Environmental Management and Sustainability

Assignment
NGOs and Environment

Anika Mary Varkey

PGDM 15|ASB
Roll No: 18
1

NGOs and Environment

There is a growing environmental awareness amongst stakeholders, individuals and
communities internationally. This increase in knowledge and awareness has been, by
and large, the result of campaigns and education programmes run by major public
interest groups concerned with the environment. These include non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). NGOs are research driven policy organizations looking to
engage with decision makers. These organizations have worked to foster grassroots
based approaches to the protection and preservation of the regions environment.
NGOs have played an important role in promoting Sustainable Development. Their
primary focus is on the preservation and protection of ecosystems and habitat, and the
reduction of human activities that degrade these systems.
Role of NGOs in the Protection of Environment

NGOs are now playing an important role in framing the environmental policy,
mobi-lizing public support for environmental conservation, and protecting the
endangered species of forests and animals.

The encouragement of public participation in environmental management through

legislation in recent years has also enhanced the role of NGOs and Major Groups.

Awareness-Raising, Campaigning and Advocacy: NGOs play a major role in

raising awareness about environmental issues and they push for changes in policy
and development programmes. These groups conduct environmental awareness
raising programmes at region, state, national and international levels. Scientific
NGOs assist in bridging the gap between science, policy makers and the citizens.

Environmental Monitoring and Reporting: Environmental monitoring and

reporting by NGOs have contributed substantially to environmental protection across
the region.

Education, Training and Capacity Building: A number of NGOs have also been
using education to encourage participation in conservation activities. One of the
international NGOs working for environmental education in the region is the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN).

NGOs in any country all over the world including international development agencies
seek collaboration with government and development organizations for the below
mentioned causes:
o

To access technical or managerial resources

o To gain legitimacy or recognition

o To gain institutional support
o To adopt a program in their area.
Some Environmental Organizations in India are:
1. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): It was founded in 1883 and
aims to disseminate knowledge of flora and fauna by means of lectures, field
trips, literature and to study wildlife-related problems and recommends
management plans to conserve wildlife and its habitat.
2. The Energy Research Institute (TERI): It was established in 1974 with the
purpose to develop and promote technologies, policies, and institutions for
efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.
3. Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF): This is an international organization for
wildlife conservation. Its focus is to protect and save the already degraded and
threatened natural environment.
4. Centre for Environmental Education (CEE): It was set in 1984 to spread
awareness of environmental issues and find solution for them.
5. Clean Ahmedabad Abhiyan: It is a local NGO working with Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation in eliminating solid wastes in the area.
6. CPR Environmental Education Centre: It was set up in 1989 and based in
Chennai to promote environmental awareness and to take up environmental
projects.