Care About The Environment? Here’s How You Can Get Involved

The environment needs all the help it can get. There is perhaps no other area of concern which needs community-wide collective action as urgently as the environment. The concept of development has been recast in terms of sustainability, most notably via the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). For those not already taking action, there are ways to get involved.

Nonprofits and other organisations across the country offer opportunities for volunteering on a wide range of programmes and activities involving the environment – habitat and wildlife conservation, waste management, rescue and crime control, tree-planting and combating desertification, ecological restoration, water conservation, and raising awareness on eco-friendly practices, to name a few. Apart from these, there are school environment clubs.

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Given below is a list of some organisations and clubs that have been working toward conservation and sustainability that take on volunteers. However, most of them work in the regions where they are located and there are few opportunities that are online.

Environment Conservation Group (ECG) | Coimbatore

Environment Conservation Group is a non-profit based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, working in the conservation of nature and wildlife protection. Its activities include environmental awareness, wildlife rescue, wildlife crime control, wildlife estimation and wetland conservation. ECG’s website says it aims to “assist in wildlife conservation through education and awareness and is focused on the fight against wildlife crime”. The members of ECG work with urban bodies and forest departments. One can become a member of this trust and participate in its activities by filling a membership form online and paying Rs 500. A student is charged Rs 250.

Website: ecgwild.org

Nature Club | Surat

Nature Club, an NGO, was founded in 1984 in Surat, Gujarat. Since its inception, it has been working for spreading environment education, organising adventure activities and doing rescue work. It also works on numerous projects for conservation, protection and breeding. Its members meet on every Saturday evening and hold first-aid training, teaching sessions, volunteer training, talks and screenings. Membership is by filling in an online form available on its website and paying the charges as given below.

Website: natureclubsurat.com

Nature Mates-Nature Club (NM-NC) | Kolkata

Nature Mates-Nature Club was established in Kolkata, West Bengal, in 1995, as a part of the Nature Club initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India. Now, it is an independent organisation. It focuses on various aspects of wildlife conservation working in collaboration with supporting government agencies and other non-profits. Its activities include wildlife conservation, wildlife rescue, ecological restoration, wildlife research and various social awareness campaigns. One can become a member of this club and contribute as per their capacity. Volunteers who join this club can also choose the area of their interest and work on any project associated with it. Those seeking membership must fill an online application form and pay the relevant charges as detailed below.

Website: naturematesindia.org

17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) (Image: Shutterstock)

Voluntary Nature Conservancy (VNC) | Vallabh Vidyanagar

Voluntary Nature Conservancy (formally known as ‘Vidyanagar Nature Club’) was founded in 1988 in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. VNC, as its website says, works in three broad domains – “environment education, research and conservation and awareness and Advocacy”. Students and others can volunteer during breaks and vacations. Participants get to interact with the communities where the organisation works, enjoy local cuisines, visiting heritage sites and going on birdwatching trips to the nearby wetlands. Once again, application for membership is online and involves some charges as detailed below.

Website: vncindia.org

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Aaranyak | Guwahati

Aaranyak is a nature club based in Guwahati, Assam. Started in1989 by a group of young environment enthusiasts, it has grown into an organisation which looks into biodiversity research, nature conservation and environmental education. It works in north-east India, and also at the national and international levels. To get involved, those interested can fill a form on their website.

Website: aaranyak.org

Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group | New Delhi

Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group works in the field of reducing waste and consumption and managing waste. This group “pushes back and combats unsustainable consumption”, its website says. Chintan also organises training programs and campaigns to raise awareness about electronic waste, recycling, and also waste pickers and small traders. It reminds communities they are key for waste management. Sign-up is online but Chintan requires volunteers to commit to dedicating at least 100 hours over three months. Completion of those three months leads to a certificate.

Website: chintan-india.org

SankalpTaru Foundation

SankalpTaru Foundation uses digital channels to protect and conserve the environment. It works in more than 20 states of India. The main aim of this NGO is to promote tree plantation all across the country. It works on the philosophy of “planting trees for the people, by the people” as its website says. Those keen to volunteer can sign up at their website.

Website: sankalptaru.org