Aaranyak organized the 4th Refresher Workshop on Applied Environmental Education from February 11 to 13 in Guwahati, facilitated by its Environment Education and Capacity Building Division (EECBD). The workshop served as a platform for educators and practitioners involved in environmental education and conservation to enhance their comprehension of practical environmental education methods and conservation strategies.
The primary goal of the workshop was to equip participants with the skills necessary to identify environmental challenges and devise effective, structured interventions tailored to various groups, including educational institutions and local communities. Jayanta Kumar Pathak, the Assistant Director and Head of EECBD, designed and led the course, which emphasized essential elements such as conservation strategies, environmental education frameworks, and the Planning-Implementation-Evaluation (PIE) method, alongside community engagement practices.
Key highlights of the program included a significant focus on incorporating environmental education into school curricula and fostering experiential learning methodologies. Prajnyan Sarma delivered a case study centered on engaging classrooms in water conservation and proposed activities related to soil conservation. Tikendrajit Gogoi assisted participants in creating environmental games and innovative educational tools, which included eco-printing and nature journaling exercises.
The final day of the workshop featured sessions dedicated to ethical communication and effective community engagement, with an emphasis on understanding cultural contexts, addressing seasonal needs, and employing holistic strategies. Participants took part in developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and were introduced to basic evaluation techniques aimed at assessing the outcomes of environmental education initiatives.
Sanshumoi Basumatary from Kokrajhar shared her insights, highlighting that the workshop introduced transformative ideas that reshaped her views on environmental education. The event concluded with an interactive valedictory session that encouraged attendees to apply their newfound knowledge in enhancing environmental education practices at both institutional and community levels, ultimately contributing to the well-being of both society and the environment.
