Numerous examples exist of organizations/movements advocating a more radical approach towards environmentalism and some of the prominent ones include

• Greenpeace
• Deep Ecology (founded by Arne Naess)
• Eco-Feminist Connection

The Eco-Feminist Connection is believed to go deeper than Deep Ecology in addressing the man-centered approaches towards development within the society and the fact that the females of the human race best represent the close ties with Mother Nature. Those environmentalists that are considered to be less militant insisted on the protection of selected parcels of land that held natural and cultural significance, with the request that industrialization and development occur outside the realm of such areas.

According to Bowler, a fundamental difference existed between the two camps. Those groups that were less enthusiastic (i.e., those in favor of the development of nature reserves) recognized that minor changes could occur within the current system, while the most enthusiastic environmentalists wanted to destroy the existing social order.

It is the former group that in a practical sense has made the most significant gains in the context of the global arena. Eco-tourism, to some, is merely an extension of this philosophy of ‘working within the system’ and one that, at least conceptually, attempts to knit the elements of the economy and ecology together (via parks) through the tenets of environmentalism and sustainable development.

Scores of environmental groups and environmentalists were up in arms to preserve the natural ecology of the state of Kerala. When the ‘silent valley’ was being mapped to put up a hydro electric project, it became a controversial issue in the state. Today, the hotels in Thekkady and that too adjacent to the nature reserves are given sanction to commence operations only after the clearance is given by the environment ministry.