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World Environment Day 2024 is all about land restoration, desertification and drought resilience in a changing climate. The ongoing heatwave in parts of north India will become more common and more intense as the climate crisis picks up steam in the 21st century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
If you feel despair, eco-anxiety and grief about the planet’s ecology and biodiversity, you are not alone. The best way to combat climate doomism is to take action for a future which is not set in stone. Collective action is the way forward to keep temperatures within 1.5°C-2°C.
Here are a few organisations in five metropolitan Indian cities where you can make a difference by volunteering, working or donating your time and money.
The ESG works to bring environmental and social justice into decision-making at a local and state level through research, documentation, advocacy, training and campaign initiatives. They work with local communities and champion the more-than-human world to develop Bengaluru into a climate-resilient and liveable city for all. They have launched a range of successful Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and host regular webinars, workshops and conferences on environmental issues.
With the goal of sensitising people towards the importance of environmental conservation, SayTrees organises tree plantations and water conservation projects in various Indian cities alongside research and educational initiatives. In Bengaluru, they are fighting back against desertification by creating urban and rural forests, improving farmer livelihoods by encouraging them to plant fruit trees, rejuvenating lakes and water bodies, and bringing electricity to villages at night through their solar lamps project.
The Bengaluru chapter of United Way Worldwide focuses on a range of issues such as improving the health outcomes of the most vulnerable people in our society. However, they work on improving the living world by organising clean drives, conservation programs and awareness campaigns for clean air, pollutant-free water and non-toxic surroundings.
The name means “beginnings” in the Tamil language. This organisation works on revitalising urban forestry through the Miyawaki method, reducing bad air by planting native trees, giving public buildings a new lease on life by creating artworks on them to spread positivity and mitigate their deterioration, and cultivating herbal gardens in government schools, corporate buildings and communities for people to take care of.
This wildlife conservation and habitat restoration group runs a range of projects across Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, with a focus on scientifically reviving and ecologically restoring freshwater lakes and ponds. “Samudra” is an initiative where volunteers and city administrations clean and maintain beaches in Chennai, Nagapattinam, Puducherry and Kanniyakumari. Among their success stories are reviving 75 water bodies in Chennai, and clearing trash and invasive weeds from Selvachintamani Kulam and Vandikaranur Pond in Coimbatore.
Nizhal promotes urban greening efforts with a focus on indigenous tree species and the regeneration of local biodiversity. They also conserve and restore water bodies by building green corridors linking them. They conduct tree surveys, tree walks, advocacy campaigns, and awareness sessions for schools, colleges and the citizenry.
Founded in 1991, NEWS conserves wildlife, ecology and natural resources while simultaneously generating sustainable livelihoods. They conduct scientific research, knowledge dissemination, community engagement and policy advocacy with community participation. They have protected and planted mangroves in the Sunderbans, conducted a census of Asian water birds in the east Kolkata wetlands, and helped women of the Sunderbans to improve their financial standing through capacity-building programs.
The Human and Environment Alliance League (HEAL) was started by young professionals to use scientific research, community engagement, and wildlife and environmental crime investigations in pursuit of environmental justice. They liaise with enforcement agencies and policymakers in a bid to balance human activities and the preservation of ecosystems. They have launched PILs against illegal encroachment of the Dankuni Wetlands and moved the courts to intervene against the illegal cultivation of makhana in the Bilkurul Beel. They are engaged in efforts to protect the habitat of the fishing cat through conservation surveillance and community involvement.
With the goal of sustainable development in mind, Bonyo is involved in education, research, and awareness programs on the conservation of ecosystems, the effects of climate breakdown, and the protection of endangered species. By holding plantation drives; minimising human-wildlife conflict and combating the illegal wildlife trade by generating alternate sources of livelihood; and assisting in the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of animals and birds in plight, Bonyo helps those most vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate live better lives.
Bringing together Mumbaikers from all walks of life, the ACG is committed to protecting, enriching and promoting the Aarey Forest in Sanjay Gandhi National Park as a natural green recreation zone for its indigenous inhabitants and the people of the city. They have extended their reach to promoting and preserving the beaches, roadside trees, parks and mangroves of Mumbai, too.
This NGO works to protect forests, mangroves, wetlands, wildlife habitats and coastal belts. They promote environmental education in both urban and rural schools and conduct scientific investigations into local environmental degradation issues. They have launched many PILs to allow for transparency in governmental decision-making processes.
This organisation focuses on four areas: securing the land rights of 1 million marginalised tribal and forest-dwelling communities through engagement, capacity building, leadership, and data collection; working with local and state governments to expand the network of air quality monitoring stations in cities to develop city-specific air pollution control strategies; campaigning for Mumbai’s wetlands; and championing awareness about clean transportation options so that moving within the city is more sustainable, accessible and inclusive for its residents.
Chintan uses waste as a tool to fight poverty, child labour, gender-based violence and climate breakdown, all while striving to create green livelihoods. They work with waste pickers and their communities to stop children from working in this hazardous industry; train individuals, communities and institutions to reduce consumption and waste by segregating, recycling and composting; and conduct scientific research to inform the public and advocate the government for making changes.
The Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) aims to build the resilience of people exposed to disasters and climate breakdown impacts. Since 1994, they have worked on practical solutions for disaster readiness, response and rehabilitation by combining innovative technology and traditional wisdom. Through their work, disaster survivors have had schools, homes and community infrastructure restored and upgraded.
An offshoot of Clean Air Asia, YCAN focuses upon improving the air quality of Indian cities through youth-driven programs. YCAN volunteers, who are between 15-32 years old, participate in conducting awareness campaigns towards clean air in different Indian cities; collect pictures under the “Stories on Air” online campaign; hold monthly meetings; interact with local administrators, politicians and decision-makers to initiate citywide activities; participate in hackathons and events where they come up with new technologies to reduce air pollution; and promote the use of green technology which doesn’t harm the living world and improves the lives of citizens.
