The phrase “sustainable development” has gained momentum after the world summit in Johannesburg in autumn 2008. It designated the period 2005 to 2014 as the decade of sustainable development. Therefore the challenge before the developing countries is to integrate the concept of sustainable

development in their educative process (educational curriculum). The present paper deals to explore into the knowledge and attitude on environmental issues among youths in the rural and urban areas in the districts of North and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. A sample of six hundred (600) youths

were taken in the age group of 14-28 years. The study was carried out with the help of a self made questionnaire. The statistical analysis (correlation studies) shows that environmental knowledge was correlative with educational hierarchy irrespective of gender with urban dwellers having an edge

over the rural counterparts. However there seems to be increased need of environmental knowledge in our rural areas.