Evaluating Environmental Awareness, Attitudes and Perceptions of Urban Residents for Sustainable Environmental Management in Chandrapur District (MS), India

Environmental awareness and public perception are vital components in shaping effective strategies for sustainable environmental management, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study assesses the awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of urban residents in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, India—an area significantly impacted by industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and mining activities. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 376 participants to document demographic profiles, understanding of environmental issues, perceived sources of pollution, and preferred control measures. Findings revealed moderate to high levels of awareness, with 76% of respondents recognizing the adverse effects of air pollution on human health, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Industries (42.55%) and automobiles (14.09%) were perceived as the dominant contributors to urban air pollution. Industrial emission control (43.35%) and the adoption of renewable energy (9.04%) were considered the most effective mitigation strategies, while enhancing public transport, promoting electric mobility, and advancing waste-to-energy initiatives were also strongly supported. Interestingly, while policymakers often prioritize awareness campaigns, participants emphasized the importance of regulatory enforcement and technological improvements for long-term impact. These insights highlight the critical need to integrate public perceptions into policy frameworks to develop locally relevant and socially acceptable interventions. Strengthening industrial regulation, promoting clean energy transitions, and advancing sustainable transport—complemented by awareness initiatives—can help Chandrapur move toward effective and participatory environmental governance.