International NGOs and Environmental Protection

International NGOs and Environmental Protection:

NGOs are independent, non-profit entities that operate outside government structures. They focus on various issues, including environmental conservation.

NGOs play a vital role in environmental protection by raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, conducting research, and implementing practical solutions.

There are large number of NGOS in India and other countries that are exclusively working for environmental protection, conservation and awareness.

NGOs are now playing an important role in framing the environmental policy, mobilizing public support for environmental conservation and protecting the endangered species of forest and animals, creating awareness about the dangers in using driftnets in the commercial fishing industry.

Some of the widely known international environmental organization are ‘Greenpeace’, ‘Worldwide Fund for Nature,’ ‘Conservation International’, ‘Environmental Foundation for Africa’, ‘International Union for conservation of nature’, ‘Friends of the Earth’, ‘Earth First’, etc.

Notable NGOs in India, working in the field of environmental conservation are:

·     Assam science society

·     Bombay Natural History Society

·     Centre for Science and environment

·     Centre for Environmental Education

·     CPR Environmental Education centre

·     Kerala Sastha Sahitya Parishad

·     Kalpavriksh

·     Narmada Bachao Andholan

·     Worldwide fund for nature.

·     Foundation for revitalization of local health traditions [FRLHT]

Role of NGOS in the production of environment in India:

1. Creating awareness among the public on current environmental issues and solutions.

2. Facilitating the participation of various categories of stakeholders in the discussion on environmental issues.

3. Conducting participatory rural appraisal.

4. Being involved in the protection of human rights to have a clean environment.

5. Protecting the natural resources and ensuring the equitable use of resources.

6. Data generation on natural resources, timeline history of villages.

7. Analysis and monitoring of environmental quality.

8. Transferring information through newsletters, brochures, articles, audiovisuals, etc.

9. Organizing seminars, lectures and group discussions for promotion of environmental awareness.

10.   Helping the village administrative officials in the preparation, application and execution of projects on environmental protection.

Environmental Foundation of Africa (EFA):

The Environmental Foundation for Africa was established in 1992 with a mission: to inspire and enable community-led programs for sustainable environmental management. They focus on Sierra Leone and neighbouring Liberia, aiming to protect and rehabilitate the environment as a foundation for poverty alleviation.

EFA’s important work and strategies:

·     Protecting the environment of West African region and restoring the degraded lands and powers by making them greener.

·     Providing environmental education and raising awareness on environmental issues in all sector of the population.

·     Working with other partners, preventing the degradation of environment and undertaking projects to conserve pristine Forest and various species of fauna.

·     Promoting sustainable livelihoods for environmental protection and conservation through community-based initiatives such as ecotourism, social forestry, organic farming, controlled grazing, etc.

·     Providing technical assistance and advice in environmental issues.

·     Consolidating its operations in Gambia, Libya and Sierra Leone while advocating region specific approach in addressing environmental problems in West Africa.

Worldwide fund for nature [WWF]

The worldwide fund for nature is an international, non - governmental organization founded on 29^th April, 1961. It was formerly named as World Wildlife Fund which still remains its official name in Canada and United States of America. In India, its branch WWF -India was established as a charitable trust in 1969. The organization is dedicated to a conservation of natural habitats and ecosystems in India.

WWF- India Is the largest and one of the most experienced conservation organisations in the country. The Secretariat of this organization functions from New Delhi. This organization is the part of WWF family with 27 independent national organizations. All the branches of WWF are coordinated by the WWF International, whose headquarters is located at Gland in Switzerland.

Five broad programs of the WWF- India mission:

1. Promoting India’s ecological security; restoring technological balance.

2. Conserving biological diversity.

3. Ensuring sustainable use of the natural resource base.

4. Minimizing pollution and wasteful consumption.

5. Promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Key environmental programs undertaken by WWF-India:

·     The Tiger Conservation program.

·     Freshwater and wetlands program.

·     River dolphin conservation program.

·     Wildlife trade monitoring.

·     Managing and monitoring forests, Environmental law, information management and Environmental Education.

WWF India implements its conservation programs through field programs, public policy, education, communication, engine networking and resource mobilization.

Conservation International [CI]

Conservation International is an American non-profit environmental organization established by Spencer Beebe and Peter Seligmann in 1987 with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, USA. Its goal is to protect nature as a source of food, freshwater livelihoods under stable climate.

Important functions of CI:

The aim of CI is to analyze the problems most dangerous or harmful to nature and build a foundation dedicated to solve these issues on global scale.

This organization

·     Detect the problems most threatening to nature.

·     Prevents the industry side of the world from being detrimental to nature.

·     Ensures. the knowledge the institution has acquired over its first 25 years is shared with governments and in doing so, establishes policies within these countries that serve as a great benefit to people and nature.

In 2008 this organization’s lead ship believed that CI’s focus on biodiversity conservation was inadequate to protect nature and those who depended on it. As a result, CIs work focuses on

·     Climate change

·     Freshwater security

·     Health

·     Food security

·     Biodiversity

·     Cultural services

At present, the foundation of CI’s work is “Science, partnership and field demonstration”.

Green-peace:

Greenpeace is an environment friendly international nonprofit organization founded in America in 1971. At present, it is functioning with Amsterdam of Netherland as headquarters. It aims at promoting environmental awareness. It is an independent campaigning organization addressing the environmental abuse through direct, nonviolent confrontations with governments and business companies. It exposes the global environmental problems and then provides solutions for a healthy environment. It does not accept funds from governments or from the commercial forms. It depends mainly on the voluntary contribution of individuals and grants from charitable foundations.

Mission of Green-Peace:

1. Stop climate change:

The extensive use of oil, gas, fuel and other energy resources leads to climate changes which results in global warming. In order to stop climate changes, Green-peace is campaigning on various fronts. It has been researching to stop climate change and to promote clean energy solutions.

2. Protect ancient forests:

Many forests of the world are in crisis. The plants and animals are facing the threat of extinction. People living in forests and depending on them for their livelihood are also under threat. Green-peace takes up the responsibility to save the forest and provide solution for the same.

3. Save the oceans:

Greenpeace save the oceans campaign currently focuses on four major threat to the world’s oceans - Overfishing, pirate fishing, whaling and intensive shrimp aquaculture.

4. Stop whaling:

Commercial whaling has resulted in the decline of the world’s whale population. In order to stop commercial whaling Green-Peace is working on many fronts through political work, public outreach and by adopting nonviolent direct action against the whalers at sea.

5. Say NO to genetic engineering:

Genetic engineering enables creation of plants, animals and microorganisms through the manipulation of genes. The organisms which are produced through genetic engineering when inherited with the natural organisms lead to new environments which are uncontrolled, causing genetic pollution. Therefore, Green-Peace opposes the release of genetically doctored varieties of plants or animals.

6. Stop the nuclear threat:

Greenpeace campaigns against the use of nuclear power as its use has never been peaceful. It leads to accidents, deaths and disasters. Radiation released into the environment through nuclear tests has led to contamination of soil, air, rivers and oceans, causing cancer and other diseases.

7. Eliminate Toxic Chemicals:

Greenpeace also campaigns against toxic chemicals as they prove to be global threats to the health and environment. It urges government to ban chemicals like DDT, Malatheon, etc.

8. Encourage Sustainable Trade:

Greenpeace opposes the current form of globalization that is increasing corporate power. It demands that the World Trade Organization adopt a policy of trade, which works for all under preserves and restores environment. Governments must work toward achieving sustainable development, which means integrating three things. Environmental, social and economic priorities.

Major achievements of Green-Peace:

ü A ban on toxic waste exports to less developed countries.

ü A moratorium on commercial whaling.

ü A United Nations Convention providing for better management of world fisheries.

ü A Southern Ocean whale sanctuary.

ü A 50-year moratorium on mineral exploitation in Antarctica.

ü Ban on the dumping of the sea with radioactive and industrial waste and disused oil installations.

ü An end to high sea large scale drift net fishing.

ü A ban on all nuclear weapons testing obtained as a result of Greenpeace’s first ever campaign.

International Union for Conservation of nature [IUCN]

IUCN was established in France in October. 1948 and its headquarters at present is located in Gland, Switzerland. It was previously called the International Union for Protection of Nature [1948 to 1956], Worldwide Fund for nature [1956 to 1990], and the World Conservation Union [1992 2008]. Its full legal name is International Union for conservation of nature and natural resources. It shortly referred to as IUCN at present.

Functions of IUCN:

IUCN is working in the field of Nature Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy and lobbying and education.

Aims of IUCN:

IUCN’s mission is to influence and encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and technologically sustainable.

Over the past decades, IUCN had widened its focus beyond conservation ecology and now incorporates issues related to gender equality, poverty alleviation and sustainable business in its projects.

Nature and activities of IUCN:

Unlike other NGO’s IUCN does not itself aim to mobilize the public in support of nature conservation. It tries to influence the actions of governments, business and other stakeholders by providing information and advice on through lobbying and partnerships. The organization is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.

Organizational structure of IUCN:

IUCN has a membership of over 1400 governmental and non - governmental organizations. Some 16,000 scientists and experts participate in the work of IUCN commissions on voluntary basis. Its organization structure has three components - the member organization, the six Scientific Commission and the Secretariat. The members can organize themselves in national and regional committees to promote cooperation. In 2014 there were 56 national committees and 7 regional committees. It employs 1000 full time staff in more than 60 countries. From 1991 it publishes the journal “Caring for the Earth”, jointly with United Nation Environment Program and Worldwide Fund for Nature.

IUCN works on the basis of four -year programs determined by the general conference of the membership. The three thrust areas identified by the work program are.

ü Valuing and conserving nature

ü Effective and equitable governance of Nature’s use

ü Deploying nature – based solution to global challenges in climate, food and development.

Conclusion:

Environmental NGOs play a vital role in safeguarding our planet. They’re like global friends, working together to protect nature—forests, oceans, and animals. Their efforts shape debates, develop commitments, and enforce policies. So, let’s cheer them on and support their mission for a greener, healthier Earth.