A balanced environment in which humankind and its activities are in perfect harmony with nature is the most precious asset of a country. However, unprecedented demographic pressures and unsustainable development threaten the life-support system, comprising the basic resources like air,water,land,flora andfauna. Conservation of such resources is today a primary concern of human race. Development programmes to be economically viable must thus ensure that they cause no environmental destruction.To accomplish this,it is essential to providea strong scientific and technological input in the whole area of environment, which is inherently multidisciplinary in character, encompassing not only a number of branches of the natural sciences,engineering,agriculture and medicine,but also education,socio-economics and law.
Recognising this inter-relationship,the Government of India in 1978, on the recommendation of the then National Committee of Environmental Planning and Coordination constituted the Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship Awardto encourage and recognise in any branch of Research related to the Environmental Sciences. The fellowship is awarded every year on the World Environment Day on June 5. The fellowship is in recognition of significantly important research/development contributions and is also intended to encourage talented individuals to devote themselves whole time to R & D pursuits for the duration of the fellowship.
PROCEDURE OF SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS
The nominations will be invited each year from the following:-
The University Faculties may recommend persons working in their institutions only and route the applications through their Vice-Chancellors. The Deans of Faculties in IIT's may send their nominations through their Directors. The Directors General of R & D agencies,Chairmen of Commissions and Directors ofLaboratories may sponsor names of scientists working in their respective organisations. The Directors of CSIR and other approved laboratories and institutions may nominate persons working in their own institutions only. The past Fellows may send nominations of only one person for each year's award.
The nominations complete in all respects should be sent on the lines of the proforma (as given below) by Registered A.D. Post along with 10 copies each of Bio-data(500 words) and Research Project(500 words) and one set of reprints or other documentary evidence of achievements in a confidential sealed cover marked "Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship Award" and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan,CGO Complex,Lodi Road,New Delhi-110003,by 31st March,199x.
The Biodata should bring out the work and measurable attainments of the nominee, the importance of the R & D contribution of the nominee,and also othermeasurable evidence of the gains to be achieved by actual implementation of theR & D in the field of Environmental Sciences.The Research Project must clearly bring out its nature and importance in specific terms elaborating the programmein a phased manner.
The nomination once received will be valid for consideration for a consecutive period of three years.
The selection will be carried out by an Awards Committee consisting of eminent scienists/ environmentalists nominated for the purpose each year by the Government of India.The Government may on its own, and in consultation with the Awards Committee, nominate a renowned scientist for this fellowship. In the absence of any suitably qualified nominee, the Government reserves the right to withhold the Award for any particular year.
For selection, the Awards Committee would,among other things, take into account the high quality contribution made and the merits of the proposed research work.The significance of the contribution already made and the impact in the field of ecology and environment will be the major criteria for recommending selection.For the purpose of this the term 'Environmental Sciences' will be interpreted in the broadest possible sense and would include all creative pursuits in the field.
The Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellow would be required to work on the project of his choice on a full-time basis for the duration of the Award. He would submit the results of his research work to the Ministry of Environment and Forests who would be free to utilise the the matter in an manner they deem fit.
The fellowship would normally be for a period of two years,which in exceptional cases, could be extended by one more year. The National Fellow will receive an award of Rs.4000/- per month during the period of fellowship.The fellowship amount is exempt from income tax. In addition, an amount of Rs.18,000/- per annum will be paid to the Fellow for meeting secretarial and contingent expenditure(including travel). He will also entitled to engage Research Staff/Field Investigator to assist him during the period of award for which a total amount of Rs.1500/- per month would be paid. The expenses of fellowship and remuneration of staff will be met by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.