THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency in the
administrative structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination
and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and
programmes.
The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to
conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity,
forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of
pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the
principle of sustainable development and enhancement of human well-being.

The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for the follow-up of the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Ministry is also entrusted
with issues relating to multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and of regional bodies like Economic and Social
Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation
(SAARC) on matters pertaining to the environment.
The broad objectives of the Ministry are:
Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife

Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas

Prevention and control of pollution

Protection of the environment and
Ensuring the welfare of animals

These objectives are well supported by a set of legislative and regulatory measures, aimed at the
preservation, conservation and protection of the environment. Besides the legislative measures,
the National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development,
1992; National Forest Policy, 1988; Policy Statement on Abatement of Pollution, 1992; and
the National Environment Policy, 2006 also guide the Ministry's work.
The ministry is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating, and overseeing the
implementation of environmental and forestry programmes in the country. The main activities
undertaken by the ministry include conservation and survey of the flora and fauna of India and,

forests and other wilderness areas; prevention and control of pollution; afforestation, and land
degardation mitigation. It is responsible for the administration of the national parks of India.

One of the three All India Services, The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is under the administration
and supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests undertakes various programs related to the creation,
processing and implementation of forestry and other green activities. The Ministry is also a nodal
agency which works for the United Nations Environment Program or UNEP. The Ministry
conducts comprehensive surveys, green regeneration techniques, external agency support and
pollution
control
program.
The prime objective of this Ministry of Indian Government is to conserve the natural resources
of environment such as forests by reducing the degradation of the same. Some of the important
functions that are performed by the Ministry to achieve this objective are:

Checking the pollution of the environment

Conserving and surveying the flora, fauna, wildlife and forests
Afforestation and regeneration of degraded forest zone

All the functions and duties of the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests are carried out
through its various divisions. These divisions are:
1. Environmental Information
2. Animal Welfare
3. Control of Pollution
4. Ozone Cell
5. Wildlife
6. Integrated Finance
7. Budget and Accounts
8. Plan Coordination
9. Policy & Law
10. Forest Conservation
11. Clean Technology
12. Environmental Impact Assessment
13. Forest Protection
14. International Cooperation and Sustainable Development
15. Project Tiger
16. Internal Work Study Unit
17. Survey & Utilization
18. General Co-ordination, Protocol & Parliament

19. Wildlife
20. Environment Research
21. Research & Training
22. Plan Coordination
23. General Administration & Grievances Cell
24. Project Elephant
25. Civil Construction Unit
26. National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board
27. Forest Services
28. Forest Conservation
29. Environment Education
30. Environment Information System
31. Hazardous Substances Management
32. Plan Coordination
33. Protocol on Biosafety
34. Environment Research
35. Environment Information
36. Biological Diversity
The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests has a number of subsidiary government bodies
reporting to it. The list of subordinate offices is as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Directorate of Forest Education (DFE), Dehradun

Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun
National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi
Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Kolkata,
Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun
National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata

The Ministry of Environment and Forests of India controls a number of autonomous institutions.
Some of these include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi

Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun
Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun
Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP), Ranchi

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the Central Government
for overseeing the implementation of Indias environment and forest policies and programmes
relating to conservation of the countrys natural resources including lakes and rivers, its

biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals and prevention and abatement
of pollution. While implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the
principle of sustainable development. The Ministry is also the nodal agency for the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme
(SACEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Ministry also coordinates
with multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and regional bodies such as Economic and Social Council for Asia
and Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on
matters pertaining to environment.