Published: 01:27 AM, 30 September 2026
Loving Nature, Protecting Wildlife Should Be Added to Academic Curriculum
Sanjana Bilkis Noor
Nature is the foundation of human life. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and many of the materials we use every day come directly or indirectly from the natural world. Yet, despite our dependence on nature, forests are being destroyed, rivers are becoming polluted, and many species of wildlife are facing serious threats. In this situation, environmental education should no longer be treated as an optional subject or a minor part of academic learning. Loving nature and protecting wildlife should be included as an important part of the academic curriculum from the earliest years of education.
Education is not only about obtaining good grades or preparing students for future careers. Its broader purpose is to develop responsible, thoughtful, and compassionate human beings. If students learn about nature only from textbooks, they may understand environmental problems theoretically but fail to develop a personal connection with the natural world. Therefore, schools and colleges should provide opportunities for students to observe plants, animals, rivers, forests, and other elements of nature. Such experiences can help young people understand that humans are part of nature rather than separate from it.
Wildlife protection is particularly important because every species has a role in maintaining ecological balance. Birds help disperse seeds, insects pollinate plants, and many animals contribute to the health of forests and other ecosystems. When a species disappears, the effects can spread throughout the environment. Students should learn these connections through age-appropriate lessons, field activities, documentaries, projects, and discussions. Such education can make them more aware of the consequences of hunting, illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, pollution, and destruction of natural habitats.
An effective environmental curriculum should not be limited to classroom lectures. Schools can organize tree-planting programs, nature walks, bird-watching activities, recycling campaigns, school gardens, and visits to parks, forests, museums, and wildlife conservation centres. Students could also participate in local environmental projects, such as cleaning nearby public spaces or creating awareness about plastic pollution. These practical activities can turn environmental knowledge into everyday habits.
Teachers also have an important role to play. They can encourage students to ask questions about their surroundings and discuss environmental challenges affecting their communities. Science, geography, literature, social studies, and even art can be connected with environmental education. For example, science lessons can explain ecosystems, geography can examine climate and natural resources, literature can explore the beauty of nature, and art classes can encourage students to express their appreciation for wildlife. In this way, environmental awareness can become a part of education as a whole rather than remaining confined to one subject.
Parents and communities should also participate in this effort. Children often develop their attitudes and habits by observing adults. If parents avoid unnecessary plastic, conserve water, protect animals, plant trees, and keep their surroundings clean, children are more likely to adopt similar practices. Schools can work with families, local organizations, environmental groups, and government agencies to create wider opportunities for environmental learning.
Introducing nature and wildlife education into the curriculum can also provide important personal benefits. Spending time outdoors can encourage curiosity, creativity, observation, and a sense of responsibility. Learning about animals and plants can teach children empathy and respect for living things. Moreover, environmental activities can help students understand that individual actions matter. Turning off unnecessary lights, reducing waste, avoiding littering, saving water, and refusing products made through illegal wildlife exploitation may appear to be small actions, but millions of responsible choices can create meaningful change.
Bangladesh, with its rivers, wetlands, forests, coastal areas, and rich biodiversity, has a particularly strong reason to promote environmental education. The country is home to many species of birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, and plants. Its natural resources support millions of people. However, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of resources, and other pressures can threaten this ecological wealth. Educating the younger generation about conservation can help create citizens who understand the value of these natural resources and are willing to protect them.
The goal should not be to frighten students with stories of environmental destruction. Instead, education should inspire hope, responsibility, and action. Young people should be taught that protecting nature is a shared responsibility and that positive change is possible. They should be encouraged to become responsible citizens who appreciate biodiversity and understand the importance of sustainable living.
Ultimately, a truly successful education system should prepare students not only to earn a living but also to live responsibly. Adding lessons and practical activities about loving nature and protecting wildlife to the academic curriculum would help build a generation that respects the environment and understands its dependence on it. Nature cannot speak in classrooms, but through education, young people can learn to recognize its value and become its responsible guardians. The future of wildlife and the health of our planet may depend greatly on what today's students learn and practice.
Sanja Sanjana Bilkis Noor studies Business Administration in Southeast University, Dhaka.
