• The Rainforest Alliance is a non-governmental organization (NGO) working to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
• Based in New York City with offices throughout North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, it operates in more than 70 countries.
• It was founded in 1987 by Daniel Katz, who serves on its board of directors, and is led by President Nigel Sizer.
• The Rainforest Alliance aims to harness market forces to arrest the major drivers of deforestation and environmental destruction: timber extraction, agricultural expansion, cattle ranching and tourism.
• The organization trains farmers, foresters and tourism operators in sustainable practices that conserve land and waterways, improve livelihoods, and protect workers and communities.
• Among RA’s environment criteria are the protection and recharge of water sources, and soil conservation through the elimination of chemicals and noxious weeds (which, with waste management, forms the basics of herbicide-free integrated weed management).
• The RA initiative, supported by UN Environment (UNEP) and financed by Global Environmental Facility (GEF), trains planters and farmers through local partners in India, China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Source: Wiki & The Hindu