Environmental Awareness among Secondary School Tribal Students of Rayagada District

Rayagada District of Odisha is a region predominantly inhabited by tribal communities and they are closely connected with nature. This study aimed at exploring the level of environmental awareness among secondary school tribal students of Rayagada District. The research adopted a descriptive survey method and involved a sample of 100 students selected randomly from 10 government secondary schools. Data were collected using a standardized Environmental Awareness Test developed by Hisi Soren (2023). The findings revealed that 73% of the students exhibited a moderate level of environmental awareness, 15% showed high awareness, while 12% had a low level. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in environmental awareness between boys and girls, although girls had a slightly higher mean score. However, a significant difference was found between urban and rural students, with urban students demonstrating higher levels of awareness. These results highlight the need for targeted environmental education interventions, particularly in rural and tribal settings, to bridge the awareness gap.