“World today is economically richer and environmentally poorer than ever” - By R.Brown
The consequences of the environment pollution are not hard to comprehend,whereas the solution to ending environment pollution is not easy to come, however attempts can always be made to find out a solution keeping in mind sustainability,legal parameters and judicial pronouncements and NGOs have a very important role to play in this.
Here’s a list of Top NGOs in India working towards protecting our environment :
The indian Environmental Society
The Indian Environmental Society (IES) is a dynamic and flexible NGO working towards Environment with a global vision and local focus. It was set up in 1972 to increase the consciousness and knowledge about the environment and the major environmental problems. Indian Environmental Society has been providing leadership roles in the field of environment and resource management since its inception. IES has been actively doing environmental development activities with a philosophy of community participation and self help. The projects and programmes undertaken by IES progresses from local and national level strategies to suggesting global solutions on critical environment related issues. IES has created widespread environmental and civic awareness by promoting community based environmental improvement efforts. The aim of the Society is to reach out to general masses, youth, students with the messages and services, build-up grass-root movement, and influence need based policy formulation.
Swechha
Their genesis lay in the year 2000 as ‘We for Yamuna’ campaign, a collective response towards growing apathy towards one of the most polluted rivers of the world. Since then the organization has gathered popular and powerful voices for the support of this cause and has emerged as the loudest and strongest voice in India on the matter. Apart from this campaign, Swechha has grown over the decades to work on other issues of sustainable development and social change and has had considerable impact locally, nationally as well as internationally.
Bombay Natural History Society
Started it’s work in September 1883 at Mumbai. It aims to collect data on the specimens on natural history throughout the Indian sub-continent. To disseminate knowledge of flora and fauna by means of lectures, field trips, literature and expeditions and, to study wildlife related problems and recommend management plans to conserve wildlife and its habitat. It conducts field research projects on bird migration and studies on the movement and population structure of Indian avifauna. It also conducts studies of certain endangered species of wildlife and their habitat and through environmental education impart the knowledge and awareness of the need to conserve wildlife.Its Publications includes : Hornbill (4 issues in a year) and other journals.
The Centre for Environmental Education (CEE)
Set up in 1984 to spread awareness of environmental issues and try to find solutions for them. It is based at Ahmedabad and they have offices all over the country. They mainly aim to create environmental awareness in the communities.They conduct widespread environmental education and training programmes through a very vast network. They have also taken up projects related to conservation of biodiversity and eco-development.They have a vast range of publications – books, posters, educational packages, bibliographies and directories.There is also a large computerised database – the Environment Education bank, which has a collection of more than 800 environment concepts, about 2500 environment related activities and 100s of case studies.
Gandhi Peace Foundation – Environment Cell
Began functioning at Delhi from June 1979. It was set up mainly to promote the environmental activities of rural development agencies; to disseminate environmental information through the publication of up to date reports on environmental issues; to organize workshops and seminars for environmental experts, policy makers, individuals and organisations working for environmental issues. Their activities include researching the role of women in community forestry and rural development; conducting studies in soil erosion, water logging, drainage and seepage around select dams; planting fast growing trees.They bring out publications and educational aids on the Chipko Movement, environmental education, dams etc; audio visuals on Mitti Bachao, the Chipko Movement, deforestation, the Yamuna and the Narmada rivers and traditional rain harvesting techniques.
Vatavara
An NGO working in the sector of solid waste collection. They have around 27 projects in different parts of Delhi including JNU and NOIDA. This organisation was formed in order to improve the ways and means of garbage collection through a more concrete method. People normally dump their garbage indiscriminately in the MCD bins where they overflow and a stink begins rising. But now through the method of door to door collection the colonies are much cleaner then they were before this organisation stepped in. For a very nominal charge the garbage is collected from the doorstep and taken to the private dump where it is segregated. Biodegradable waste is put into compost pits and the non-biodegradable is further segregated into groups such as, glass, paper, and plastics and then sent further to recycling industries or to mills that require these for raw material.
In residential colonies such as Asiad Village and Vasant Kunj, where Vatavaran has been very effective, the initiative is now being carried forward by the residents' welfare societies of these areas. The compost pits yield very high quality manure that is either sold or used to promote horticultural activities within the colony. This waste now becomes an income source and cost effective.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Established in 1974,TERI is a wholly independent not-for-profit research institute. Its mission is to develop and promote technologies, policies and institutions for efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. It is NGO Related to Environment in India and has been imparting environmental education through projects, workshops, audio visual aids and quiz competitions. It deals with policy related work in the energy sector, research on environmental subjects development on renewable energy technologies and promotion of energy efficiency in the industry and transport. TERI also has a major programme in biotechnology, the applications of which are oriented towards increased biomass production, conversion of waste into useful products and mitigating the harmful environmental impacts of several economic activities. Publications: They have several books on energy, climate change, renewable energy, regulation, environment and sustainable development and forestry & biodiversity. They also publish research journals and digest journals, newsletters. There are also several databases and audio-visuals on various environment issues.Some of them are as follows – 1. TERI Energy Data Directory & Yearbook. 2. Looking back to think ahead. 3. Mahatma Gandhi: an apostle of applied human ecology. 4. How global is global and how warm is warming?, etc.
Mobius Foundation
The Mobius Foundation is ngo working for sustainable environment in india. They focus on renewing, re-using and replacing the finite treasures of the only planet we have. They initiate that Schools should include environmental education, since the next generation will have to bear the brunt of the rape of our beautiful Earth.Pradip Burman is the Chairman of the Mobius Foundation and promoter director on the Board of Aviva Life Insurance Co. Ltd. After a career spanning decades, he is now giving back to society by devoting himself to the cause of environmental sustainability.
The government is viewing NGOs not only as agencies that will help them to implement their programs, but also as partners shaping policy and programs.
NGOs are now playing an important role in framing the environmental policy, mobilizing public support for environmental conservation, and protecting the endangered species of forests and animals. Environmental organizations such as Earth watch and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have been successful in creating awareness about the environmental dangers in using drift nets in the commercial fishing industry.The issues like future of environmental protection, sustainable development and zero population growth are some of the major concerns of the environmental NGOs.
Environmental policies will achieve positive results only when they are addressed to local issues and solve the problems of local people. The policymakers should keep in mind the needs of the people while framing the policies and implementing the environment-friendly projects.
