Joint NGO & World Bank Workshop in India

INSEDA, INFORSE regional coordinator, initiated and organised a workshop for representatives of the World Bank and 40 NGOs involved in the environmental issues related to renewable energy and/or the power sector.

The workshop on May 6-7, 1998 in New Delhi coincides with preparation of the final report on a 2-year World Bank study called, "Environmental Issues in the Power Sector in India "(*).

The main aim of the meeting is to discuss the key findings of the study and to get feedback from the NGO representatives. The goal of the study was to reduce the adverse impact that the generation of power in India has on the environment.

The principal purpose was to improve environment planning, management, and decision-making tools, which would enable the Government of India to evaluate alternative options for power development in India.

Recognizing NGOs as important stakeholders, the study also envisaged involving them by keeping them informed about the study as it progresses, as well as by incorporating their views & feedback into the study. Unfortunately, during the first year, the involvement of NGOs was very limited. Their input came mainly through workshops, more particularly in two states namely Andhra Pradesh & Bihar, where detailed case studies were done. The involvement of

INSEDA members started in May, 1997. Since then, 80 NGOs have shared their views about the broad objectives and summarized it in a document.

(*) The study received partial funding from each of the following: the British Development Administration, the World Bank, UNDP, the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

Information: Raymond Myles, lNSEDA, Regional Coordinator of INFORSE, 3rd floor, St. Soldier Tower, Vikas Puri, New Delhi 110018, India. Ph:+91-115510344, fax: +91-11-5529646, e-mail: rayinda@nda.vsnl.net.in.