our planet, WII has started establishing low-cost interpretation corners. These corners are created along the Ganga and its tributaries in nine states and one union territory. Located near the riverbanks, these corners, namely Bal Ganga Prahari (BGP) Corners and Jalmala Samvaads, have been established in government schools across 45 districts engaging over 100,000 students and 2,000 teachers. A total of 27 BGP Corners and 80 Jalmala Samvaads have been created so far. BGP corners are specialised libraries equipped with models, panels, publications, and wall paintings related to riverine biodiversity. And in whichever school the infrastructure was not available for a BGP corner, their galleries were utilised and furnished with interactive panels and artwork focused on Ganga biodiversity, and these are Jalmala Samvaads.

Strategically placed in government schools along Ganga’s tributaries, these centres and corners actively involve students during special events such as World Environment Day, Wildlife Day, International Day of Biological Diversity etc. inviting participation from nearby schools, colleges and other academic institutions. Through these resources and events, young learners are encouraged to engage with river conservation, developing environmental awareness and stewardship.

A major aspect of this initiative includes pre- and post-knowledge surveys conducted among students to measure the effectiveness of the programme and the knowledge retention of students. The data analysis of the surveys conducted along rivers Yamuna and Gandak reveal an impressive knowledge growth. The students’ understanding of river biodiversity and conservation values increased significantly, with an average knowledge gain of ~30% along the river Yamuna and ~28% along the Gandak river. These interpretation centres and corners focusing on Ganga river biodiversity and conservation, have succeeded in creating awareness and an eco-sensible community.

Community-based conservation and inclusive cooperation

Witnessing one of the largest religious congregations in the world, the Mahakumbh mela, one cannot avoid but appreciate the intricate relationship between the people, spirituality, culture and the environment. The Kumbh Mela also exemplifies the tragedy of the commons, highlighting that conservation education is not just an option but a necessity. Enforcements such as research, policy and governance, although extremely necessary, alone cannot secure the future of our rivers and natural resources. Education, community engagement, sustainable livelihood options and trust building are the pillars of a conservation movement that resonates with people and their beliefs. Development of a personal connection and local commitment towards resource conservation can only be achieved by enabling individuals to become a part of the process.

Conservation calls for cooperation from all societal levels, whether in policy-making, or on-the-ground action, each department, institution, and individual has a vital role to play. Government policies in line with the local communities’ beliefs and customs builds an environment that is conducive to long-term and effective river conservation efforts. Collective action can become a powerful force in protecting these ecosystems, if every person realises their responsibility. In a world where every act counts, conservation education ignites the quiet revolution we urgently need to safeguard our planet’s future.

(Published under Creative Commons from Mongabay India. Read the original article here)