Environmental Organisations in India: List of Environmental Protection Organisations

Environmental Organisations in India

Awareness about environmental organisations in India is a must for candidates aspiring for UPSC Exam. Environment plays a vital role in the existence of life on planet earth. Earth is a shelter for various living beings, and we all depend on the environment for survival. Therefore it is essential for us to take serious actions to protect our environment.

Nowadays, environmental organisations in India are working very diligently to make an impact. They are proactively taking action to spread awareness regarding global warming, sustainable development, wildlife protection, and a lot more. It is imperative to take a deep look at the working and the impact of these environmental organisations in India, as it will help you better understand them.

Top 12 Environmental Organisations in India

Here, you can check out the top 12 environmental organisations in India working for the welfare of the environment and preserving our biodiversity. Environmental organisations in India is an important topic for the UPSC exam perspective, and aspiring candidates must be well acquainted with the important dates, their roles, responsibilities, and other essential details facilitated here.

Animal Welfare Board of India:

Animal Welfare Board of India, also known as AWBI, works for the welfare of animals. This organisation for environmental protection was established in 1962. Its headquarter is based in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. It is an advisory body set up by Mrs Rukmini Devi Arundale under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Ministry of Fishery, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying handles its projects and deals with the organisation’s function.

The primary function of AWBI is to guide the central government on improvement and amendments to the cruelty towards animals. They provide financial aid for shelters, hospitals, medical treatment, etc. They also focus on spreading awareness about emotions in animals and animal welfare.

• Name any Two Steps that the Government has taken to Conserve Plants and Animals
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund

National Biodiversity Authority:

National Biodiversity Authority was created in 2003 under the Biodiversity Act 2002. It is also known as NBA. It is one of the important environmental organisations in India, which is an autonomous and statutory body for regulating functions under the government for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The organisation’s key objective is to spread awareness of intellectual property rights among local people to avoid exploiting resources. It advises the central and state governments on determining the heritage sites which are important biologically.

• What is meant by biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
• How does Climate Change Affect Biodiversity?

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:

WCCB stands for Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Its objective is to combat wildlife crime. It originated under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 to halt illegal activities like smuggling and poaching.

WCCB assists authorities in foreign countries in implementing acts under various conventions. They are holistically working on bringing new rules to help fight against wildlife crime.

Central Zoo Authority:

As the name suggests, this environmental organisation works for wildlife conservation. Central Zoo Authority was established under Wildlife Protection Act in 1991. A new amendment was launched to preserve wildlife in Zoos and Sanctuaries.

The wildlife act aims to decide minimum standards for zoos to ensure animal welfare. It also focuses on identifying endangered species for better protection. Moreover, it also targets exchanging and loaning animals for breeding purposes.

Wildlife Trust of India:

Wildlife Trust of India is a nonprofit environmental organisation to conserve nature, particularly endangered and threatened habitats. It works with local communities and the government on several projects for the conservation and rehabilitation of wildlife.

National Ganga River Basin Authority:

NGRBA, also known as National Ganga River Basin Authority. It was started in 2009 under the Environment Protection Act 1986. Its central motive is the abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga.

The core function of this environmental organisation is the development of the river basin. It also works on the management of minimum ecology flow. Development of infrastructure like catchment areas, sewage, and protection against flood.

Central Pollution Control Board:

It is an advisory body curated under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. It synchronizes the activities of the State Pollution Control Board by facilitating technical assistance and resolving disputes among them.

Central Pollution Control Board guides the central government on any problem associated to pollution in water and air pollution and plans a nationwide program to prevent it. They also collect technical and statistical data for better implementation of programs. Pollution Board prepares manuals and guidelines and creates public awareness.

National Tiger Conservation Authority:

NTCA, also knowns as National Tiger Conservation Authority, was established in 2006. This environmental organisation helps the state and central government to manage Tiger reserves.

The key function is to take measures addressing man and animal conflict. They also provide information regarding the estimation of the population of tigers, natural prey, habitat status, and disease outbreak and mortality survey.

Forest Survey of India:

It monitors changes in land and forest resources and uses them for planning and conserving forest resources. Forest Survey of India was established in 1981 under the Union Ministry of Environment, forest, and climate change.

The primary function of this government agency for environmental protection in India is to prepare thematic maps using aerial photographs. It also supports the state forestry department in inventory and survey mapping.

National Board for Wildlife:

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was established in 2003 under the Wildlife Protection Act. It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, which was formed in 1952.

Some of its key responsibilities include dealing with environmental impact assessment projects and policies for wildlife conservation. The selection of areas for national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and activities legal in protected areas are all determined by NBWL.

National Green Tribunals:

It was created under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 to administrate all the cases related to environmental issues. It has the power of the civil court and is ushered by the principle of natural justice. It comprises 20 members, each from a judicial background.

One of the notable points is that cases under NGT have to be resolved within six months, and appeals against NGT have to be made in Supreme Court within 90 days.

Genetic Engineering Advisory Committee:

It works under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change. It originated in accordance with the rules for manufacturing, importing, exporting, and storing hazardous microorganisms/genetically engineered organisms or Cells.

This environmental organisation approves field trials for genetically modified crops and can take punitive action for noncompliance. It also appraises the large-scale use of catastrophic micro-organisms and industrial production from an environmental perspective.

Importance of Environmental Organisations

The main motive of environmental organisations is the conservation, restoration, and protection of the environment. Here we have facilitated a few points regarding the importance of environmental organisations in India-

• They help protect natural resources so they can be used efficiently, and these resources can remain sustainable for future generations.
• Raise environmental awareness to help people understand the scarcity of resources. They also organize seminars and workshops to increase information dissemination.
• They help the government to save endangered or endemic components of the environment.
• These environmental organisations in India conduct several campaigns to halt climate change and make people aware of global warming and the exploitation of fossil fuels.