India is home to 6.67% of the global faunal diversity and 12.5% of the global flora. So far surveys have identified over 47,000 species of plants and 81,000 species of animals.

Bio diversity in India is characterised by a high degree of endemism.An estimated 10% of all plant species are currently endangered.Causes include habitat loss, fragmentation, trade in wildlife, pollution, population growth and exploitation of natural resources. We have now reached a stage where both the renewable and non-renewable resources are getting used up. The rate of consumption far exceeds the rate of regeneration leading to ecological imbalances. Evidence of this can be seen in fast disappearing forests, falling water tables, raising temperatures, eroding soils and vanishing plant and animal life.

Behind all this is the invisible thread (the web of life) that links us directly or indirectly, affecting us in short term or long term. Biodiversity rich India must recognise the role standing forests play in maintaining the fragile ecological balance.

PLACES imparts environment conservation education to individuals, civic groups, school and university students. These are interactive training programmes which are experimental and transformative that inculcate values of environment sensitivity leading to a sustainable relationship between man and nature.

Our Environment Conservation Education Programs