In all the development programmes, conservation of the natural resources and protection of the environment are essentially built in, as these are critical for sustainable development. This is particularly important, while dealing with the poor as their primary objective is to earn livelihood and the development organisations have the obligation of carefully designing the programme to ensure environmental protection with income generation activities. With a view to reduce the dependency on fossil fuel, activities like promotion of smokeless wood stoves, biogas plants, solar cookers and solar lamps have been promoted in selected project areas. Cultivation of fuelwood cum fodder species like leucaena, gliricidia, acacia, casuarina, melia, cassia, etc. on field bunds and barren land have helped the farmers to meet their fuel needs. The experience gained in afforestation on wastelands is being used to promote industrial greenbelt development through technical services.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has nominated BAIF as the Regional Resource Agency for coordinating the National Environmental Awareness Campaign in Maharashtra, Goa and Dadra Nagar Haveli.

Efforts are being made to create environmental awareness among various sections of the society, particularly children, both in rural and urban areas. Several documentary films, books, manuals and posters have been produced for different sections of the society for awareness and training.