Environment Centres of Excellence in India

Centre for Animals and Environment

The Centre for Animals and Environment was declared a Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in April 2009. The main objectives of this Centre are to foster the Man-Animal-Nature relationship, prevention of cruelty to animals, protection of environment from pollution, conservation of ecology, inculcation of spiritual values in our approach to animals and nature, promoting vegetarianism and animal welfare work. It is located in Bangalore.

Centre for Ecological Sciences

The Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore offers exciting opportunities for research in a variety of areas in ecology. These include Animal Behaviour, Evolutionary Biology and Sociobiology, Community and Habitat Ecology, Molecular Genetics and Conservation Biology, Large Mammal and Forest Ecology, and Climate Change. The projects consist of theoretical, laboratory and field-based research with the different approaches being used in a complementary manner.

Centre for Environment Education

The Centre for Environment Education (CEE) was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India's overall environment and development strategy. The result of a unique partnership between government and a non-governmental institution, CEE was established as a Centre of Excellence in 1984 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). CEE now works in the field of environment education and action for a wide range of sectors, target groups and geographical areas. It is located in Ahmedabad.

Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems

The Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) functions under the aegis of School of Environmental Studies (SES), University of Delhi. Established in 2001, the Centre works towards strengthening awareness, research and training in priority areas of environmental management of degraded ecosystems. The Centre closely coordinates with the other departments of SES, viz. Department of Environmental Biology and Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain & Hill Environment (CISMHE) on issues of biodiversity conservation, habitat loss, pollution and rehabilitation of displaced people due to developmental activities.

Centre of Excellence in Environmental Economics

The Ministry of Environment and Forests designated Madras School of Economics, Chennai as a Centre for Excellence in Environmental Economics in 2002. The main objectives of the Centre are to conduct research on issues of national importance in this field along with providing teaching and training support to students, technicians, economists, non-economists and industries. The Centre also disseminates the relevant and latest information available on environmental economics.

Centre for Mining Environment

The CME was established in 1987 at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad with the objective of carrying out research and training in the area of Mining Environment. A Monitoring Committee functioning under the Chairmanship of Secretary (E&F) oversees and guides the research work of the Centre. Some of the research activities undertaken by the CME include assessment of the environmental status of Dhanbad, experiments on acidic soil, noise pollution studies and pilot experiments for utilization of backfilled area. The Centre also offers an M Tech Programme on Environmental Sciences and Engineering.

CPR Environmental Education Centre

Established jointly by the MoEF and CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, CPREEC has been a pioneer in environmental education efforts in South India. CPR Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC) strives to increase awareness and knowledge of key target groups such as school children, local communities and women about the various aspects of environment. The Centre also works towards strengthening capacities of educators and practitioners in the field of environment education and promotes conservation of nature and its resources. It is located in Chennai.

Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions

The Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore is a dedicated Centre of Excellence on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge. Over the past 14 years, FRLHT has been spearheading action and research on various issues related to conservation and management of medicinal plant resources. The Centre has also helped the State Forest Departments of several states in setting up a network of 55 sites for conservation of priority medicinal plants.

Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History

The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) was formally inaugurated on 5th June 1990. Located at Anaikatty, 24 km northwest of Coimbatore, SACON is a national centre for studies in Ornithology and Natural History. The centre was named befittingly after Dr. Salim Ali in appreciation of his life long services to India's bird life and conservation of natural resources. Apart from developing and conducting regular postgraduate courses in Ornithology and Natural History, SACON also designs and conducts research in ornithology covering all aspects of biodiversity and natural history.

Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute

Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) is an autonomous institute established by the Government of Kerala in 1979 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The institute conducts research in Conservation Biology, Biotechnology, Plant Taxonomy, Microbiology, Phytopharmocology, Ethnomedicine and Ethopharmacology for plant improvement and utilization. TBGRI also undertakes research on medicinal plants, ornamental plants and various introduced plants of economic or aesthetic value. The institute conserves the largest number of plant species among the botanical gardens in Asia.