What are India’s leading environmental organizations? An extensive list of Indian environmental organizations that strive to make India a cleaner, a pollution-free nation is provided below.
The natural world, whether healthy or specific to a particular geographic area, can be referred to as the environment. This natural world is mostly impacted by humans and their actions.
Both living and non-living elements can be found in this natural setting since they develop naturally without human intervention.
In a significant way, human actions change the natural order of things and have frequently caused the environment to deteriorate. For instance, deforestation, excessive reliance on fossil fuels, excessive mining, and poor disposal of non-biodegradable waste all harm the ecosystem.
The problem of climate change that currently threatens the future of our entire planet is mostly caused by some of these human actions. To help save the environment as we know it, many environmental groups and people have emerged.
In this article, we examine a few of India’s leading environmental groups that are leading the charge in promoting environmental protection.
Table of Contents
Top 15 Environmental Organizations in India
The following are the top 15 environmental organizations in India
1. CHINTAN Environmental Research and Action Group
The impact of CHINTAN, one of India’s major environmental groups, can be seen all around the country. The group seeks to ensure more conscientious resource use that doesn’t burden the world or the underprivileged.
Its goal is to reduce consumption that is not sustainable and waste creation. It collaborates with local governments to improve garbage management, which in turn reduces environmental and air pollution. The poor populations, women and children, and marginalized groups are CHINTAN’s main concerns.
In essence, the organization is focused on environmental justice and collaborates with numerous people or organizations in the community. Its mission to promote sustainable production, consumption, and waste management makes it one of India’s most well-known environmental groups.
Chintan manages more than 30 tonnes of solid and electronic garbage daily in and around Delhi as one of the top NGOs in India. To rid the environment of such hazardous waste and build a better future for future generations, they collaborate with garbage collectors and volunteers.
2. Greenpeace India
One of the top environmental organizations in India, with a global reach of more than 55 other nations is a division of the environmental organization Greenpeace, which operates on several continents, including Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas.
Greenpeace India is involved in four different programs, including:
- Preventing climate change
- Protecting the oceans
- Nuclear disaster prevention
- Sustainable agriculture
By addressing the structures that imperil our ecosystem, the organization takes a nonviolent, innovative approach to pave the path for a greener, more peaceful globe. Greenpeace India receives the majority of its financing (60%) from Indian contributors, the remainder (38%) from Greenpeace International-Netherlands, and only 1% from the Climate Works Foundation in the US.
To reduce its exposure to political interference, Greenpeace India claims that it does not accept money from companies, political parties, or other intergovernmental groups. They may continue to be impartial in safeguarding the environment in this way.
3. Help Delhi Breathe
This non-profit environmental group was established in 2015 to assist in resolving Delhi, India’s air pollution crisis. Delhi becomes one of the most polluted regions in the globe as air pollution in the city hits historic heights. The Help Delhi Breathe movement was sparked by this situation.
The organization’s major objective is to make city inhabitants aware of the risks associated with these levels of air pollution and to instill in them the desire to find long-term solutions to the issue. The program develops several campaigns that all encourage people to band together and change this circumstance.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are only a few of the gaseous pollutants from burning fossil fuels that contribute to Delhi’s air pollution. The same gases that are causing hazardous climate change are to blame.
The mission of Help Delhi Breathe is to provide accurate information to all city residents, promote clean public transportation, and aid Delhi in implementing clean, renewable solar energy.
4. Clean Air Asia, India
This is a division of Clean Air Asia, which also has operations in China and the Philippines. The group has been operating in India for more than ten years (since 2008). Clean Air Asia’s mission is to reduce air pollution in various Indian cities to create cleaner, more habitable cities, much like the “Help Delhi Breathe” group.
One of India’s leading environmental groups, it truly is making an impact. They concentrate on areas where populations are at risk from air pollution, such as Delhi, and work to improve conditions.
Working with different Indian cities to maintain quality air control is part of the organization’s primary responsibilities in India. This entails offering scientific advice to local governments to help improve air quality, educate people about cleaner air, and promote sustainable transportation.
Currently, Clean Air Asia, India is assessing the management capabilities in more than 30 cities across the nation in preparation for implementing clean air action plans.
5. The Wildlife Protection Society of India
The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), which was founded in 1994, seeks to reframe the massive wildlife catastrophe in India. Belinda Wright, who first worked as a photographer and filmmaker before becoming passionate about conservation, started WPSI.
As one of India’s leading environmental groups, WPSI collaborates with numerous government agencies to prevent poaching and the expanding illegal wildlife trade. For instance, the future existence of wild tigers is continuously threatened because they are one of the most traded wild animals in India.
Recently, WPSI has also focused on the problem of conflicts between people and animals and has supported numerous research initiatives. The group is comprised of a group of committed environmentalists whose mission is to guarantee a greener future and a harmonious coexistence between people and nature.
6. NAVDANYA
Another NGO aiming to safeguard the environment in India is Navdanya. Its goal is to advance organic farming, seed conservation, biodiversity preservation, and farmers’ rights.
Vandana Shiva, one of the most well-known environmentalists in the world, founded the group that was established in 1984. It focuses on giving encouragement and guidance to environmental action and preservation in India and elsewhere.
The group, which is a component of the “Terra Madre slow food movement,” is made up of a network of organic farmers and seed savers spread throughout about 16 Indian states. The group also trained more than 500,000 farmers in sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty, as well as seeing to the development of 122 community-based seed banks across the nation.
The biggest “direct marketing, fair trade organic network” in India was also established with the aid of Navdanya. The group has been advocating for “seed protection” through the Convention on Biological Diversity while also working with several grassroots organizations, citizens’ movements, NGOs, and governments.
7. Toxics Link
This group of people has banded together to promote environmental justice by purging the environment of contaminants. Toxics Link collects data on the many environmental poisoning sources and disseminates it to the general public. They also work to develop sustainable, healthy, and clean alternatives for both India and the rest of the world.
Toxics Link develops a range of public awareness initiatives, such as film festivals, media campaigns, and educational initiatives to foster the next generation of environmentalists.
Toxics Link mainly addresses the following issues:
- Chemical and Health – Chemicals in products, pesticides, POPs (persistent organic pollutants), mercury in products, lead in paints, mercury in healthcare, and chemicals in products.
- Biomedical waste, electronic waste, hazardous waste, municipal garbage, solar waste, and plastic waste are all examples of waste related to sustainability.
- The Delhi Ridge, Yamuna Manifesto, and Yamuna Elbe Green Initiatives.
This NGO in India that deals with the environment has strategies and initiatives that have the potential to lead to an incalculable change in the future.
8. Environics Trust
Another environmental NGO that aims to ensure environmental protection in India is this one. The major objective of Environics Trust is to provide novel, scientifically supported solutions to today’s urgent environmental issues.
Although “the study of how the environment influences human behavior” is what the term “Environics” refers to, this organization has a more all-encompassing strategy. The mutual influences between the environment and social behavior are how Environics Trust sees it.
Through several initiatives that concentrate on various partner communities, the organization strives to investigate this important topic. For instance, it works directly with underprivileged groups in addition to providing research and evaluation services to both national and international agencies.
9. Hara Jeevan
To reduce pollution in Delhi, Mohit Saini founded the environmental non-governmental organization Hara Jeevan. He founded this organization to raise awareness about the importance of keeping a healthy balance because he believed that there should be a positive link between humans and nature.
To assist in achieving this goal, Hara Jeevan works to develop human psychology and restore natural elements. The group wants to improve Delhi’s environment and raise the level of living for all people by planting and maintaining 100 million trees by the year 2040.
The pillar projects of Hara Jeevan are:
- Tree planting and maintenance
- Waste management
- Youth Education
All of these are intended to assist in curbing Delhi’s increasing environmental pollution and restoring a healthy, habitable environment.
10. FORREST (Forest Regeneration and Environment Sustainability Trust)
FORREST is an NGO that was founded in 2015 that works to conserve the environment, foster a closer relationship between people and nature, and advance peaceful coexistence. To achieve its objectives, the organization concentrates on six key areas. These include:
- Waste management and composting
- Habitat restoration
- Water conservation
- Education and Awareness
- Biodiversity conservation
- Natural farming.
For the benefit of everyone, FORREST seeks to create natural ecosystems that include blooming flora and fauna, clean rivers, and unpolluted natural wetlands. This will have ultimately resolved the global crisis brought on by climate change.
11. Fiinovation
This top CSR consultant is situated in Delhi and works in a variety of social development sector disciplines, with a particular emphasis on CSR and sustainability. This research-based NGO delivers proficiency across a range of industries, including
- Healthcare
- Education
- Environment
- Skill development
- Livelihood
Fiinovation is one of India’s leading environmental organizations and is home to Asia’s first “proposal and research lab.” The laboratory concentrates its study on the aforementioned five fields. Fiinovation has been working on programs to promote awareness, education, and COVID-19.
According to Fiinovation, a firm’s actions will have an impact on both the individuals inside and outside of the company. Because of this, it encourages various businesses to develop regulations that will lessen adverse consequences. For instance, every business should make an effort to lower its carbon footprint by putting in place the required production guidelines.
12. Avani
Avani is an indigenous Indian NGO that works to conserve the environment nationwide. Avan was initially founded in 1997 as the “Kumuon chapter of the Barefoot College,” and in 1999 it was officially registered as a not-for-profit company.
Avani is a company based in the Kumaon region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its guiding principles include sustainability and community empowerment. Its broad network of staff, volunteers, and interns, who breathe life into its community-based development programs, is what allows it to flourish.
Since Avani is headquartered in an area where subsistence farming is the primary source of income for people, it is continually coming up with new ideas for how to provide these communities with a sustainable, conservation-focused source of income.
The word “Avani,” which stands for the organization, is a Hindu word that means the Earth. The group strives arduously to protect the environment while also giving marginalized communities sustainable empowerment, and it does so in this spirit.
The sole tenets of the Avani environmental organization are the preservation of traditional knowledge, fair commerce, and the environment.
13. Environmentalist Foundation of India
The organization concentrates on revitalizing freshwater environments across the nation, such as lakes and ponds, to promote wildlife protection and habitat restoration. According to EFI, the majority of India’s freshwater bodies have become poisoned as a result of human activity, and it is crucial to restoring them using scientific methods.
Since 2007, EFI has resurrected and ecologically restored several freshwater lakes and ponds around the nation, and the organization is committed to bringing these sites back through community-based cooperative conservation initiatives. The organization operates in more than 14 Indian states, including Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh.
14. Babul Films Society
This innovative social organization uses traditional lobbying techniques, short advocacy movies, and social media to raise public awareness of the environment, biodiversity, and sustainable development. The group produces independent short films that advocate for sustainable development and highlight the importance of environmental conservation.
Additionally, the organization exhorts others to follow in their footsteps and produce more films. For this, it offers advice to aspiring “green” filmmakers on ideation, concept, script development, budgeting, shoot planning, packaging, and legal formalities. Additionally, it holds competitions to support young, environmentally conscientious filmmakers.
15. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
ATREE is a renowned environmental think tank that produces interdisciplinary research to guide practice and policy in the direction of sustainability and conservation. Since approximately 20 years ago, the organization has worked on social-environmental concerns at the local, national, and international policy levels.
It advocates for sustainable and socially just development and sees a society dedicated to the preservation and protection of the environment on the planet. Through its academic programs, studies, and workshops, it collaborates closely with environmental leaders and policymakers as well as cultivates an army of the next generation of environmental defenders.
Conclusion
Environmental organizations are essentially either they are formed by concerned environmentalists or the government. But, one thing is for sure, there would be more environmental organizations formed.
What’s the main bone of contention here is that we as individuals should be interested in environmental protection. It’s not necessary if you join an existing environmental organization or you form yours, just add positively to the improvement of your environment.
Top 15 Environmental Organizations in India – FAQs
How many environmental NGOs are there in India?
There are more than 30 environmental organizations in India as the populace gets more and more enlightened about environmental protection, certainly there would be more organizations that would be formed.
Which is India's first environmental organization?
The first environmental organization in India is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which was formed by the government of India in 1985.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.