Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: Protection of the environment is a long term effort that requires the commitment of all living beings. The importance of targeting the younger generation in this regard has been highlighted, as they would be in a position to turn the trends in the area of environmental management.

     Training and educational initiatives: School children are identified as the best target group to impart the knowledge and education on environment. Hence, the government of Sri Lanka has initiated the following programmes;

Background:

1. Environmental Pioneer Programme
   
   

        The establishment of Environmental Pioneer Brigades in Schools in Sri Lanka is a novel concept developed and implemented by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). The first Environmental Pioneer Brigade was established in 1986 at Maligawatte New town under the direct supervision of the CEA. The major objective of this programme is to produce environmentally concerned citizens with love and affection for once own lands, its people and its environment.

2. School Society Programme
   
   

        School Environment Society Peogramme is being conducted in schools under the School environment programmes, where more school children can participate to take the environment message to the community. There are over 2000 school Environmental Societies at present. They undertake environmentally friendly activities within their school environment or within the community.

        These programmes are designed to have a vital contribution of school children for environmental conservation through small-scale environmental projects. Project proposals submitted by environmental socities are implemented by students under the supervision of teachers, environmental development assistants of the CEA. After establishing the society in their schools, it should get registered with the CEA. 60 new socities were registered during the last few months.

3. Parisara Surakshana Balakaya (environmental protection brigades)
   
   

        With objective of empowering school children for wide range of environmental activities, the "Parisara Surakshana Balakaya" programme has been introduced under a new concept of the Hon Minister of Forestry & Environment. Under this programme, school children are able work with Community Based Organizations, Non Governmental Organizations, Government Institutions etc, at pradeshiya, district, provincial and national level.

        Through the establishment of special "Parisara Surakshana Thurunu Balakaya" Task Team, it is expected to build a future generation which will value the environmental culture. Under this project it is proposed to select an advance group of 11 students from each school pioneer group and to build up a special environmental team together with other groups serving the community at each divisional secretariat level. They are expected to act as force for conservation of natural resources in their local environments. This group is expected to take a lead role in managing and conserving the natural resources best available to them, and to educate and prevent or action to minimize pollution and to develop an environmentally friendly culture among the youth by the formation of these special environmental team.

        As reported by Environmental development assistants, 2124 School Environment Protection Youth Forces and 155 Divisional Environmental Protection Youth Forces were formed during the last few months.