Online assignment

ASSIGNMENT ON

SIGNIFICANCE OF

COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

AND

LIVING CORNERS

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SUBMITTED BY,

VIDYA P.PILLAI

NATURAL SCIENCE

REG.NO: 13 304 021

N.S.S TRAINING COLLEGE, PANDALAM

SUBMITTED TO,

Dr. PADMAPRIYA P.V

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

NATURAL SCIENCE

N.S.S TRAINING COLLEGE, PANDALAM

SUBMITTED ON,

16-08-2014

INDEX

SLNO:

CONTENT PAGE NO:

1 INTRODUCTION2

2 SIGNIFICANC OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMMES 3 - 6

3 SIGNIFICANCE OF LIVING CORNERS 6 - 10

4 CONCLUSION 11

5 REFERENCE 12

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INTRODUCTION Community awareness is a process of developing a world

population that is aware of and concerned about the total environment and its associated problems, various diseases, nutritional problems etc. and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation and commitment to work individually and collectively towards solution of current problems and the prevention of new ones. Awareness is critical for achieving values and attitudes, skills and behavior consistent with sustainable development and effective empowerment of the general public in decision making. The community awareness programmes empowers citizens to help play a role in enhancing our community’s safety. It provides citizens with the basic tools needed to recognize and helps to prevent environmental problems, various diseases and disasters.

Living corners are areas where some animals and plants are grown and reared. Every school should have a living corner because it provides opportunity for spontaneous observation and enjoyment for the students. Aquarium, vivarium and terrarium are some examples for living corners. It helps the pupil to develop skill in observation, interest in plants and animals and also appreciation. It also provides the pupil with a realistic representation of natural ecosystem.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

There are different types of community awareness programmes such as awareness on the conservation of natural resources, eradication of diseases, population control, increase of food production, better nutrition etc. Each of these awareness programmes has its own significances and peculiarities.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARENESS ON CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The earth’s resources though abundant, are exhaustible and non- replenishable in the case of most. Fresh water, forests, topsoil, petrol and minerals are a few among such resources. Man of today’s burning problems such as pollution, depletion of natural resources, erosion of top soil, deforestation are all the results of selfish nature of man as well as over use and misuse of the limited resources. In this context, it is of utmost urgency that people are made aware of these issues and the ways by which such resources could be conserved.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARENESS ON ERADICATION OF DISEASES

Eradication of several diseases have been an important subject of public health research, projects and initiatives for more than a century. Eradication entails the permanent reduction of the worldwide prevalence of a disease to zero. So, a community awareness regarding environmental cleanliness, disinfection, immunization, hygienic habits, use and abuse of drugs, control of insects, rats and stray dogs, disposal of refuse and excreta, sanitation of food and milk, first aid, care of the sick at home etc. should be given among the people, students and teachers also. This awareness among the community will help in developing positive attitudes and effective skills which in turn would help in eradicating diseases and building up a healthy welfare society.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARENESS ON POPULATION CONTROL

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Population explosion is the most serious obstacle in national development. India is the second most populous country in the world with 2% population increase per year. India was early in realizing the need for birth control in ensuring national development. We are one of the first nations to have accepted family planning and family welfare as national policy. But we are lagging behind to achieve the set target. So an awareness regarding population control should be given to the community even to the pupil at the school stage.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARENESS ON INCREASE OF FOOD PRODUCTION

For decades, agricultural science has focused on boosting production through the development of new technologies. It has achieved enormous yield gains as well as lower costs for large-scale farming. But this success has come at a high environmental cost. It is time to fundamentally rethink the role of agricultural knowledge, science and technology in achieving equitable development and sustainability. The focus must turn to the needs of small farms in diverse ecosystems and to areas with the greatest needs. This means improving rural livelihoods, empowering marginalized stakeholders, sustaining natural resources, enhancing multiple benefits

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provided by ecosystems, considering diverse forms of knowledge, and providing fair market access for farm products. India is an agricultural country. In order to attain self-sufficiency in food production different areas of agriculture should be identified from the school level. Awareness of modern farming, use of fertilizers and pesticides and storage of food products are some of the major areas of agriculture which are to be developed among the students and the community.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARENESS ON BETTER NUTRITION

Nutritional problems are so drastic among our masses especially in rural areas. So it is very important to give awareness on nutrition, malnutrition, cheap sources of nutritious food, deficiency diseases, balanced diet etc. in order to protect our community from nutritious deficiency diseases and for a healthy welfare society.

SIGNIFICANCE OF LIVING CORNERS

SIGNIFICANCE OF AQUARIUM

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Aquarium is a small pond arranged in a room which provides oppurtunities for an unlimited amount of spontaneous, undirected observation. Pupils develop skill in observation, interest in plants and animals and also appreciation. The interdependence of plants and animals, locomotion, respiration etc. of fishes can be learned from an aquarium.

PISCICULTURE Pisciculture is the scientific method whereby fishes are grown and cultivated in ponds, lakes, brackish water, and in seawater. It involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. Pisciculture refers to culturing, rearing, and capturing of fishes in water bodies like rivers, tanks, ponds, generally in water bodies.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TERRARIUM

Terrarium is a living corner for rearing creatures living on the surface and below the surface of the earth. Terrarium permits great variations in the type of environment to be illustrated. It may be arranged to represent a bog- showing how plants and animals live in wet terrariums or of hot dry places. Many ecological concepts can be learned from a terrarium. Usually earthworms, frogs, snails and soil insects are reared.

SIGNIFICANCE OF VIVARIUM

Vivarium is a living corner arranged in school or at home where creatures living in the air are grown and reared. It provides opportunity for an unlimited amount of spontaneous, undirected observation and enjoyment.

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BIRD WATCHING AND REARING

Bird watching or birding is a form of wildlife observation in which the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Bird watching often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most birdwatchers pursue

this activity for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists, who engage in the study of birds using formal scientific methods.

Aviculture is the practice of keeping and breeding birds and the culture that forms around it. Aviculture is generally focused on not only raising and breeding of birds, but also on preserving avian habitat, and public awareness campaigns. Some important reasons for Aviculture are: breeding birds to preserve the species because many avian species are at risk due to habitat destruction and natural disaster. Aviculture encourages conservation, provides education about avian species, provides companion birds for the public, and includes research on avian behavior. Some people breed birds to make a profit.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GARDEN

Vegetable garden

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Vegetable gardening seems to be the trend in these days as more people have become conscious of what they are eating. This is because conventional methods which involve the use of harmful chemicals may enter our systems. But the main reason why organic vegetable gardening is so important is the fact that the crops harvested have 50% more nutrients and vitamins compared to that of conventional farming methods. This means the food they consume will reduce the risk of people suffering from a number of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers.

Ornamental garden

Ornamental gardens are specially designed areas with plants that are

designed for the purpose of aesthetic pleasure rather than the production of crops. Landscaping plans often integrate ornamental plants into their designs, and many cities have civic gardens for the pleasure of residents. Some botanical gardens also include ornamental sections which showcase striking and interesting plants as opposed to preserving botanical specimens, which is their primary purpose. The practice of laying out ornamental gardens appears to be ancient. Humans have long had a fondness for art and beautiful things, and once the basics of agriculture had been mastered, landscaping was not far behind. In fact, such gardens were even included in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in the form of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were allegedly designed for the pleasure of a ruler's wife.

Herbal gardens are specially designed areas with plants that have medicinal

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values. Medicinal plants consider as a rich resources of ingredients which can be used in drug development and synthesis. Besides that these plants play a critical role in the development of human cultures around the world. Moreover, some plants consider as important source of nutrition and as a result of that these plants recommended for their therapeutic values. These plants include ginger, green tea, walnuts and some others plants. Other plants and their derivatives consider as important source for active ingredients which are used in aspirin and toothpaste. 

Herbal garden

CONCLUSION10

Community awareness programmes are essential among people for the building up of a better and healthy life. Awareness on environmental cleanliness is very important for the eradication of various diseases. Awareness on better nutrition helps to minimize the mortality rate of children especially among tribal people. Conservation of natural resources can be effectively practiced through a better awareness among the community.

Living corners such as vivarium, terrarium, aquarium etc. helps the pupil to know more about the factors of an ecosystem, balance of nature, food chain, food web etc. It helps to develop awareness and concern for the environment among children. It will help them to realize the sanctity of plants, animals, trees, birds etc. It also helps them to adopt eco-friendly life style.

REFERENCE11

1. Summer, J. (2000). The Natural History of Medicinal Plants, Timber press. P.16

2. Sivarajan, K. (2009). Methodology of Teaching and Paedagogic Analysis, Premier offset printers, Calicut. P. 23-24; 252.

3. Walter, R. (1999). The Principles of Disease Elimination and Eradication, Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). P. 23-27.

Websites

1. https://www.childwelfare.gov/…communities/comm-awareness.cfm2. https://www.greenfacts.org/en/agriculture-iaastd/

3. https://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com › Plants

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