Role of NGOs in Biodiversity Conservation: A Situational Analysis

Abstract

India has experienced serious deforestation during the last century and it is anticipated that by the year 2035 India will be almost devoid of forests. NGO's have gained popularity in various parts of India by initiatives to conserve biodiversity such as establishing forest reserves and through the mobilization of indigenous organizations and development. However, the relationships that emerge among NGOs, Govt. and indigenous people with regard to conservation and control over biodiversity is problematic and co-management of established forest reserves often failed, because indigenous ways of use and control of biodiversity were difficult to accept by some conservation organizations. More importantly, there is the claim that NGO's have been working to create dependency while mobilizing indigenous organizations with assistance of Western donors. Recently, to face mainstream conservation models various NGOs are launching awareness movements. These NGOs movements emphasize a co evolution between local biodiversity, indigenous ecological practices, culture and self-development.