The Ministry of
Environment & Forests is the nodal agency in the administrative
structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion,
co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental
and forestry programmes. The Ministry is also the Nodal agency in
the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The principal activities undertaken by Ministry of Environment
& Forests, consist of conservation & survey of flora, fauna,
forests and Wildlife, prevention & control of pollution, afforestation
& regeneration of degraded areas and protection of environment,
in the frame work of legislations. It looks at regeneration of degraded
areas; protection of environment in order to promote sustainable
development; and ensuring the welfare of animals.
It also extends support to various voluntary agencies, NGOs, universities
and research institutions for environmental research, eco-development,
conservation, environmental education and awareness, dissemination
of environmental information and welfare of animals. The ministry
supports the research initiatives in the areas of environmental
sciences and technology to mitigate problems arising from degradation
of environment,
The main tools utilized for this include surveys, impact assessment,
control of pollution, regeneration programmes, support to organizations,
research to solve solutions and training to augment the requisite
manpower, collection and dissemination of environmental information
and creation of environmental awareness among all sectors of the
country's population.
The organizational structure of the Ministry covers number of
Divisions, Directorate, Board, Subordinate Offices, Autonomous Institutions,
and Public Sector Undertakings.
To promote environmental awareness and practice what it preaches,
the ministry, housed at Paryavaran Bhawan, accords the highest priority
to the protection of the environment and conservation of resources
in our premises. In this endeavour they are committed to maintaining
cleanliness at the workplace and optimising utilisation of resources
including water, energy and stationery. The ministry also complies
with all the applicable laws and works towards minimising waste,
including solid and liquid wastes.
MoEF has also been working actively with various educational bodies
such as the University Grants Commission, National Council of Education
Research and Training and the Ministry of Human Resource Development
for introducing and expanding environmental concepts, themes, issues,
etc. in the curricula of schools and colleges.
It has always encouraged and supported individual and institutional
efforts to further ecological awareness among masses. One among
many such initiatives was to sponsor the film festival "VATAVARAN
– 2002" by the CMS in April 2002. This support sought
to encourage individual efforts in producing films/documentaries
on environment/wildlife related themes. The MoEF has been supporting
and endorsing CMS VATAVARAN since its inception in 2002.
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