Familiarity with environment is one area where poor students from the remotest of habitations in Adilabad steal a march over their comparatively better placed urban counterparts.
There however, is no reason for the latter to be ignorant of the forests and wild animals because there are enough of jungles still existing not very far off from urban places.
“When compared to tribal students, those from urban areas find it difficult to relate with environment as they are not familiar with forests or wild animals. What little they know comes to them through watching TV channels specialising in wildlife or environment,” says the biological science teacher at Adilabad’s Government Gazetted High School No. 1, as he talks of his experience in teaching environment subject.
In contrast, the bio-science teacher at the Tribal Welfare Ashram School (girls) at Keslapur, Indervelli mandal, K. Sunitha, has her task made easier as students know their environment and its components very well. “The moment I talk of some wild animal, a glow comes over the face of my students most of whom belong to tribal habitations,” says Ms. Sunitha.
“I have seen rabbits, wild boar, deer and peacocks in the wild habitat when I used to go into the jungle for collection of firewood or mushrooms,” reveals Pendram Rukmini, a Kolam Class X student from Rimma. Arka Anita, another Kolam Class X students from the same school is all excited when she got a chance to remember her experience in the jungles.
“There is certainly a need for sensitisation of students when it comes to environment. As environment is going to be the next biggest worry of the world, it will be in everyone’s interest to sensitise the younger generation,” Mr. Laxman opines.
“Sensitisation of youngsters in Adilabad is quite easy owing to the proximity of the Kawal Tiger Reserve. Field visits should be organised for students to places such as the Environmental Education Centre and the Deer Rehabilitation Centre which are part of the KTR at Jannaram which house our National Bird peacock, rabbits, doves, sambhars, nilgais and spotted deers, to name a few species,” suggests an official of the Forest Department.
