Literacy for environment

In rural areas more population means more pressure on land, exploitation of soil, over grazing and cutting of trees. This leads to environmental problems. Migration to cities is the only way to reduce the pressure on land and to secure employment.

The migrants live in slums where again there are problems of water supply, sanitation, concentration of industrial waste and city garbage. According to a UNICEF report, the environmental degradation can be checked only by removing poverty.

Overall, increase in literacy levels and primary school enrolment can indirectly help improve the environmental condition.

Vishal Chummar is a Std IX 1 student at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Thrissur.