Assessing Environmental Awareness And Waste Management Practices Among Rural Communities: A Pre-Intervention Study In Alipur Village, Gurugram

Abstract

This research paper investigates the level of environmental awareness and sustainable waste management knowledge among the residents of Alipur Village, located in Sohna Tehsil of Gurugram District, Haryana. The study is based on the pre-intervention phase of a broader case study and aims to identify the community’s awareness gaps before implementing educational or behavioral interventions. Using a structured questionnaire, data was collected from 120 residents representing diverse demographic categories-gender, education level, and economic status. The survey covered three core dimensions: general environmental awareness, knowledge of waste segregation, and practices regarding waste management. The findings revealed that approximately 75% of respondents lacked basic environmental knowledge, 80% were unfamiliar with waste segregation practices, and 70% admitted to poor waste disposal habits. Notably, higher awareness levels were observed among respondents with graduate-level education and those from economically stable households. The paper concludes with suggestions for targeted sensitization and education programs to build community capacity for sustainable environmental practices. This baseline assessment highlights the need for urgent attention toward environmental literacy in rural areas and serves as a model for similar studies in other regions.