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On March 6, 2017, the Centre revealed to the Supreme Court that it has directed all the universities across the country to include Environmental Studies in college curricula. The University Grants Commission and Ministry of Human Resource and Development had submitted their response to Supreme Court stating that they would look into the matter and take steps in this regard.
The bench comprising of Justices S.K. Kaul and D.Y. Chandrachud as well as Chief Justice J.S. Khekar considered the response and disposed the interim application filed by M.S Mehta, an environmentalist. Earlier, he filed the petition in Supreme Court claiming that the government must include Environmental Sciences in the curricula of schools and colleges.
Also read: - Environmentalist Protest to Save their College Land in Indore
P.S. Patwalia, Additional Solicitor General from the Centre revealed that most of the varsities have included the subject in the curricula and 306 universities across the country are yet to include it.
On the other hand, the Centre has no right to include Environmental Sciences in school curricula as all the states have their own examination boards who have the right to take their decisions.
Also read: - Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee to Conduct Environmental Study for Yamuna Cleaning
Earlier, the apex court had slammed the central government for violating the 1991 directions and not implementing Environmental Studies in college curricula. Therefore, the central government responded to the court and assured that they will take all the steps for implementing the directives.
Including Environmental Sciences in both school and college curricula is a positive step as it is necessary for the students to have an idea on various problems of the environment. The subject develops concern towards environment among the students and enables them to take up various activities and initiatives to protect the environment.
