Environmental Organisations in India, Biodiversity Loss, Deforestation

Environmental Organisations in India form the backbone of the country’s conservation and sustainability efforts. They work at multiple levels, governmental, non-governmental, and community-based to address issues like deforestation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. By shaping policy, raising awareness, and implementing ground-level projects, these organisations bridge the gap between economic development and ecological protection. Their work ensures that environmental concerns remain a priority in governance, scientific research, and social movements, making them indispensable to India’s sustainable development journey.

Environmental Organisations in India Meaning

Environmental Organisations in India are institutions that arise from conservation and environmental movements with the aim of protecting, monitoring, or analysing the environment against misuse, overexploitation, or degradation caused by human activities. These organisations may function as charities, trusts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government bodies, or even intergovernmental organisations. Their scope of work can be global, national, regional, or local, depending on their mandate and resources.

They primarily address pressing environmental issues such as pollution, plastic waste, deforestation, resource depletion, climate change, and the challenges posed by rapid population growth. By taking on these issues, environmental organisations not only work toward ecological sustainability but also safeguard human well-being, which is closely linked to a healthy environment.

Environmental Organisations in India

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972 marked a turning point in global environmental governance, and India was no exception. Following this landmark event, several environmental organisations were established in the country to strengthen conservation efforts and tackle emerging ecological challenges.

Environmental Organisations in India play a crucial role in addressing issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, wildlife conservation, and sustainable resource management. They function at different levels, statutory bodies, autonomous authorities, and specialised missions working together to protect India’s diverse ecosystems.

Some of the prominent environmental organisations in India include:

• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) – Works to ensure animal welfare and prevent cruelty to animals.
• Central Zoo Authority (CZA) – Oversees the functioning and standards of zoos across India.
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – Regulates access to biological resources and ensures conservation of biodiversity.
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) – Focuses on curbing illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) – Dedicated to the rejuvenation and protection of the Ganga River.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) – Provides speedy and specialised justice in environmental cases.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) – Manages funds for afforestation and regeneration of forests.
• National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) – Promotes afforestation, ecological restoration, and eco-development initiatives.

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Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory advisory body set up in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Its establishment was largely due to the efforts of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a noted humanitarian and animal rights activist, who also served as its first Chairperson.

The AWBI functions under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and is one of the most prominent organisations in India working for animal protection. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in:

• Monitoring the enforcement of animal welfare laws,
• Advising the government on policy matters related to animal welfare, and
• Providing financial assistance in the form of grants to Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) across the country.

The Board consists of 28 members, each serving a three-year term. Its headquarters is located in Ballabgarh, Haryana. Through its activities, the AWBI continues to promote compassion towards animals and safeguard their welfare while balancing the interests of human development and environmental sustainability.

Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is a statutory autonomous body functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. It was established in 1992 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The primary objective of the CZA is to enforce minimum standards and norms for the upkeep, healthcare, and overall management of animals in Indian zoos. It ensures that zoos maintain proper living conditions, promote scientific management, and contribute to wildlife conservation and education.

The CZA plays a dual role by both regulating and supporting zoos across the country. While every zoo must obtain recognition from the Authority to operate legally, the CZA also provides technical guidance and financial assistance whenever required. Recognition is granted after evaluation of a zoo based on prescribed parameters under the Rules.

Through these measures, the CZA acts as the nodal authority for improving the conditions of zoos in India, ensuring they evolve into centres for ex-situ conservation, research, and public awareness.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It came into existence in 2003 and is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The NBA performs facilitative, regulatory, and advisory roles for the Government of India on matters related to the conservation of biological resources, their sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

To ensure implementation of the Biodiversity Act at multiple levels, two complementary institutions were also created:

• State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs): Function at the state level to regulate access and promote conservation.
• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): Established at the local/village level to document and manage biodiversity through People’s Biodiversity Registers.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is a multi-disciplinary statutory body established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to address the challenge of organized wildlife crime in India. It was created in 2007 through an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 via the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006.

Headquartered in New Delhi, the Bureau operates through five regional offices located in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Jabalpur.

The WCCB plays a crucial role in:

• Combating poaching, illegal trade, and smuggling of wildlife and wildlife derivatives.
• Coordinating with state and national enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence and operations.
• Assisting customs and police authorities in tackling transboundary wildlife crimes.

Recognized as one of the most important environmental organizations in India, the WCCB has significantly contributed to the protection of India’s rich biodiversity and endangered species.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at the rejuvenation and pollution abatement of the Ganga River. It was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on August 12, 2011.

The NMCG functions as the operational arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which was constituted under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 to address the pressing challenges of pollution in the Ganga.

The key objectives of the Mission are:

• To reduce pollution and improve the water quality of the river.
• To ensure the rejuvenation and ecological sustainability of the Ganga basin.
• To promote effective coordination between central and state governments for integrated river basin management.

The Mission’s operational area extends across the entire Ganga Basin, covering all states through which the river flows Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Delhi.

As a flagship program, the NMCG not only focuses on cleaning the river but also emphasizes public participation, wastewater treatment, industrial pollution control, solid waste management, and biodiversity conservation.

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized judicial body in India established to adjudicate cases concerning environmental protection, forest conservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, it provides a dedicated forum for addressing environmental disputes in a speedy and effective manner, thereby reducing the burden on regular courts.

The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues that are linked to laws such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, among others.

As one of the most important environmental organisations in India, the NGT plays a critical role in balancing development needs with ecological sustainability, ensuring that the right to a clean and healthy environment is upheld as part of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a key institution that oversees the management and utilisation of funds collected from compensatory afforestation. This mechanism was created to balance the ecological loss caused by deforestation due to industrial and developmental projects. As one of the major environmental organisations in India, CAMPA ensures that degraded forest lands are restored and new plantations are raised, thereby addressing the environmental damage and supporting long-term conservation goals.

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB)

The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was established in 1992 to promote large-scale tree planting, afforestation, ecological restoration, and eco-development initiatives across the country. Its primary focus is on degraded forest lands, areas adjoining forests, and regions surrounding national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected areas. The Board also gives special attention to ecologically fragile zones such as the Western Himalayas, Aravallis, and Western Ghats, aiming to restore ecological balance and enhance biodiversity.

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) Functions

Some of the key functions of the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) are:

• To plan and implement mechanisms for the ecological restoration of degraded forest areas in a systematic and cost-effective manner.
• To sponsor research and development initiatives aimed at restoring forest cover through natural regeneration, ensuring ecological security while meeting the fuelwood, fodder, and livelihood needs of rural communities.
• To monitor, coordinate, and oversee activities related to afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration, and eco-development across the country.
• To operate the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Environmental Organisations in India Challenges

• Weak Implementation: While India has strong environmental laws, their enforcement is often hampered by insufficient manpower, corruption, bureaucratic delays, and political interference.
• Poor Coordination: Overlapping mandates of central and state agencies and weak inter-institutional coordination result in inefficiencies in environmental governance.
• Low Public Awareness: Limited awareness among citizens about environmental concerns reduces public participation, compliance, and community-driven conservation efforts.
• Emerging Threats: Issues such as climate change, rapid urbanisation, plastic pollution, and waste management are creating new and complex challenges.
• Gaps in Data and Monitoring: The lack of reliable data and inadequate monitoring mechanisms undermine effective policy formulation and enforcement.

Development vs Conservation: Balancing the needs of industrialisation, infrastructure growth, and economic development with ecological sustainability continues to be a pressing challenge.