Solid waste management
This includes both municipal solid waste and bio-medical wastes. Some NGOs (e.g. Civic Exnora, ACORN, DISHAS, Garbage Concern NGO) assist the Municipal Corporation in the collection of garbage from individual households and the deposition of the same in secondary collection points by appointing street beautifiers in the concerned areas.
Zero waste management NGO’s have now started focusing efforts on the concept of Zero Waste Management, by which practically all wastes can be converted into wealth through recycling.
Citizens' Waterways Monitoring Programme (WAMP)
This programme was started with the sole purpose of developing clean and pollution free waterways in cities and for creating a healthy living environment for all city dwellers. WAMP was formed in 1991, as a joint programme with several NGOs and individuals dedicated to the cause of developing clean waterways in the city. The WAMP objectives are:
1. To stop pollution of waterways
2. To maintain the waterways of the city cleanly
STudent Environment Programme (STEP)
This program has a dual role - of creating environmental awareness amongst the student community and to develop each child's mind resources through various personality development programs. A teachers' manual and an activity book that have been brought out as a part of this program are designed in the `do-and learn' format and provide an easy understanding of the problems faced by us and at the same time kindles
the mind to find remedial measures.
Tree Planting
NGOs have been instrumental in planting trees for the purpose of beautification of roads, parks, playgrounds, burial grounds, etc., with the larger perspective of environmental protection. (e.g. Gandhi Peace Foundation, Kalpavriksh, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association)
Vegetable Roof Gardening
With agricultural land shrinking rapidly and deforestation rates rocketing, urban agriculture is the need of the hour. Groups like Exnora has been propagating and training youth in setting up and maintaining vegetable roof gardens in households of Tamil Nadu. The organisation is closely working with the Tamil Nadu Horticulture and Agriculture Departments on this project.
Rain Harvesting
NGO’s have propagated the system of rain harvesting in several residential areas in the city with the aim of exploiting one or another important water source, viz., and rainwater. Many cities suffer from perennial water problems every summer and therefore it is important that all avenues of water source be tapped. (e.g. Amritham Jalam, Akash Ganga)
Pollution Control
The task of pollution control in India is complex due to the large number of heavy, large and small-scale industries involved. Further, the rise in the number of vehicles coupled with poverty and the large population puts tremendous pollution pressure on air, water and land.
A comprehensive approach to pollution control is being undertaken based on the following principles:
1. Prevent pollution at source.
2. Encourage, develop and apply the best available practicable technical solution
3. Ensure that polluter pays for pollution and control arrangements.
4. Focus on protection of heavily polluted areas and river stretches.
5. Involve the NGO’s in educating the public about pollution control measures to be taken
.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution has become a major problem in the metropolitan cities and in other urban areas. With a view to regulate and control noise producing and generating sources, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, for prevention and control of noise pollution in the country.
Air Pollution
The sources of Air Pollution are industries like thermal power plants, sugar mills, distilleries, paper mills etc. Vehicular emissions are another source of air pollution. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has classified the industries as red, orange and green depending on the degree of pollution caused by them. It further specifies the various pollution control measures to be adopted by these industries.
Water Pollution
The rivers of India are part of its cultural heritage. Over the years, the quality of the water has deteriorated due to the uncontrolled release of effluents by industries into the rivers. A National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), which includes second phase of GAP also, has been formulated which aims to control the pollution of grossly polluted rivers of the country. A National River Conservation Authority has been setup to review the implementation of the programmes related to cleaning of rivers. The NRCP covers 141 towns located along 22interstate rivers in 14 states. The total cost of the scheme is Rs.2013 crores. A National Lake Conservation Plan envisaging the conservation of lakes by prevention of pollution by catchments area treatment, desalting, weed control, based on the integrated water shed development approach is under implementation.
NGO’s Role in Pollution Control
The success of India's environmental programmes depends greatly on the awareness and consciousness of the people. A National Environmental Awareness Campaign has been launched to sensitise people to the environmental problems through audio-visual programmes, seminars, symposia, training programmes etc. Paryavaran Vahinis have been constituted in 184 districts involving the local people to play an active role in preventing poaching, deforestation and environmental pollution.
4000 NGOs have been given financial assistance for creating environmental awareness. An Environmental Information System (ENVIS) network has been setup to disseminate information on environmental issues. India has a large network of NGO’s, which are involved in spreading the message of sustainable development to the public.
This includes both municipal solid waste and bio-medical wastes. Some NGOs (e.g. Civic Exnora, ACORN, DISHAS, Garbage Concern NGO) assist the Municipal Corporation in the collection of garbage from individual households and the deposition of the same in secondary collection points by appointing street beautifiers in the concerned areas.
Zero waste management NGO’s have now started focusing efforts on the concept of Zero Waste Management, by which practically all wastes can be converted into wealth through recycling.
Citizens' Waterways Monitoring Programme (WAMP)
This programme was started with the sole purpose of developing clean and pollution free waterways in cities and for creating a healthy living environment for all city dwellers. WAMP was formed in 1991, as a joint programme with several NGOs and individuals dedicated to the cause of developing clean waterways in the city. The WAMP objectives are:
1. To stop pollution of waterways
2. To maintain the waterways of the city cleanly
STudent Environment Programme (STEP)
This program has a dual role - of creating environmental awareness amongst the student community and to develop each child's mind resources through various personality development programs. A teachers' manual and an activity book that have been brought out as a part of this program are designed in the `do-and learn' format and provide an easy understanding of the problems faced by us and at the same time kindles
the mind to find remedial measures.
Tree Planting
NGOs have been instrumental in planting trees for the purpose of beautification of roads, parks, playgrounds, burial grounds, etc., with the larger perspective of environmental protection. (e.g. Gandhi Peace Foundation, Kalpavriksh, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association)
Vegetable Roof Gardening
With agricultural land shrinking rapidly and deforestation rates rocketing, urban agriculture is the need of the hour. Groups like Exnora has been propagating and training youth in setting up and maintaining vegetable roof gardens in households of Tamil Nadu. The organisation is closely working with the Tamil Nadu Horticulture and Agriculture Departments on this project.
Rain Harvesting
NGO’s have propagated the system of rain harvesting in several residential areas in the city with the aim of exploiting one or another important water source, viz., and rainwater. Many cities suffer from perennial water problems every summer and therefore it is important that all avenues of water source be tapped. (e.g. Amritham Jalam, Akash Ganga)
Pollution Control
The task of pollution control in India is complex due to the large number of heavy, large and small-scale industries involved. Further, the rise in the number of vehicles coupled with poverty and the large population puts tremendous pollution pressure on air, water and land.
A comprehensive approach to pollution control is being undertaken based on the following principles:
1. Prevent pollution at source.
2. Encourage, develop and apply the best available practicable technical solution
3. Ensure that polluter pays for pollution and control arrangements.
4. Focus on protection of heavily polluted areas and river stretches.
5. Involve the NGO’s in educating the public about pollution control measures to be taken
.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution has become a major problem in the metropolitan cities and in other urban areas. With a view to regulate and control noise producing and generating sources, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, for prevention and control of noise pollution in the country.
Air Pollution
The sources of Air Pollution are industries like thermal power plants, sugar mills, distilleries, paper mills etc. Vehicular emissions are another source of air pollution. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has classified the industries as red, orange and green depending on the degree of pollution caused by them. It further specifies the various pollution control measures to be adopted by these industries.
Water Pollution
The rivers of India are part of its cultural heritage. Over the years, the quality of the water has deteriorated due to the uncontrolled release of effluents by industries into the rivers. A National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), which includes second phase of GAP also, has been formulated which aims to control the pollution of grossly polluted rivers of the country. A National River Conservation Authority has been setup to review the implementation of the programmes related to cleaning of rivers. The NRCP covers 141 towns located along 22interstate rivers in 14 states. The total cost of the scheme is Rs.2013 crores. A National Lake Conservation Plan envisaging the conservation of lakes by prevention of pollution by catchments area treatment, desalting, weed control, based on the integrated water shed development approach is under implementation.
NGO’s Role in Pollution Control
The success of India's environmental programmes depends greatly on the awareness and consciousness of the people. A National Environmental Awareness Campaign has been launched to sensitise people to the environmental problems through audio-visual programmes, seminars, symposia, training programmes etc. Paryavaran Vahinis have been constituted in 184 districts involving the local people to play an active role in preventing poaching, deforestation and environmental pollution.
4000 NGOs have been given financial assistance for creating environmental awareness. An Environmental Information System (ENVIS) network has been setup to disseminate information on environmental issues. India has a large network of NGO’s, which are involved in spreading the message of sustainable development to the public.