Role of NGOs in Environmental conservation and development

In India, the concept of environment protection can be seen starting from the period of Vedas. O mother earth, Let thy bosom be free, From sickness and decay. May we through long life, Be active and vigilant, And serve thee with, Devotion. --Rigveda It was only in the beginning of the 21st century, that environmental issues have emerged as a major concern for the welfare of people. The Consequences of the Environmental pollution are not hard to comprehend, whereas the solution to ending environmental pollution is not easy to come by this is an unending complex and intricate debate and may be single solution, however attempts can always be made to find out solution to specific problems keeping in view the technological solutions legal parameters and judicial pronouncements & the role of NGOs has a very important to protection of environment through social services. The NGOs from past five decades have witnessed the difficult problems encountered in providing health care services to our poor people; spread the awareness to public protection of wildlife, forest, human right, Women and Children etc. Human beings are the ecologically dominant species in the whole ecosystem. Although they have the same need for heat, light, water and food that other species have, they alone posses attributes that give them dominance over other living species. Thus, human beings compete far more successfully than all other living creatures. Human beings have been able to manipulate natural forces in the ecosystem with an intensity unsurpassed by any other living being. This manipulation has given rise to the breakdown of the natural self-protective and self-perpetuating mechanisms built into nature, a situation made even worse by a belief that human beings have the right to use the natural environment solely for their own design and ends, without consideration for the consequences of their own designs and ends,

without consideration for the consequences of their actions on the system. With the gearing up of industrial revolution, this human tendency towards nature becomes much stronger. The technology and machines to subjugate nature has become the curse of the modern world. Non-Governmental Organization Non-Governmental Organization can be defined in the following terms: A non-governmental organization is any non-profit, voluntary citizens groups which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizens concerns to the government, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provisions of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international arguments. A country like India, which is the world largest democracy, the seventh largest country in the world in terms of land area and the second most populous country in the world, the relevance of the NGO as a concept in theory and in practice, as a vibrant means of ensuring that the concerns of the citizens of this country derive protection in terms of the rule of law, can hardly be over emphasized. The constitution of India provides an extraordinary source of valuable fundamental rights for the protection of individuals. It is these rights, coupled with the directive principles of state policy that are relied upon by NGOs in their pivotal role in supporting individuals for the enforcement of their rights in India. India Has recently celebrated sixty third years as a Republic on 26th January 2012.The last Sixty third years have witnessed an extra ordinary blossoming of NGOs especially during the 1970s & 1980s. The 1990s have also seen a phenomenal growth in voluntary organizations with civic society taking an active interest in their development and progress. International funding and support from international donor has been noteworthy during the last few decades of 21st century. It is estimated that, in India there are approximately 1.5 million NGOs working for different causes. The Government of India in May 20, 067, has issued its National Policy on voluntary sector and the main objet of the policy is to encourage, enable and empower an independent, creative and effective voluntary sector, with diversity in form and function, so that it can contribute to the social, cultural and economic advancement of people of India. Role of NGOS in Protecting the Environment of India: The NGOs constitute a worldwide network interacting with Governments and Internal governmental organizations in shaping international environmental

policies;

Creating awareness among the public on current environmental issues and solutions. Facilitating the participation of various categories of stakeholders in the discussion on environmental issues. Conducting participatory rural appraisal. Being involved in the protection of human rights to have a clean environment. Protecting the natural resources and entrusting the equitable use of resources. Data generation on natural resources, time line history of villages. Analysis and monitoring of environmental quality. Transferring information through newsletters, brochures, articles, audio visuals, etc. Organizing seminars, lectures and group discussion for promotion of environmental awareness. Helping the villages administrative officials in preparation, application and execution of projects on environmental protection.

India has a number of NGOs that work in the field of environmental conservation and ecology. They are:

1. Assam Science Society They impart environmental education and training through camps for teachers and students and conduct surveys on environment. Publications: Science books and journals

2. Bombay Natural History Society

They aim in spreading knowledge of flora and fauna by means of lectures, field trips, literature and expeditions and, to study wildlife related problems and recommend management plans to conserve wildlife and its habitat.

3. Centre for Environmental Education They mainly aim to create environmental awareness in the communities, conduct widespread environmental education and training programmers through a very vast network.

4. Centre for Science and Environment Involved in research, investigative and educational work in the field of pollution, forest, wildlife, land and water use.

5. CPR Environmental Education Centre Promotes environmental awareness, to produce and disseminate basic educational and reference material on environment and to take up environmental projects.

6. Kerala Sastra Sahitiya Parishad Their main aim is to preserve the environment, to provide alternative models for development and to popularize science among the people.

7. Kalpavriksh It is a citizens action group set up to inculcate understanding and concern on environmental issues, especially among the youth. It also aims to conduct research in environmental problems, to campaign on environmental issues and to evolve a holistic environmental perspective.

8. Narmada Bachao Andalon Set up in 1986 under the leadership of Medha Patkar. It aims mainly to educate those directly affected by large development projects, such as the tribal population of India on the social and environmental impact of such projects.

9. World Wide Fund for Nature Its main aim is the promotion of conservation of nature and environmental protection as the basis for sustainable and equitable development.

10. Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions FRLHT is a pioneering knowledge institute with a vision to revitalize the Indian Medical Heritage. Its Mission is to demonstrate contemporary relevance of Indian Medical Heritage by designing and implementing innovative program on a size and scale that will have a social impact.