18.3.3. Achievements of environmental NGOs

WWF (India) is engaged in a multitude of activities for protection and conservation of the environment in the Indian context. Climate change and energy conservation are among the chief areas of concern for the organization. The forest and biodiversity conservation division strives to promote and enhance conservation of forest ecosystems in the country through a participatory approach involving key stakeholders. Through its environment education programme, it aims at strengthening individual and institutional capacity in nature conservation and environmental protection through widespread education and awareness.

WWF (India) focuses on various environmental conservation activities. Their primary concerns include climate change and energy conservation. They work to conserve forests and biodiversity by involving local communities in conservation efforts. This approach encourages both individual and institutional capacity building in nature conservation through educational programs, raising awareness about the environment.

Imagine a community coming together to plant trees in their local area. Each individual teaches others about the importance of trees as habitats for wildlife and as resources for clean air. This collective effort mirrors how WWF (India) engages communities to protect their ecosystem.

Intimately involved in the conservation of tigers in India since the late 1960s, WWF’s significant efforts culminated in the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. It seeks to conserve and protect the biodiversity of maritime life and resources by sensitizing the people at large. The pollution of the river waters and the imminent threat to aquatic life is a cause of great concern. WWF (India) has stepped in on a number of occasions to launch campaigns for securing their habitat, like ‘Save the River Dolphin’ project. WWF believes that if you secure an animal’s habitat, you secure its right to live.

WWF (India) began the 'Project Tiger' in 1973 to protect the diminishing tiger population, showcasing their commitment to wildlife conservation. This project emphasizes the importance of preserving not just tigers but the entire ecosystem that supports them. WWF also draws attention to threats like pollution, launching initiatives, such as the 'Save the River Dolphin' project, to protect habitats essential for aquatic species.

Think of a family living in a house with a garden where tigers roam freely. If the garden gets polluted, the tigers cannot thrive. By cleaning and protecting their garden, the family ensures the tigers have a safe space to live, just as WWF works to secure habitats for endangered species.

Deeply concerned with the deteriorating environmental situation in the country, Development Alternatives initiated the CLEAN-India (Community Led Environment Action Network) programme with five schools in the national capital in 1996. Today, CLEAN Delhi has about forty schools regularly involved in monitoring water and air quality in over 150 locations spread across Delhi. Over 2000 children have been directly trained on environmental assessment and improvement activities. They keep vigil, assess environmental quality, plead, cajole, and lead the community in monitoring environment.

The CLEAN-India initiative, started in 1996, focuses on community engagement in environmental monitoring. It began with five schools and has expanded significantly, involving around 2000 children trained in assessing and improving environmental conditions. These schools actively participate in monitoring air and water quality, fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness within the community.

Imagine a group of friends who decide to clean up a local park. They not only tidy up the area but also learn about the impact of litter on wildlife. Through their actions and community discussions, they inspire others to act similarly, which reflects how children in the CLEAN-India program mobilize efforts for environmental improvement.

Action programmes like solid waste management, plantation drives, energy conservation, paper recycling, etc., to improve local environmental conditions have also been initiated by schools, resident welfare associations, business and industrial associations, as well as individual households. Campaigns against the use of polybags, firecrackers during Diwali, and toxic (chemical-based) colours during Holi and for saving the city’s ‘Green Treasure’ are also carried out.

The CLEAN-India program encompasses various action initiatives such as solid waste management and tree planting. Different community segments—from schools to residential associations—take part in campaigns to promote sustainable practices and discourage harmful behaviors like using plastic bags or fireworks that contribute to pollution.

Consider a neighborhood coming together for a clean-up day. They gather to clean up litter, plant trees, and educate each other about the dangers of plastic bags. This community effort parallels the collaborative campaigns led by CLEAN-India, where citizens unite to promote a healthier environment.

Encouraged by the Delhi experience, NGOs from different towns have operationalized the CLEAN-India programme. The present CLEAN-India Centers are Delhi, Shillong, Faizabad, Ladakh, Bangalore, Berinag (Kumaon Hills), Jhansi, Sagar, Bilaspur, Lalitpur, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram. Almost 100 NGOs from across the country have expressed their interest to initiate the programme in their respective towns.

Based on the success of the program in Delhi, it has been expanded to various towns across India. Several NGOs have embraced the CLEAN-India concept, establishing centers in multiple locations to facilitate community-driven environmental action. This expansion shows that grassroots efforts can be replicated successfully in different contexts.

Suppose a successful cooking recipe is shared among friends who then try it and put their own spin on it, leading to a food movement. Similarly, the successful initiatives in Delhi inspired other towns to adopt and adapt CLEAN-India, creating a broader network of environmental awareness.

Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) was formally established in 1974 with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the immense and acute problems that mankind is likely to be faced with in the years ahead: On account of the gradual depletion of the earth’s finite energy resources which are largely non-renewable and on account of the existing methods of their use which are polluting.

Established in 1974, TERI aims to address critical issues like the depletion of non-renewable energy sources and pollution caused by current practices. Their work involves researching sustainable energy solutions to mitigate these impending challenges faced by humanity.

Think about a family that relies on a single old car which is constantly breaking down and costly to maintain. Instead of continuing with it, they decide to invest in a new, energy-efficient vehicle. This mirrors how TERI addresses the need for sustainable energy solutions that reduce dependence on dwindling resources.

TERI has launched a major project, called ‘growth with resource enhancement of Environment and nature (GREEN INDIA-2047)’, which has vigorously estimated the reduction in India’s key natural resources during the period 1947-97, and has completed economic values of consequent losses, which in some cases are alarmingly high.

The GREEN India initiative by TERI focuses on evaluating the decline of essential natural resources in India over the decades. It calculates the economic impact of resource degradation, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable practices to combat these losses.

Consider a bank account that has been slowly depleted over time. By recognizing how much money is lost due to excessive spending, the account holder can work on budgeting better. Similarly, TERI's project helps highlight the depletion of resources so that strategic and informed actions can be taken to preserve them.

--