GENESIS OF SAFE
The need for a common forum to address environmental issues in the eco-region of South Asia as felt by a group of eco-conscious scientists while campaigning for rainwater harvesting and conserving natural sources of potable water in the north eastern hills of India and Bhutan, in year 1998, as a solution to deep water crisis gave rise to the concept of SAFE.
By the end of 2000, when efforts and endeavours towards a greater cause of environmental conservation and awareness were attempted, the need of an organization was strongly felt, which would sustain these efforts within the frame of a mission and guidance of a common objective. This led to more of organizing the operational (executive and administrative) structures of SAFE from passion driven amateur approaches to an institutional framework. During the accreditation of SAFE in the UN civil society stream, the organization was led by the Governing Body, consisting of President, Chair, Treasurer and Trustees, followed by the Board of Directors, Officials and ground team supported by volunteers and interns.
Post accreditation, the transformation of the organization from a locally active and regionally present organization to a globally present and actively working in the South Asian ecoregion was sharp and defined. What was basically instrumental behind this metamorphosis was its registration with the FCRA act of India that enabled the foreign funds to roll in for developmental work across national boundaries and also the accreditation with the GEF-CSO network and UN Environmental Assembly membership.