One of the major concerns today especially in urban areas is the menace posed by pollution. Of such significance is the problem that the Supreme Court has passed into force a law for auto manufacturers to meet stringent exhaust emission norms. The principle of sustainable development has spurred efforts toward ensuring clean air, pollution control, water protection, noise abatement, waste management and the like, thereby creating promising employment opportunities for environmental science professionals. So, you can choose Environmental Science as a Career in India 2024.
Growth is always related to the needs of society. When people have to face acute environmental problems like air and water pollution, solid waste management, and scarcity of groundwater, only then will the spotlight shift to the environment, with institutions too giving due importance to the subject. This is true globally. Every human being should try and create a sustainable environment.
You can Choose Environmental Science as a Career in India
Environmental Science basically deals with training students to find solutions to problems of plaguing nature. For example, finding solutions to the problem of water shortage is the duty of environment engineer. With environment clearance becoming mandatory for companies taking up infrastructural work in India, the demand for professionals in this field is bound to increase.
These days a large number of students are opting for environment as a career option. Even a decade ago, not many had heard about a course in Environmental Economics at the post-graduate level. However, times are changing and this is evident from the fact that a lot of schools and colleges have the environment on their curriculum.
Such is the impact of the environment on the human mindset that even children talk about it, urban planners take it into consideration while drawing up a new project, industries are made more conscious about it and citizens’ groups have increasingly become vocal about protecting the greenery. Environment, therefore, offers enormous scope.
We have at last realised that the mismanagement of our resources and the pollution of the ecosystem can spell ruin for the human race. Hence, preserving the environment has become important and as a career option it bound to grow in significant proportions. The environment is, therefore, a hot and demanding subject that offers a host of career opportunities.
As a discipline, environmental science covers both natural and social sciences. Resource management and resource technology are significant aspects of this field, so is the realisation that our lifestyles affect the environment, and need an attitudinal change towards natural resources. Environmental science covers re- source management-particularly regarding forests, water and wildlife and industry.
Considering the growth rate, professionals in fields like forestry, and marine biology. water and energy management are poised for good times. As far as opportunities available in the field are concerned, from ecological architecture, bio-diversity mapping, land and soil management to road development, environmental impact assessment, water harvesting and watershed management, air pollution, mitigation and resource management in industries, the list is endless.
Job Opportunities for Environmental Science
Among the most important resources that help sustain life on the earth are forests. Therefore, the maintenance and management of forests and wildlife within them is of vital importance. Those interested in this area can join the Indian Forest Service, where the work involves protecting the forests and wastelands, preventing deforestation and encouraging afforestation. Or else, they can get training at the Indian Institute of Forest Management at Bhopal, which would open up employment opportunities, in international and private sector organisations, and those involved in forestry, ecology and the environment.
There is a continuously growing demand for environmental scientists in industry. Their major function is in the area of pollution control, waste and effluent control management and planning. Various consultancy organisations that deal with environmental impact assessment and provide assistance for industries, also employ environmental scientists.
Apart from getting jobs in government agencies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), students can also get into the private sector basically with companies engaged in infrastructural projects or work independently as environment consultant. With opportunities growing leaps and bounds, it would not be long before environment becomes a mainstream career option.
A person with a Post-Graduate degree in environmental sciences can start his/her career with the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as a project manager/researcher associate. He can also work for consultancy organisations like RITES, CES, EIL, and TERI as an environmental manager. With more work experience, one can get job offers from multilateral agencies like the UN, World Bank, etc. Some government departments and PSUs have also started taking in persons with an M.Sc in environmental sciences.
Environmental Science Courses
Many colleges offer a three-year course in Environmental Science. Engineering colleges also offer specialisation in Environmental Engineering. If you have a basic degree in biology, agriculture, microbiology or forestry, you can get a job in the field of environment. Another popular area of specialisation is Environment Management.
There are more than 25 universities in India which offer M.Sc. courses in Environmental Science. Some colleges in the University of Delhi offer the subject at the graduate level as well. Apart from these, there are a number of premier engineering colleges that provide courses in Environmental Engineering at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels, such as the Delhi College of Engineering.
The environment is a multi-disciplinary subject involving Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Socio-economic Sciences, Mathematics, Ethics and History. To be an environmentalist, one needs to have a real interest the subject. This is in fact more important than the academic background.
Apart from being a good communicator, a student must possess technical skills to be able to make it big in the field of environment. If a student wants to enter this sector, it is important that he/she take an interest in environmental issues. He/ she should be prepared to undertake arduous tasks.
Social Awareness
Various NGOs work in the area of creating awareness about the protection of the environment, through gathering and disseminating information, and sometimes even undertaking direct action.
Environmental Journalism
This has been given greater prominence in recent years, with the need felt to generate awareness among people. This is being done through the press, the audio-visual media and also working with NGOs, governmental and international organisations.
Research and Development: Environmental Science
There is also a tremendous scope in research and development for environmental protection. The damaging effect of carbon-monoxide fumes from vehicles was only recognised when research scientists studied the problem and conducted experiments and trials which linked a host of medical problems and diseases, to vehicular pollution.
Environmental science is generally taught as a post-graduate programme and offered by several universities across the country. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline of science is a prerequisite. However, there are some institutions which offer environmental subjects for the B.Sc degree course.
Some engineering institutions also offer environmental engineering as a specialisation, which covers the technical aspects of environmental control. Those wishing to join the Indian Forest Service would be required to sit for the Indian Forest Service Examination, separately conducted by the UPSC, distinct from the other Civil Services, and is open only to science and engineering graduates.
Selected candidates undergo a two-year training at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy at Dehradun. Similar selections are also held for the State Forest Services for science and engineering graduates. The Post-Graduate diploma in forest management at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, is open to graduates of any discipline and judiciously incorporates theoretical work with field study.
In addition to Forest Management, graduates of science can opt for the M.Sc in Wildlife at Aligarh Muslim University, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Madras University, and Bharathidasan University. Tiruchirapalli.
Forest-related courses are also offered at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and the Salim Ali School of Ecology, Pondicherry University, for graduates of any discipline.
Select Institutes of Learning
The following are some of the institutes where one can join the course:
University of Delhi; TERI; School of Environment Management at Indraprastha University, Delhi; Ranchi University; Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai; Calcutta University; Kalyani University, Midnapore; University of Burdwan; Jadavpur University; Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Kolkata; Sea Explorer’s Institute, Kolkata; Institute of Environment Management and Plant Sciences (IEMPS), Vikram University, Ujjain (MP); Indian Institute of Environment Management, Navi Mumbai,