Evaluation of Environmental Status in Schools of Punjab, India through Conducting Self Environmental Audit

Abstract

The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the existing environmental status in schools of Punjab with respect of water, air, land, energy and waste. Under this program schools perform self assessment of environmental practices i.e. water, air, energy, land, and waste in the schools using Green Schools Programme Manual for evaluation of environmental quality and management in the school. For this study environmental audit was conducted in 36 schools of Punjab and they were instructed for preparing self environmental audit report. Out of which only 26 reports were received. After critical analysis of these reports it was noted that 93.74% of the schools were doing water recycling. 30.6% had proper rain water harvesting system. As far as air parameter is concerned, most of the schools had well ventilated rooms. In land parameter most of the schools had scored maximum marks as they have good tree cover, biodiversity rich area and herbal/medicinal garden etc. Some schools were found highly efficient in conservation of land recovered and were not using pesticides in their schools. In energy audit, schools scored up to 99% and are making efforts to save energy. All schools showed proper waste management system having waste collection, recycling and disposal mechanism and were reducing their waste.

Keywords: Environmental audit, pollution, awareness