Environmental protection is the practice of governments, institutions, and private citizens protecting the environment. Its goals are to preserve natural resources and the current natural environment, as well as to repair damage and reversal trends where feasible. The biophysical environment is degrading, perhaps permanently, as a result of pressures from population increase, overconsumption, and technology. Governments have started putting restrictions on actions that harm the environment as a result of this recognition. Environmental movements since the 1960s have raised awareness of the many environmental issues. This article will explain to you about the Institutions and Measures to save the Environment which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board

• The National Afforestation and Eco-development Board have developed specific schemes for promoting afforestation and management strategies.
• It assists states in developing specific afforestation and management strategies, as well as eco-development packages, to augment biomass production through a participatory planning process of Joint Forest Management and microplanning.
• The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) is in charge of promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration, and eco-development activities in the country.
• NAEP is a flagship initiative of the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB) that offers physical and capacity-building assistance to the implementing agencies, the Forest Development Agencies (FDAs).

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

• In accordance with the conditions outlined by the central government and in accordance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) was established in April 2004 by the central government on the Supreme Court's orders.
• CAMPA is responsible for managing funds for compensatory afforestation as well as other money that may be recoverable.
• The CAMPA law applies to all states, union territories, and the Centre.
• The law creates a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund in the Public Account of India, as well as a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund in each state's Public Account.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

• Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a partnership that involves both local communities and forest agencies in the management of natural forests.
• The National Forest Policy of 1988 was the vehicle through which the concept was first introduced by the Indian government.
• The Forest Department and a village committee known as the Forest Protection Committee (FPC) typically engage in a JFM agreement, however, provisions of the agreements change from state to state and are called by different names in different Indian languages.
• Villagers agree to protect forest resources from grazing, fire, and unlawful harvesting in return for receiving non-timber forest products and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of wood products.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Social Forestry

• The management and development of forests with afforestation on barren areas to produce environmental benefit and rural development is known as social forestry.
• It encompasses activities such as forest management, forest protection, and reforestation of deforested regions with the goal of enhancing rural, environmental, and social development.
• Unlike other forestry initiatives, the needs of local populations are prioritised in the context of social forestry.
• India began on a social forestry initiative with the goal of relieving strain on forests and making use of all underutilised and barren land.
• Government forest lands near human settlements that had deteriorated over time owing to human activity required to be reforested.
• In and around agricultural areas, trees were to be planted.
• Tree planting was done along railway lines, roadsides, and river and canal banks.
• They were planted on village common land, government waste ground, and Panchayat property.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Social Forestry

National Bamboo Mission

• The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was launched as a subprogram of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
• The National Bamboo Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that began in 2006-07 and was later included into the MIDH for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16.
• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare's Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) established the centrally sponsored initiative to exploit the potential of the bamboo crop.
• The Mission would concentrate on the growth of bamboo in a few states where it has a social, commercial, and economic value, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Bamboo Mission

Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI)

• A Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) has been created by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• In collaboration with the MoEF&CC, 88 prominent industrial clusters were identified in 2009 for CEPI analysis.
• Out of the 88 prominent industrial clusters identified, 43 industrial clusters in 17 states with CEPI scores of 70 or higher have been identified as Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs).
• In addition, 32 industrial clusters with CEPI scores between 60 and 70 are classified as Severely Polluted Areas (SPAs).
• To assess the environmental quality in Polluted Industrial Areas (PIAs), CPCB conducts periodic monitoring through a recognized environmental laboratory, and CEPI is assessed based on the monitoring data.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI)

Lighting A Billion Lives (LABL)

• LaBL is a TERI program that encourages the use of solar lamps that are particularly developed and manufactured on a decentralized basis.
• LaBL has been able to participate in government initiatives such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihood Project, Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, and has aided the expansion of mobile telephony with assistance from the Government of India's Department of Telecommunications.
• LaBL has effectively engaged the private sector and used Corporate Social Responsibility to its advantage (CSR).
• This project has resulted in the formation of over 100 women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) and the strengthening of around 150 SHGs.
• The campaign illustrated how public-private-people collaborations may help rural development initiatives, notably in the areas of health, education, the environment, and women's empowerment.
• The campaign has garnered support from public sector units and business partners, among others, to help in the implementation of the program at the current scale.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Lighting A Billion Lives (LABL)

Eco Mark

• The Government of India has established the ECO Mark programme for designating environmentally beneficial items.
• The Bureau of Indian Criteria (BIS) issues the Eco-mark as a certification mark for items that are environmentally friendly and meet the BIS's standards.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is in charge of the Eco-mark system. The system was initially implemented in 1991.
• Eco-Mark aids in the identification of environmentally friendly items on the market.
• The mark is issued in about 16 categories, including food, medications, chemicals, electrical items, paper, lubricating oils, packaging materials, and so on.
• The initiative is one of India's first attempts at environmental norms, having been initiated in 1991, even before India's participation in the Rio Summit in 1992.
• The presence of the ECO Logo in conjunction with the ISI Mark on a product indicates that it meets certain Environmental criteria as well as the Quality requirements specified in the relevant Indian Standard.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Eco Mark

Urban Services Environmental Rating System (USERS)

• This project was sponsored by UNDP, carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and implemented by TERI.
• Its goal is to create an analytical tool to assess how well local bodies in Kanpur and Delhi are performing in terms of providing fundamental services (referred to as pilot cities).
• The inputs-outputs efficiency outcomes paradigm was used to construct the performance measurement (PM) tool, which uses a collection of performance measurement indicators to compare against predetermined targets.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Urban Services Environmental Rating System (USERS)

Biodiversity Conservation & Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP)

• The Biodiversity Conservation & Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP) is the first national-level effort to integrate local livelihoods and conservation on a landscape scale.
• The project is implemented by State governments at the federal level, and the MoEF&CC's "Conservation and Survey Division" is in charge of conserving biodiversity in particular landscapes (including wildlife protected areas) and enhancing rural livelihoods with the help of the populace.
• The initiative aims to build on these models and apply the lessons learned to additional globally significant locations across the nation.
• It will improve connections between conservation and raising the standard of living for local communities living close to places with high biodiversity, as well as boost the regional and national economies.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Biodiversity Conservation & Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP)

National Clean Energy Fund

• The National Clean Energy Fund was initially established to address the effects of climate change in India.
• The Fund is intended to be a non-lapsable fund under Public Accounts, and the Ministry of Finance's Department of Expenditure houses its secretariat.
• The Ministry of Finance's Finance Secretary chairs an Inter-Ministerial Group that recommends projects for NCEF funding.
• The National Clean Energy Fund will be used to fund clean energy research and development projects.
• Any project or scheme involving innovative approaches to clean energy technology and research and development will be eligible for funding through the NCEF.
• Innovative schemes such as Green Energy Corridor for boosting the transmission sector, Namami Gange, Green India Mission, Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) installation of solar photovoltaic (SPV) lights and small capacity lights, installation of SPV water pumping systems, SPV Power Plants, Grid Connected Rooftop SPV Power Plants, pilot project to assess wind power potential, and so on are among these projects.

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Clean Energy Fund

National Mission For Electric Mobility

• The Government of India introduced the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013.
• The goal is to achieve national fuel security by encouraging electric and hybrid vehicles.
• The government aims to sell 6-7 million electric and hybrid vehicles in India by 2020 as part of its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).
• The government intends to provide fiscal and monetary incentives to jumpstart this emerging technology.
• The government intends to provide monetary incentives to buyers who purchase these hybrid and electric vehicles.

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Mission For Electric Mobility

Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS)

• Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS) is a unique mobile exhibition mounted aboard a specially designed 16-coach AC train.
• This express has been touring India since June 5, 2012.
• SEBS is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), as well as the Government of India and Indian Railways.
• SEBS strives to raise awareness about biodiversity in India, climate change, and other related issues among many segments of society, including school and college students, instructors, and the general public.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS)

Environment Education, Awareness & Training (EEAT) Scheme

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) introduced the Environment Education Awareness and Training (EEAT) program as the central sector initiative in the fiscal year 1983–84.
• It aims to raise environmental awareness among all facets of society and to encourage engagement from the populace in environmental preservation.
• Four programs are put into place to accomplish its goals. They are:
• National Green Corps (NGC)
• National Environment Awareness Campaign
• Seminars/Workshops
• National Nature Camping Programme
• Various organizations are given financial support through these programs to carry out activities and raise awareness of the need to maintain the environment in the nation.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Environment Education, Awareness & Training (EEAT) Scheme

National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)

• The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), part of the Indian government, has been hosting the NEAC each year since 1986.
• Public participation in environmental management and conservation is one of the Ministry's key initiatives.
• The program's major goal is to increase public awareness of environmental issues and turn environmental protection into a people's movement so that every citizen of this nation is participating in environmental conservation.
• To discover comprehensive and long-lasting solutions, the program must emphasize local environmental issues.
• Further sub-themes for the campaign have been identified by the MoEF.
• Under the National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC), CUTS International has been putting on awareness programs on various subjects with the help of the MoEF.

*To know more about the topic, click this link National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)

Mangroves for the Future

• Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a distinctive, partnership-led initiative that encourages financial support for the preservation of coastal ecosystems for sustainable development.
• The MFF, which is co-chaired by the IUCN and UNDP, offers a forum for cooperation among several organizations, industries, and nations tackling problems with coastal ecosystems and livelihoods.
• The objective is to advance an integrated ocean-wide strategy for coastal management and to strengthen the resilience of coastal populations that depend on ecosystems.
• MFF relies on a history of coastal management initiatives implemented both before and after the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean in 2004.
• It initially concentrated on India, Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, which were the nations most severely impacted by the tsunami.
• Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Vietnam have all lately been added to the list.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Mangroves for the Future

Conclusion

Though there are many institutions and measures to safeguard the environment, there is an urgent need for the present environmental priorities related to climate change to be strengthened and better implemented. However, the individual measures taken by each and every one of us can never be understated when it comes to a sustainable approach by remembering that nature's future is our future.

FAQs

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is responsible for enforcing environmental laws in India?

A) Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
B) Ministry of Finance
C) Ministry of Agriculture
D) Ministry of Rural Development

2. What is the main function of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)?

A) To monitor water pollution
B) To handle environmental disputes
C) To provide financial aid for environmental projects
D) To manage forest resources

3. What is the objective of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?

A) To promote renewable energy
B) To provide clean drinking water
C) To eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation
D) To regulate industrial pollution

4. Which international agreement has India committed to in order to reduce its carbon emissions?

A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Paris Agreement
C) Montreal Protocol
D) Cartagena Protocol

5. Which of the following is a key function of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

A) Monitoring air and water quality
B) Regulating traffic pollution
C) Allocating environmental funds
D) Conducting wildlife surveys

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in promoting environmental justice in India.

Answer: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) plays a crucial role in promoting environmental justice in India by providing a specialized forum for the quick and effective resolution of environmental disputes. Established under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010, the NGT addresses issues related to pollution, wildlife protection, and environmental degradation. It has the authority to enforce the implementation of environmental laws, issue directions to government bodies, and impose fines or penalties for non-compliance. The NGT’s expertise and efficiency in handling complex environmental matters have made it an essential institution in India’s environmental governance.

Q2: How do environmental policies like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan contribute to sustainable development in India?

Answer: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable development by focusing on sanitation, cleanliness, and waste management. By eliminating open defecation and promoting hygiene, the initiative contributes to public health, reduces environmental pollution, and enhances the quality of life in rural and urban areas. The mission’s emphasis on waste management and waste-to-energy solutions also fosters resource efficiency and reduces environmental degradation, supporting India’s broader goals of environmental sustainability and economic development.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by India in implementing environmental protection measures and the role of institutions in overcoming these challenges.

Answer: India faces several challenges in implementing effective environmental protection measures, including rapid industrialization, urbanization, population growth, and limited financial resources. Despite having institutions like the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), challenges persist in enforcing environmental laws due to political resistance, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure. The role of these institutions is critical in formulating and enforcing policies, monitoring compliance, and raising public awareness. Strengthening institutional capacity, improving coordination between state and national agencies, and incentivizing green technologies will be essential in overcoming these challenges and achieving sustainable development in India.

Previous Year Questions on Environmental Institutions and Measures

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following organizations is responsible for monitoring environmental pollution in India?

A) National Green Tribunal
B) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
C) Central Pollution Control Board
D) State Forest Departments

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for monitoring pollution levels and ensuring compliance with environmental standards in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: How does India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement contribute to its environmental and economic goals?

Answer: India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement contributes to both environmental and economic goals by encouraging a transition to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting energy efficiency. This commitment supports India’s efforts to meet its sustainable development goals (SDGs) by fostering clean energy innovation, improving air quality, and ensuring long-term economic growth that aligns with global climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, India’s focus on renewable energy offers new opportunities for job creation and economic diversification.