The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which was established in 1980, focuses on advocacy by spreading awareness on issues concerning the environment. The CSE primarily conducts research with the intent to simplify facts relating to the environment for laymen. “Our advocacy is why we do the training. We disseminate information gathered at our research unit,” says Sharmila Sinha, Deputy Programme Manager, Environment Education, CSE.
The CSE periodically conducts training sessions for the industry, NGOs, government officials and students. Summer schools are organised annually for Indian and international students as well as young professionals. Students aged 18 years and above, with a background in environment are generally preferred. The screening process includes a telephonic interview and a review of the statement of purpose. The intake of students for the courses is typically 20 to 25. The summer school, Agenda for Survival, is held every year in June. It focuses on the politics and policies of environment and development in India today. The CSE has various units that conduct research across different segments, including water.
General training courses for consultants, students, professors and NGOs are conducted in areas of rainwater harvesting and decentralised waste water treatment. The CSE also conducts webinars.
A recent webinar was held on the topic of one year of the Modi government regarding its policies and decisions on environment. The CSE is open to feedback from students on topics of their interest in the wider domain of environsment and allied fields. Students can write to the CSE at csemedia@ccseindia.org, to explore the possibility of organising webinars for PhD research scholars and students of journalism.
Information on courses in environment is periodically updated on the websites of CSE: http://www.cseindia.org/ and India Environment Portal http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/. Students can register for the courses by visiting the websites. An interesting activity for school students is the green school programme of the CSE where students get to review the “environment practices” of their school and prepare a report based on their field visit.
The CSE also has an online portal, http://csestore.cse.org.in, where a wide range of books on the environment can be purchased. For example, it has specific material and books on the Ganga and mining.
Interesting titles on diverse topics include Environment History Reader (understanding environment concerns from a historical perspective), Heat on Power (green rating of coal-based power plants) and Building Sense: beyond the green facade of sustainable habitat.
