HIDAYATULLAH NATIONAL LAW

UNIVERSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROJECT ON:
ROLE OF NGOs IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN
INDIA

SUBMITTED BY:
TO:
PRAKASH VAIBHAV
KAUMUDHI CHALLA

SUBMITTED
DR.

SEMESTER IV
SUBMITTED ON:
ROLL NO. 116
FEBRUARY, 2015

18 TH

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the project work entitled Role of NGOs in Environmental Protection in
India, submitted to Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, is a record of an original
work done by me under the guidance of Dr. Kaumudhi Challa, Assistant Professor,
Hidayatullah National Law University. I further declare that the work reported in this project has
not been submitted and will not be submitted, either in part, or full, for the award of any other
degree in the institute.
Name: Prakash Vaibhav
Semester- IV
Section- B
Roll number- 116

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project entitled, Role of NGOs in Environmental Protection in India
submitted by Prakash Vaibhav in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
B.A.,LL.B.(Hons.) Degree (Semester IV) at the Hidayatullah National Law University,
Raipur is an authentic work carried out by her under my supervision and guidance.
To the best of my knowledge, the matter embodied in the project has not been submitted to any
other University / Institute for the award of any Degree or Diploma.

Date:

Dr. Kaumudhi Challa

(Assistant Professor, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my deepest regard and gratitude to my teacher, Dr. Kaumudhi Challa. Her consistent
supervision, constant inspiration and invaluable guidance have been of immense help in
understanding and carrying out this project report.
I would also like to thank my family and friends without whose support and encouragement, this
project would not have been a reality.
I take this opportunity to also thank the University and the Vice Chancellor for providing
extensive database resources in the Library and through Internet.
Name: Prakash Vaibhav
Semester- IV
Section- B
Roll number- 116

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
&.....AND
....SECTION
......PARAGRAPH
AIR..........ALL INDIA REPORTER
ANR....ANOTHER
DRJ...DISASTER RECOVERY
JOURNAL
NGO..NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION
NGT.NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
OECD..............................ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
ORSOTHERS
PIL..PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION
RTI..RIGHT TO INFORMATION
SC...SUPREME COURT
SCC..SUPREME COURT
CASES
SCR...SUPREME COURT REPORTER
SSS.. SPITI SEABUCKTHORN
SOCIETY
STAG. SPITI TRANS-HIMALAYAN ACTION GROUP
UNCTAD...UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND
DEVELOPMENT
UNESCAP. UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE
PACIFIC

UP....UTTAR
PRADESH
V....VERSUS
W.P....WRIT PETITION

LIST OF CASES

Sachidananda Pandey vs State Of West Bengal & Ors, AIR 1987 SC 1109
Almitra Patel v. Union of India, W.P. No. 88 of 1996
Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Group v. Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply

Company, (1991) 2 SCC 539

Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. UOI & Ors. AIR 1996 SC 1446
M. C. Mehta v. Union Of India AIR 1988 SC 1037
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 8 SCC 206
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1999) 6 SCC 12
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1987) 1 SCC 395
Rural Litigation And Entitlement Kendra & Ors v. State Of Uttar Pradesh & Ors AIR

1986 SC 359
Society for Protection of Silent Valley v. Union of India and Others
T.N. Godavarman Thirumulkpad v. Union of India, W.P. No. 202 of 1995
Tarun Bharat Sangh, Alwar v. Union of India, AIR 1992 SC 514
Tehri Bandh Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1992) Supp 1 SCR 44
Vineet Narain v. Union of India, AIR 1996 SC 3386
Vinod Kumar Jain v. Union of India and Anr. 2008(106) DRJ 27

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

DECLARATION.....ii
CERTIFICATE...iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.iv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.....v
LIST OF CASES.vi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1
CHAPTER 2: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NGOS5
CHAPTER 3: THE ROLE OF NGOS: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE...7
CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENT, NGOS AND THE JUDICIARY..10
CHAPTER 5: OF YOUTH, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND

ENVIRONMENT..13
7. CONCLUSION..15
8. SUGGESTIONS.....16

1. INTRODUCTION

What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on? If
you cannot tolerate the planet it is on?
-Henry David Thoreau, Familiar Letters.

Over the past few decades, the action in environmental protection has seen a great deal of
participation from the civil society and the stakeholders in the particular environments
mainly constituted by the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The relatively weak
enforcement capacities of environmental monitoring state agencies have led to the
resurgence of a strong alternative force or the NGOs in India. The NGOs have acted as
watchdogs for protecting environmental interests of the Indian populace and has often
lobbied the government for a change in obscure or defunct legislation. Even more
important than mass movements through NGOs have, however, been public interest
litigations in the Supreme Court which have led to some historic judgements and change
in corporate behaviour. This is true for India just as much as it is for most of the
developing and developed world.
The growth in the NGO movement is attributed to the failure of public institutions to
address social and environmental problems. NGOs and grassroots institutions in India do
not exclusively deal with environmental issues, but they follow an integrated approach by
linking poverty, social justice, inequality, and rural development and health issues. NGOs
differ from each other in their diversity of role, ideology, approach, management style
and organisation. This research project is aimed at analyzing the contribution of NonGovernmental Organisations or other such factors in the field of environmental protection
in India.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The secondary data available regarding the achievements of environmental NGOs have
been discussed and analysed. A doctrinal method for research has been adopted. Both
1

primary and secondary sources of data have been used. The research consisted books,
articles, statutes and the Constitution of India.

Problem
It is absolutely essential that Environmental NGOs meet their set objectives of
environmental sustainability. The impact of these NGOs will depend upon their ability to
mobilize resources, create partnerships with the Industry and Government, and on their
ability to use media and tools such RTI and PIL to their advantage.

Rationale
Keeping in view the importance of aforesaid subject, an attempt has to be made to
understand the working of these environmental NGOs and analyse their functioning in
different arenas.

Objectives

To highlight the role of NGOs in the environment protection with a legal

perspective.
To describe and analyse achievements of some environmental NGOs vis--vis the

judiciary in India.
To discuss about Spiti Ecosphere as a specific case for the interest of the youth
in environmental protection.

Hypotheses
NGOs have played an active role in the protection of environment in India. These NGOs
have been successful in protecting the environment to a great extent, which has resulted
in better environmental management in the past few decades.

Sources of Data
2

Secondary sources have been mainly used for making this project such as books, articles,
and internet websites.

Review of Literature
Environmental Law and Policy in India: Cases, Materials, and Statutes published by
Tripathi Publishers has been referred to understand the role of the NGOs vis--vis the
judiciary in environmental protection. Environmental Law published by Eastern Book
Company to comprehend the nature of work done by the NGOs.

Chapterisation
The project is divided into five chapters. The first chapter provides project background
objectives, mechanisms, and strategy followed. The second chapter expresses how the
subjects of environmental protection and the NGOs are related to each other. Third and
fourth chapters focus on a legal perspective and the role of judiciary in environmental
protection vis--vis NGOs respectively. The fifth chapter deals specifically with the work
of a social enterprise called Spiti Ecosphere.

Contribution
There is a need for a comprehensive analysis of how law operates as an instrument of
environmental protection. This project analyses the fields in which the NGOs along with
the judiciary have played some role in expansion of the environmental rights and
environmental protection. It suggests the new avenues that are available today for the
youth in the field of environmental protection.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NGOS

NGOs are Non-Governmental Organizations are usually referred as organizations which are not
part of government though could be funded by the government. The primary objective of these
organizations is public service. As per one estimate, there are more than 3.3 million NGOs in
India in 2009.1 In India, for an entity to become an NGO, it has to register either as a Trust,
1 Shukla, Archana (2010), "First Official Estimate: An NGO for Every 400 People in India", Indian Express, 7 July Available
at:
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/first-official-estimate-an-ngo-for-every-400-people-inindia/643302/ . Accessed on 10th February, 2015.

Society or a private limited nonprofit company, under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act,
1956. The organisation can also be registered under The Societies Registration Act, 1860 as
trusts or societies.
The role of environmental NGOs as a major stakeholder in Environmental Causes has increased
both in dimension and stature over last decades. Most of the environment NGO started as small
organizations focused on one or few of following causes Education & Training, Environment
research, Environment Monitoring, Air or Water Pollution, Land degradation, Waste
Management, Toxic & Chemical Waste, Saving Wild life and Eco Sensitive Zones. But over the
period, some of these organizations have transformed themselves into highly professional and
respectful organizations. For Instance, a prominent Indian NGO, Centre for Science and
Environment, started in 1980 as an organization focused on creating Public awareness on
Science , technology , Environment and development. 2 But over the past 30 years, its grown into
highly organized and professional organization focused on Pollution Monitoring, Developed a
Knowledge Portal a comprehensive website & series of publication on environmental issues,
created innovative mechanisms such as Green Rating points for the Industry, and turned into
knowledge based environment activism. Many environmental NGOs have started collaboration
with Government and Industry to create a sustainable structure for future growth. These
organizations provide consultancy to industrial houses and corporates, and are actively engaged
at various levels with the government on developing environment friendly and sustainable
development policies. With the power of media and Judicial Activism, environmental NGOs are
able to perform their functions better, which may not have been possible otherwise. The
enhanced roles played by the environmental NGOs come with a lot of responsibilities and
challenges which they need to bear in mind.3

2 http://www.cseindia.org/content/about-cse . Accessed on 10th Feb, 2015.

3 GIAN JYOTI E-JOURNAL, Volume 1, Issue 3 (Apr Jun 2012) ROLE AND IMPACT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN INDIA Dildeep
Sandhu and Pooja Arora
5

3. THE ROLE OF NGOs: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Many protest and activist NGOs4 largely emerged in response to an imminent threat to local
environments that would otherwise have remained unaddressed by policy and regulation. Most
4 According to one rather contentious definition, activism in India is marked by that it has no
territoriality, no hegemony, no competition for power, no lusting for eminence in the media
market, no questing for recognition or rewards. Baxi U. (1986) Activism at Cross-roads with
Signposts, Social Action, Vol.36, October-December.
6

were passive and rarely violent. Many of these issue-based protest NGOs were formed with
external assistance and external leadership and management inputs were sought. Some protest
and activist organisations joined established networks or formed alliances and addressed
problems collaboratively (like the National Alliance of People's Movement). Other NGOs were
individualistic in addressing issues of their particular interest; some NGOs are small others large;
some focus on policy issues only, others target projects; some are region specific, others are
cause, issue specific or localised in influence; some address broader interdisciplinary issues like
human rights, health, land reforms which may include the environment, while others specifically
focus on natural environment; many depend on corporate sponsorship, some on private charity
and a rare few on government funding. Several organisations are single person-based institutions
with a short life span, which cease after addressing an issue at hand. Many of those that persist
broaden their focus beyond the original issue and many establish or join alliances and networks.
In the 1980s two remarkable developments in the Indian legal system provided a strong impetus
to judicial activism in India. There was a broadening of existing environmental laws in the
country and judicial activity through public interest litigation began in earnest in India. These
two developments gave more scope to citizens and public interest groups to prosecute a
corporation or a Trans-National Corporation which violates environmental norms.5
Until the enactment of Environment Protection Act of 1986, prosecution under Indian
environment laws could only be done by the government. Public interest groups or citizens had
no statutory remedy against a polluter who discharged an effluent beyond the permissible limit.
But under the Environment Protection Act 1986, Section 19, a citizen can prosecute any
company provided a 60-day notice is given of her/his intention to prosecute. Other provisions
allowing citizens to participate in the enforcement of pollution laws are now found in Section 43
of theAir Act, as amended in 1987, and in Section 49 of the Water Act as amended in 1988. Both
these Amendments require the Pollution Control Board to disclose internal reports to citizens
seeking to prosecute a polluter.

5 Judicial activism and the environment in India. Implications for transnational corporations. by
Pranay Lal and Veena Jha, Occasional paper no.6, Pg. 2., Report as part of UNCTAD /CBS
Project: Cross Border Environmental Management in Transnational Corporations.
7

There has also been an expansion of citizens participatory rights in public interest litigation
(PIL). Traditionally only an individual who had her or his rights violated could seek remedy
under PIL. This meant that a person wishing to prosecute had to show that he/she had suffered
some special injury over and above other members of the public. Thus cases of air or water
pollution were difficult to redress. Now, however citizens can challenge environmentally harmful
actions even though they may not suffer any greater harm than others. The closure of limestone
quarries in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, 6 as well as polluting tanneries along the
Ganges7 is important landmarks in the history of Indias public interest litigation.8

Use of PIL and RTI Tools used by environmental NGOs.

PIL Public Interest Litigation is considered one of the potent tools, increasingly used by the
NGOs to enforce environmental laws, or bring about changes or modification in laws concerned
with the environmental issues. PIL is the Indian context means any litigation which is used for
the protection of public interest. The rise of public interest litigation has to do with increased
judicial activism in last few decades. PIL will not be able to provide satisfactory or the best
solution in all the cases. Sometimes, the PIL route can slow the process of resolution of the
problem. The courts welcome genuine litigation but there are several cases of frivolous litigation
put up in the court to meet self-interests, or settle personal score. PIL has become a preferred
weapon of choice in the fight for environmental sustainability. For instance, a filling of PIL by
Tapas NGO in Delhi High Court led to the ban of Plastic ban in the Delhi from January 2009. 9
The positive impact was the emergence of biodegradable and Jute bags which helped in bring
desired green change in Delhi. The NGO made a huge effort to sensitize the general public about
6 Rural Litigation And Entitlement Kendra & Ors v. State Of Uttar Pradesh & Ors AIR 1986 SC
359.
7 M. C. Mehta v. Union Of India A.I.R 1988 SC 1037.
8 Environmental Law and Policy in India, 1991, Armin Rosencranz, Shyam Divan and Martha
Noble, Tripathi publishers
9 Vinod Kumar Jain v. Union of India and Anr. 2008(106) DRJ 27
8

use of plastic bags. They put 20000 poster and organized protests at Jantar Mantar to mobilize
public for banning of plastic bags.10 RTI Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI) provides power
in the hands of the ordinary citizens and NGOs to extract information from a Public Authority
(Government Departments). This acts empowers the NGOs to seek relevant information such as
Information on Laws and Government Regulations, actions taken by the Government bodies
with regards to Environment aspect and others. This helps the NGOs create awareness in the
general public or society at large about the rights, and if there is any violation of law by
individuals or corporations, this tool can be used as evidence of wrong doing. For instance, in
June 2010, an NGO run by Rohit Prajapati filed an RTI application with Gujarat State Disaster
Management Authority (GSDMA) on their emergency chemical disaster Management plan 11.
This was very important as there are number of chemical plants and factories situated in Gujarat,
and a chemical disaster can turn very deadly as in the case of Bhopal Gas Tragedy where more
than 30000 people lost their life.12 Through this process of RTI, it came to the knowledge of
public that there is no plan in place to tackle these disasters.

10 http://delhigreens.com/2011/09/12/an-interview-with-v-k-jain-of-tapas-ngo-on-the-banningof-polythene-bags-in-delhi/ Accessed on 11th Feb. 2015.

11 http://www.radicalsocialist.in/articles/statement-radical-socialist/news/558-one-more-caseagainst-environmental-activist-rohit-prajapati Accessed on 11th Feb. 2015.
12 http://bhopal.org/what-happened/ Accessed on 11th Feb. 2015.
9

4. ENVIRONMENT, NGOs AND THE JUDICIARY

In recent years, there has been a sustained focus on the role played by the higher judiciary in
devising and monitoring the implementation of measures for pollution control, conservation of
forests and wildlife protection. Many of these judicial interventions have been triggered by the
persistent incoherence in policy-making as well as the lack of capacity-building amongst the
executive agencies. Devices such as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) have been prominently
relied upon to tackle environmental problems.
In our country, there are several vocal NGOs and public-spirited individuals who have moved
the courts to seek relief against numerous problems such as those created by unchecked vehicular
and industrial pollution,13 negligence in management of solid waste, 14 construction of large
projects and increasing deforestation.15 In order to address these problems, there is a need to
draw a balance between environmental concerns and competing developmental needs such as
those of generating employment and wealth.
Continuing Mandamus
The tool of a continuing mandamus has been used to monitor the implementation of orders by
seeking frequent reports from governmental agencies on the progress made in the same. The
adjudication and monitoring of environmental cases has also benefited from the inputs of factfinding commissions and expert committees which are constituted to examine a particular
13 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 8 SCC 206; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1999) 6 SCC
12 orders were given for the phasing out of old vehicles, permitting only those vehicles which
conformed to Euro II norms at the time.
14 Almitra Patel v. Union of India, W.P. No. 88 of 1996 (Continuing mandamus)
15 T.N. Godavarman Thirumulkpad v. Union of India, W.P. No. 202 of 1995 (Continuing
mandamus)
10

environmental problem.16 In several cases, the Court also relies on the services of the leading
members of the bar who render assistance in their capacity as amicus curiae. The involvement
of expert committees and amicus curiae is needed to gain an accurate understanding of an
environmental problem and to explore feasible solutions. For instance, court-appointed
committees have conducted substantial empirical research and provided valuable insights in
cases that have dealt with vehicular pollution, solid waste management and forest conservation.
An example of judicial restraint would be the Kerala High Court judgment in the Silent Valley
case (1980)17 where the Court refused to second-guess the State governments position relating to
the environmental impact of a hydel-power project. The judgment mentions that the project was
unanimously supported by the legislature of Kerala and it would be improper for the judiciary to
interfere. However, this led to an agitation and subsequently there was a re-think on the viability
of the project.
A relatively robust standard of judicial review is discernible from the litigation related to the
Tehri Dam (1992)18 and Dahanu thermal power plant (1991)19, both of which had reached the
Supreme Court. Even though the eventual decisions were in favour of the project proponents, the
Court did inquire into diligence of the government in ascertaining the environmental impact of
the proposed projects. Even though it is argued in some quarters that the Courts lack the
technical expertise needed to gauge the relevant reports and data, the judges are well-equipped to
assess whether the concerned agencies have taken all necessary steps to study and ascertain the
potential environmental costs. An example of the Supreme Court adopting a rigorous standard of
judicial review is in the Calcutta Taj Hotel Case (1987) 20 where the Court inquired extensively
into the government permission granted for the construction of a medium-rise hotel against
16 Vineet Narain v. Union of India, AIR 1996 SC 3386
17 Society for Protection of Silent Valley v. Union of India and Others (Unreported, UP Nos.
2949 and 3025 of 1979 of Kerala High Court)
18 Tehri Bandh Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1992) Supp 1 SCR 44.
19 Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Group v. Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply
Company, (1991) 2 SCC 539
11

objections that the building would interfere with the flight path of migratory birds. A similar
approach was adopted in Tarun Bharat Sangh, Alwar v. Union of India (1992)21 where the court
adopted a firm stand against the owners of mines that were being operated inside the reserve
forest areas. In both the cases mentioned above, the court appointed independent committees of
experts to ascertain the environmental impact of the commercial activities that were being
undertaken.
The Supreme Court evolved the doctrine of absolute liability 22 which marked a clear departure
from the reliance on traditional tort law concepts such as public nuisance and strict liability
(rule developed in Rylands v. Fletcher). It was ruled that the occupiers of premises where
hazardous activities were undertaken, would be liable to third parties for damage caused as a
result of such activities, irrespective of any fault being shown on their part. The articulation of
the absolute liability doctrine was soon followed by the recognition of the polluter-pays
principle23 which had gained importance at international discussions.24

20 AIR 1987 SC 1109

21 AIR 1992 SC 514
22 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1987) 1 SCC 395 ; Oleum Gas Leak case.
23 Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. UOI & Ors. AIR 1996 SC 1446.
24 OECD Guiding Principles Concerning International Economic Aspects of Environmental
Policies, 1972.
12

5. OF YOUTH, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND

ENVIRONMENT
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
organised the NGO Symposium on Developing Partnership Strategies for Sustainable
Development in 2000 in Kitakyushu, Japan.25 The Symposium held discussion on eight issues of
which two were thus:
A. Financial Mechanisms and Resources for Civil Society Participation, and
B. Globalization and Policy Integration.
The Symposium swore its commitment to achieve these goals. A part of these agendas is
development of entrepreneurship in the developing world with respect to the environment to
generate more capital for environmental protection.

25 http://www.unescap.org/events/ngo-symposium-developing-partnership-strategiessustainable-development Accessed on 12th Feb. 2015.

13

Spiti Ecosphere
Sometimes the conventional rules simply aren't good enough. Sometimes new rules have to be
invented, rules that would require us to look at situations with a fresh perspective. Attitudes have
to be torn down and rebuilt. Some things are worth fighting for irrespective of the odds.
- Philosophy of Spiti Ecosphere26
The Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley located high in the Himalaya Mountains in the
north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh. It is a heaven of natural beauty unexplored to a very
large extent yet.
Spiti Ecosphere is a social enterprise which is a collaborative effort of the local community of
Spiti and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Their focus is to create sustainable livelihoods
that are linked to nature and culture conservation. Their mandate is to address the triple bottomline of conservation, development and economies, which also forms the very foundation of their
genesis.
Ecosphere was founded in 2006 by Ishita Khanna, an alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social
Sciences, as a combination of three non-governmental organisationsMuse, Spiti TransHimalayan Action Group (STAG) and Spiti Seabuckthorn Society (SSS). 27 Ishita Khanna is just
37 years old now. Having grown up in Dehradun in the foothills of the Himalayas, she wanted to
work on issues pertaining to conservation of the rich natural environment. Initially, she worked
with the Himachal Pradesh government in women's empowerment, which led her to Kulu and
Hamirpur. She later realised a lot could be done to launch commercially viable livelihoods in
Spiti too. Ecosphere was launched with friends in 2002. German funding agency GTZ pumped in
Rs 11 lakh in 2002. Ecosphere later invested Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh each year from various
funding agencies and its own earnings. From five villages in Spiti, Ecosphere now reaches 55,
with diverse income-generating opportunities. It has built greenhouses to address unavailability
of green vegetables with the long and severe winters haunting the region. It has also installed
solar panels and wind mills. Ecosphere plans more tourism related initiatives. It is also working
26 http://www.spitiecosphere.com/about_us_philosophy.htm Accessed on 12th Feb.
27 http://www.outlookbusiness.com/article_v3.aspx?artid=261373 Accessed on 12th Feb. 2015.
14

on a project to help irrigate agricultural land through solar water lifting, which aims to transport
water from different sources with the help of solar panels.28
Ishita Khanna, along with her organisation has achieved the CNN IBN Real Heroes Award,
CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 in the category of Public Service, Virgin Holidays
Responsible Tourism Awards 2010 for Best in a mountain environment, The Sierra Club Green
Energy and Green Livelihoods Achievement Award 2009, The Ashden Awards for Sustainable
Energy Global Energy Award Winners 2009, Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Award 2008 and
Among 50 Social Entrepreneurs in India 2009. Ecosphere is a member of the Green Circuit and
Himalayan Homestays, two major organisations in eco-tourism in the Himalayan region. 29

CONCLUSION
Environmental non-governmental organizations, in recent years, have grown in size and in
number as a result of governmental negligence towards the environmental crisis. NGOs have
grown in importance to a point where the act as key arbitrating agents within the field of
environmental policy. By interrelating global and local concerns, NGOs have been able to not
only emphasize on important ecological issues, but also raise consciousness about the
environment.
NGOs, alongside the judiciary, have expanded the horizons of environmental protection through
a large number of binding judgements. Different legal tools have been developed in the process
of environmental protection such as Right to Information and Public Interest Litigation. Since
28 http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-05/news/34279795_1_nurseryadmissions-shaleen-raizada-new-patents Accessed on 12th Feb. 2015.
29 http://www.spitiecosphere.com/about_us_awards_and_recognition.htm Accessed on 12th Feb.
2015.
15

1980s, the environmental provisions in law have been increased aside from the judicial activism
in the field.
New developments in the field of environmental protection have been taken up by youth by the
entrepreneurial means. Organisation such as Spiti Ecosphere are doing a commendable job and
have emerged as an inspiration for the youth in the field of environmental protection.
It can be assessed by the above discussion that the very existence of NGOs and the role played
by them in the protection of the environment is not only important but also necessary because no
government alone with any amount of laws and acts can achieve the objectives of environment
protection without individual and public participation which can be achieved only through a
network of motivated and dedicated voluntary organizations, like the NGOs. The hypothesis thus
stands true.

SUGGESTIONS
Some suggestions that can be made towards protection of environment could be made in the
following areas where NGOs could play an effective role with the assistance of the governmental
agencies for achieving the ultimate goal of healthy and blissful environment:

Empower the NGOs to educate the students about the pollution problem and the harmful

effects of pollution.
Minimising the use of plastic for different purposes.
To support the NGOs financially which are rendering service to the Health and
Environment Sector.

16

To support the initiatives taken by central and state government in protecting our
environment.

17