Environmental Awareness and Sustainability Perceptions among Employees of Bannerughatta Biological Park, India
N. D. Hitesh
Department of Studies in Environmental Science, Davangere University, Shivagangotri, Davanagere -577007, Karnataka, India.
Santhebennur Jayappa Veeresh *
Department of Studies in Environmental Science and Food Technology, Davangere University, Shivagangotri, Davanagere -577007, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Environmental awareness among employees is increasingly recognised as an important component of organisational sustainability and environmental stewardship. While zoological institutions play significant roles in biodiversity conservation, environmental education and sustainability outreach, limited research has examined the environmental awareness and sustainability perceptions of zoo employees. This study assessed employees' environmental awareness and sustainability perceptions at Bannerughatta Biological Park (BBP), India. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between July and September 2025 using the KoboToolbox platform. From a workforce of 439 employees, 105 individuals were surveyed through simple random sampling, of whom 93 valid responses were included in the analysis. Environmental awareness was evaluated using eleven awareness-based questions covering waste management, environmental governance, sustainability concepts, climate-related terminology and conservation issues. Responses were scored to generate an Environmental Awareness Score (EAS) and categorised into low, moderate and high levels of awareness. Sustainability perception was assessed separately by asking employees about the role of zoos in conservation and sustainability. Most employees (69.9%) exhibited moderate environmental awareness, while 16.1% and 14.0% demonstrated low and high levels of awareness, respectively. Awareness was highest for human-induced environmental problems (92.5%) and waste-management-related issues. In contrast, awareness of carbon footprint (19.4%), India's forest and tree cover (21.5%), and the role of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (30.1%) was comparatively limited. Employees demonstrated highly positive sustainability perceptions, with 92.5% considering the role of zoos in conservation and sustainability to be important or very important. The findings highlight specific awareness gaps and underscore the need for targeted environmental education and capacity-building programmes. This study provides a baseline for employee-focused environmental education and sustainability initiatives within zoological institutions.
Keywords: Environmental Awareness, Sustainability Perceptions, Zoo Employees, Capacity Building, Bannerughatta Biological Park