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Role of NGOs in Environmental Protection and Conservation: A Study of Satara District
To address local environmental problems many environmental NGOs have been formed in Satara District. The present study was undertaken to document the environmental NGOs and their work in Satara District of Maharashtra, with a view to understand their role in environmental protection and conservation. The descriptive research design has been adopted for the present study. A list of NGOs working in the field of environmental protection and conservation was compiled by using snow-ball technique. After preparation of the list of 58 NGOs, each and every NGO was contacted and preliminary information regarding all these NGOs was collected from the contact persons. Out of 58 NGOs, 18 NGOs were working only in the field of environment. There were 493 total environmental volunteers of all the 18 NGOs selected as a sample. The 25 percent of the total 493 volunteers work out to be 120 volunteers. The data were collected by using a questionnaire.
Environmental NGOs in Satara District play a significant role in creating awareness among the masses about the environmental protection and conservation. They involve the people and persuade them by innovating different activities and strongly oppose the destructive developmental plans with the support of various NGOs. They have undertaken various programmes and activities to create awareness among the masses about the environmental protection. These organizations are working to nourish nature and protect the environment in surrounding areas of Satara district. ‘ENCA’ organization has undertaken various activities such as tree plantation and conservation, celebration of festivals, wildlife protection, save electricity campaign, organic farming etc. Collaboration with other NGOs results in creating new social and environmental movements in Satara district to protect the environment.