Lok Sabha Question No. 1908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Environmental Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1908

TO BE ANSWER ON 30.07.2021

## Environmental Projects

1908.                 SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government allows non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to undertake projects towards spreading environmental awareness among people,
- (b) The details of the schemes / programmes  under which NGOs can collaborate which the Ministry towards environment conservations,
- (c) The details of NGOs from Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts of West Bengal engaged with the Ministry currently or in the past for the purpose, and
- (d) The funds granted to NGOs working towards Environment Conservation during the last three years in the said Districts?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Yes Sir,
- (b) There are various schemes in the Ministry under which NGOs can collaborate for the conservation of environment and spread awareness in the country.  The major details of different schemes are enclosed as Annexure-I.
- (c) and (d) : The details of grants released, Scheme-wise, to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from Darjeeling and Kalimpong District of West Bengal during the last three years are given at Annexure-II.

****

| Name of Scheme (CS/CSS/Esstt)                                         | Criteria being followed for awarding grant to NGOs for project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Research and Development (R&D) (Central Sector Scheme)                | The R&D Scheme aims at promotion of Research and Development in various facets of environment. The scheme supports by funding R&D projects in important thematic areas. The scheme is open to all institutions including NGOs in India with expertise in identified thematic areas to undertake projects on specific areas related to environmental conservation, protection and conservation of natural resources in the country. The scheme provides support to institutes and organisations working in these thematic areas for undertaking research and build capacity of trained researchers across the country.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Development of wild life habitats (DWLH) (Centrally Sponsored Scheme) | Wildlife Division of the Ministry has been encouraging Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working towards the common goal of 'Protections and conservation of Wildlife' under the budget head 'Grants-in-Aid' under the scheme 'Development of Wildlife Habitats'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Project Elephant (Centrally Sponsored Scheme)                         | Project Elephant (PE) was launched by the Government of India in the year 1991-92 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the following objectives to protect elephants, their habitat and corridors, to address issues of man- elephant conflict and welfare of captive elephants in the country. The Central Government provides financial assistance to the States for undertaking the activities under the scheme.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Environment Information System (ENVIS) (Central Sector Scheme)        | Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Scheme, serves as a single-stop web-enabled repository of comprehensive environmental information with collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination through a nationwide network of ENVIS Hubs-hosted by the Environment/ Forest Department of State Governments/ UT Administrations) and ENVIS Resource Partners (RPs)- hosted by environment related organizations/ institutes of professional excellence including NGOs. ENVIS regularly brings out value-added information products relating to Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Climate Change which include theme based newsletters, special publications, e-newsletters, thematic bulletins, technical reports, mobile apps etc. Various online programmes such as Webinars, Green Pledge, Slogan Writing, Environment Quiz, Debate Competition, Film Shows on Environment Conservation, etc., are organized by ENVIS Hubs and RPs as part of celebration of important events/days viz. World Ozone Day, World Wetland Day, World Forest Day, International Day for Biological Diversity, etc. |
| AICOPTAX (Research programme of BSI/ZSI)                              | The Ministry is providing financial assistantce to the Universities, reputed institutions including NGOs, professional organisations and other scientific and technical institutions for taxonomic research in the field of Animal, Microbes and Plant Taxonomy under All India Co-ordinated Project on Capacity Building in Taxonomy (AICOPTAX).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

| Hazardous Substances Management Division (Central Sector Scheme)                                                       | The Central Sector Scheme 'Creation of Management Structure of Hazardous Substances' provides financial assistance to NGOs to undertake awareness programmes with various stakeholders for implementation of various wastes and chemicals management rules.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Forestry Training and Capacity Building (Central Sector Scheme)                                                        | Funds are released under Central Sector Scheme on 'Forestry Training and Capacity Building' and various trainings have been organized through reputed NGOs. The basic aim of the in-service training courses is to upgrade the managerial skills of the officers in changing socio-economic scenario of the country as also to expose them to the recent developments in the field of forestry and allied subjects to enable them to handle their present duties and future needs better.                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| National Mission of Himalyan Study Scheme (Central Sector Scheme) Integrated Eco Development Research Programme (IERP) | NMHS - A Central Sector Grant-in-aid scheme, was launched in 2015-16 with a vision to support the sustenance and enhancement of the ecological, natural, cultural and socio-economic capital assets and values of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The jurisdiction of NMHS covers all 11 States and Union Territories. The Mission provides Grants-in-aid to various organisations viz. academic and research institutions, universities, government agencies, state government, community business organisations including NGOs under its demand driven action research component. IERP - Under IERP, NGOs are funded for R&D work towards environmental conservation in the IHR. |

Annexure-II

| Name of Scheme (CS/CSS/Esstt)                         | Name of the NGO                                                                                                | Name of project                                                         | Funds released   | Funds released   | Funds released   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
|                                                       |                                                                                                                |                                                                         | 2018-19          | 2019-20          | 2020-21          |
| Integrated Eco- development Research Programme (IERP) | Darjeeling Society of Education Research and Development, 3-B, Kutchery Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal - 734101 | Conservation and management of biodiversity for the Darjeeling Himalaya | Rs.03,18,908/-   | --               | --               |