International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2015 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Secondary School Students: A Topographical Analysis Jagabandhu Behera 1 , Rebati Mani Samal 2 1 Assistant Professor of Education, Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, Jalpaiguri, W.B. India 735210 2 Assistant Professor of Education, Gour Mahavidyalaya, Malda, W.B. India Abstract: Persons’ behavior, personal values, attitudes and level of consciousness are shaped by a number of factors that include locality, culture, religion, opportunities, environment and personal experiences. Among all other factors the gender and localities of individual was assumed to mediate the effects on pro-environmental behavior. The topographical condition in terms of climate, temperature, rain rate throughout the year, humidity, resources available and natural calamities may have more and less impact in forming personality characteristics i.e. behaviour, knowledge, values, etc. The present study has been emerged out of the above considerations. For that purpose, the state, West Bengal has been divided into six topographical zones and a sample of 145 (N = 145) secondary students of different parts of West Bengal has been taken. Samal and Sarkar Pro-environmental Behavour Questionnaire (SSPBQ) developed by researchers has been used to measure the selected variable. Descriptive statistics along with ANOVA have been employed to analyze the data. No difference of the pro-environmental behaviour was found in case of gender but the significant differences were found in case of localities as well as topographical zones. It might be concluded that the localities and topographical zones might mediate in pro-environmental behaviour of person. Keywords: Secondary Students, Pro-environmental Behaviour, Topographical zones. 1. Introduction For making life more luxurious and gratifying his unwanted and excessive needs, human being regularly has been destroying forests ruthlessly, polluting air and water apathetically, cutting the mountains recklessly and despoiling the nature truculently. The consequence of anti- environmental behaviour and incautious and unwary life styles call the various new health hazards and killer diseases. The deliberate abuse, misuse and overuse of natural resources by mankind arise many environmental crises which ultimately brings natural calamities. It is the right time to check the environmental degradation because present is in hand but future might be costly. But still today such anti-environmental behaviors is not seen as a universal phenomenon because there are some people who are sensible in environmental issues and raise their voices and offer their big hands for preservation and protection of the environment. The present researchers assumed that, such variation in environmental behavior and attitudes may have both temporal and spatial phenomenon. The explanation of pro-environmental behavior often focus on predictors in specific level of abstraction, such as personal values, Knowledge, attitudes or norms, gender, locale, or regions of individuals where persons reside. This paper aims to explore the extent of secondary students‟ pro-environmental behaviour i.e. their habits and dealings to save the environment, making it clean and tidy avoiding pollution, practice of using the natural resources, practice of saving energies etc. in respect to their gender, localities and geographical regions. 1.1 Objectives The objectives of the study were: 1) To measure the pro-environmental behavior of the secondary students in respect of Gender (Boys and Girls) and Localities (Rural and Urban). 2) To find out the differences of the pro-environmental behavior of the secondary students belonging to different topographical regions. 3) To develop the tool for measuring pro-environmental behaviour of the secondary students 4) To suggest for fostering better pro-environmental behaviour among the students. 5) To provide valuable findings and offer measures for greater success of environmental studies included in school curriculum. 1.1.1 Significance of the Study Proper research on environmental education and its related issues are vital to enhance the protection and proper well use of natural resources. The proper selected studies might be helpful in identifying the factors influencing the pro- environmental behaviour in different contexts. Campaigns and programs should be designed in a sustainable way to assist target groups with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are necessary to solve actual and local environmental problems. The study would be helpful to teachers, educational planners, administrators, further researchers etc. in various ways. The results and findings would help to prepare and plan novel, creative and unique program on environmental issues. Ultimately the study might be helpful for qualitative upliftment of environmental education in West Bengal and India as a whole. The present study would be highly significant for suggesting the measures to enhance the pro-environmental behavior of secondary school going students. Paper ID: SUB154225 698