Eco - Watch

http://www.ecowatchindia.org/

About Eco-Watch :
Eco-Watch was founded by Suresh Heblikar, a noted environmentalist in Karnataka today, in the early nineties and was registered as a ‘Non-Profit Public Charitable Trust’ in October-1998 even as its activities were underway at various levels, addressing key environmental issues and concerns in Bangalore and other parts of the state. The organization came into existence by a group of like-minded people from varied backgrounds such as research-scientists, socio-economists, ecologists, environmentalists and others who continue to be a major part of the organization even today.
Organization Structure :
Eco-Watch is headed by the Chairman who is the chief administrator and decision-maker of the organization. He is supported by the Vice-Chairman, who is the associate decision-maker and also governs the working of the centre from time to time. These two heads of the organization are further strengthened by the Board of Trustees and the Research Committee, which consists of key professionals from specific backgrounds who support the working team to analyze and understand the issues and problems; develop, design and build specific projects; and finally assist in implementing and executing these projects. The Board and the Committee also oversee the activities that the organization undertakes. The project team comprises of Research Associates, Technical Associates, Field Assistants and Office Assistants. Thus, with qualified personnel guiding the team members in carrying out various activities, the centre has been consistently working towards improving environmental conditions and ecosystems for a better and healthier future. The activities are a fall-out of the objectives of the organization, which are as follows.

Ecological Society

www.ecological-society.org

Since its inception in 1982, Ecological Society has been in the forefront of ecological & environmental research & education. It has carried out a number of research projects with practical applications for municipal corporations, Government of Maharashtra & the Central Government. The Society had conducted professional courses in environmental water management for Irrigation engineers of the Irrigation Department of Government of Maharashtra between 1989 to 2000 in collaboration with Engineering Staff College, Government of Maharashtra, Nashik.
In 1998 it launched a one-year Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Pune and Mumbai. This course is now approved by the Board of Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra. The Society’s other activities include maintaining field research stations at Panshet (District Pune) & Phaltan(District Satara) for imparting practical training in resource management to students; running environmental educational programmes for village children at Panshet & Kamshet and organizing lectures & workshops on topics of environmental / ecological interest. The Society also publishes annually a scientific Journal.

AARANYAK - A Society for Biodiversity Conservation in Northeast India

www.aaranyak.org

Aaranyak is a registered society working in the field of biodiversity conservation in North East India since 1989. Its strength lies in applied research in biological and social field and its thrust area of work is the North Eastern India and Eastern Himalayas. From a small begining in the year 1989, it has been slowly, but steadily growing as a premier research based organisation in North East India to cater the complex need of biodiversity conservation in the culturally diverse region of India.
Aaranyak is now run by young professionals dedicated and committed to the cause of conservation. Currently about 34 young professionals are working with Aaranyak to contribute further towards research and conservation aspects of biodiversity in the region. Since its inception Aaranyak has been working relentlessly for conservation of rich biodiversity of the region. Dedicated and committed conservationists and volunteers of the society have been able to attract global attention through their persistent work and advocacy. It is one of the most active NGO in the region and has influenced the policy making procedure through its presence in the committees like ‘Steering Committee for Formulation of New Assam Forest Policy’, Rhino Task Force and State Wildlife Advisory Board’ of the Government of Assam.
Internationally trained biologists have been exploring biodiversity in the tropical primary forest for inventory of biodiversity of the region. Considerable conservation and research work from Aaranyak has improved the conservation scenario in the region. This has been possible through commitment, dedication, cooperation and collaboration among several departments and NGOs of the region and indeed generosity of the international community. A brief account on the programs of Aaranyak can be found while continuing to explore this site.

Systematics Lab - Univ of Delhi : School of Environmental Studies

www.frogindia.org

Amphibian India :/: Systematics Lab/:/ University of Delhi :/: Centre for Environmental Management of degraded ecosystems /:/ School for Environmental Studies
People : We are a small group of people working in a small lab but large stretches of forest. We work on the amphibians of India. We seek to understand patterns of species diversity, reproductive biology and evolutionary diversification of Indian amphibians. These facilitate conservation prioritization which in turn will contribute to the development of appropriate conservation strategies.

Research : Though we have made field visits to North East India and the Eastern Ghats, our focus has not shifted from the Western Ghats. Recently, our interest has diversified into other regions too. We find that we need to move into other regions in order to address some issues relating to biogeography and a number of issues relating to taxonomic ambiguity. We are currently working in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Satpura range and Northeastern India. Rich diversity, extraordinary endemism and shared evolutionary relationships with other biogeographical regions are some of the highlights of India.

OIKOS - For Ecological Services

www.oikos.in

OIKOS is an independent practice working professionally for objective ecological expertise in combination with an in-depth knowledge of the planning process.
With mission of making conservation everybody's business, oikos provides a spectrum of services catering to different users. Since its inception, oikos has undertaken various assignments related to eco-management, wildlife habitat restoration and eco-tourism destination development. oikos is working with corporate sector, private landowners and entrepreneurs with a specific objective of nature conservation to restore and improve the status of natural resources.
The strength of our approach is our `step by step` strategy from initial baseline ecological surveys to monitoring of practical implementation of development projects, which is available through our in-house ground-working team. Our core staff covers many aspects of ecological work and we retain the services of a number of associates, all experts in their own fields.
Over the period this practice has gained a reputation for providing ways of eco-friendly development and interpretation of complex ecological facts and issues. Recently the team was honored by MCCIA for developing innovative services in ecology.

WPSI - WILDLIFE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF INDIA

www.wpsi-india.org

The WILDLIFE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF INDIA (WPSI) was founded in 1994 by Belinda Wright, its Executive Director, who was an award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker till she took up the cause of conservation. From its inception, WPSI's main aim has been to bring a new focus to the daunting task of tackling India's growing wildlife crisis. It does this by providing support and information to government authorities to combat poaching and the escalating illegal wildlife trade - particularly in wild tigers. It has now broadened its focus to deal with human-animal conflicts and provide support for research projects.With a team of committed environmentalists, WPSI is one of the most respected and effective wildlife conservation organisations in India. It is a registered non-profit organisation, funded by a wide range of Indian and international donors. The Society’s Board Members include leading conservationists and business people.

BAF India - Butterfly Art Foundation India

http://www.bafindia.org/

With rapid urbanization, a cultural shift towards the material world with rejection of and disregard for the spiritual and emotional facets of life has slowly invaded the average person causing disinterest and neglect of the traditional and contemporary arts, which, during the period of spiritual intimacy and personal attachments, have been major exhibits of human imagination and spiritual expression. Though this generalization is not universally applicable, the situation is not much different in most of the societies around the globe. The arts have come to be a vanity ornament of the affluent alone. There is a palpable gap between the arts and the community as a whole, especially in the days of increasing consumerism, with the community psyche increasingly inclining towards the lines of pure materialism. As social beings we have always felt the need for revival of community interest in the arts and cultural practices, and thus in humanities, so that a certain degree of enjoyment and spiritual fulfillment is derived from such emotional and intellectual experiences rather than from pure material and transient pleasures alone.
An art form preserved expresses its thanks by enriching our generations. We hope to synthesize a deep community awareness in the preservation of folk and classical traditions of visual arts. The survival of craftsmen, artisans and artists is an expected by-product of this awareness. The insight of the traditions, when aptly assimilated, feeds the birds of contemporaneity.

Pune TreeWatch

www.punetreewatch.org

Pune Tree Watch attempts to bring people together who are concerned about the dwindling tree cover. We aim to monitor, act and protect the trees that harbour a variety of life and that provide the citizens with various ecological benefits.Since our inception in July'05 we have saved hundreds of trees from felling and have been a strong support group for the concerned Pune citizenry.
Our activities include:
* Preventing illegal tree felling * Surveying trees to be cut * Working on the policy level like the Maharashtra (Urban areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.

Madras Crocodile Bank

www.madrascrocodilebank.org

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, founded in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker and few other like minded people is a public Trust managed by a Board of Trustees. The CrocBank is located 40 km south of Chennai city on 3.2 hectares along India’s east coast road with the Bay of Bengal as a backdrop. The high aquifer on the sandy coast provides sufficient water supply and the proximity to the major ancient temple complex and tourist destination at Mahabalipuram ensures annual visitation. The Bank was initially established for the conservation and study of Indias three endangered crocodilians: the mugger, Crocodylus paluster, the gharial, Gavialis gangeticus, and the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. Starting with 30 mugger adults, the Bank has bred over 5000 and now holds over 2400 crocodilians of 14 different species. By 1987 the CrocBank developed a much broader focus, and became the Center for Herpetology, Indias premier institution for herpetofaunal conservation, research and education. Currently besides crocodilians, the Bank maintains 12 endangered species of turtles and tortoises, five species of snakes, including the King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, water monitor lizards, Varanus salvator salvator, two species of pythons and albino cobras. Housed in enclosures very similar to their natural habitat visitors can get a close view of how these reptiles live in the wild.

Warblers and Waders

http://warblersandwaders.com/

'WARBLERS AND WADERS' was established on January 1, 1990 and registered under charitable societies act 12 (1955) (Reg. No.811/96). The objective of the society is as follows.Objectives: 'Warblers and Warders' is a forum of birdwatchers and nature lovers, working for the cause of conservation. The prime interests of the organization include birdwatching, bird surveys, and work for preservation of wetlands. Seminars and workshops are periodically conducted, focusing on preservation of nature and environment. Activities of afforestation, biodiversity monitoring and documentation of the findings of various studies on flora and fauna are also done periodically.We have been conducting bird surveys and census to study the status and behaviour of avifauna of various forest regions in the western ghats like wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests and wetlands of Kerala, India. For the past ten years, Waterfowl Census of the State has also been carried out by Warblers and Waders.

NEC - Foundation For Nature Exploration And Environmental Conservation

http://www.necindia.org/

Focus Areas
Nature Exploration - Eco-adventure
Environmental Programmes for Students
Community Based Environmental Programmes
Research and Information Dissemination
Professional Services

MNHS - Malabar Natural History Society

http://www.malabarnhs.org/

Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, voluntary organisation (registered (No. 929/02) under Indian Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860) dedicated to Nature education, research and conservation of biodiversity. It is based at Calicut and is very active since its inception five years back. As part of its Nature Education and Research Programme, it has published five books; Butterflies of Kerala- a photo field guide (in Malayalam), Nature: Observation and Interpretation (in Malayalam) and Bryophytes of Wayanad in Western Ghats.