Civil Services Prep

What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.

Model answer

Environmental pressure groups are citizens’ groups and organisations that influence public opinion and government action without contesting elections. They raise environmental awareness in the following ways: **Public movements:** The Chipko Movement (1973), linked to Gaura Devi, Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna, made forest conservation a national concern. **Awareness campaigns:** The Save Silent Valley campaign in Kerala opposed a hydroelectric project that threatened tropical evergreen forests. **Environmental education:** The Centre for Environment Education works with schools and universities to promote conservation and sustainable living. **Media and digital campaigns:** CSE and *Down To Earth* explain environmental problems, while Fridays for Future India uses online campaigns. CSE reported extreme weather on **322 of 366 days in 2024** (CSE, 2025). Public awareness is then converted into influence over policy and legislation: **Policy research:** CSE and TERI provide scientific studies, draft comments and practical recommendations on clean air, energy and climate policy.

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