Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre World Wide Fund for Nature-India New Delhi ENVIS Centre-07 NGOs, Parliament & Media Annual Progress Report (1 st April 2006 31 st March 2007) Submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of India
Progress Report (1 st April, 2006 to 31 st March, 2007) The ENVIS Centre-07 of the Ministry of Environment and Forests was established in WWF-India on 27 th October, 1984. The Centre was assigned the responsibility for being the focal point for information on the following aspects: NGOs and the Environment Parliament and the Environment Media and the Environment Since its inception, the Centre has been very active and has come to be recognized by a variety of end-users, such as the NGOs, administrators, specialized agencies, researchers, students, and media professionals, both within the country and overseas as a reliable and responsive source of information on the above subjects in India. During the period, 2006-07, the ENVIS Centre continued its regular activities relating to the Centre s focus areas on "NGOs, Media and Parliament Matters Related to Environment." The major highlight of the Centre s achievements during this year was the publication of the parliamentary reports Environment in the Indian Parliament: An Analysis Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha 2005 covering the Budget, Monsoon and Winter Sessions. The Centre also initiated efforts to develop the database on the various NGOs working in the field of environment and its associated areas throughout the country for the publication of the Directory of Environmental NGOs in India. In addition, it regularly published its quarterly newsletter and Environment in the Print Media: An Analysis report with the objective of keeping various readers updated with the Centre s major activities and the important highlights pertaining to environment. The Centre has been regularly collecting, compiling and maintaining the most up-to-date and authentic database on Environmental NGOs, Parliament and Media. The entire data is selectively updated in the comprehensive interactive website for online coordination with all its network partners as well as dissemination of information to the users. During the year, the Centre responded to a total number of 3460 written queries and provided substantive information to its users. The major subject-areas on which the queries were made pertained to Environmental Education, NGOs and Media, Environment and Forest Trade Issue, Environmental Conservation, Forest Conservation, EIA, Forest Conservation, Freshwater and Marine Conservation, Water Management and Wildlife Management. In addition, the Centre responded to a large number of queries on telephone, e-mail, and through personal contacts (during the visits of users to the Centre) during this period. Other routine activities that were carried out simultaneously included updating the Centre website, news entry, secondary data collection for news, articles, awards and publications. New steps to be taken in the following months include the revamping/modification of MIS software ENVIS website and Global Search Network for Parliamentary Issues 2
The activities undertaken during the period of report with regard to the Centre s focus areas are summarized below. NGOs and the Environment The ENVIS Centre has been undertaking several important activities in its focus areas and the following progress has been made: Work has been started on the updating and modifying of the directory of NGOs for the scheduled publication of the Ninth Edition of Environmental NGOs in India A Directory 2007. The previous editions of Directory of Environmental NGOs in India prepared by the Centre received appreciation for providing facilitation in the field of environment and its conservation. In view of the increasing demand and utility factors, it has become necessary to update its content with reliable and the latest information. The Centre had adopted a methodology, in consultation with relevant authorities in the MoEF as well as other partners such as WWF-India state offices and RRAs etc. for the collection of information for the Directory. As a result, there has been a marked difference in the quantity and quality of information that has been received from the NGOs across the country. In response to the questionnaires and reminders dispatched to NGOs already listed in the previous edition as well as new NGOs during the period, December 2006 and March 2007, the Centre has received a large amount of information from NGOs from all parts of the country. A significant amount of information has been provided by NGOs with many of them furnishing copies of supporting documents to attest to their authenticity. The proposed directory is an expansion and updation of the Eighth edition (of 2004). Compared to the Centre s last endeavor, the 2007 Edition would incorporate: a larger number of NGOs working in the field of environment provide more useful and detailed information by giving NGO profile, activities carried out during 2004-07, activities proposed as well as major publications This updated information will prove to be valuable for the Ministry and other funding agencies in accessing the most recent information about grassroots groups and their activities. Importance of the NGO Directory 2007, (Ninth Edition) This directory can be used in ensuring the participation of underrepresented NGOs involved in serious work in the field of conservation and environmental management in planning summits, conferences and workshops. It can serve as a useful organizing tool for groups to organize themselves by region, by issue areas or by some other alignment. This directory can be utilized as a planning, organizing, networking and community empowerment tool. Enhance the communication among the NGOs themselves, communication between NGOs and other related professional institutions, between the NGOs and Governmental institutions and communication between NGOs and the general public. 3
All the above outcomes would be accessed through a print version. Methodology: a Model WWF-India Branch offices By Post/E-mail Correspondence with NGOs Sending of questionnaire for updation of data RRAs ENVIS Centres MoEF Divisions Waiting for reply Updation of received data By Telephone/Fax By Post/E-mail Sending the 1 st reminder to those from whom no information has been received Waiting for reply By Telephone/Fax By Post/E-mail Sending the 2 nd reminder to those from whom no information has been received Waiting for reply Final collection of replies Data Verification/Proof-reading etc Draft report preparation Submission to MoEF for approval Yes Final Document Printing/Online 4
The Directory of Environmental NGOs in India 9 th Edition 2007 The Directory is essential to facilitate the dissemination of crucial information about the non-governmental organizations working in the field of environmental conservation. It will prove to be of great value to all users, in particular, those seeking authentic and reliable information about the various groups engaged in environmental conservation, the necessary information about which would otherwise be difficult to easily access. The ultimate goal of the project is to contribute to enhancing the efficient and effective implementation of the country s environmental protection programmes at all levels. As per the list of NGOs provided by the concerned divisions of the MoEF, RRAs, WWFstate offices and selected ENVIS Centres, the Centre has been able to collect more information from a larger number of NGOs from all parts of the country. The other areas that have been carried out under the Centre s activities are as follows: Dissemination of selective material to support environmental NGOs campaigns Information support in response to requests on the following: Project promotion Subject expertise Contact with other NGOs Training programmes Updating the database on Environmental NGOs In addition to the NGO networking activity by the centre through the 'query-answer service' the centre is also closely involved with NGO support programmes initiated by WWF-India. The WWF-India programmes include: Tiger & Wildlife Conservation Programme Forests & Biodiversity Conservation Freshwater & Wetlands Conservation Education & Awareness Climate Change & Energy Programme Oceans and Coasts Conservation & Monitoring Environmental Law Toxics Programme 5
Collection and verification of data on new NGOs using WWF-India branch units and other established NGOs in different regions. Providing support to the Centre for Environmental Law and the NGOs for legal intervention. Revised criteria for the selection of environmental NGOs. Parliament and the Environment The Centre has a continuing programme of monitoring parliamentary deliberations to extract and disseminate information relevant to environmental management. A significant amount of environment-related information is transacted by both Houses of Parliament in response to queries and call attention notices raised by Members. Such information relates largely to developmental activities with environmental implications, hazards that the natural environment is vulnerable to, other relevant programmes, legislations, policies etc. The most recent publication of the information on Parliamentary discussions on Environment for the year 2005 was brought out in 2006. These 6 volumes include the questions/answers and statements extracted verbatim from the discussions in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during 2005 as well as important analysis of the discussions. Following the good feedback received for the project last year, the centre has continued similar work for the parliamentary discussions of 2006 and has enhanced the analytical section as well. 6
The collection, compilation and dissemination of environment-related information in the Parliament is one of the mandated tasks of the ENVIS Centre. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has given us the permission to access the records in the Parliament for the purpose of compiling information as per the responsibility assigned to us. Any query for Parliamentary discussions on environment-related information is re-routed by the Ministry to the ENVIS Centre and therefore, the maintenance of complete database on behalf of the Ministry is of critical importance. In view of the rapid strides in the country s Information Technology sector and the perceived necessity to provide information on the environment that is both easily and quickly available, the ENVIS Centre in WWF-India proposes to develop a web portal exclusively on Parliament and Environment. As mentioned above, the Centre currently has a website which highlights features on the assigned focal areas NGOs, Parliament & Media. With the continuing increase in the Centre s database on Parliamentary deliberations on environment, the proposed advanced web portal would be structured according to the needs of the Ministry s importance on the role of Parliament for Environment. The key features of the proposed web portal are given below: Would enable us to maintain an online record of the latest information on Parliament in the field of Environment through the (a) creation of a Parliament questions database with query parameters like Question No., House, Date, State, Subject, Party, Key Words etc. (b) and creation of a database of replies to Parliament questions and regular updation soon after the answers are given in the Parliament Would help us in the updating of the Parliamentary database with accurate data Would facilitate the constant monitoring and checking of the Parliamentary debates on different issues on Environment. The discussions are classified into 18 subject categories that have been prepared by the Centre in consultation with concerned officials in the MoEF. Would help us store the information as a back-up in separate files in case of disruption/corruption of existing software Would enable the development of an interface with different Government agencies in relation to the field of environment including the associated organizations of the MoEF (subordinate/regional/autonomous bodies etc.) Would help the common citizen access the data on different environmental issues Would save time and effort in addition to enhancing the quality of database Design of the Parliamentary Repository A comprehensive repository for Parliamentary Responses and related materials needs to be created in order to record, update and maintain the information pertaining to environment in the Parliament. To facilitate the search selections to the MoEF officials, throughout the processes, this repository needs to be designed with extensive search facilities. Given below is the search facility which can be provided from this repository. 7
Search Facility Search criteria for Parliamentary Repository Search by key word Submit Reset Matches on Exact word/phrase Any word (Or) All words(and) Search on Full text Title No. records per page: 50 Member Name Ministry Subject Area House Session-wise Party Name State Select Select Select Select Select Select Select Date From To Question No Session From To Question Type Any Type Sort By Ministry Answer date Member Name Question Type Question No Media and the Environment The Centre s activities on Media and the Environment included: Lending Support to media professionals and researchers by providing background information on current and emerging environmental issues. Monitoring environment related news and features appearing in print media. Support to other Divisions of WWF-India, particularly to the Communication Division for focusing public attention on topical environmental issues. Media clippings have been classified on subject basis into 18 different categories. Subject Agriculture Area of Coverage Biofertilizers, Crops Viability, Jhum Cultivation, Soil Fertility, R & D on Agriculture 8
Alternative Technologies Biosafety Climate Change and Meteorology Disaster Management Energy Studies Environment and Forest Trade Issue Environmental Conservation Environmental Education, NGOs and Media EIA Forest Conservation Freshwater and Marine Conservation Health and Sanitation Medicinal Plants Pollution Water Management Wildlife Management Miscellaneous Renewable Energy, R&D on Alternative Technologies, Application of GIS & Remote Sensing, Eco-friendly Techniques Gene Revolution, Genetically-Modified Foods and Impacts on Ecology Debates on Climate Change, Indicators like Glaciers, Temperatures etc, Clean Development Mechanism, Green House Effect, Other Climatic Phenomena Natural Calamities, Mitigative Measures, Man-Made Hazards and Safety Procedures, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Power, Transmission and Distribution Loss, Sustainable Energy Management Environmental Goods, Forest Certification, Eco-tourism, Sustainable Development Biodiversity, Environmental Policies and Law, Environment in the Indian Parliament Awareness Campaign on Environment, Media s Role, Non-formal Education, Funding Schemes, NEAC Impacts of the Industries Categorized under the EIA Notification and Other Industries like Tourism with Similar Impacts, Eco-Industries & Cities Forest Fragmentation, Clearances, Timber Smuggling, Forest Policies and Law, Social and Agro-forestry, Tribal Rights, Projects and Funds Riparian Ecology, Reservoirs, Ocean Ecology Community Health, Disease Control and Eradication, Occupational Hazards Ethno-Botany, Indigenous Knowledge Chemical Waste, Pollution cause and abatement, Solid-Waste Management, Waste Utilisation Interlinking of Rivers, Rainwater Harvesting, Watershed Management Poaching, Diplomatic Trade on Wildlife, CITES, TRAFFIC, Condition of Animals in Zoos, Circuses International Conventions like WTO, Intellectual Property Rights/Patents etc. During the 2 nd National Workshop of all the ENVIS Centres held at Shimla during 12 th -14 th October, 2006, it was indicated that the Centre would have to discontinue its activities related to publication of Media analysis report as the ENVIS Centre, Centre for Media Studies is already working in this particular field. The ENVIS Centre, WWF-India, however, has been maintaining and documenting the database in this regard since its inception in 1984. This activity continues to be relevant for the Centre s subject areas (1) Parliament and the Environment; (2) and NGOs and the Environment, as the information provided in the print media helps in tracking the new initiatives of government as reported by the media as well as providing current information of issues and events that enhance the quality of the Centre s tracking activities of NGOs in particular. In addition, the news reports serve as an important source of reference for the ENVIS Centre s quarterly newsletter. Environment in the Print Media: An Analysis Quarterly basis This report primarily focuses on the major environment related news that highlights various prominent issues and helps generate environmental concerns and awareness among the general public and experts working in this field. It also brings to notice the activities of various NGOs working in the field of environment, both at the national and international level. It accentuates the need and the role the print media plays to create awareness by disseminating information on environment and its 9
protection. This analysis report prepared by ENVIS Centre-07 was compiled in an electronic format on a quarterly basis. The subject-wise preparation of trends of media report during 2006-7 has been completed and final summary is being prepared and will be completed by the end of June 2007. Apart from the above, the ENVIS Center continues to work in the following areas: Collection, monitoring, classification of environment-related news and feature items in the print media. Dissemination of selective material relating to environmental issues in India. Maintaining a news clipping service to provide information on different subject areas of the environment to different target groups. Support to media professionals and researchers by providing background information on current and emerging environmental issues. Preparation of Newsletter Quarterly basis These quarterly newsletters contain information on significant news reports pertaining to environment and environmental NGOs and their activities, as documented during the period of 3 months. Also included in several of the newsletters during the past year are case studies as well as major events related to environment. Besides this information, the newsletters carry important articles and a section containing the selective graphical and statistical representation focusing on the following topics: Environmental NGOs in India Environment Trends in the Print Media Trends of the Environment-related questions and answers discussed in the Indian Parliament Website Status and Management The website is a complete package in itself providing users with all the important information generated and compiled in an organized format by the ENVIS Centre-07. It is being regularly updated and revamped. Database on NGOs, Parliament and Media is being designed and developed constantly to be uploaded in the ENVIS website. 10
The Website allows the intended users to accomplish their tasks and get the required information in the best way possible. It is interactive and can create a greater connectivity among various users (especially environment-related). Various environmental organizations and experts working in this field can also upload relevant information by directly logging onto our website, (www.wwfenvis.org) / (www.wwfenvis.nic.in) which is being constantly updated. ENVIS Centre Documentation The WWF-India Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad Library and the Documentation Centre form a specialised reference Library on Environment. The facilities offered include a reference library open to the general public, researchers, media persons etc. on all working days, and provision of photocopying facilities at a nominal charge as well as personal attention to the visitors. During the FY year 2006-2007, more than 1356 visitors availed of the library facilities. In addition, the library also handled queries from individuals and organisations in India and abroad, and from WWF-India staff. It has a limited exchange programme with other documentation centres in India and overseas. The holdings of the library are partially computerised offline/online also. Each record in the database contains complete information about a book, including accession number, class, title, author, an easy-to-use interface permits information to be quickly retrieved. Efforts are underway to make this database available for general reference by incorporating electronic networking system for the library. The library subscribes to 20 newspapers, 125 magazines, 130 journals and publications from the international WWF family. 650 new titles were added during 2005-2006, bringing the total book collection to over 12490. The new additions are included in the in-house publications every month for circulation to the Secretariat divisions. The details of the Library s documentation and reference sources are as follows: Books - 12490 Reference Books - 996 Periodical/Journals/Newsletters Subscribed - 65 Donated - 384 Newspapers - 20 Publications: - 650 Clippings from newspapers & magazines are meticulously culled out on relevant topics, which are classified and retained for reference purposes. A copy of the ENVIS Publications Published during the FY 2006-2007 11
The Centre brought out several publications during the year which are detailed below copies of which have been attached for reference. 1. ENVIS Newsletter Quarterly basis (4 newsletters) 2. Environment in the Indian Parliament: An Analysis 2005 (Session-wise) (6 Reports) Data collection and compilation of FY 2005-06 was completed in 2005 but print version was brought out for publication in 2006 and distributed as per the list provided by the MoEF. 3. Directory of Environmental NGOs in India 2007 under process 4. Environment in the Print Media: An Analysis (1 copy) 5. Environment in the Indian Parliament: An Analysis 2006 (Session-wise) (6 Reports) is being finalized and will be submitted within a month s time. 6. The trend of media reports prepared on subject wise basis for FY 2006-07 is also being finalized and will be made ready by end of June, 2007. Newspapers/ Journals Subscription The ENVIS Centre subscribes to a total of 70 newspapers and 20 journals/magazines and subscription to these would continue for the current year as well. The database of print media report is important to the Centre s activities such as providing necessary information for the quarterly newspaper as well as serving as a source of information to the queries received by the Centre from various user groups. The detailed report of queries received from within India and abroad is provided below including the tabular and graphical analysis in this regard. QUERIES RECEIVED: INDIA AND OVERSEAS (2006-2007) Type of Query Received India (%) Overseas (%) Project promotion 1673 48.35 0 0.00 WWF India Information Material 32 0.92 9 20.00 Contact with Others 9 0.26 8 17.78 Training Programme 37 1.07 5 11.11 Subject Query 1694 48.96 19 42.22 Subject Expert 2 0.06 4 8.89 Promotion of EPM 13 0.38 0 0.00 Total 3460 100.00 45 100.00 12
QUERIES RECEIVED: INDIA 2006-2007 No of Queries 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1673 Project promotion 32 9 37 WWF India Information Material Contact with Others Training Programme 1694 Subject Query Subject Expert 2 13 Promotion of EPM Type of Queries Received QUERIES RECEIVED: OVERSEAS 2006-2007 20 19 18 16 14 No of Queries 12 10 8 6 4 9 8 5 4 2 0 0 0 Project promotion WWF India Information Material Contact with Others Training Programme Subject Query Subject Expert Promotion of EPM Type of Queries Received 13
120.0 PERCENTAGE OF QUERIES RECEIVED : INDIA AND OVERSEAS 2006-2007 100.0 % of Queries 80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 Project promotion Contact with Others Subject Query Type of Queries Received Promotion of EPM Total % India % Overseas QUERIES RECEIVED FROM INDIA: (STATE and SUBJECT-WISE) DURING 2006-2007 Project Promotion Subject Expert Contact with Others Training Programme Subject Query WWF India Information Material Promotion of EPM Statewise Totals State Andaman & Nicobar Islands A&N Is 2 0 0 0 3 0 1 6 Andhra Pradesh AP 216 0 0 0 216 3 2 437 Arunachal Pradesh ArP 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 Assam AS 15 0 0 1 16 2 1 35 Bihar BH 75 0 0 1 76 3 0 155 Chandigarh CH 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 Delhi DEL 53 0 3 10 63 3 2 134 Goa GOA 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 Gujarat GUJ 44 0 0 4 44 2 0 94 Haryana HAR 43 0 0 0 43 0 0 86 Himachal Pradesh HP 21 0 0 0 23 1 0 45 Jammu & Kashmir JK 7 0 0 1 7 1 0 16 Karnataka KAR 65 1 1 3 65 0 1 136 Kerala KER 55 0 0 2 55 0 0 112 Madhya Pradesh MP 33 0 2 1 36 1 1 74 Maharashtra MAH 72 0 0 1 75 1 1 150 Manipur MAN 133 0 0 1 133 0 0 267 Meghalaya MEG 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 Mizoram MIZ 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 Nagaland NAG 18 0 0 0 18 0 0 36 Orissa ORI 112 0 0 3 110 4 0 229 Pondicherry PON 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 Punjab PUN 8 0 0 1 8 0 0 17 14
Rajasthan RAJ 79 0 1 1 79 0 0 160 Sikkim SIK 9 0 0 0 9 0 0 18 Tamil Nadu TN 226 1 0 2 226 9 1 465 Tripura TP 5 0 0 0 5 0 0 10 Uttar Pradesh UP 215 0 1 2 217 1 1 437 West Bengal WB 150 0 1 2 150 1 2 306 Subject-wise Total 1673 2 9 37 1694 32 13 3460 500 QUERIES RECEIVED FROM INDIA: STATE / SUBJECT-WISE 2006-2007 450 400 350 No. of Queries 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 A&N Is AP ArP AS BH CH DEL GOA GUJ HAR HP JK KAR KER MP MAH MAN MEG MIZ NAG ORI PON PUN RAJ SIK TN TP UP WB State / Union Territories Project Promotion Subject Expert Contact with Others Training Programme Subject Query WWF India Information Material Promotion of EPM 15
WORK PLAN/ACTIVITIES FOR FY 2007-2008 NGOs and the Environment Activity Print (revised) proforma (8000 copies) Circulate the proforma to obtain information from NGOs for inclusion in the 9th edition Prepare a list of NGOs not covered in the present edition of the directory (on the basis of information to be collected from WWF-India state offices, RRA, MoEF etc.) and write to them for seeking information on the revised proforma. Letter to be sent from the Sr. Programme Coordinator, ENVIS Centre Process the replies received and update the present database (Data Entry) Layout Designing & overall finalization of NGO Directory, 2007 in print version Update data on ENVIS website - Scheduled time for completion January, 2007 January, 2007 Update information as in the new edition including existing NGOs on net Role of Environmental NGOs in Print Media compilation trends and analysis report (2006) May, 2007 Parliament and the Environment Major task Analysis Report of the Parliamentary Questions/Answers & statements for the year 2006 Executive summary in print version for both houses of Parliament & the supporting document in CD version April to October, 2007 November to December, 2007 May, 2007 Trends and Analysis report of the Environment in the Indian Parliament, 2006 put on the website along with current July, 2007 Budget Session 2007 Old data collection, digital based compilation and session-wise analysis report from 1984 to 2004 April, 2008 Day to day activities under Data collection/compilation & Analysis of both houses of Parliament Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Budget Session, 2007 February-June, 2007 Monsoon Session, 2007 July-October, 2007 Winter Session, 2007 November, 2007 to January, 2008 ENVIS Newsletter Quarterly basis January-March, 2007 2 nd Week of April, 2007 April-June, 2007 2 nd Week of July, 2007 July-September, 2007 2 nd Week of October, 2007 October-December, 2007 2 nd Week of January, 2008 ENVIS Website Other routine activities such as updating the Centre website, news entry, secondary data collection for news, case studies of major events, articles, awards and publication. New steps to be taken in the following months include the revamping/modification of a. MIS software b. ENVIS website and c. Global Search Network for Parliamentary Issues. Regular basis June, 2007