What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.

Q15. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (250 Words)

Approach:

Introduction – Define environmental pressure groups and their importance in democracy.
Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation – Role in Project Tiger, eco-sensitive zones, recent NGO efforts (snow leopard, elephant corridors).
Protecting Forests & Indigenous Rights – Advocacy in Niyamgiri Hills, Hasdeo Arand, Great Nicobar; link with Forest Rights Act.
Urban Environmental Movements – Delhi CNG conversion, Save Aarey protests, anti-smog campaigns, river cleaning.
Challenges Faced – Lack of funds, state apathy, legal hurdles, corporatisation, weak enforcement.
Conclusion – Emphasise their role as watchdogs of democracy and essential partners in sustainable development.

Model Answer

Environmental pressure groups are organized non-governmental associations or movements that seek to influence public opinion, corporate practices, and government policies in favor of environmental protection. In India, they act as watchdogs of environmental democracy, complementing constitutional provisions like Article 48A (State duty to protect environment) and Article 51A(g) (citizen duty to safeguard nature).

Types of Environmental NGOs in India

Advocacy and Policy NGOs: Influence laws, policies, and international negotiations.

Eg: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)

Grassroots/Community-based NGOs: Work with local communities for conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Eg: Tarun Bharat Sangh (Rajasthan); Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP).

Conservation-focused NGOs: Wildlife protection, biodiversity research, habitat restoration.

Eg: Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS); Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

Awareness, Education & Campaign NGOs: Spread awareness, train youth, run campaigns.

Eg: Kalpavriksh (Pune).

Corporate-linked/Professional NGOs: Partner with industries on CSR, sustainability, and clean energy.

Eg: TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute.

International Environmental NGOs: Global organizations operating in India, combining research, advocacy, and campaigns with international networking.

- Eg: Greenpeace International (via Greenpeace India).

Role of Environmental Pressure Groups in India

Raising Awareness

Grassroots Mobilisation:

- Appiko Movement (1980s, Karnataka) → spread awareness on forest conservation in the Western Ghats.
Research & Reports:
- Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reports like State of India’s Environment educated citizens on air/water pollution, waste management.
Media & Social Media Campaigns:
- Fridays for Future India mobilises youth climate activism.
- River-cleanup campaigns like Save Yamuna Movement.

Influencing Policies and Legislation

Law-Making:
- Chipko movement → directly influenced the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
- Narmada Bachao Andolan → shaped debate on large dams, rehabilitation, and environment-clearance policies.
Judicial Interventions:
- M.C. Mehta’s PILs → landmark cases on Ganga pollution, Delhi air pollution, vehicular emission norms.
- It led to judicial doctrines like Polluter Pays, Precautionary Principle, and recognition of Right to Healthy Environment under Article 21.
Policy Advocacy:
- TERI inputs in drafting India’s renewable energy strategies and climate negotiations.
- WWF-India contributes to biodiversity conservation and wildlife law reforms.

Advocacy for Environmental Protection

Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation: NGOs and wildlife activists successfully advocated for Project Tiger (1973) and expansion of protected areas.
Protecting Forests and Indigenous Rights:
- Campaign against Vedanta’s bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills (Odisha) protected tribal livelihoods and sacred ecology.
- Hasdeo Arand, Chhattisgarh→ Tribals and activists campaigned against coal mining in dense forests, which are critical elephant habitats. Protests forced the government to halt new coal block allocations in the region.
Urban Movements:
- Save Aarey Movement, Mumbai (2019–2023) → Citizen groups and NGOs protested against cutting 2,000+ trees for a metro car shed.

Challenges Faced by Environmental Pressure Groups

Political and State Resistance: Activism often labelled as “anti-development” or foreign influenced.

Legal & Funding Restrictions: Strict FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) norms limit foreign funding.
- Strict FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) norms limit foreign funding.
Balancing Environment and Development: Governments push for infrastructure, mining, and energy projects in the name of growth.
- Eg: Debates on Char Dham Highway Project, Hydroelectric dams in Himalayas.
Fragmented and Localised Movements: Many campaigns remain issue-specific and fail to create sustained nationwide impact.
Public Apathy and Urban Disconnect: Urban middle-class often indifferent unless directly affected (Delhi smog protests vs. silence on rural deforestation).
Corporate Influence & Greenwashing: Large corporations co-opt environmental narratives through CSR and “green campaigns” while continuing harmful practices.

Environmental pressure groups in India have been instrumental in shaping ecological consciousness, laws, and judicial principles. Despite resource and political constraints, they remain crucial in balancing development with sustainability, ensuring state and corporate accountability, and aligning India’s growth with climate commitments (Paris Agreement, SDGs).