In memory of the late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF) in the year 1987, established an award titled Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar. This award recognises initiatives by those who have the potential or have made a significant impact in the protection of the environment. This award is given out on an annual basis. Areas of work that are taken into consideration while selecting awardees are Prevention of pollution, Conservation of natural resources, Rational use of depletable resources, Environmental planning and management, Environmental impact assessment, Outstanding field work (innovative research work) for enrichment of environment e.g. afforestation, land reclamation, water treatment, air purification etc., Environmental education and Creating awareness of environmental issues
Care Earth was awarded the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar in 2009 for the pioneering work on conserving Pallikaranai Marsh and Nanmangalam Forests, as also the recovery of Blackbuck in the IIT-M Campus through a species specific restoration plan. Special mention was made of Care Earth’s pioneering work on sand dune restoration along the coast of Northern Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry
TiE is a non-profit, global community which welcomes entrepreneurs from all over the world. The community believes in the power of ideas to change the face of entrepreneurship and growing business through their five pillars; mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding. It was founded in 1992 by a group of successful entrepreneurs and is currently the world’s largest entrepreneurial organization out there. Programs like TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) and Mentor Match, focus on reaching out to the newer generations of entrepreneurs
Dr Jayshree Vencatesan was awarded the Social Entrepreneur Award in 2014 for founding Care Earth Trust and her contribution to the restoration and conservation of wetlands in Tamil Nadu