Mumbai | August 1, 2025 – In a bold move blending culture, climate, and collaboration, the World Environment Council (WEC) has announced a groundbreaking initiative alongside Amlaan RiverCorp Pvt. Ltd., a cleantech startup based in Nagpur, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (NGMA Mumbai). The partnership aims to position NGMA Mumbai as India’s first Green Heritage Building, setting a precedent for sustainability in public cultural institutions.
At the heart of this mission is the World Environment Council’s drive to create not just green awareness but green systems—frameworks that endure, inspire, and evolve with the times.
Where Policy Meets Art, and Purpose Meets Action
This tri-partite collaboration unites forces from government, startups, and the global environmental movement. NGMA Mumbai, under the Ministry of Culture, is the symbolic canvas. Amlaan RiverCorp brings the innovation. But it is the World Environment Council that connects both to a global vision for climate resilience and sustainable governance.
With Prof. Ganesh Prakash Channa, President of the WEC, at the helm, the organization is not merely facilitating partnerships—it’s leading a shift in how institutions approach climate responsibility. Prof. Channa, who also contributed to the UN Ocean Conference 2025 through key concept papers, sees this as a national model for green transformation rooted in cultural relevance.
Leaders Behind the Vision
The collaboration was made possible through a network of dedicated individuals:
- Mrs. Nidhi Choudhari, IAS – Director, NGMA Mumbai, who envisioned the gallery’s role in India’s green transition.
- Mr. Shrijan Tayde – Founder & CEO of Amlaan RiverCorp, whose grassroots innovation earned the trust of major institutions.
- Mrs. Priyanka Bapna – ESG and cleantech expert from Meemansa, bringing practical sustainability tools to the table.
- Ms. Shruti Das – Deputy Curator, NGMA Mumbai, facilitating the blend of climate storytelling and contemporary art.
- Mr. Subrat Ratho, IAS (Retd.) – Former BMC official and mentor at Amlaan RiverCorp, guiding institutional synergy.
- Mr. Godfrey Lobo and Mr. Ashok Konapure – Long-standing WEC associates, present to endorse and support the mission.
The MoU’s Scope: More Than a Gesture
The agreement between the World Environment Council and Amlaan RiverCorp extends well beyond the NGMA initiative. It includes:
- ESG certification, consulting, and capacity building
- Support for river and coastal sustainability pilots
- Mentorship for youth-led environmental enterprises
- Workshops and exhibitions on environmental themes in urban India
- Circular economy solutions and climate-tech pilots in heritage settings
This dual engagement—policy support via WEC and technical implementation via Amlaan—ensures that sustainability is integrated into both administration and architecture.
NGMA Mumbai: From Cultural Icon to Climate Beacon
The gallery will undergo:
- Energy-efficient retrofits
- On-site waste segregation and composting
- Climate-focused exhibitions and installations
- Low-carbon transport and visitor engagement zones
- Integration of environmental narratives into art curation
This is not just about optics—it’s about creating a new operational ethos for public spaces in India.
Youth at the Core, Systems at the Forefront
Prof. Channa emphasizes that the transformation of NGMA Mumbai is part of a wider environmental movement spearheaded by WEC:
“We don’t want tokenism. We want tangible change. And we want the next generation leading it—with knowledge, structure, and hope.”
This vision is shared by Mr. Tayde, whose journey from a college cafeteria dreamer to signing a national-level MoU is testament to the power of persistence:
“This isn’t just a moment—it’s momentum. We’re not planting trees for photo ops. We’re building systems that stay long after we’re gone.”
