Here’s a list of organisations that work towards environmental and social justice issues in Indian and globally.
Jan Sahas Social Development Society
Jan Sahas was started a little over two decades ago in 2000. The organisation aims at increasing awareness and empowerment, especially among marginalised social groups. As of now, the organisation works in 68 Indian districts in different states like Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, Bihar and more. When it comes to the lack of environmental or social justice, it’s majorly experienced amongst the less privileged parts of the society that have to resort to earning unfair wages to earn a livelihood. Jan Sahas helps by empowering this part of society and works to curb forced labour, gender or caste-based violence as well as sexual violence.
Amazon Watch
The Amazon rainforests hold great global and environmental importance. It accounts for producing about six per cent of the world’s oxygen and also absorbs a large amount of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere, helping create a balance in the environment. Along with the vast range of flora and fauna, the Amazon is also home to many indigenous tribes and communities that are directly affected by any damage to the vast rainforest. In 1996, Amazon Watch was started in a bid to protect the Amazon rainforest as well as its tribes. Its campaigns include climate justice solutions, empowerment of indigenous communities as well as protecting the rainforest from natural resource extraction.
Dakshin Foundation
Being home to numerous marginalised communities, a huge labour force and home to natural resources, India faces many issues related to the lack of environmental and social justice. Dakshin Foundation aims at promoting social justice, conservation of natural resources as well as promotes sustainable livelihood across the country. Past and ongoing projects of the organisations have aimed at empowering fishing and labour communities in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and more.
LabourNet
Bengaluru-based LabourNet is a social organisation that works at formalising the informal labour sector. LabourNet’s format enables better reach for employment opportunities and promotes sustainable livelihoods, fair wages and better working conditions for men and women in both urban and rural areas of the country.
IWGIA - International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs
Alarmed by the ongoing genocide of Amazonian Indigenous Peoples, IWGIA was founded in 1968 by anthropologists. Since then, the global human rights organisation has focused on promoting, protecting and defending the rights of Indigenous People across the globe. Currently, the organisation is actively working in Latin American, African and Asian countries, where the most marginalised communities are present.