Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol. 4, No.5, 2014 30 Role of Higher Education Institutions in Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development: A case study of Shivaji University, Maharashtra, India. Jadhav A. S., Jadhav V.V. and Raut P. D Department of Environmental Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416004 E mail :patilaasawari@gmail.com, drpdraut@yahoo.co.in Abstract: The ever increasing population and changing lifestyles are making the environmental problems more critical. Higher educational institutions can be the best solution to solve this situation. Higher education can play a crucial role in sustainable development of any nation. As environmental sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue for the world, the role of higher educational institutions in relation to environmental sustainability is more prevalent. Universities are the apex bodies in higher education system and can provide environmental education through its curricular design, research and collaborative efforts with NGO’s working in those areas. They can provide trained manpower and knowledgeable expertise to solve critical environmental problems. They can also act as a good networking system and data collector. Shivaji University is one of the significant higher education institution located in heart of Western Ghats working with the same goal of environmental sustainability through various activities. The paper examines the efforts taken by higher education in environmental development in the areas of creating healthy environment and conservation of resources. Key words: Role of Higher education, Environmental protection, Universities, sustainable development Introduction: The world in 21 st century is facing many challenges related to environment. On one hand world is developing at alarming rate while on the other hand the destruction of natural resources are going on. Therefore, world’s present development path is not sustainable. Efforts to meet the needs of a growing population in an interconnected but unequal and human-dominated world are ignoring the Earth’s essential life-support systems (Kofi Annan, 2000). Today, the human society is facing severe environmental problems like climate change, greenhouse effect, energy crisis, depletion of natural resources, biodiversity loss, pollution of air, water, soil, etc. The scope of the problems is from local level to global level. The ever increasing population and changing life styles are increasing the severity of the environmental problems. The time has come to protect the natural environment through precise efforts. Education is one of the key solution for this situation. It is very important for any individual's success in life. It provides skills that prepare an individual physically, mentally and socially confident to solve many problems in the society. Education is major aspect in development of any modern society. It is generally seen as the foundation of society which brings economic wealth, social prosperity and political stability. In today's fast growing and competitive world, people mostly are not satisfied with their basic education and enter for higher education. Higher education is the aspect of education that is acquired by students after the completion of their secondary education. Here, the persons are organised for building upon their knowledge and skills which can be applied to solve different problems in human life. Higher educational institutions have the capacity to give quick responses to different societal problems specially related to environment. At the same time sustainable development through higher education provides a pivotal role in nations building. Sustainable development remains barely a significant social, economic or environmental challenge for any country (Wynn Calder, 2003). Though teaching and learning must begin to reflect environmental issues, there is an emerging consensus that institutions must also model sustainable practices. (Erin Redman, 2013).Such education contributes strongly to sustainable development by training and expanding young minds in researching solutions to the environmental challenges. After graduation the students become leaders of tomorrow and get dispersed from the world of higher education into their specific career. In doing so, they take with them the green practices and approaches they were involved with at their institution (Will Toor,2003). In the global scenario, the green aspects in higher education emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The first Earth Day in 1970 was a student-based effort. The relationship between education and sustainable development was first recognized on an international level at the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Principle 19 of the Stockholm Declaration signifies environmental education from grade school to adulthood to “broaden the basis for enlightened opinions and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in protecting and improving the environment in its full human dimension.” Many scholars and practitioners are counting on education to lead us towards sustainability. Unfortunately research indicates that our current education system may be doing the opposite (Rowe, 2007; Sterling, 2001; Orr, 1991).The term “education for sustainable development” emerged primarily out of the Rio