Abstract
Introduction: Degradation of river catchment is a major concern world over. Environmental Education is a vital tool to reduce or stop environmental degradation. Several of the environmental problems presently faced by humankind are directly or indirectly caused by misunderstanding of the society about Environmental Education. To address river catchment degradation, this study is in line with priority area 5 of the Global Action Programme (GAP) on Environmental Education and Sustainable Development which emphasises the need for researchers to accelerate sustainable solutions to existing social problems at local level through educational intervention strategies.
 Purpose: This study explored the management of river catchment through Environmental Education in Chongwe river catchment. Prior studies on the Chongwe river catchment lacked education approach in addressing the environmental degradation in the catchment. The objective of this study was: to assess the nature of Environmental Education programme taking place if any.
 Methodology: This study was guided by critical realism view on research .The study used case study design within the stream of qualitative approach. Targeted population included selected ten (10) local people, ten (10) small scale farmers, two (2) traditional leaders and two (2) experts. Participants were sampled through homogenous purposive sampling while experts were sampled using expert purpose purposive sampling. Data collection instruments included interview schedule, focus group discussion guide and participant observation guide. Data was analyzed though thematic analysis. Data validation was through triangulation method that is through mirror data triangulation techniques.
 Findings: From the study findings, the environmental degradation issues in Chongwe river catchment were confirmed and it was found that Environmental Education was being offered in the area but it was not adequate to address the degradation because the Environmental Education offered lacked education approach. This resulted in proposing an Environmental Education programme to address the bad activities in the catchment.
 Recommendations: Based on the findings, the study recommended that, there should be formation of an Environmental Forum from the local level incorporating the private sectors, creation of an empowerment scheme like bee-keeping and promotion of best practices in the catchment.
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