Environment Conservation Group

Environment Conservation Group (ECG) is a non-governmental organisation based in Coimbatore, India. It was founded in 2009. ECG works on wildlife protection, habitat conservation, and environmental awareness.^[1][2] It is headed byMohammed Saleem. Stephen Joseph is the co-founder and Vice-President.^[3]

Environment Conservation Group

Company type	Non-governmental organization
Founded	2009 (2009)
Headquarters	Coimbatore
Area served	Pan-India
Website	ecgwild.org

The group is involved in monitoring the wetlands of Coimbatore to prevent debris dumping and encroachments.^[4][5][6][7] ECG is also involved in wildlife conservation and rescuing birds from the wildlife trade.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]} ECG is involved in stopping the felling of trees^[14][15] and conducts awareness programs.^{[16][17][18][19][20]}

Outreach

ECG conducts workshops, and campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities. Their claimed motive is to empower citizens to embrace sustainable lifestyles and become active stewards of the environment. They also hold discussions, training programs, and participatory initiatives.

During natural disasters, ECG has provided emergency relief, rescuing animals, and supporting affected communities.

ECG runs guided treks and nature walks that focus on local biodiversity, the value of the ecosystem, and the importance of protecting the environment.

Click Your Pic

ECG’s Click Your Pic is a contest focusing on the photography of nature, meant to inspire people to enjoy nature.

2011

Click Your Pic 2011 is a national-level photography exhibition organised to spread awareness about the rich natural heritage of India. The event was organised jointly with Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Central Academy for State Forest Service from 3rd - 9th January 2011 at CASFOS campus. Some of the eminent speakers during the event were Dr. Azeez- Director of SACON, Mr. Marudachalam of Photo centre, Mr. T.N.A. Perumal, and Mr. K. Jayaram.

2012

This second annual exhibition was held on December 27–30, 2012, at Hindusthan College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. It has received a good response from wildlife photographers across the country.^[21][22] Photography workshops were conducted by Mr. Perumal and Mr. Balan Madhavan. Mr. Bittu Sahgal was one of the chief guests. The Judge of the event was T.N.A. Perumal and Balan Madhavan. The event was sponsored by Savithri Photo House and GLO Colour Lab.

2014

Click your Pic 2014 was held at Brookefields Mall from November 14–19, 2014. The photo exhibition drew visitors from across the region. Also on display were photographs by India's eminent wildlife photographers, including TNA Perumal, Rathika Ramasamy, Kalyan Varma, Balan Madhavan and Sudhir Shivaram. The Judge of the event was Mr. T.N.A. Perumal.^[23] The event was sponsored by Panasonic

SEEK

SEEK (Save Endangered Endemic and Key species) expeditions are meant to document endangered species, roadkills, and fragile habitats.

PATH / SEEK2016

A group of five wildlife conservationists from ECG, led by its president R. Mohammed Saleem traveled about 20,000 Kilometers across 22states of India to study roadkill and spread awareness on the impact of roads on wildlife, in February 2016. The team traveled through major wildlife sanctuaries and visited major institutions like IIT Guwahati, University of Jammu, American College, Madurai and University of Calicut to spread awareness among students.^{[24][25][26][27]} The expedition was sponsored by Hewlett Packard, Sanctuary Asia

SEEK2017

A second international expedition named Save Endangered, Endemic and Key Species (SEEK) was headed by R. Mohammed Saleem, President and Managing Trustee of the organisation. The team members Sisir, Srini, Abishek and Anirudha travelled by Mahindra Scorpio, they visited various wildlife sanctuaries across India. They spread awareness in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tribhuvan University and Golden Gate International CollegeKathmandu Nepal, IIT Guwahati and many other educational Institutions. The four members traveled for 60 days across India and the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.^{[28][29][30][31][32]} The expedition was sponsored by WWF-India, Mahindra Scorpio, Wulf Pro, MapmyIndia and CRI Pumps.

SEEK2019

The third expedition SEEK2019 was organised to document the threatened birds of India as well as to spread awareness on the importance of birds. The four member SEEK2019 team consisted of Dr. P.A. Azeez, former director - Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Dr. Ravi Rishi - a physician, Mr. Makathan, headed by Mr. R. Mohammed Saleem. The team travelled across India for 79 days in search of elusive and rare birds. The team were successful in spotting the whinchat for the first time in India.^{[33][34] [35]} During the expedition the team visited various educational institutions and NGOs. The expedition was sponsored by Carl Zeiss, Coimbatore City Round Table 31, NM & Co., Wulf Pro, MapmyIndia, Pricol, Sulochana Mills and Twin Birds

Save Coimbatore Racecourse

The Save Coimbatore Racecourse campaign was launched to protect the city's natural areas from unsustainable development. The movement was led by resident of the area, students, and policy makers. ECG spearheaded the Save Coimbatore Race course movement. It grew into a mass movement in a very short time. ECG along with other associations, stakeholders and general public's support were able to stop the indiscriminate cutting of trees on race course in the name of Smart City development, thanks to their efforts the green spaces were successfully reclaimed at Coimbatore Racecourse.^[36][37][38] Save Race course movement ^[39][40]

Notable Partnerships and Donors

ECG activities are made possible due to generous support from corporates and individuals; some of them are:

• National Geographic
• Bosch
• Carl Zeiss
• Google
• TCS
• HP
• WWF
• Panasonic
• Mahindra & Mahindra
• Sanctuary Asia
• Fire Bird Institution
• MapmyIndia
• Coimbatore Round Table
• Coleman
• Twin Birds
• N Mahalingam & Co

The ECG has received voluntary support from celebrities of film industry, including Nassar (actor)Famous Film Star Nazar speak on Wildlife Conservation, Vijay Sethupathi, Vivek (actor), Ponvannan and SingamuthuTamil Film star Singamuthu Invites you,