© Kamla-Raj 2009 J Hum Ecol, 28(2): 149-151 (2009) An Assessment of Environmental Consciousness Level of University Students of Hisar City Vinod Joon * and Krishan Kumar** *Department of Community Health Administration, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare , Munirka New Delhi 110 067, India Telephone: 011-26107773,9868704901. E-mail: ratheev_77@yahoo.co.in ** Faculty SES, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India KEYWORDS Consciousness Level. Environmental Issues. Media ABSTRACT The present study was conducted on the university students of Hisar city. 65% students of postgraduate (PG) and 35% students of undergraduate (UG) level were interviewed. Scoring was done for each subject, then a scale was devised and the scores were accordingly classified in good, moderate and poor category. Results revealed that the average score of consciousness level for PG as well as UG student was same i.e., of moderate category. Regarding use of polythene maximum students (68%) show lack of consciousness in spite of their high education level. The same was true for avoiding mosquitoes as 80% students preferred repellent mats, spray or odomos. About the quality of drinking water 75% students were conscious. On the question of use of unleaded vs. leaded petrol and inverter vs. generator, the consciousness levels were quite high. Similarly 78% students appreciated natural beauty and preferred to visit National park/sanctuary or a hill station for recreational purpose. Television and newspaper were the main sources of information for students though interpersonal communication was also important medium to keep people aware regarding environmental issues and to update their knowledge. INTRODUCTION Environment all over the world is being degraded as a result of unplanned indus- trialization, urbanization, population pressure and human greed, leading to indiscriminate and environmentally incompatible development, over utilization of resources and use of inappropriate technology unmindful of the harm being done to environment. Pollution of any kind is a result of injudicious use of resources and it is a problem of obvious importance that affects human, plant and animal health. Pollution from a wide variety of emissions, as from automobiles and industrial activities has reached critical levels, causing respiratory, ocular and other health problems (WHO, 2004). Community awareness is the key to community participation. Well- informed and well aware people have more role clarity in environment management. An alert community will take active part in any environmental project and can provide inputs in terms of local knowledge and resources. This will enhance self -reliance and confidence in them. People’s participation is important for the success of any project. It is therefore necessary that the community not only realizes the environmental problem but also participate in the eco-system conservation process which involves promoting full understanding of the issues and solutions, soliciting the opinions and preferences of citizens regarding resource use and alternate develop- ment strategies. People, however have a tendency to support or participate in any conservation activity only when they are convinced that the programme would benefit them (Mills 1978). It is therefore important that public, at large be informed about the relationship between ecology and economics and also about the importance of sustainable development. Environmental education has been recognised to possess the capabilities to meet the challenges by promoting awareness and knowledge on various environ- mental issues, changing the attitude of people, generating critical thinking and actions and attaining the goal of sustainable development (Sabri 2004). Each individual is needed to be motivated to voluntarily participate in resource conservation and environment improvement activities. Therefore it becomes important to first find out the awareness/consciousness level of people and then accordingly devise appropriate strategies for implementation of an environmental plan. Identifying the type of media that gives more effective information is equally important to know so as to develop suitable IEC package to enhance the awareness level of people of a particular region (Kumari 1998).