REGIONAL RESOURCE AGENCY OF MOEF,GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Funding Agency: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India

National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) is a major activity undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to accord priority for the promotion of non-formal environment education and creation of awareness among all sections of the society through diverse activities using traditional and modern media of communication. The NEAC launched in mid 1986 is a multi-media campaign which utilizes conventional and non-conventional methods of communication for disseminating environmental messages to a wide range of target groups. Under this campaign, nominal financial assistance is provided to registered NGOs, schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, women and youth organizations, Government Departments, local governments etc., from all over the country for organizing/ conducting awareness raising activities. These activities include seminars, workshops, training programmes, camps, padayatras, rallies, public meetings, exhibitions, essay/debate/painting/poster competitions, folk dances and songs, street theatre, puppet shows, preparation and distribution of environmental education resource materials etc.

The programme is being implemented through 33 designated Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) for specific states/regions of the country. The Centre for Environment and Development (CED) has been appointed as the RRA for the State of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands for the period of 2005-09. Every year the activities are conducted based on a focal theme recommended by the Ministry. This year’s activities were conducted based on the focal theme “Solid Waste Management”, recommended by the Ministry. All together 252 agencies participated in the programme this year.