Journal of Global Resources

Volume 2

January 2016
Page 62-67
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

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GREENPEACE AS A MODEL TO SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL
DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Badruddin
Associate Professor
PES’s College of Arts & Science, Ponda, Goa, India
Email: drbadar786@gmail.com
Abstract: Greenpeace, a creation of German and some west European intellectuals since
sixties has brought awareness through educating the people about the ill effects ofenvironmental hazards. The appearance of Greenpeace India (GPI) has also evolved andprovides a whole range of community based services for the identification and motivation
about the eco-friendly culture. It also helps to establish appropriate linkages between voluntaryagencies working in varied fields of environment. Green movements appeared in India during
eighties and became operational in nineties when globalization became the major imperative
to international economic system. Large number of NGOs, universities, colleges and evenschools in India started syllabi on Environmental Studies on priority basis. Soon, GPI earned
credible support through various movements led by environmentalists, social activists, peace
thinkers and advocates of disarmament. Host of sectors like agriculture, education, health,social security, eco culture, flora and fauna, etc became the prime concern to GPI. A great
realization is being felt to go in-depth study and research about the increasing relevance of
GPI. The paper examines valuable
services, techniques, methods and target areas
supported by NGOs as active agents to promote the Greenpeace Model in India. Despite
tremendous task, GPI is also facing several administrative hurdles and legal challenges, but
continues to remain source of motivation and encouragement for the lovers of environment
and peace advocates. Bulk of data, both primaries as well secondary is available on GPI for
further research and development.
Keywords: green peace, environment, sustainable development, issues and challenges
BackgroundIn contemporary world, Green refers to program emphasizing environmental protection andecological concern to culture what they regard as self destruction of the earth and human life
through the detrimental effects of technology, modernization and unlimited growth of economy.
More commonly associated with left wing orientation as the key motivation to change thepolicy decisions and law making bodies closely aligned with middle class orientation who are
relatively more educated (Kolinsky, 1994). Intellectual
foundationof Greenpeace
movements encompasses scholarly debate during the age of globalization. New policies onenvironmental legislation spelled out fresh possibilities that became increasingly important.
It gained global popularity in diverse fields of green movements like disarmament, humanrights, settlement patterns and ecological balance. It is the basis for social and politicalmovement and the very integral to life on earth. It is duly supported by love, share and carewith sustainable environment and eco friendly culture. Greenpeace, originally a German
creation, supported by large number of countries in Europe, was shared by academics,
environmentalists and social activists. A great German exponent of woman and peace, Petra
Kelly was the brain behind Greenpeace movement (Harmet, 1985). During 1972 whenGermany was a major economic power and environmentally pollutant actor, and thesubsequent Oil crisis in Gulf, instigated a great realization to understand the hidden ideology

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of greens. It was based on long socio- historical experiences that appeared as powerfulpolitical agent in various policy agenda. German Peace Society became the pillar of worldwide
Green Movement (Joppke, 1991). Large number of Research & Development (R&D) relatedNGOs
like Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Sweden; Peace
Research Institute Organization (PRIO), Oslo, Norway; Armament & Disarmament Unit,
University of Sussex, Brighton; Oxford Research Group, UK; School of Peace Studies,
Bradford, UK; United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva; German
Peace Society-United War Resister, Germany; and World Policy Institute, New York, etc,
joined the German Greenpeace movements. Several western countries also adopted
Greenpeace polices to promote environmental sustainability. It briefly include: Campaign for
Nuclear Disarmament (UK), Inter-Church Peace Council (the Netherlands), Swedish PeaceCouncil (Sweden) and Friends on Earth (France) that gradually coincided with Earth System
Governance Project (ESGP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Nature
Organization (WNO), World Wide Fund (WWF) for nature and several regional level
organizations associated with South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation (SSRAC),
South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN),
European Union (EU) and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Greenpeace India: A Background
Intellectuals and enlightened communities of India were also inspired by the Greenpeace
movements in Europe which were implemented through universities, colleges and even inschool syllabus where Environmental Studies became a prominent subject. Large number of
R&D organizations like Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi; Anti Nuclear Forum,
Kolkata; Group for Nuclear Disarmament, Mumbai; and Group for Peaceful Indian Ocean,
Mumbai; were aligned with Greenpeace. Other green peace related movements also include:
Chipko Movement (UP), Silent Valley Movement (Kerala) and Narmada Bachao Andolan(MP). Besides, there are also Greenpeace- environmental related NGOs : Ashadeep(Guwahati), Community Action for Rural Development (Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu), Disha
Foundation (Jaipur), Isha Education (Coimbatore), Mission Smile (Mumbai), Rural
Development Foundation (Hyderabad), Social Action Manpower Creation (Pune), Turnstone
Global (Kolkata), etc are increasingly important. Even at the local level Greenpeace NGOs in
Goa are actively working for sustainable development. The prominent ones and their activities
include: Goa Institute of Rural Development and Administration (worships, seminars, contact
programmes, maintenance of documents); Goa Foundation (Records on Environmental
issues), Peaceful Society (Biodiversity Conservation; Eco-development; Ecology andEnvironment), World Wide Fund for Nature-Goa Chapter (Freshwater Ecosystem -Lakes,
Ponds, Rivers, Wetlands); Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade (Environmental
Litigation/Campaigns; Wildlife Protection), and Human Rights Defenders(action andcommunication with government and related NGOs).
Evolution of Greenpeace in India
Unlike several western counterparts of India, the evolution of Greenpeace movement in India
is too young. Historically, the GPI Indian goes back to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA)related to three rivers by passing Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In 1978,
Government of India sought the World Bank’s (WB) assistance to build a complex of dams
along the river as part of the Narmada Valley Development Project (‘‘Narmada Project’’). The
Narmada Project envisioned the creation of 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and 3,000
small dams (Supriya, 2005). However, there were serious problems related to environmental
hazards which continued for more than thirteen years. In 1992, Narmada International
Human Rights Panel was formed by the Environmental Defense Fund in collaboration withWB Information Centre, Washington. But the mission virtually failed to fulfill the basic issues of63NBA (Chandra, 2000). It re-appeared only in 2001 when large number of environmental
supporters along with Sunderlal Bahugan’s Chipko Movements on Tehri Dam (Doon Valley)
and problems of Slum Dwellers in Dharavi-Mumbai became active. The message of GPI
helped to establish small offices at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata and Patna. Soon, the sub branches of Greenpeace spread in almost every town andcity of India in the forms of environmental groups, human right cells, eco-peace movements
and sustainable developments.
Key Objectives of Greenpeace India
Presently, GPI with over 350 staffs are working across the country under supervision ofIndian Senior Management Team (SMT). It stands to promote clean air, water, solar power,
prevention of nuclear power proliferations, safe food, ecological farming and protection of thefreedom of speech. With active coordination of 55 counties worldwide, GPI continues to workfor environmental security though peaceful campaign, demonstration, and distribution ofbrochures, contact programmes, seminars and conferences. Multidimensional objectives of
GPI also include: disarmament, arms control, elimination of nuclear weapons, action against
deforestation, protection of flora and fauna, campaigning for sustainable agriculture, promotionof ecological farming, aeration of a toxic free future, protection of the world’s natural forests
the animals, plants and people, defending our oceans by challenging wasteful, destructive
fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves.
Greenpeace Services and Techniques in India
GPI employs techniques through using the means of communication like press and news
agencies, internet and online services. Unfortunately, however, the service of GPI remains
limited compared to several other professional services like Doctors, Engineers, Business
Associations, Union Leaders, and political activists. However, within the limited circle, it
believes in organizational power through motivational journalism and social support services.
Within limited donations and peoples belief, GPI keeps away from corporate and capitalcharities, rather prefers individual donors, social activists, moderate intellectuals and leftists.
These are persistent, enthusiastic, obsessive, idealistic, passionate and extremely committed
to tranquility and coolness. It is working towards making companies act responsibly of ourEarth and wards a greener healthy world.

Apart from the above said, there are also large number of Greenpeace-environmental NGOs
in India which briefly include: i. Indian Association for Environmental Management, Nagpur ii.
Jammu and Kashmir Environment and Wasteland Development Society, Jammu iii.
Kalpavriksh, New Delhi
iv. Ladakh Ecology Development Group, Laddakh v.Nilgiri Wildlife
and Environment Association, Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu
vi. Orissa Environmental Society,Bhubaneshwar vii. Tiger Link, New Delhi viii. Shrishti, New Delhi ix. Energy and Resources
Institute, New Delhi
x. Development Alternatives, New Delhi. Most of these NGOs directly
support Greenpeace-Environmental social legislation. Some of the prominent names include:
Shabana Azmi , Maneka Gandhi, Anurag Gangal, Vandana Shiva, Anadish Pal, Shivram
Karanth, Mike Pande, Chandi Prasad Bhatta, Bhagat Puran Singh, Shehla Masood, Pradip
Krishan, Kallen Poluddan, John C. Jacob and Mitraniketan Viswanathan.
Scope, Priorities and Methods of Greenpeace Research in India
Greenpeace research contributes distinct identity by establishing pool with establishinginteraction with NGO’s. These confederating agencies provide guidelines for collecting data,
new techniques and information on various global problems. In the course of growth itestablished many school of thoughts in all over the world. It also prompted number of scholarsof active members of International Peace Research Association that became the source of64

motivation for several third world counties including India. Large number of universities andNGOs in India have special cells and centers on Greenpeace- environment research. Someof these are: School of Environmental Studies- Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi);
Gandhi Peace Foundation (New Delhi); Environmental and Sustainability Studies- TERI
University, New Delhi; Centre for Ecological Science- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore;
Centre for Environment Education, Ahmadabad; Department of Environmental BiologyUniversity of Delhi; Department of Environmental Studies- Government Engineering College,
Trichur; Department of Environmental Studies, Guwahati University; Indian Institute of
Ecology and Environment, New Delhi; School of Environmental Studies- Cochin University of
Science and Technology; and Department of Ecology and Environmental sciences,Pondicherry University. Today, peace research has become a wider subject of international
level that naturally leads to spill over into different discipline ranging from primary school todoctorate levels. It also synthesizes the knowledge of different subjects in an integrated
manner to widen the scope and priorities of multidimensional nature.
Greenpeace India - Target Areas and Groups and Activities
Since the existence of GPI, there are large number of target areas related to eco friendly
culture and sustainable developments. GPI continues to provide tools and resources to plan
campaigns connected with over 29 Lakh volunteers (both in person and online) connectivity
with access resources of 170 million per annum. Let us have a brief development of some
GPI achievements.
1. Sustainable Rural Developments- GPI has worked in over more than 1000 villages ofIndia with Forest Management Rights – to protect forests and wildlife. States like Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal villages havebeen duly credited by Greenpeace. During October 2014, large number of villages
near Visakhapatanam has been duly benefited where GPI volunteers worked as
rescuers against the hit cyclone-Hud Hud and rescued large number of slum dwellers.
2. Environmental Pollution- Green Delhi Movement by GPI Clean Air Campaigner andassociates has shown alarming concern over the rising pollution level in Delhi in thethird week of July 2015. GPI is serious on the government side to urgently introduce asystem of issuing health advisories on heavy air pollution days as a very basic
acknowledgement of the problem in metro cities of India. Renewable energy target
GPI-Delhi cell is a constructive move. Despite odds and challenges, GPI continues towork for environmental legislation all over India despite allegation made several legal
forums (Pillai, 2015).
3. Ecology and Economic Development- India’s environmental laws are subject to legal
challenges regarding dams, mines, roads and ports where Forest Rights Act and Land
Acquisition Act are subject to scrutiny. GPI-Delhi has launcheddrive against
politically motivated Green Laws ofModi Governance on the eve of India’s
independence 2015 and despite anti-GPI stand of ruling BJP and were branded as"five-star" NGO activists. Large number of volunteers has shown their willingness
thorough online information (Bidwai, 2015).
4. Greenest Technology Initiatives: Since April 2013, even as the world gasps under agrowing load of poisonous e-waste, GPI hopes in a just released guide that lists thegreenest technology companies on earth.
5. Bio- Diversity and Eco Friendly Culture: GPI has been actively involved inpromoting sustainable developments, eco friendly culture, bio diversity, solid waste,
greenhouse gas emissions, forests and conservation, social security and healthconditions. Various issues like of Chipko Movement (Uttarakhand and Karnataka),
NYLON 66 & Konkan Railway Controversy (Goa), Tsunami effected regions (Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Odisha), Dharavi Slums (Mumbai), Mid Day Meal for School65Children (all over India), and Tribal Welfare Programmes (North East, Jharkhand andMadhya Pradesh), are important directives of green ideology. All India level issues
like Ganges Water Pollution, Tiger Projects, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves,water dams, soil erosion and many more are being tackled by GPI with active
coordination of environmentalists and ecologists which are increasingly relevant for
ongoing GPI projects.
6. Miscellaneous Targets of GPI: Apart from the above said, there are also large
number of areas which are increasingly important. Some of these are as follows:i.
Protection of Tiger Habitats in major national parks of India since April 2013.
ii.
Climate Change- a Dream of Reality- since Doha (Qatar) Environmental Meet
(26 November 2012), the moves of GPI has been more active to see that green
legislations in India meet the standard formats.
iii.
Since November 2012, GPI-with Rainbow Warrior continues to playconstructive role to maintain the marine and costal eco system.
iv.
GPI has been conferred as an eco-friendly like HP and Apple as awarded by
WIPRO since November 2012.
v.
Since March 2013, GPI has launched healthy and environment friendly moves
for the farmers of Bihar.
vi.
GPI lauds for cancellation of coal blocks comes after CBI files case againstcompany on charges of cheating and conspiracy at HINDALCO in October
2013.
vii.
GPI has lauded the decision by the Indian government for keeping food andfarms free from contamination by Genetically Modified crops.
viii.
Greenpeace road map for a cleaner Indian telecom sector is effective since last
week of August 2012.
ix.
The above said list is only an indicatives one. GPI is now highly institutionalizedwith support of local, national and international volunteers who are wellconnected though various communicative means.
New areas like transnational sensitivities, inter-state migration, cross border terrorism, ethnic
cleansings and social insecurity are appearing through compensation, negotiations andbargaining tracts. New Dimensions and charitable organizations also indirectly falls under thejurisdiction of GPI that include: Business friendly (BINGO), civil organizations (DONGO),
international cooperation (TANGO), market advocacy (MANGO) and grassroots support(Bondareff, 2015). Facts like Earth System Governance, Project (ESGP), Global Environment
Facility (GEF), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Nature
Organization (WNO) are coordinating with GPI.
Findings
Although GPI is too young compared to western European green programmes, yet it is notless important while considering the depth of India’s environments related problems that
already have assumed alarming dimensions, be it cities, villages, forests, dams, industries,
mines, health, or even social issues (farmers, child labor, Dalits, women and Senior Citizens).
Everywhere Greenpeace has intervened for valuable causes. GPI is fighting
to provide
operational objectives for the preparation of urban semi urban, Tehsils and rural settlements.
GPI stands for the transparency in ensuring environmental safety as per international
standard. In fact, both state and national governments should also take protective measures to
see that the public undertaking or private chemical and other hazardous substances should be
kept safe from the commons. The need therefore is felt to establish ‘Ecological Science
Groups’ consisting of independent and professionally competent experts. There is also a need66

of ‘Environmental Courts’ within the broader parameter of Environmental Protection Act 1986
(Chakraborty, 2012).
Despite best initiatives, GPI is openly blamed for the lack of confidence since its
volunteering organizations remained confined to limited sectors and appeal. Therefore, thespell of green movements to explore new possibilities is becoming increasingly importantamong the South Asian countries, especially India. But it is unfair to say that the Greenpeaceremained completely off from the mainstream of popular supporters. Paradoxically, however,such activities were not intellectually researched. It is true that if democratic system is tosurvive, it has to find a suitable place for cause groups and protest campaigns to widen thepolicy network for socio-economic development in the framework of healthy environment.
Greens played the central role in setting the agenda for location, national and international
policies. Their responsibilities in limiting and prohibiting environmental hazards came as asurprised victory during the recent years. Consequently, GPI decision-makers were pushed incertain directions, as desired by the sections of enthusiastic groups. Its’ philosophy of ecologism has been an effective mechanism. Every time, GPI with its widest acceptance, remains
the key factor in peace and environment agenda at all levels. The world, pregnant for
centuries, is ready to give birth of Greenpeace. Its’ alignments with NGOs, often
interchangeably used with private voluntary organization, are now active agents through wider
networks, environmental awareness, development and advocacy services. It is therefore
suggested that major sensitive areas-whether local, national or international- need to be
scrutinized within the broader framework of Greenpeace. The process of GPIism is still totravel long journey to complete its mission. Complex role of policy makers and difference inideologies make it rather difficult to undertake independent collaborative works. Consideringmajor environmental challenges, there is a greater need to opt ‘Human Right-Greenpeace
Model’ for effective bargaining and political compensation. GPI should opt painstaking initiativefor fact finding solutions. In the midst of dilemmas and opportunities, only independent andpolitically free GPI can work as the best alternative. Let the public policy share happiness andprosperity with co-opt of GPI to see environmentally healthy and prosperous world.
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Indian government sanctions Greenpeace to send a menacing
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4. Chandra, Ashish (2000), Human Right Activities and Role of NGOs (New Delhi: Rajat
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5. Jopke, Christian (1991), "Social Movements During Cycles of Issue Attention: the Decline of theAnti- Nuclear Energy Movements in West Germany and the USA" British Journal of Sociology(London), vol.42, no.1, March 1991, pp.43-47.
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