Environmental Awareness through tree plantation

In Agra District of Uttar Pradesh the proposed title for the project is "Environmental Awareness through Tree Plantation in Agra District of Uttar Pradesh” aims to enhance environmental awareness and promote sustainable living in the Agra District community. The project's key objectives are to plant 1,200 trees, raise awareness about environmental degradation, educate communities about pollution and environmental issues, and engage students and youth in tree plantation efforts. The project is expected to span 18 months with a budget of INR 75 lakhs.

According to India State of Forest Report 2019, prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), India now has a total of 21.67 per cent of its area under forest and tree cover which is still far from its target of 33 per cent. According to experts, forests play an extremely important role in ensuring ecological balance and existence of life on the earth. However, rampant cutting of trees and thinning of forests has been taking place in the country due to activities related to development and infrastructure building, emphasize the environmental experts.

The proposal underscores the critical need to address environmental challenges, such as declining forest cover, deteriorating air quality, and water scarcity, in the Agra District. The Hazrat Saleem Chishti Foundation, guided by a vision of promoting harmony through Sufism, will lead the project. The approach involves community involvement, education, and partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.

The project's components include community awareness programs, tree plantation drives, and the establishment of village-level institutions. Through these efforts, the project seeks to sensitize the community, involve them in environmental conservation, and build a network of individuals and organizations committed to sustainable practices.

The implementation strategy emphasizes a participatory approach, strengthening village-level institutions, and partnerships for knowledge-sharing and resource utilization. The project's progress will be tracked through regular monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities, including baseline, midline, and end-line surveys. To ensure project sustainability, the proposal highlights the formation of rural youth clubs and the cultivation of community leaders.

Overall, the project aspires to make a positive impact on the environment, community awareness, and the future well-being of Agra District by instilling a sense of responsibility and involvement in environmental protection.

Air pollution study of Agra district

Promoting our commitment towards clean energy, the NGO would now like to conduct a detailed study on the air quality of this region, which affects the livelihoods of millions. Through this study, they aim to identify the main causes behind such extreme air pollution, the components of the polluted air, the source of the harmful components, and a road map to resolve the problem permanently. The project duration is one year and budget is INR 5.95 Cr.

The study would cover the following:

1. Review the data provided in the air quality strategy/ plan regarding: the socio-economic profile of a city, topographical data, health studies, meteorological and air quality data, and any modeling or source apportionment studies. This information will be used to identify challenges, assess hot spots and the effectiveness of the current air quality management related measures.
2. Setting improvement targets after looking at current targets for pollution reduction, including pollutant concentrations or emissions and assess the compliance gap (gap between the current situation and the target).
3. Assessing the process of developing strategic, science-based, cost-effective actions to achieve the targets that have been set. Any existing policies, plans and guidance will be evaluated. Stakeholders and the authorities / organizations responsible for implementation of the actions will be identified and a detailed plan for implementation will be recommended.
4. Examine the high-level technological and economic assessment of the proposed options. Modeling exercises will assess the impact of each measure in terms of air quality, emissions, and activity. Consideration will be given to societal and political support, and any wider economic, social and environmental impacts.
5. Assess the development of the finalized plan. The plan will fit within the existing governance structure and link to already-existing plans and policies. A refined set of measures/actions will be clearly presented. For each action, roles and responsibilities for each implementing agency/stakeholder will be clearly defined. Clear timescales for implementation of each prioritized action, including sub-actions if appropriate, will be described. The sources of financing for capital and operating costs will be identified.
6. Assess the proposed strategy for monitoring and review of the Action Plan as it is being implemented. The monitoring and review stage is vital to track the progress of implementation, and to determine the effectiveness of each action/measure. The proposed mechanisms for monitoring and review of the plan will be clearly defined.h5