INVOLVEMENT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES IN MALAYSIA: A PRELIMINARY REVIEW

Abstract

This article presents an early review of the involvement of religious leaders in environmental awareness and conservation activities particularly in developing regions such as Malaysia. The discussion includes the importance, challenges, and some suggestions to enhance the involvement of religious leaders in achieving sustainable development. This early review concludes that participation of religious leaders in environmental education and conservation in developing countries is visible but efforts to enhance their participation should be further explored. Studies on the relationship between religious leaders and environmental education and conservation in developing nations should also be increased in the quest to understand the role of religious leaders in sustainable development. The efforts to enhance religious leaders’ participation in sustainable development hopefully will attract higher participation of the society in various environmental conservation programmes.