I.              Introduction

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the central government for planning, promotion and coordination of environmental and forestry programmes.  The main activities of the Ministry are conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife; prevention and control of pollution, afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas and protection of environment.  These tasks are being fulfilled through environmental impact assessment, eco-regeneration, assistance to organizations implementing environmental and forestry programmes; promotion of environmental and forestry research, extension, education and training to augment the requisite manpower; dissemination of environmental information; international cooperation and creation of environmental awareness among all sectors of the country’s population.

II.            Name of scheme(s)

                (Under revision)

1.             Environmental Research Programme (ERP)

2.             Ecosystems Research Scheme (ERS)

3.             Eastern and Western Ghats Research Programme (E&WRP)

4.             Biosphere Reserves

5.             Mangroves and Coral Reefs

6.             Wetlands

7.             National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS)

8.             Ganga Action Plan/National River Conservation Programme

9.             Research and Consultancy Projects in Wildlife

1.         Environmental Research Programme (ERP)

Objective(s)

·         To develop strategies, technologies, methodologies, information and data dissemination for better environment management permitting sustainable development.

·         To develop infrastructure and trained manpower for undertaking environment research.

·         To undertake R&D projects which particularly aim at attempting solutions to the practical   problems of resource management and provide necessary inputs for development and formulation of Action Plans for conservation of natural resources and restoration and improvement of environmental quality, while permitting sustainable development.

2.         Ecosystems Research Scheme (ERS) 

Objective(s)

·         The scheme aims on inter disciplinary programme of research which emphasizes on ecological approach to the study of inter relationship between man and the environment and seeks to generate scientific knowledge needed to manage the natural resources wisely. Research activities which are undertaken pertain to environmental management with emphasis on development of processes/systems, instruments, generation of information on health and toxicology, development of methodology for impact assessment and general approach/strategies for sustainable environmental management.   

3.         Eastern and Western Ghats Research Programme (E&WRP)

Objective(s)

·         To promote research and to evolve scientific inputs and technology packages for solving location specific problems in the fragile areas of Eastern and Western Ghats.  The information generated out of these projects is used for developing strategies for conservation and management of natural resources of these areas.

 4.      Biosphere Reserves

 Objective(s)

·         To conserve the biodiversity and genetic integrity of  plants, animals and microorganisms in their  totality as a part of the natural ecosystems so as to ensure their self-perpetuation and unhindered evolution of living resources.  To promote research that would assist ecological conservation both within and areas adjacent to these reserves.  To provide facilities for international cooperation and people – environment interaction in a whole range of bio-climatic and bio-geographic situations of the biosphere.  To provide opportunities for people’s participation in achieving these objectives.

5.         Mangroves and Coral Reefs

Objective(s)

·         Conservation and protection of the mangrove ecosystem from further degradation

·         Afforestation of degraded mangrove areas

·         Maintenance of genetic diversity, especially of the threatened and endemic species, and

·         Creation of awareness among the people on importance of mangrove ecosystem and the need for conservation.

6.         Wetlands

Objective(s)

·         Fresh water wetland resources which exhibit a great ecological diversity are of great economic, aesthetic and ecological importance.  Research on various aspects of conservation and management of wetlands including enhancements of their productivity are promoted through appropriate agencies.

7.         National Natural Resources Management System    (NNRMS)

Objective(s)

·         Utilisation of remote sensing technology for accurate inventory of resources such as land, water, forest, minerals, oceans etc., and to utilize this information for monitoring changes in ecological systems.

8.         Ganga Action Plan/National River Conservation   Programme

Objective(s)

·         Pollution Monitoring viz. pollution areas, Point sources, Non-point sources, Monitoring techniques, Technologies for sewage treatment.

·         Water Quality Monitoring viz. Physico-chemical and biological parameters, Performance monitoring of sewage treatment plants, Annual  sanitary survey.

·         Impact Analysis viz. Human health, Animal health, Biodiversity, Fisheries, Agriculture

·         De-toxification, Water Recycling & Resource Recovery viz. Microbiological degradation, Bio-filter earthworms, Use of sewage waste and industrial effluents in Fisheries, Animal husbandry, Crop husbandry, Forestry, Bio-energy generation.

·         Special Impact, Environment Economics, Analysis of pollution and investment options viz. Sociological and cultural aspects, Economic and aesthetic aspects, Public awareness and participation, River basin management with a balance between ecological and economic growth priorities, Impact assessment of human activities in river basin such as tourism, mining, construction, industrialization etc.

·          Impact of GAP Schemes in seven selected towns.

9.       Research and Consultancy projects in Wildlife

Objective(s)

·         Strengthening and enhancing protected area network.

·         Effective Management of Protected Areas.

·         Conservation of wild and endangered species and their habitats.

·         Restoration of Degraded Habitats outside Protected Areas.

·         Control of Poaching and Illegal Trade in Wild Animal and Plant Species.

·         Monitoring and research.

·         Human Resource Development and Personnel Planning.

·         Ensuring Peoples support and participation in Wildlife conservation.

·         Conservation education and protected area interpretation.

·         Tourism in protected areas.

·         Domestic legislation and international convention. 

III.           Who can submit a proposal 

Universities, Colleges recognized by UGC, Institutions of CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, ICSSR and recognized non-governmental scientific organizations.

IV.          When and how to submit a proposal

Thirty copies of the research proposal are to be submitted at any time during the year in the prescribed form which can be downloaded from the website.

 V.           Areas of research support

Ministry of Environment & Forests has been funding research in multi-disciplinary aspects of environmental & ecosystems protection, conservation and management at various universities, institutions of higher learning, national research institutes and non-governmental organizations.  The matrix for supporting research in Environment for the remaining 10^th Five Year Plan is:

VI.           Components of grant 

Salaries, equipment, expendables and supplies, travel, contingencies and overheads.

VII.         Items not allowed out of grant

International travel cost.

VIII.        Mechanism of implementtion and monitoring

After initial scrutiny, the proposal is referred to experts in the field.  The Advisory Committee makes recommendations based on the comments of experts.  The recommendations of the Advisory Committee are further processed by the Department for its sanction.

The PI is required to submit annual progress report in a prescribed proforma.  The monitoring committee evaluates the progress of the project based on presentation by the P.I. Action is taken on the evaluation report.

Thirty copies of the project completion report  (PCR) are required to be submitted.  Copies of the report are referred to experts.

IX.           Contact Address

For research proposals on Wildlife Conservation/Consultancy:

(5 typed copies of application are required to be submitted to:)

Addl. Director General (Wildlife)

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan, Block No. 2

CGO Complex, Lodi Road

New Delhi – 110003