Environment

ECO-DEVELOPMENT FORCES SCHEME (EDF)

EDF Scheme was established in the 1980s as a scheme implemented through Ministry of Defence for ecological restoration of terrains.
Under this scheme, the establishment and operational expenditure on the Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions raised by Ministry of Defence is reimbursed by Ministry of Environment and Forests while the inputs like sapling, fencing, etc.
In ETF battalions, the Ministry of Defence deploys its ex-servicemen, preferably from within the area of operation.
Some of the ETF battalions have undertaken successful eco-restoration of highly degraded sites, for example the limestone mining areas in the Mussoorie Hills.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is classified as a ‘Scientific Ministry‘. Since its inception in 1985, the Ministry is funding research through grants-in-aid projects.
The Ministry has taken a number of new initiatives to strengthen scientific research in the area of environmental science. Some of these include institution of National Environmental Sciences Fellows Programme, Mahatma Gandhi Chair in Ecology and Environment

NATIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NNRMS)

The Scheme of NNRMS of the Ministry is a part of an umbrella scheme of the Planning Commission – Planning Committee – National Natural Resources Management System (PCNNRMS) and is in operation since 1985.
The main objective is utilization of remote sensing technology for inventorization, assessment and monitoring of country’s natural resources.

G.B. PANT INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT (GBPIHED)

GBPIHED was established in August 1988 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, for environmental conservation in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
The Institute executes its mandate through its headquarters located at Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand), and 4 regional units located at Mohal-Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Srinagar-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Pangthang (Sikkim) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh).
The Institute designs and implements R&D activities on priority environmental problems; develops and demonstrates best practices.

FORESTRY RESEARCH AND TRAINING

Research and Training Division (RT) is a nodal division for 2 major central sector plan schemes namely “Grants-in-Aid to Forestry & Wildlife Sector” and “Capacity Building in Forestry Sector”.
This Division looks after the administrative, financial and other matters of four research and training institutions,

The RT Division is also implementing externally aided project on “Capacity Development for Forest Management & Training of Personnel (IDP-199)” aimed to improve training of frontline forestry force.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND TRAINING

The ‘Environmental Education, Awareness and Training’ is a ﬂagship scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC) launched in 1983-84 for enhancing the understanding of people about relationship between human beings and environment and to develop capabilities to improve and protect the environment.
In order to achieve the overall objectives of the Scheme, the Ministry has been implementing various programmes. Some of the major programmes include:
National Green Corps (NGC) programme,
National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) Programme,
National Nature Camping Programme (NNCP),
Mass Media, Seminar / Symposia / Conference / Workshops etc.
Wildlife education and training is primarily looked after by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun; an autonomous institute of the Ministry for imparting training to government and non-governmental personnel to carry out research and training activities and advice on matters of conservation and management of wildlife resources.
Ministry launched the scheme – Centres of Excellence in 1983 to promote institutions in priority areas of environmental sciences and management.
10 Centres of Excellence have so far been established in different areas: