The Environment Education, Awareness and Training is an important scheme of the Ministry for enhancing the understanding of people at all levels about the relationship between human beings and the environment and to develop capabilities/skills to improve and protect the environment. The scheme was launched in 1983-84 with the following basic objectives i) To develop education/teaching materials and aids in the formal education sector; ii) To encourage non-governmental organizations, mass media and other concerned organizations for promoting environmental awareness among the people at all levels; iii) To promote environmental education through existing educational/scientific/research institutions; iv) To ensure training and non power development in environmental education and v) To mobilize people's awareness for the preservation and conservation of environment.

The Ministry also accords priority for the promotion of non-formal environmental education and creation of awareness among all sections of the society. It organizes seminars/symposia/workshops, training programmes, National Green Corps (NGC), eco-clubs, for mass awareness etc. A National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) is organized every year on a particular theme. The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), and International Scheme and Education Programme with stress on hands-on participatory approach still continue their good work.

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) set up in New Delhi in 1978, is concerned with the promotion of non-formal education in the area of various aspects of environment. The museum also conducts temporary exhibitions and a number of educational programmes and activities for school children, college youth and the general public. Three Regional Museums of Natural History have been established at Mysore, Bhopal and Bhubaneswar.

The Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education is the focal point of forestry education and extension development in the country. The Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, imparts in-service training to Indian Forest Service (IFS) professionals. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) organizes training programmes for forestry personnel on various aspects such as application of remote sensing techniques in forestry, etc. State Forest Service College provides training to the officers of the State Forest Service (SFS). The Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, Bangalore, organizes short-term courses in the area of wood science.

The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, also provides training in forest management and allied subjects to persons from the Indian Forest Service, forest development corporations, and forest-related industries to develop forestry programmes. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, provides in-service training to forest officers, wildlife ecologies and other professionals for conservation and management of the wildlife resources of the country.

Nine Centres of Excellence have been set up by the Ministry to strengthen awareness, research and training in priority areas of Environmental Science and Management. The nine Centres of excellence are as follows: They are as follows:

• Centre of Environmental Education, Ahmedabad
• CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai
• Centre for Ecological Sciences, Bangalore
• Centre of Mining Environment, Ahmedabad
• Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore
• Centre for Environmental Management of degraded ecosystems, Delhi
• The Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram
• Madras School of Economics, Chennai
• Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Tradition, Bangalore

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) set up in New Delhi in 1978, is concerned with the promotion of non-formal education in the area of various aspects of environment, the museum also conducts temporary exhibitions and a number of educational programmes and activities for school children, college youth and the general public. Three Regional Museums of Natural History have been established at Mysore, Bhopal and Bhubaneswar.

The Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education is the focal point of forestry education and extension development in the country. The Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, imparts in-service training to Indian Forest Service (IFS) professionals. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) organises training programmes for forestry personnel on various aspects such as application of remote sensing techniques in forestry, etc. State Forest Service College provides training to the officers of the State Forest Service (SFS). The Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, Bangalore, organises short-term courses in the area of wood science. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, also provides training in forest management and allied subjects to persons from the Indian Forest Service, forest development corporations, and forest-related industries to develop forestry programmes. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, provides in-service training to forest officers, wildlife ecologists and other professionals for conservation and management of the wildlife resources of the country.