Authors :
Dr. Poonam; Dr. Chhaya Shukla
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/ev5sd6je
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/34z8rz2p
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun1207
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
In today's rapidly evolving world, urgent environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and
pollution necessitate immediate action. A critical approach to addressing these issues is engaging future generations
through environmental education, fostering a sense of responsibility toward sustainable development. This study explores
the role of tree planting activities in connecting school students to nature, empowering them to understand their
environmental impact and contribute to global sustainability efforts. Integrating hands-on learning with environmental
education, the study provides students with opportunities to engage directly in tree planting, a crucial activity with
significant ecological benefits. Trees, as vital components of ecosystems, mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon
dioxide, enhancing air quality, supporting biodiversity, and regulating water cycles. By participating in tree planting,
students gain a deeper understanding of the interdependence between human actions and the environment, while
recognizing the importance of conserving natural resources and fostering biodiversity. This study was conducted as part of
the ICSSR PDF project titled “Handing the Torch of Planet Earth to School and University Students of Uttarakhand,” at
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The project involved students from two
schools on the Pantnagar campus namely Sarswati Shishu Mandir and Balniliyam Junior High School, who participated
in tree planting activities. The findings indicate that students, through direct involvement in planting and nurturing trees,
gained practical knowledge of ecological processes such as carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and biodiversity
support. This hands-on experience enhanced their understanding of sustainability by linking tree planting with ecosystem
health and global environmental objectives. Moreover, students developed key values such as teamwork, responsibility,
and empathy as they worked collaboratively to plant and care for trees, strengthening their sense of community and
collective action. A pre-test and post-test research design was employed to evaluate students’ knowledge, perceptions, and
attitudes toward tree plantation and environmental conservation. The plantation drive provided students with hands-on
learning experiences through planting saplings, interacting with soil, and learning plant care practices. The findings
revealed a substantial improvement in students’ environmental awareness, with the mean percentage score increasing
from 34.67 percent in the pre-test to 93.75 percent in the post-test. Students reported feeling closer to nature, gained
practical knowledge about the importance of trees, and developed a stronger sense of responsibility toward environmental
protection. The study highlights that plantation drives are effective experiential learning tools for enhancing
environmental awareness and fostering positive environmental attitudes among school students. Regular plantation
activities in schools can play a significant role in promoting sustainable behavior and developing environmentally
responsible citizens.
Keywords :
Tree Plantation, Environmental Education, Environmental Awareness and Knowledge, Sustainable Development.
References :
- Abdullahi, I.K.; Tuna, F. 2014. Nigerian Students Knowledge and Perceptions about Environmental Problems and Management: A Case Study, International Journal of Scientific Knowledge, 4: 26–34.
- Bala, R. 2016. Study of environmental awareness in relation to attitude towards environment among secondary school students. PARIPEX – Indian Journal of Research, 5(2), 236–237.
- Danielraja, R. 2019. A study of environmental awareness of students at higher secondary level. International Journal of Education, 7(3).
- Medhi, R. 2018. Environmental awareness among high school students of Kamrup district. International Journal of Basic and Applied Research, 8(12), 648–653.
- Poonam.; Shukla, C. 2012. A Comparative Study of Environmental Awareness among Government and Private Secondary School Students. International Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, Vol. 2, Number 2, pp. 125-127.
- Shukla, C; and Poonam. 2025. Analyzing Students Environmental Awareness and Knowledge: A Strategy for Community Development and Sustainability, XVII Agricultural Science Congress, pp. 1348.
In today's rapidly evolving world, urgent environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and
pollution necessitate immediate action. A critical approach to addressing these issues is engaging future generations
through environmental education, fostering a sense of responsibility toward sustainable development. This study explores
the role of tree planting activities in connecting school students to nature, empowering them to understand their
environmental impact and contribute to global sustainability efforts. Integrating hands-on learning with environmental
education, the study provides students with opportunities to engage directly in tree planting, a crucial activity with
significant ecological benefits. Trees, as vital components of ecosystems, mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon
dioxide, enhancing air quality, supporting biodiversity, and regulating water cycles. By participating in tree planting,
students gain a deeper understanding of the interdependence between human actions and the environment, while
recognizing the importance of conserving natural resources and fostering biodiversity. This study was conducted as part of
the ICSSR PDF project titled “Handing the Torch of Planet Earth to School and University Students of Uttarakhand,” at
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. The project involved students from two
schools on the Pantnagar campus namely Sarswati Shishu Mandir and Balniliyam Junior High School, who participated
in tree planting activities. The findings indicate that students, through direct involvement in planting and nurturing trees,
gained practical knowledge of ecological processes such as carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and biodiversity
support. This hands-on experience enhanced their understanding of sustainability by linking tree planting with ecosystem
health and global environmental objectives. Moreover, students developed key values such as teamwork, responsibility,
and empathy as they worked collaboratively to plant and care for trees, strengthening their sense of community and
collective action. A pre-test and post-test research design was employed to evaluate students’ knowledge, perceptions, and
attitudes toward tree plantation and environmental conservation. The plantation drive provided students with hands-on
learning experiences through planting saplings, interacting with soil, and learning plant care practices. The findings
revealed a substantial improvement in students’ environmental awareness, with the mean percentage score increasing
from 34.67 percent in the pre-test to 93.75 percent in the post-test. Students reported feeling closer to nature, gained
practical knowledge about the importance of trees, and developed a stronger sense of responsibility toward environmental
protection. The study highlights that plantation drives are effective experiential learning tools for enhancing
environmental awareness and fostering positive environmental attitudes among school students. Regular plantation
activities in schools can play a significant role in promoting sustainable behavior and developing environmentally
responsible citizens.
Keywords :
Tree Plantation, Environmental Education, Environmental Awareness and Knowledge, Sustainable Development.
