The role of national government is critical for control of environmental pollution control, conservation and improvement of environment for promoting sustainable development. To address the diverse environmental issues a number of environment related institutions and organization have been set up at international, national level by United Nations, national governments and civil society. An environmental organization is an organization seeks to protect, analyze or monitor the environment against misuse or degradation or lobby for these goals. Environmental organization may be a government organization, a non government organization, a charity or trust. Environmental organizations can be global, national, or local.

MOEF

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government, for planning, promoting, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes in the country. The main activities undertaken by the ministry include conservation and survey of the flora and fauna of India, forests and other wilderness areas; prevention and control of pollution; afforestation and reducing land degradation. It is responsible for the administration of the national parks of India. The main tools utilized for this include surveys, environmental impact assessment, control of pollution, regeneration programmes, support to organizations, research to find 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 Ministry is also the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Botanical Survey of India

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) this is the apex research organization under the MOEF for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country. BSI was established on 13th February, 1890 with the basic objective to explore the plant resources of the country and to identify the plants species with economic virtues. Sir George King, the then Superintendent of the 'Royal Botanic Garden' Calcutta was appointed as First ex•officio Honorary Director of the BSI. After independence, the department was reorganized in 1954 by Government of India as a part of scientific development of the country. Its functional base was further expanded to include various new areas. There are two important units of BSI viz. Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah and Central National Herbarium, Howrah.

Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah

Indian Botanic Garden was established in 1787 by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyd.lts 273 acres unique landscape design was initiated by Sir George King in 1872. It is considered to be one of the best in the botanic gardens of the world with undulated land surfaces, artificial lakes and moats interconnected with underground pipes receiving water from the river Hooghly. It was known as Rost India Company's Garden or the Company Hagan' or Calcutta Garden and later as the Royal Botanic Garden which after independence was renamed as the 'INDIAN Botanic GARDEN' in 1950.1t came under the management of the Botanical Survey of India on January 1, 1963. Central National Herbarium, Howrah CNN is one of the oldest and one of the largest herbaria in the world was established in 1795 by Dr. William Rexburg. Dr. N. Wallach (1815 - 1846), the successor of William Rexburg developed this herbarium to a great extent.

Forest Survey of India

 The Forest Survey of India is located at Defraud and its four zonal offices are located at Sheila, Kolkata, Nagpur and Bangalore.  Precursor to the FSI was "Pre-investment Survey of Forest Resource? (PISFR). The PISFR project was initiated in 1965 by the Government of India with the sponsorship of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  On June 1, 1981, PISFR was reorganized and thus was established the Forest Survey of India. The Government redefined the mandate of FSI in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country.  The FSI assesses the forest cover of the country through Remote Sensing technology, analyze the changes and prepare State of Forest Report. The state of Forest Report is published biennially. It conducts inventory in forests and no forest areas at national level and develop database on wood volume and also estimates tree cover. Forest Survey of India has been bringing out 'State of Forest Reports' since 1987 based on interpretation of satellite images. Last such report was the India State of Forest Report 2011, 12th in the series.

ANIFPDCL

 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Ltd. was set up in 1977 for development and managing forestry plantations on the Islands. It has a forestry project, a Red Oil Palm project and a Katchal Rubber Project in operation. It is a loss making enterprise because the forest logging business was curtailed down by the Supreme Court.

 Central Zoo Authority

 In India, the Zoos are regulated as per the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and arc guided by the National Zoo Policy, 1998. The Wild Life Protection Act was amended in 1991 and via this amendment; the Central Zoo Authority was established. So Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body whose main objective was to enforce minimum standards and norms for upkeep and health care of animals in India zoos and restrain mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived zoos that were cropping up in the country as adjuncts to public parks, industrial complexes and way sides. Central Zoo Authority is headed by Minister of State for Environment & Forests (Forests & Wildlife), Government of India. The authority has the following functions: • Recognition of the Zoos. • Evaluation of the Zoos. • Coordination in the planned conservation breeding programme for endangered species in Indian zoos. Approval of the exchange proposals of animals between Indian zoos and between Indian and foreign zoos. Preparing and maintaining the studbooks Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

Wildlife Institute of India

WII was established in 1982, a premier training and research institution in the field of wildlife and protected area management in South Asia, is an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, with a 49 member 'Nil Society as the apex body. The Society is chaired by the Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Government of India. The Institute conducts various research projects, academic and training programmes.

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) was established in August 1988 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, as an autonomous Institute, with a mandate of achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Apart from the headquarters at Kosi-Katarmal, Atmore (Uttarakhand), it has four regional Units located at Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Srinagar-Garhwal Uttarakhand), Pangthang (Sikkim) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). This institute designs and implements R&D activities on priority environmental problems; develops and demonstrates best practices and delivers technology packages for improved livelihood options for the people of IHR.

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is an apex body in the national forestry research system. It undertakes the holistic promotion of forestry research through need based planning, promoting. Conducting and coordinating research, education and extension covering all aspects of forestry. Its objectives are:

• To undertake, aid, promote and coordinate forestry education, research and their applications.     
• To develop and maintain a national library and information centre for forestry and allied sciences.  To act as a clearinghouse for research and general information related to forests and wildlife. • To develop forestry extension programmes and propagate the same through mass media, audio-visual aids and extension machinery.

The ICFRE has eight Regional Research Institutes and four Research Centres located In different biogeographical regions of the country to cater the forestry research needs of the nation. The institutes are:

1.   Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun

2.   Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore

3.   Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore

4.   Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur

5.   Rain Forest Research Institute (MI), Jorhat

6.   Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur

7.   Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HAUL Shimla

8.   Institute of Forest Productivity , Ranchi

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS),

Mumbai: the BNHS began as a small society of six members in 1883. It grew from a group of shikaris and people from all walks of life into a major research organisation that substantially influenced conservation policy in the country. The influence on wildlife policy building, research, popular publications and peoples action have been unique features of the multifaceted society. Undoubtedly its major contribution has been in the field of wildlife research. It is India’s oldest conservation research based NGO and one that has acted at the forefront of the battle for species and ecosystems. The BNHS publishes a popular magazine called Hornbill and also an internationally well-known Journal on Natural History. Its other publications include the Salim Ali Handbook on birds, JC Daniel’s book of Indian Reptiles, SH Prater’s book of Indian Mammals and PV Boyle's book of Indian Trees. One of its greatest scientists was Dr. Salim Ali whose ornithological work on the birds of the Indian subcontinent is world famous. The BNHS has over the years helped Government to frame wildlife related laws and has taken up battles such as the ‘Save the Silent Valley’ campaign.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-I), New Delhi

The WWF-I was initiated in 1969 in Mumbai after which the headquarters were shifted to Delhi with several branch offices all over India. The early years focused attention on wildlife education and awareness. It runs several programs including the Nature Clubs of India program for school children and works as a think tank and lobby force for environment and development issues.

Center for Science and Environment (CSE),

New Delhi: Activities of this Center include organising campaigns, holding workshops and conferences, and producing environment related publications. It published a major document on the ‘State of India’s Environment’, the first of its kind to be produced as a Citizen’s Report on the Environment. The CSE also publishes a popular magazine, ‘Down to Earth’, which is a Science  and Environment fortnightly. It is involved in the publication of material in the form of books, posters, video films and also conducts workshops and seminars on biodiversity related issues.

CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras:

The CPR EEC was set up in 1988. It conducts a variety of programs to spread environmental awareness and creates an interest in conservation among the general public. It focussed attention on NGOs, teachers, women, youth and children to generally promote conservation of nature and natural resources. Its programs include components on wildlife and biodiversity issues. CPR EEC also produces a large number of publications.

Centre for Environment Education (CEE),Ahmedabad

The Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad was initiated in 1989. It has a wide range of programs on the environment and produces a variety of educational material. CEE’s Training in Environment Education {TEE} program has trained many environment educators.

Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research (BVIEER),Pune

This is part of the Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University. The Institute has a PhD, a Masters and Bachelors program in Environmental Sciences. It also offers an innovative Diploma in Environment Education for in-service teachers. It implements a large outreach programme that has covered over 135 schools in which it trains teachers and conducts fortnightly Environment Education Programs. Biodiversity Conservation is a major focus of its research initiatives. It develops low cost Interpretation Centres for Natural and Architectural sites that are highly locale specific as well as a large amount of innovative environment educational material for a variety of target groups. Its unique feature is that it conducts environment education from primary school level to the postgraduate level. The BVIEER has produced several EE aids. It has developed a teacher’s handbook linked to school curriculum, a textbook for UGC for its undergraduate course on environment. Its Director has developed a CD ROM on India’s biodiversity published by Mapin Publishers, Ahmedabad.

Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN), Almora

The Organisation is a Nodal Agency which supports NGOs in need of funds for their environment related activities. Its major program is organizing and training school teachers to use its locale specific Environment Education Workbook Program. The main targets are linked with sustainable resource use at the village level through training school children. Its environment education program covers about 500 schools.

Kalpavriksh, Pune

This NGO, initially Delhi based, is now working from Pune and is active in several other parts of India. Kalpavriksh works on a variety of fronts: education and awareness; investigation and research; direct action and lobbying; and litigation with regard to environment and development issues. Its activities include talks and audio-visuals in schools and colleges, nature walks and outstation camps, organising student participation in ongoing campaigns including street demonstrations, pushing for consumer awareness regarding organic food, press statements, handling green alerts, and meetings with the city’s administrators. It is involved with the preparation of site-specific, environmental manuals for schoolteachers. Kalpavriksh was responsible for developing India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2003.

Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore

This institution was Dr. Salim Ali’s dream that became a reality only after his demise. He wished to support a group of committed conservation scientists on a permanent basis. Initially conceived as being a wing of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) it later evolved as an independent organisation based at Coimbatore in 1990. It has instituted a variety of field programs that have added to the country’s information on our threatened biodiversity.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun

This Institution was established in 1982, as a major training establishment for Forest Officials and Research in Wildlife Management. Its most significant publication has been ‘Planning A Wildlife Protected Area Network for India’ (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988). The organization has over the years added an enormous amount of information on India’s biological wealth. It has trained a large number of Forest Department Officials and Staff as Wildlife Managers. Its M.Sc. Program has trained excellent wildlife scientists. It also has an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) cell. It trains personnel in ecodevelopment, wildlife biology, habitat management and Nature interpretation.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

The ZSI was established in 1916. Its mandate was to do a systematic survey of fauna in India. It has over the years collected ‘type specimens’ on the bases of which our animal life has been studied over the years. Its origins were collections based at the Indian Museum at Calcutta, which was established in 1875. Older collections of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which were made between 1814 and 1875, as well as those of the Indian Museum made between 1875 and 1916 were then transferred to the ZSI. Today it has over a million specimens! This makes it one of the largest collections in Asia. It has done an enormous amount of work on taxonomy and ecology. It currently operates from 16 regional centers.

Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL)

The IBWL is the apex advisory body in the field of Wildlife Conservation in the country and is headed by the Honorable Prime Minister of India. The IBWL has been reconstituted in 2001.