Environment Quiz: Environmental Organizations |19 Apr, 2021

CPCB has an automatic monitoring station at ITO Intersection in New Delhi.

At this station Resirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) are being monitored regularly.

This information on Air Quality at ITO is updated every week.

Source: https://cpcb.nic.in/Introduction/

Founded in 1974 by Mr Darbari S Seth & Dr R K Pachauri, TERI began as a knowledge center to cultivate action-oriented research in areas of climate change, environment, energy, and sustainable development.

• Over the last 40 years, the organization has worked with the government to create policies for energy conservation.
• On the other hand, it has worked at the grassroots, developing energy efficiency solutions for India’s small and medium businesses.
• TERI has also worked intensively towards developing lighting and cooking solutions that have impacted over 4.5 million people in India and Africa.
• It has pioneered the use of biotechnology in the petroleum and agriculture sectors in India.
• It is globally distinguished for hosting the World Sustainable Development Conference, one of the largest international summits dedicated to accelerating the pursuit of sustainable development.

Source: https://www.teriin.org/history

Forest Survey of India (FSI), is a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests, responsible for assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country regularly.

• In addition, it is also engaged in providing the services of training, research and extension.
• Established on June 1 – 1981, the Forest Survey of India succeeded the “Preinvestment Survey of Forest Resources” (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with the sponsorship of FAO and UNDP.
• The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material for establishment of wood-based industries in selected areas of the country.
• In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended for the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for a regular, periodic and comprehensive forest resources survey of the country leading to creation of FSI.

• After a critical review of activities undertaken by FSI, Government of India redefined the mandate of FSI in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country.

Source: https://fsi.nic.in/brief-history

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 by the Central Government to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002).  

• The NBA is a statutory body and that performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for Government of India on issue of Conservation, sustainable use of biological resource and fair equitable sharing of benefits of use.  
• The NBA with its Headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India delivers its mandate through a structure that comprises of the Authority, secretariat, SBBs, BMCs and Expert Committees. 
• Since its establishment, NBA has supported creation of SBBs in 28 States, facilitated establishment of around 2, 05,794 BMCs, and advised notification. 

Source: http://nbaindia.org/content/16/14/1/introduction.html 

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been constituted under section 38 L (1) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  

• Further, as per the section 38 L, sub section 2 of the said Act, the authority consists of the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (as Chairperson), the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests (as Vice-Chairperson), three members of Parliament, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and other members. 
• The authority derives its power from section 38 O (1) of WLPA, 1972 and functions under the guidance of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members. 

Source: https://ntca.gov.in/about-us/#ministers

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

• It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.

• NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council) vide notification no.  S.O. 3187(E) dated 7th October 2016 under EPA 1986.  >> (Amendment) Order, 2nd September 2019

Source: https://nmcg.nic.in/about_nmcg.aspx

The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country.

• Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960), the Animal Welfare Board of India was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian.
• From ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, to provide grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advising the Government of India on animal welfare issues, the Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 50 years.
• The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.

Source: http://www.awbi.in/about.html

The Central Zoo Authority has been constituted under the section 38A of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.

• The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary.
• The main objective of the authority is to complement the national effort in conservation of wild life.

Source: http://cza.nic.in/page/en/introduction

India is one of the mega-diverse countries in the world and home to nearly eight percent of the world’s total recorded species of plants and animals.

• Across the country, people, communities and governments have played an outstanding and innovative role in conserving India’s rich heritage.
• Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in association with UNDP India, therefore, started the India Biodiversity Awards in 2012, to recognize excellence in biodiversity governance across the country.
• The first round of Awards was launched in 2012 during India’s Presidency of the Eleventh Meeting of Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The award selection process is conducted in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority of India.

Source: The Hindu

Three UN Agencies – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – have collaborated in the establishment of the UN-REDD programme, a multi-donor trust fund that allows donors to pool resources and provide funding with the aim of significantly reducing global emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.

Source: Shankar