'Government will bring out a new Performance-Based Rating of NGOs working on Environment': Environment Minister

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, has said that the Government will bring out a new performance-based rating of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) working in the field of environment, to encourage the NGOs. The Minister said that NGOs are a bridge between the government and the people. Releasing the 10th edition of the Directory of Environmental NGOs in India - 2015 here today, Shri Javadekar said that NGOs create local resources, but work for the people. The Minister called for a need to add new features for the next edition, to make it even more useful, comprehensive and user-friendly. The Directory, now in its 10th edition, contains a list of about 2300 NGOs in all the States and Union Territories working towards environmental protection, conservation and awareness.

The Directory has been compiled by Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre, WWF-India on behalf of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The database covers all relevant and useful information catalogued under various appropriate heads including minute details like the total strength of the permanent as well as part-time staff, number of members and geographical coverage in addition to the general information comprising the Name, Address, Status (registered/ Non-registered, Trust/ Society/ Group), and the commencement of activities.

The main concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being. Community-based organisations, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's) play an important role in supplementing the efforts of the Government in achieving all-round environment protection and sustainable development.

An NGO Cell has been set up in the Ministry to handle various matters relating to NGO's work in diverse fields of environment. The basic functions of the Cell are:

- Collection and dissemination of information to various NGOs.

- Liaison with the NITI Aayog and other Government Ministries to create a database of various NGO's, working in the field of environment and associated areas.

The Directory will find good use with government agencies, voluntary groups, libraries, researchers, aid agencies, the media and educational institutions.

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