Top 5 Environmental NGOs in India - Fighting for a Sustainable Future

Derived from the French term ‘environ’ which literally means surrounding, the environment is an indispensable part of human life. However, over the past years, the world has witnessed increased anthropogenic activity and the rate of natural resource consumption has been deemed unsustainable. Many of these resources are non-renewable or take a long time to regenerate, and if exhausted, they will be lost forever. Capitalism and consumerism alike, paired with indifference, have significantly damaged the environment and led to resource degradation, which continues till date. In this light, it is imperative for us to curb further degradation and work to restore ecological balance. It is the only way to ensure a sustainable future for planet Earth.

Over 3.3 million[1] NGOs across India have taken up the responsibility to battle the evils that harm the environment. These organisations coordinate with government agencies and international organisations and provide aid in areas of policy-making, human rights, environmental issues, providing relief to environmental refugees, etc. Involved in all aspects of environmental issues, from wildlife conservation to social repercussions of untenable use of resources, environmental NGOs play an important role in securing a sustainable future for the nation while also ensuring a good quality of life for its inhabitants.         

1. Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI)

Founded in 1994, the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) consists of a team of committed environmentalists and is one of the most effective and respected wildlife conservation organisations in India, registered as an NGO and funded by Indian and international donors. The Society’s objective is to bring a new focus and energy to tackle the growing wildlife crisis in India by protecting endangered species through awareness, support, and training. One of the Society’s main goals is to work closely with local communities and government agencies to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Initially focused on providing information and support to the government about illegal wildlife trade, it has since broadened its focus to human-animal conflicts and providing support for research projects. WPSI supports several conservation projects for species as varied as the tiger, elephant, sea turtles, and also works with other critical issues such as human-animal conflict involving tigers, leopards, and elephants.

2. Chintan, Environmental Research and Action Group

One of India’s leading environmental NGOs, Chintan promotes responsible usage of resources, without harming the environment or the underprivileged. Its aim is to reduce waste and consumption, managing solid and electronic waste and advocating around materials, waste and consumption. By providing training, spreading awareness and through various outreach programmes for the underprivileged in and around Delhi, Chintan uses waste as a tool for fighting social evils of poverty, child labour, and gender-based violence and exclusion, while simultaneously combating climate change and creating green livelihoods. Its work supports several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Voice for Waste, the advocacy, research, and outreach arm of Chintan, facilitates ground research, scientific testing, and identification of challenges that require immediate addressal, and advocates for these changes both within and outside the government. It also aims to keep the general public informed about the news, trends, and campaigns for environmental changes.

3. SankalpTaru Foundation

SankalpTaru Foundation is an IT enabled NGO that promotes tree planting across India. With its core philosophy of “planting trees for the people by the people”, it has cared for close to a million trees across 27 states, including majorly polluted cities and several rural districts. The Foundation encourages the maximization of the socio-environmental impact of afforestation and fights pollution, while simultaneously strengthening the livelihood of poor farmers and creating rich biodiverse ecosystems. The team also works to reduce carbon footprint and mobilise people worldwide for environmental protection. As an e-NGO, it engages in a balance between scientific advances and social empowerment through the geo-tagging of trees using GPS, Google Earth and Maps, thus offering transparency to stakeholders and contributors. The Foundation’s online portal allows contributors to plant trees from anywhere in the world and to track their plantations through GPS, thus allowing them to build an emotional connection with their trees.

4. Haritika

Haritika works on issues affecting the rural poor through interventions on natural resource management and provision of infrastructural facilities in the Bundelkhand region, and has expanded to other needy regions as well. Haritika encourages the locals to participate in its community-based projects, and to provide inputs on the feasibility of the endeavours as well as in the planning, designing, and execution of projects. It promotes ecological balance in the area by promoting renewable energy like solar based electricity, smokeless chulha, solar based water supply, Bio-Gas, etc, and organic farming. Haritika strives to improve the standard of living of the socially and economically deprived, and to make people self-reliant through interventions on natural resource management, water and sanitation, health, and livelihood opportunities. It also acts as a resource pool and collaborates with governmental and non-governmental organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and corporate foundations for implementing projects and programs.

5. SUVIDHA

The Society for the Upliftment of Villagers & Development of Himalayan Areas or SUVIDHA is a non-profit, voluntary organization for rural development. It aims to eliminate poverty, unemployment, poor health and illiteracy for the Indian population living in backward areas. It pioneers research on the hazards of chemical farming, the costs of industrial agriculture and the risks of genetic engineering, spreading awareness about the high productivity of ecological agriculture and its position as the only lasting solution to hunger and poverty. Since its conception, SUVIDHA has been engaged in the promotion of organic and sustainable agriculture in India and has facilitated the establishment of nearly 256 producer groups and contract production. SUVIDHA envisions driving global sustainability and improving the quality of lives through a transition to climate-smart agriculture, clean energy and efficient natural resource management practices, women empowerment, and smart education.

In recent decades, environmental NGOs have emerged as strong advocators for environmental issues. The research, projects, action plans, and groundwork that these NGOs facilitate, along with their efficient collaboration with the government has made them crucial for ensuring a sustainable future for India. Working at regional, state, and national levels, these NGOs continue to strive for ecological sustainability that ensures social and economic welfare at the grassroots levels of society. As such, the work of Environmental NGOs in India has been commendable and they continue to be our strongest warriors against environmental crises.