Greening Rural Development

Climate Change Community
Water Community
Poverty
_____________________________
Work and Employment Community
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Query: Greening Rural Development Programmes -
Experiences; Examples; Referrals
Compiled by Ramesh Jalan, Resource Person & Moderator and Jai Kumar Gaurav,
Research Associate – on behalf of Climate Change Community; Warisha Yunus – on
behalf of Work and Employment Community and Sunetra Lala – on behalf of Water
Community.
Issue Date:7 May, 2012
From Sumeeta Banerji, United Nations Development Programme, New
Delhi
Posted 07 April 2012
UNDP India has a long standing collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD),
Government of India, to improve implementation and monitoring of its key poverty reduction
programmes. UNDP support to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Programme (MGNREGA) has focused on technical expertise, knowledge support, concurrent
monitoring, ICT innovations for transparency, and strengthening social accountability
mechanisms. UNDP is also supporting the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) through
technical support and bringing perspectives of the persistently excluded groups into planning for
NRLM.
The Minister, Rural Development, has recently sought inputs for ‘greening’ the
Ministry and its various rural development programs, primarily MGNREGA, the
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (rural roads programme), Rural Housing,

National Social Assistance Programme, Integrated Watershed Development
Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), and Desert Development
Programme (DDP). In addition, the Schemes to provide drinking water and the Total
Sanitation Campaign also fall within the scope of this request.
Some of these programmes already have a clear focus on ecological restoration and
strengthening related livelihoods. However, there is an opportunity to improve execution of these
programmes to achieve the environmental objectives and also to improve green outcomes.
MoRD and UNDP plan to organize a workshop to gather evidence on such ‘green’ results from
India and other countries to understand national and international experience in this area.
In this context, we would request members to share:
Examples from across India of employment generation and public works programmes, rural
livelihoods and entrepreneurship programmes, rural roads, watershed, drinking water and
sanitation programmes that have had successful experience in terms of ‘green outcomes’
(both public funded and civil society experiences).
Names and coordinates of focal persons and experts from state governments, civil society
and academia who would be important resource persons for sharing experiences.
Examples of any studies done to assess ways of ‘greening’ rural development programmes
and its potential to promote environmental benefits (employment, livelihoods, housing, roads
etc.) and sample terms of reference of similar studies.
Keeping in mind the urgent nature of this request from government, we would be grateful to
receive your advice and experiences by April 16.
Responses were received, with thanks, from
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
1. Sandeep Srivastava, Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES), Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh
2. Gautam Choudhury, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of
Communications & Information Technology (MCIT, Government of India (GoI),
Guwahati, Assam
3. M S R Murthy, Department of Population Studies, Sri Venkateswara University,
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
4. B.P. Syam Roy, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. Rahul Kumar, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), New
Delhi (Also relevant for NRLM)
6. P. S. M. Rao, Independent Researcher, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
7. Achyut Das, Agragamee, Rayagada, Odhisha
8. M. Mukhtar Alam, Centre For Ecological Audit, Social Inclusion & Governance
(CEASIG), New Delhi
9. B. Muralidharan, Feinbroth Consulting, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
10. Bansi Lal Kaul, Society for Popularization of Science (SPS), Jammu
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
11. Satya Prakash Mehra & Sarita Mehra, Rajputana Society of Natural History
(RSNH), Udaipur, Rajasthan
12. Zeenat Niazi, Development Alternatives Group (DAG), New Delhi

13. P.S. Ojha, Bio-energy Mission Cell, Department of Planning (DoP), Government of
Uttar Pradesh (GoUP), Lucknow
14. Ramit Basu, New Delhi
15. Jyotsna Bapat, Mumbai, Maharashtra
16. Shantanu Mitra, Department for International Development (DFID), China
17. Ritu Bharadwaj, Department for International Development (DFID-India), British
High Commission, New Delhi
18. Rajshekar, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), New Delhi
19. Maroti A. Upare, International Consultant, Mumbai, Maharashtra
20. Devendra Sahai, Global Warming Reduction Centre (GWRC), New Delhi
21. S. N. Srinivas, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), New Delhi
22. Bashu Aryal, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Nepal
23. Sanjeev Kumar, The Goat Trust, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
24. B.Panda, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
25. Tomojeet Chakraborty, Government of West Bengal (GoWB), Kolkata, West
Bengal
26. Archana Vaidya, Indian Environment Law Offices (IELO), New Delhi
27. Ramakrishna Nallathiga, Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad, Andhra
Pradesh
28. Sejuti Sarkar De, Society for Natural Resource Management & Community
Development (SNRMCD), Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
Indira Awas Yojana (IAY)
29. Rabi Mukhopadhyay, Forum of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET),
Kolkata, West Bengal
National Watershed Development Project in Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and
the Watershed Development in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDSCA)
30. Ashok Ghosh, Department of Environment and Water Management, A. N. College,
Patna, Bihar
31. Raj Jani, Jaipur, Rajasthan
32. Rahul Jindal, NCR Real Estate Consultant, New Delhi
33. Arun Jindal, Society for Sustainable Development (SSD), Karauli, Rajasthan
34. Biplab K. Paul, Lokvikas, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
35. Mahtab S. Bamji, Dangoria Charitable Trust (DCT), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
36. Satyabrata Guru, Orissa Watershed Development Mission (OWDM), Odhisha
37. Karen Thorst, Humana People to People India (HPPI), Rajasthan
38. Anita Sharma, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),
New Delhi
Others
39. DSK Rao, Gyantech Information Systems (P) Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
(Response1, Response2)
40. Suman K Apparusu, Change Planet Partners Climate Innovation Foundation
(CPPCIF), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
41. Dhirendra Krishna, New Delhi
42. Alex Thomas, Department of Environment, SHIAT University of Agricultural
Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
43. K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

44. Rajan M Karakkattil, Malankara Social Service Society (MSSS),
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
45. Ananya Bhattacharya, i-land informatics Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal
46. Neena Rao, Business Development & Policy Advocacy, CCCEA, MCR HRD Inst. Of
Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
47. Aditi Kapoor, Alternative Futures, New Delhi
48. Raghwesh Ranjan, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Brighton, United
Kingdom
49. Nagendra P. Singh, Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development
(ASEED) - International Institute of Development Management Technology
(IDMAT), New Delhi
Further contributions are welcome!
Summary of Responses
Comparative Experiences
Related Resources
Responses in Full
Summary of Responses
Greening rural development would ensure social, ecological, and economic well being of
communities and contribute in achieving the national environmental goals. Countries across the
world are promoting Green Economy and pursuing low-carbon development. The Rio+20 being
held in June, 2012 will involve adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will
be applicable to all countries of the world. Greening the economy is a lower priority as it is
considered that protection of the environment is a deterrent to economic development. However,
members have highlighted several examples that could lead to sustainable development of the
country. For example utilization of innovative technologies; greening with focus on plantation of
multiple varieties; afforestation to yield additional income for communities; promotion of
sustainable agricultural practices; participatory natural resources management; revival of
traditional structures/practices, strengthening institutions, encouraging conservation practices
etc.. Therefore it is essential to explore opportunities for greening the programs of Ministry of
Rural Development (MoRD) as even today most of our population lives in the rural areas. In
addition strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework has been emphasized for
enhancing efficiency of national schemes being executed. The need to integrate rural
development programs with other initiatives of the Government of India initiatives is the need of
the hour.
Several examples of rural development programs leading to green outcomes in India include the
following:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Afforestation and Post Plantation Care of Forests:
• The social forestry division of Golaghat district, Assam in 1980 planted trees on 200 hectares
of land that has been maintained and extended by a local community member. It is crucial to
earmark resources for maintaining plantations even after the project is completed.
Orchards and Traditional Farming in Waste Lands

• Agragamee in district Rayagada, Odhisha promoted traditional agricultural methods, zero
tillage farming in waste lands by women. Through the Wadi project the Waste lands are
utilized for developing orchards.
System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
• Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES) in eastern Uttar Pradesh is promoting SRI. As it
uses less water, enhances productivity, improves soil quality, water retention capacity it
needs to be integrated with MNREGA.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
Biodiversity Conservation Practices for Sustainable Livelihood
• Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) encouraged local community for conservation of
biodiversity and its utilization for making traditional handicrafts. The Eco- Development
Committee (EDC) of the area has developed a marketing network for the sale of handicrafts.
Bio-energy Development Programs
• The UNDP Biomass Energy for Rural India (BERI) Project demonstrated biomass packages to
meet rural energy needs. The project has established a 1 MW biomass gasifier power plant in
Karnataka.
• The Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur has established energy
plantations in arid zones of Western Rajasthan for biomass generation, enhancing income of
SHGs and Youth Groups.
• UNICEF and government of Uttar Pradesh through the “Agro-waste to energy project”
installed biogas plants for meeting the energy needs for both cooking and lighting. The
Government of Tripura is using Water Hyacinth that obstructs fishing activities for generating
bio-gas. Similarly for safe disposal of floral waste from temples; Ghats of Ganges and Dairy
Farms across the country biogas / composting plants are being encouraged.
• The Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
has focused on generating electricity from wood-chips and also on production of biofuels
from plantations. The Bio-energy Mission Cell of the Department of Planning, Uttar Pradesh is
promoting bio-diesel production from Jatropha oil.
Promoting Green Construction
• Development Alternatives Group (DAG) and its partner organizations have promoted green
technologies such as Compressed Earth Blocks, Fly-Ash bricks, Micro-Concrete Roofing tiles,
Pre-fabricated brick panels etc. that could be included in rural development programs.
• The work of 180 artisan group TARA Karigar Mandal in Madhya Pradesh has indicated that it
is possible to service the rural market through development of green skills particularly in the
field of construction and management.
• Forum Of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET) has developed a technology to
construct disaster resistant bamboo houses.
Programmatic and Integrated Approach for Sustainable Rural Development
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USA is implementing the Sustainable Rural
Communities Programme. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities ensures that
spending, policies, and programs of different departments that support rural communities’
need to be economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable.
• Global Warming Reduction Centre (GWRC), New Delhi and its partner organizations are
implementing an Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) which promotes organic
farming, vermi-composting, plantation of medicinal plants, soil conservation etc.
• The “Jeevan Shakti Pariyojna” in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh is promoting
cultivation of herbal and aromatic crops on marginal lands as a livelihood option.

• The Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP) supported by DFID promotes
regeneration of natural resources and capacity building of local communities and has set up
biogas, smokeless chulhas, solar light, treadle pump, agro-forestry projects etc. It has also
assessed the effectiveness of the project in reducing climate-induced vulnerabilities and its
contribution towards climate resilient, low carbon development.
• Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) initiated an Integrated Natural
Resource Management (INRM) project in Odisha supported by UNDP through which
communities acquired productive assets such as ponds, tanks, productive lands, plantations
etc.
Aquaculture and Goat Farming Development
• In Vietnam, a rural development project has been able to provide alternative livelihoods
through aquaculture managed primarily by women with adequate support from micro-finance
institutions.
• The Goat Trust is focusing on enhancing productivity of goats and encouraging farmers for
increasing the production of fodder.
Establishing Seed banks and Organic Farms
• Gene Campaign, New Delhi is working with farmers in Jharkhand and Bihar in conservation of
indigenous varieties of rice, millets etc. by promoting zero-energy seed banks and organic
farming.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Plantations Around Roads
• The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) & Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)
needs to incorporate plantation of trees of commercial value on both sides of the
roads/dividers.
Indira Awas Yojana (IAY)
Promoting Green Construction (Also Relevant to NRLM)
• Development Alternatives Group (DAG) and its partner organizations have promoted green
technologies such as Compressed Earth Blocks, Fly-Ash bricks, Micro-Concrete Roofing tiles,
Pre-fabricated brick panels etc. that could be included in rural development programs.
• The work of 180 artisan group TARA Karigar Mandal in Madhya Pradesh has indicated that it
is possible to service the rural market through development of green skills particularly in the
field of construction and management.
• Forum Of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET) has developed a technology to
construct disaster resistant bamboo houses.
National Watershed Development Project in Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and
the Watershed Development in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDSCA)
Watershed Development Initiatives
• Society for Sustainable Development (SSD), Karauli, Rajasthan renovated almost 300 pokhars
(Rain water harvesting structures).
• Aravali Institute of Management (AIM), Jodhpur, Rajasthan has developed 15 lakes through
rain water harvesting structures.
• Action for Social Advancement (ASA), Bhopal through micro irrigation, dug-wells, and
participatory irrigation management has been able to improve the ground water availability in
the area.

• A vast tract of barren land has been converted in green area in Banka District, Bihar. The
project involved field studies along with inputs from low-income communities regarding
household, agricultural water demand for watershed management project design and its
subsequent implementation.
• In Uttarakhand, Percolation Tanks (Chal Khal in local language) have been constructed for
groundwater recharge. Such tanks with improved structures to prevent silt deposition can be
constructed by the Rural Development Department on village common lands, roadsides,
pasture lands etc.
Use of Innovative Irrigation technology
• World Bank India Development Marketplace (IDM) 2007 awarded innovative irrigation
technology ““Bhungroo” or ‘the straw’ is being promoted by Lokvikas in Gujarat. It involves
injecting the excess surface water below the soil and storing it in a subsoil aquifer.
Others:
“Sabuj Safal Purashkar (Green Glory Awards)”
• To recognize Gram Panchayat’s actively involved in afforestion it would be worthwhile to
initiate an award involving cash prize, recognition and financial support to the gram
panchayat.
Capacity Building and Networking
• The Malankara Social Service Society (MSSS), Kerala through the Srothas Development
Mission is involved in sustainable rural community empowerment involving development of
partnerships, alliances, networks etc..
• The Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project (WORLP), funded by DFID involves
participatory planning and capacity building of community level organizations including SHGs.
• The Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development (ASEED) has established
Community Polytechnic in Bihar focusing on imparting multi-skill development in the areas of
vermi composting, cultivation of aromatic, medicinal plants etc.
• Centre for Climate Change and Environment Advisory (CCCEA), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
is imparting Knowledge on issues related to sustainable development to primarily
government officials.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) at Panchayat level
• ERP could help in optimum utilization of resources through drip irrigation, zero tillage
farming, reduced use of pesticides, solar air dryer processing, collective farming etc..
Studies involving assessments of ‘greening’ rural development programmes and its
potential to promote environmental benefits have been conducted which can provide
inputs for design / implementation of similar programs in the future:
• The Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks developed by International Labor Organization
(ILO) & Development Alternatives (DA) has assessed that decent work and environmental
dimensions of existing jobs under NREGS based on four pillars namely, employment, social
protection, dialogue and rights related indicators need to be strengthened.
• The World Bank Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) was utilized to review the
environmental and social aspects of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• MGNREGA has legal obligation to conduct social audit and "greening" could be a part of this
exercise. Social audit could be extended to all development schemes.

Right To Information (RTI) Act
• Section 4 of Right To Information (RTI) Act provides the required legal framework that could
ensure disclosure and disseminate of information for holding public authorities accountable.
MoRD needs to frame guidelines for suo-moto disclosure to enable every citizen to ascertain
whether the reported "progress" is being achieved or not.
Comparative Experiences
Andhra Pradesh
Capacity Building of Government Officials on Climate Change, Hyderabad (fromNeena
Rao, Business Development & Policy Advocacy, CCCEA, MCR HRD Inst. Of Andhra Pradesh,
Hyderabad)
The Centre for Climate Change and Environment Advisory (CCCEA), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
is imparting expertise and knowledge on issues related to Climate Change. It conducts several
capacity building programmes for government officials and other practitioners. CCCEA is
strengthening the existing ‘Framework of Impact Analysis of Capacity Building Programmes'.
Read more
Assam
Care of Plantations By Local Community Member, Jorhat (from Gautam Choudhury,
National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government
of India, Guwahati, Assam)
Mr. Jadav Payeng was involved in an afforestation project in 1980 by the social forestry division
of Golaghat district. He continued to protect the saplings even after the project was completed.
With the help of his support a forest has developed on a sand bar in the middle of the mighty
Brahmaputra River in Assam's Jorhat district. The 30-year-long effort led to growth of woods
stretching over an area of 550 hectares. Read more
Bihar
Watershed Management Planning With Inputs from Local Communities, Banka (from
Ashok Ghosh, Department of Environment and Water Management, A. N. College, Patna, Bihar)
A collaborative project involving academia, financial institution, local community and NGO has
converted vast tract of barren land into a green area in Banka District, Bihar. The project
involved seeking inputs from local community regarding watershed management along with
utilization of modern scientific techniques. Read more
Training Institutes Focusing on Capacity Building Related to Green Economy, Bhojpur
(from Nagendra P. Singh, Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development
(ASEED) - International Institute of Development Management Technology (IDMAT), New Delhi)
The Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development (ASEED) has implemented a
three year intensive project on capacity building for the green economy in Bhojpur District, Bihar.
It has established a Community Polytechnic encouraging medicinal, aromatic plant cultivation,
vermi composting and other non farm skill training including financial literacy for women and
youth from rural community.
Gujarat

Innovative Technologies for Region Specific Problem Works Wonders (from Biplab K.
Paul, Lokvikas, Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
Lokvikas supported small and marginal women farmers to ensure food security and enhance
income through the use of its innovative irrigation technology. It helped in improving their
perennially water logged, salinity affected lands and enabled women farmers to earn higher
income within first two seasons. It is controlling desertification reducing salinity and helping
desert areas get green crops in both monsoon and winter.
Karnataka
From S. N. Srinivas, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), New Delhi
Biomass Energy for Rural India (BERI) Project
BERI Project has demonstrated that biomass packages can meet rural energy needs. It also
facilitated removal of technical, institutional, market and policy barriers to promotion of biomass
packages. The project has established 1 MW biomass gasifier power plant in Koratagere taluka.
These systems together have generated approximately 951 MWh (approximately 1 million units)
of electricity till now contributing to reduction of 780 tCO2. Read more
Public-Private-Panchayat model for Energy Planning at the Gram Panchayat Level
Government of Karnataka initiated a program for preparation of Energy Plans with involvement of
GP members and President supported by the Zilla Panchayat project engineers. 27 GPs from each
of 27 districts in Karnataka were chosen based on a set of criteria. The plans were prepared and
implemented. Read more
Kerala
Srothas Development Mission
(from Rajan M Karakkattil, Malankara Social Service Society, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
The mission involves convergence of development programming with a Rights Based Approach
with following four core principles including developing partnership, alliances, networks; adopting
integrated, holistic, inclusive approach; ensuring community participation and sustainability.
Madhya Pradesh
Participatory Irrigation Management To Improve Ground Water Availability, Bhopal
(from Ramit Basu, New Delhi
Action for Social Advancement (ASA), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh is promoting micro irrigation
systems and dug wells along with Participatory Irrigation Management. It includes enhancing
involvement of farmers in all aspects and levels of irrigation management. It is expected that
such an approach will help ensure reliable and equitable distribution of water supply. Read more
Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP), Madhya Pradesh (from Ritu
Bharadwaj, DFID India, British High Commission, New Delhi)
The MPRLP aims at eliminating rural poverty by empowering rural households in nine mainly
tribal districts of the state. It adopts a bottom-up approach, facilitating, inspiring and guiding
community-driven collective and individual action to reduce poverty through Gram Sabhas. It
involved several green initiatives that lead to creation of employment opportunities in the state
and promoted regeneration of natural resources. Read more
Odisha
From Achyut Das, Agragamee, Rayagada, Odisha

Entitlement to Land and Natural Farming Boosts Livelihood Opportunities for the
Poor, Rayagada
To augment their income, an organization worked with tribal women to implement NRM related
activities, cultivating and protecting the Dangar land. These women have planted 1200 cashew
trees in 15 acres of Dangar land and have also made a stone fencing around the land. The
emphasis is waste land identification and process of entitlement for the land less women under
Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Institutional Mechanism Helps in Promotion of Greening Activities, Rayagada
An organization promoted community based institutions to monitor and implement the village
development plans. They created three Udyan Vikash Samiti, one Youth Group, one Mahila
Mandal, two Farmers Club and three SHGs. These groups assisted the villagers in reviving and
utilizing their waste lands. Farmers were provided with technical inputs and financial assistance
to develop orchards that benefited 43 families with plantation in 38 acres.
Leveraging the Strengths of Flagship Programmes Yields Positive and Greener
Outcomes, Kandamal (from Rahul Kumar, Professional Assistance for Development Action
(PRADAN), Odisha)
PRADAN created livelihoods of the poor by utilizing the extensive reach and resources of
MGNREGS with possibilities of further convergence with other agencies or programmes. Thus,
target families in the project area could not only accessed employment but also acquired
productive assets such as ponds, tanks, productive lands, plantations and well under this
convergence program and enhanced their livelihoods through improved agriculture.
Inclusion of Poorest Must be Top Priority, (from Satyabrata Guru, Orissa Watershed
Development Mission (OWDM), Odisha
An organization focused on including the poorest at the forefront of interventions. The project
employed participatory method of Well-Being Ranking for positioning of project interventions.
This ensured that the interventions for the poor were planned and implemented as first priority
which led to almost 75 percent of the poorest reporting inclusion of their interests in the micro
planning process in 2008 as members of SHGs and Common Interest Groups (CIGs).
Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project (from Shantanu Mitra, DFID - China)
The WORLP contributes to reducing poverty by promoting livelihoods initiatives for the poorest. It
involves development of sustainable livelihoods based on natural resource management within
the context of watershed development but with the scope to address broader issues of
sustainable livelihoods including savings, credit, access to common property resources, off-
farm/non-farm activities, non-timber forest products etc.. Read more
Rajasthan
Renovation of Rain Water Harvesting Structures, Karauli (from Arun Jindal, Society for
Sustainable Development, Karauli, Rajasthan)
Society for Sustainable Development (SSD) in Karauli District of Rajasthan has implemented
several rain water harvesting projects with the help of various donors in the backward “Daang”
area of Rajasthan. Around 300 pokhars (Rain Water Harvesting Structures) have been renovated
by involving members of the local communities as labor.
Rain Water Harvesting and Development of Green Cover on Saline Land, Jodhpur
(from Raj Jani, Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Aravali Institute of Management, Jodhpur has developed a green cover despite saline soil, harsh
climate and rough terrain. It has utilized rain water harvesting structures for developing 15 lakes

with around 6 crore litres of water. Over 6000 trees have grown up to 15 feet tall and the
campus has 3 large lawns of around 2.5 acres each, 6 smaller lawns, a meditation centre on the
natural mound surrounded by 1500 plants and vegetables grown organically.
Promoting Energy Plantations, Jodhpur (from Ramit Basu, New Delhi)
The Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur has established energy plantations in arid
zones of Western Rajasthan with involvement of local communities through Self Help Groups
(SHGs), Youth Groups etc.. These plantations have enhanced the income of local communities.
Read more
Biodiversity Conservation Practices for Sustainable Livelihood Bharatpur from Satya
Prakash Mehra & Sarita Mehra, Rajputana Society of Natural History Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) trained Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women in
making handicrafts and artifacts from local plant species in village Chak Ramnagar in Bharatpur,
Rajasthan. The community is encouraged to revive the traditional art of making handicrafts. The
Forest Department of Keoladeo National Park (KNP) along with the Eco Development Committee
(EDC) provided a platform for the sale of the handicrafts. Read more
Uttar Pradesh
Promoting System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Siddharthnagar (from Sandeep
Srivastava, Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES) is promoting System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in
District Siddharthnagar of Uttar Pradesh. Saving of irrigation water up to 50 to 60 % as
compared to traditional practices is possible through this technique. It involves transplanting
seedlings at a very young age of 8 to 12 days instead of the usual 3-4 weeks or more. Read
more
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) (from Devendra Sahai, Global Warming
Reduction Centre (GWRC), New Delhi)
The IRDP involves implementation of several green initiatives through a comprehensive and
holistic approach with the ultimate aim of optimizing the income and improving the quality of life
of the village folk. Global Warming Reduction Centre (GWRC), New Delhi and its partner
organizations are promoting organic farming, vermi-composting, plantation of medicinal plants,
soil conservation etc. as part of IRDP. Read more
Bioenergy Mission (from P.S. Ojha, Bio-energy Mission Cell, Department of Planning,
Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow)
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has initiated the Bioenergy Mission involving plantation of
Jatropha in waste lands. The Jatropha seeds would be utilized for production of biodiesel in pilot
projects established by the government.
Goat Farming and Cultivation of Fodder (from Sanjeev Kumar, The Goat Trust, Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh)
The Goat Trust is improving goat farming by enhancing productivity of goats rather than
inducting new goats. It facilitates financing for replacing low quality often in bred or chronic
diseased goats. It is enabling improved fodder production and has initiated "Bakari Palak
Pathshala (Shepherding School)" to train farmers.
West Bengal
Construction of Disaster Resistant Bamboo houses, West Bengal from Rabi
Mukhopadhyay, Forum of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET), Kolkata, West Bengal)

Forum Of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET) has developed a detailed technology to
construct disaster resistant bamboo houses that would last for at least for 30 years. The
construction meets the National Building Code (NBC). A modern bamboo treatment facility to
treat bamboo as per IS 9096, improved as recommended in International Network for Bamboo
and Rattan (INBAR) has been installed. Read more
Multiple States
The Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) (from Rajshekar, Centre for Environment
Education, New Delhi)
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing VESP that involves formation of Village
Energy Committees (VEC), financing of projects for generating electricity from wood-chips and
producing biofuels from plantations. The Operation & Maintenance (O&M) charges are to be paid
by VECs through collection of required monthly charges from beneficiary.
Green Construction in Rural Areas from Zeenat Niazi, Development Alternatives Group, New
Delhi)
Development Alternatives Group and its partner organizations are promoting utilization of green
technologies for construction. The use of such technologies leads to savings in cement, steel,
energy and other natural resources. DA has developed 180 artisan group known as TARA Karigar
Mandal in Madhya Pradesh that are involved in green construction activities. Read more
Biogas Generation from Different Wastes from P.S. Ojha, Bio-energy Mission Cell,
Department of Planning, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow)
The Government of Uttar Pradesh along with UNICEF initiated Agro-waste to energy project that
established biogas plants. Following the success of the biogas projects several states including
Tripura and Gujarat are implementing biogas projects based on different wastes.
Conservation of Germplasm Through Community Involvement (from Ramit Basu, New
Delhi)
Gene Campaign has been conserving the germplasm of traditional crops, chiefly rice, from the
important centers of rice diversity including Odhisha, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. The seed is
scientifically processed to reduce seed moisture by desiccation and is stored in Zero Energy
Gene-Seed Banks which are located in villages under the stewardship of local communities. Read
more
International
Vietnam
Aquaculture Development for Livelihood (from Maroti A. Upare, International Consultant,
Mumbai, Maharashtra)
UNDP implemented the Aquaculture Development Project in Northern Provinces of Vietnam for
providing livelihoods through aquaculture specially managed by women with appropriate
microfinance support. Loan recovery was 95% in the project. Danish International Development
Agency (DANIDA) has replicated the project in other parts of the country.
United States of America
Sustainable Rural Communities Programme (from Suman K Apparusu, Change Planet
Partners Climate Innovation Foundation (CPPCIF), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
The Partnership integrates housing, transportation, environmental policy, coordinates federal
investments to yield better results by meeting multiple economic, environmental and community

objectives. For example, communities, and other stakeholders are provided assistance to clean
up and develop brownfields into green areas. Read more
Related Resources
Recommended Documentation
Water management in developing country: A case study of a watershed development
program in the state of Bihar, India (from Ashok Ghosh, Department of Environment and
Water Management, A. N. College, Patna, Bihar)
Paper; by Ghosh A., Bose N., Kroesen O, Bruining H., Bawane V.H, Chaubey P.K.; Delft
University of Technology; Netherlands.
Available at http://repository.tudelft.nl/view/ir/uuid%3A84a3d0dd-9e06-4895-a260-
56d4ca963fc6/ (HTML)
The case studies highlight the importance of participatory approach in effective
watershed management.
From DSK Rao, Gyantech Information Systems (P) Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Inclusive Growth in Agriculture and 127 Other Vocations Through Design of
Integrated Community Information System and it’s implementation by customization
of ‘Web Based ERP’
Paper; by DSK Rao; Gyantech Information Systems (P) Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041201.pdf (PDF; 64.5 KB)
The paper provides details of implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) at the
Panchayat level.
Transformation of Waste Land into Green Belt In Jodhpur
Article; by Varun Arya; Jodhpur, Rajasthan; October, 2011
Available at http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Transformation-of-Wasteland-into-
Greenbelt-in-Jodhpur-1.aspx (HTML)
The article provides information regarding conversion of saline waste land to green belt
by Aravali Institute of Management.
From Suman K Apparusu, Change Planet Partners Climate Innovation Foundation (CPPCIF),
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
NREGA - A review of decent work and green jobs in Kaimur district in Bihar
Report; by Raghwesh Ranjan and Kiran Sharma; Development Alternatives Group; New Delhi; 2
July 2010.
Available at http://www.ilo.org/newdelhi/info/WCMS_142539/lang--en/index.htm (PDF 3.3 MB)
The study assessed the decent Work and environmental dimensions of the existing jobs
created under NREGS.
Study on Environmental and Social Aspects of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY)
Report; by LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi; New Delhi; February, 2004.
Available at http://pmgsy.nic.in/archives/esmf/dacc.pdf (PDF; 1.5 MB)
The report highlights the potential environmental and social risks in implementation of
PMGSY and recommends associated mitigation mechanisms.
Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities

Report; by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);; USA; 2011.
Available at http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/2011_11_supporting-sustainable-rural-
communities.pdf (PDF; 2.8 MB)
The report elaborates on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities program being
implemented by several government agencies in USA.
Distribution Reform, Upgrades and Management (DRUM) (from Alex Thomas,
Department of Environment, SHIAT University of Agricultural Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh)
Information Platform; by USAID-India; New Delhi; 2004.
Available at http://www.usaid.gov/in/our_work/health/environment_doc1.htm (HTML)
The program is being implemented to upgrade and transform the electricity distribution
sector in India.
P3 (Public-Private-Panchayat) model for IREP Programme in Karnataka State (from S.
N. Srinivas, UNDP, New Delhi)
Paper; by N Sivasailam, Ritu Kakkar, S N Srinivas, Yabbati Nagaraju, C K Jalajakshi and H H
Ninga Setty;Bangalore, Karnataka; 2004
Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041207.pdf (PDF ; 822 KB)
The paper describes in detail the cluster village plan based on the P3 – model, i.e. Public-
Private-Panchayat partnership.
Environment and Poverty Times No. 7 (from Satya Prakash Mehra & Sarita Mehra,
Rajputana Society of Natural History Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Newsletter; by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); Norway; February, 2012.
Available at http://www.grida.no/publications/et/ep7/ (HTML)
The newsletter highlights the water management activities across different countries.
Man creates forest single-handedly on Brahmaputra sand bar (from Gautam Choudhury,
National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government
of India, Guwahati, Assam)
Article; by The Asian Age; Itanagar; 25 March, 2012
Available at http://www.asianage.com/india/man-creates-forest-single-handedly-brahmaputra-
sand-bar-972 (HTML)
The article provides details of conservation of a forest area planted by government
through efforts of a community member.
From K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Does Green Matter?
Article; by Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma; Climate Himalaya; New Delhi; 16 September 2011.
Available at http://chimalaya.org/2011/09/16/does-green-matter/ (HTML)
The article highlights the challenges in transition to green economy that will cost an
average annual investment of no less than US$ 1.3 trillion.
Watch The Shades Of `Green Economy’
Article; by Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma; Climate Himalaya; New Delhi; 27 October 2011.
Available at http://chimalaya.org/2011/10/27/watch-the-shades-of-green-economy/ (HTML)
The article highlights that putting price tag on natural services can open a Pandora’s box
of conflicting situations.
From Raj Jani, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Scorched Land Now Verdant Campus
Article; by Purba Kalita; Organization; 1st Holistic.Com.
Available at http://www.1stholistic.com/reading/prose/A2007/power-of-vision-and-might.htm
(HTML)
The article highlights the efforts by Aravali Institute of Management at Jodhpur in
greening the institute's campus.
Aravali Site: The Transformation
Video; by Jagdeesh Saraik; Youtube; 11 January, 2012.
Available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hx7e3-bJXM (Video)
The video informs regarding the transformation of saline land to green area in Jodhpur.
Synthesis Report: Effects of Climate Change in Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods
Project (WORLP) (from Shantanu Mitra, DFID - China)
Report; by Dr Satyanarayan, Dr Bhabani Das, Mr Ashok Singha and Ms Lopamudra; DFID; New
Delhi; 2010.
Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041202.pdf (PDF; 3.5 MB)
The report elaborates the impacts of climate change in areas where WORLP project is
being implemented.
From Ritu Bharadwaj, DFID India, British High Commission, New Delhi
Climate Change Impact Assessment Study: Risk Management, Adaptation and
Mitigation Co-benefits for Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP)
Report; by Dr. Kinsuk Mitra, Rishu Gargitle, Sunpreet Kaur, Md. Aatish Khan and Neeraj
Srivastava; Winrock International; New Delhi; February 2012.
Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041203.pdf (PDF; 3.35 MB)
The report provides details of the impact of MPRLP on vulnerability reduction and low
carbon development.
Success Stories of Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (MPRLP)
Success Stories; by Winrock International; New Delhi; February 2012;
Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041204.pdf (PDF; 952 KB)
The document includes success stories of the MPRLP project and best practices
compilation,
Developing Green Skills for Green Entrepreneurship (from Ananya Bhattacharya, i-land
informatics Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Article; by Ananya Bhattacharya; Banglanatak Dot Com; Kolkata, West Bengal; 2012.
The article highlights the initiatives related to development of green entrepreneurship in
Bihar and West Bengal amongst rural artisans.
Village Energy Security Programme (VESP) (from Rajshekar, Centre for Environment
Education, New Delhi)
Case Studies; by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); New Delhi; 2011.
Available at http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/case_study_vesp.htm (HTML)
The platform provides details of the successful projects implemented through VESP.
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) (from Devendra Sahai, Global Warming
Reduction Centre (GWRC), New Delhi ame, Organization, Location)
Article; by Devendra Sahai; Global Warming Reduction Centre (GWRC); New Delhi; 2012.

The article provides information regarding the activities within the Integrated Rural
Development Programme (IRDP) of GWRC.
Rajasthan tackles drought through pokhars (from Arun Jindal, Society for Sustainable
Development, Karauli, Rajasthan)
Article; by Neha Sakhuja; Down To Earth; Rajasthan; 2007.
Available at http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/37121 (HTML)
The study highlights projects in Rajasthan implemented for tackling drought using
Pokhars.
Engendering the Climate for Change: Policies and practices for gender-just
adaptation (from Aditi Kapoor, Alternative Futures, New Delhi)
Report; by Aditi Kapoor; Alternative Futures; New Delhi; 2011.
Available at
http://alternativefutures.org.in/userfiles/Engendering%20the%20Cilmate%20for%20Change.pdf
(PDF 7.41 MB)
The report highlights that climate change would put an extra pressure on women
activities ranging from agriculture, fetching water to fodder collection.
Implementing Integrated Natural Resource Management Projects under the National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (from Rahul Kumar, PRADAN, New Delhi)
Resource book; by Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN); New Delhi.
Available at http://www.pradan.net/images/Media/inrm_eng_prelim_pages.pdf (PDF; 1.14 MB)
The resource book could be utilized to identify opportunities with an INRM perspective
for generating wage employment under NREGA.
Iron Gabion to Human Gabion in Social Forestry under NREGA (from B. Muralidharan,
Feinbroth Consulting, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh)
Presentation; by Shri. S.M Raju; Rural Development Department, Bihar; 2009.
Available at http://www.nrega.net/csd/Forest/field-initiatives/Bihar.pdf (PDF; 1 MB)
The presentation elaborates on the need for implementing human gabion project for
creating employment and protecting trees.
From Karen Thorst, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan
Lessons Learnt from the Practical Experience of Scaling Up the Water Related
Technologies at the Community Level
Report; by Humana People to People India (HPPI) and International Water Management Institute
(IWMI)
Available at http://www.gaia-movement.org/files/HPPI%20Report%202.pdf (PDF; 728 KB)
Contain experiences of 3,000 farming families and 10 villages participating in the
Challenge Program for Water and Food in Alwar District.
Analysis of Issues in the Delivery, Adoption and Long Term Interest by Farmers to
Carry Out Farmer Led Research
Report; by Humana People to People India (HPPI) and International Water Management Institute
(IWMI)
Available at http://www.gaia-movement.org/files/HPPI%20Report%203.pdf (PDF; 1.46 MB)
Findings state that the needs of the farmers and their interest can be taken care of by
making them equal partner in the project implementation.
The Forest Rights Act (from Achyut Das, Agragamee, Rayagada)
Act; Available at http://www.forestrightsact.com/ (HTML)

The Act recognises forest dwellers' rights and makes conservation more accountable.
Recommended Contacts and Experts
From Raghwesh Ranjan, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Brighton, United Kingdom
Kiran Sharma, Development Alternatives (DA), New Delhi
B-32, TARA Crescent, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016; Tel: 91-11-26134103; Fax:
91-11-26130817; ksharma2@devalt.org; www.devalt.org
Professional working with DA conducted a study about MGNREGA from the perspective of
decent work and environmental sustainability.
Zeenat Niazi, Development Alternatives (DA), New Delhi
B-32, TARA Crescent, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016; Tel: 91-11-26134103; Fax:
91-11-26130817; zniazi@devalt.org; www.devalt.org;
Associated with DA and has experience in conducting studies about MGNREGA from the
perspective of environment sustainability along with promotion of decent work.
S. M. Raju, Government of Bihar, Bihar (from M. Muralidharan, Feinbroth Consulting, Greater
Noida)
Divisional Commissioner, Munger Division
Worked for promoting Social Forestry under MGNREGS that addresses not only social
exclusion but provides sustainable solutions to livelihoods issues of the poor.
Sandeep Tambe, Government of Sikkim, Sikkim (from B. Panda, North Eastern Hill
University, Shillong, Meghalaya)
Special Secretary and Nodal Officer, MGNREGS, Department of Rural Management and
Development, Sikkim
Has considerable experience of greening Rural Sikkim through MGNREGS and other rural
development programmes.
From Rahul Kumar
Achintya Ghosh, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), New
Delhi
E-1/A, Kailash Colony, Ground Floor and Basement, Kailash Colony, New Delhi 110048; Tel: 91-
11-29248826; achintyaghosh@pradan.net;
http://www.pradan.net/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1;
Has immense experience in implementing and managing PRADAN's integrated work in
the area of natural resource management and livelihood promotion.
Dibyendu Chaudhry, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), New
Delhi
11-29248826;
dibyendu@pradan.net;http://www.pradan.net/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1;
Expert is working on promotion of rural livelihoods through natural resource
management and environmental conservation.
From Ashok Ghosh, Department of Environment and Water Management, A. N. College,
Patna, Bihar

K. K. Sharma, Indian Rural Association (IRA), Banka, Bihar
ira_jharkhand@rediffmail.com
Director of IRA involved in implementation of watershed management project in Bihar.
Nabin Roy, NABARD, Bhagalpur and Bankaame, Bihar
rnabin@yahoo.com
District Development Manager at NABARD providing financial support to initiatives within
the watershed management project in Bihar.
Partrhasarathi Mukhopadhyay, Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU),
Shibpur, West Bengal (from Rabi Mukhopadhyay, Forum of Scientists, Engineers &
Technologists (FOSET), Kolkata, West Bengal)
http://www.becs.ac.in/
The expert could be involved in promotion of green construction in rural areas.
From Arun Jindal, Society for Sustainable Development, Karauli, Rajasthan
Sachin Sachdeva, ARAVALI, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Patel Bhawan, HCM RIPA, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, Jaipur - 302017, Rajasthan; Tel: 0145-
2671853.; aravali-rj@nic.in; http://www.aravali.org.in/
The expert is working on rural development programs focusing on livelihood creation and
Natural Resource Management.
Jaipal Singh, Center for Micro Finance, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Centre for microFinance (CmF), 30, Jai Jawan Colony II, Tonk Road Near Durgapura, Jaipur; Tel:
91-141-2546037; http://www.cmfraj.org/
The professional could be involved for supporting green initiatives through microfinance
in rural areas.
Hira Lal Rai, Zila Vikas Parishad, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur Zila Vikas Parishad, 80/179, Maharishi Gautam Marg, Mansarover, Jaipur – 302 020; Tel:
91-992-807-1112.; Fax: 91-141-2786340; jzvp@jaipurparishad.org;
http://www.jaipurparishad.org/
The professional is working with organization promoting sustainable livelihoods in rural
areas of Rajasthan.
G. V. Ramanjaneyulu, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), Secunderabad,
Andhra Pradesh (from P. S. M. Rao, Independent Researcher, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
12-13-445, Street no-1 Tarnaka, Secunderabad 500 017; http://www.csa-india.org/
Expert is promoting adoption of sustainable agriculture through adoption of new
technologies.
Recommended Organizations and Programmes
Institute of Public Auditors of India (IPAI), New Delhi(from Dhirendra Krishna, New
Delhi)
Institute of Public Auditors of India 223 2nd Floor C Wing AGCR Building I P Estate New Delhi
110002; Tel: 011-23702369.; Fax: 011-23702295; ipai@bol.net.in; http://www.ipaiindia.org/
2-line abstract (between 25-30 words. Include keyword terms)
From Satya Prakash Mehra & Sarita Mehra, Rajputana Society of Natural History, Udaipur,
Rajasthan

Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH), Rajasthan
Shanti Kutir, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur 321001; Contact Dr. Satya Prakash Mehra;
Scientific Advisor; drspmehra@yahoo.com
RSNH works in the north-eastern region of Rajasthan on rain water harvesting, waste
water treatment, recharging of wells and livelihood promotion.
Natural Solutions (NS), Maharashtra
301, Sudama Chhatra CHS.Near Saibaba Mandir, Pandurang Wadi,Dombivli (East) 421201; Tel:
91-251-2881173; Contact Dr. Ajith S. Gokhale; ajit.naturalsolutions@gmail.com
Organization involved in promoting rainwater harvesting in rural and urban areas, water
recycling, organic farming as well as environmental literacy.
Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES), Uttar Pradesh(from Sandeep Srivastava,
Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
9, Prem Kunj, Adarsh Colony Shohratgarh, Siddharth Nagar-272205 Uttar Pradesh; Tel: 05544-
263271.; http://sesindia.org/.
SES is working on agriculture, food security, livelihood, health, education, disaster
management, water and environment related issues.
Climate Himalaya, Uttarakhand(from K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya, Dehradun, Uttarakhand)
Secretariat, O/o Prakriti group, P.O. Silli (Agastyamuni), District-Rudraprayag, State-Uttarakhand
India. Pin: 246 421; Tel: 91-7607481242; info@chimalaya.org; http://chimalaya.org/
The organization is involved in knowledge networking through innovative means to
develop adaptation actions in Himalayan region.
Fragrance & Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Uttar Pradesh(from P.S. Ojha, Bio-
energy Mission Cell, Department of Planning, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow)
107-A, Industrial Estate, Fazal Ganj, Kanpur -208012, Uttar Pradesh, India; Tel: 0512-2216731;
ffdcknj@gmail.com; http://www.ffdcindia.org/
The centre serves, sustains and upgrades the status of farmers and industry engaged in
essential oil, fragrance & flavour activities.
From Ramit Basu, New Delhi
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Rajasthan
CAZRI, Jodhpur - 342 003, Rajasthan India; Tel: 91-291-2786584.; Fax: 91-291-2788706;
director@cazri.res.in; http://www.cazri.res.in/
The organization is promoting energy plantations in arid zones of Western Rajasthan
which have resulted in income generation for SHGs and Youth Groups.
Action for Social Advancement (ASA), Madhya Pradesh
E-5/A, Girish Kunj, Above State Bank of India (Shahpura Branch), Bhopal - 462 016, Madhya
Pradesh; Tel: 91-755-405 7926.; Fax: 91-755-4057925; asa@asabhopal.org;
http://www.asaindia.org/.
The organization is involved in watershed development activities in Western Madhya
Pradesh, Eastern Gujarat and Southern Rajasthan.
Gene Campaign, New Delhi
Gene Campaign, J-235/A, Lane W-15C, Sainik Farms, New Delhi-110 062; Tel: 91-11-29556248;
Fax: 91-11-29555961; mail@genecampaign.org; http://www.genecampaign.org/
The organization is promoting conservation and multiplication of indigenous varieties of
rice, millets etc. through setting up of seed banks,

National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment, Madhya Pradesh
E-5/A, Girish Kunj, Arera Colony, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Pin: 462016; Tel: 091-0755-
2463731; Fax: 091-0755-2465651; nchsebpl@gmail.com; http://www.nchse.org/
NCHSE is working on watershed management, integrated development of rural areas,
afforestation, etc.
From Rabi Mukhopadhyay, Forum of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET), Kolkata,
West Bengal
Forum of Scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET), West Bengal
http://www.fosetonline.org/; Contact Rabi Mukhopadhyay; rabimukh@gmail.com
FOSET is a group of conscious and socially committed scientists, engineers and related
professionals.
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), China
No. 8, Fu Tong Dong Da Jie, Wang Jing Area, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100102, P.R. China; Tel:
86-10-6470 6161.; Fax: 86-10-6470-2166; info@inbar.int; http://www.inbar.int/
Network involved in promotion of use of Bamboo and Rattan for livelihood generation
and sustainable development.
Centre for Climate Change and Environment Advisory (CCCEA), Dr. Marri Channa
Reddy Human Resource Development (MCR HRD), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh(from
Neena Rao, Business Development & Policy Advocacy, CCCEA, MCR HRD Inst. Of Andhra
Pradesh, Hyderabad)
Dr. MCR HRD Institute of AP, Road No. 25, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500 169, Andhra Pradesh;
Tel: 040-23558026.; cccea.hyd@cccea.in; http://www.hrdiap.gov.in/html/center_ccceas.html.
The centre is involved in developing and imparting expertise on issues relating to
environment and climatic change.
Development Alternatives, New Delhi(from Zeenat Niazi, Development Alternatives Group,
New Delhi)
B-32, TARA Crescent, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 016, India; Tel: 91-11-
26134103.; Fax: 91-11-26130817; tara@devalt.org; www.devalt.org
Development Alternatives (DA) has acted as a research and action organisation,
designing and delivering eco-solutions for the poor and the marginalised.
Biomass Energy for Rural India, (from S. N. Srinivas, UNDP, New Delhi)
Biomass Energy For Rural India Society ‘FORTI’ Campus, Doresani Palya, Arekere (MICO) Layout,
Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore-560076; Tel: 91-080-26484931.; Fax: 91-080-26484930;
bioenergyindia@gmail.com; http://www.bioenergyindia.in/
The project has implemented biomass based rural electrification projects in Karnantaka.
Alternative Futures, New Delhi(from Aditi Kapoor, Alternative Futures, New Delh)
B-177, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110 065, India; Tel: 91-11-2684-7668.; AFmailbox@gmail.com;
http://alternativefutures.org.in/
Organization is focusing on creative and meaningful policy, social and technological
alternatives for rural development.
Integrated Development Management Technology & Services Pvt. Ltd. (from Nagendra
P. Singh, Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development (ASEED) - International
Institute of Development Management Technology (IDMAT), New Delhi)

dm@idmatservices.org; http://www.idmatservices.org/
Organization provides support services on development education for multifaceted
agencies.
Centre for Good Governance, Andhra Pradesh(from Ramakrishna Nallathiga, Centre for
Good Governance, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)
Road No. 25, (Dr. MCR HRD Institute of A.P. Campus), Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 500033, Andhra
Pradesh (India); Tel: 91-40-2354-1907.; Fax: 91-40-2354-1953; info@cgg.gov.in;
http://www.cgg.gov.in/
Institution providing guidance on governance reforms to the state governments.
Humana People to People India (HPPI), Rajasthan(from Karen Thorst)
A - 179, Shivanand Marg, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur - 302017, Rajasthan; Tel: 91-141-2753616.;
cdpjaipur@gmail.com; http://www.humana-india.org/
The organization is implementing Harit Sankalp (Greening Effect) project involving 3000
families leading to improvement of the local environment.
Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), Andhra Pradesh(from P, S. M. Rao,
Independent Researcher, Hyderabad)
12-13-445, Street No. 1 Tarnaka, Secunderabad 500017; Contact Dr. G. V. Ramanjaneyulu;
Executive Director; ramoo.csa@gmail.com
Organization involved in educating farmers about adopting the practice of sustainable
agriculture by setting up demonstration farms.
From Achyut Das, Agragamee, Rayagada, Odhisa
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Maharashtra
Plot No. C-24, "G" Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, P. B. No 8121, Bandra (E), Mumbai 400051; Tel:
91-22-26539244.; Fax: 91-22-26528141; nabmcid@vsnl.com;
http://www.nabard.org/roles/microfinance/index.htm
Apex institution providing loans/funds to NGOs for natural resource management, forest
and agricultural projects like the Wadi Project.
Agragamee, Odhisha
At Post Office Kashipur, District Rayagada 765015; Tel: 91-6865-285174; Fax: 91-6865-285174;
agragamee@satyam.net.in; www.agragamee.org;; Contact Achyut Das; Director;
achyutdas@agragamee.org
Organization working with tribal communities for livelihood enhancement through natural
resource management and forest conservation.
From Nagendra P. Singh, Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development (ASEED)
- International Institute of Development Management Technology (IDMAT), New Delhi
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
Ministry of Agriculture; http://india.gov.in/citizen/agriculture/viewscheme.php?schemeid=1293;
Aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the agriculture sector during the XI Plan period,
by ensuring a holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors.
Asian Society of Entrepreneurship Education and Development (ASEED) -
International Institute of Development Management Technology (IDMAT), Delhi
Aseed House, C-8/8007, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070; Tel: 91-11-26130242; Fax: 91-11-
26130242; training@aseedinternational.com; http://www.aseedinternational.com/about.htm

Works in the field of development management and makes contribution in the area of
livelihood creation and sustainable development.
The Goat Trust, Uttar Pradesh(from Sanjeev Kumar)
529 Ka. 54A Khurram Nagar Lucknow; Tel: 91-522-4102995; Contact Sanjeev Kumar; Chief
Executive Officer; Tel: 91-9956059595; sanjeevconsultant1@gmail.com
Works for livelihood promotion of the poor through goat rearing and developing a model
called Greening Goats Field Approach.
From Biplab K. Paul, Lokvikas, Ahmedabad
Lokvikas, Gujarat
Saket House, 1, Panchsheel Society, Usmanpura, Ahmedabad 380013, Gujarat, India; Tel: 91-79-
7551931.; teamleader@lokvikas.org; http://www.lokvikas.org/
Lokvikas is a public charitable trust and is implementing projects to achieve sustainable
development.
Rural Innovation and Farming (RIF) Venture, India
54, 1st Cross, Domlur Layout, Bangalore 560071; Tel: 91-80-42745777; info@ashoka.org;
http://india.ashoka.org/rural-innovation-and-farming-rif-venture
Ashoka will support a wide range of innovative work in areas from land improvement to
citizen participation systems to improve public policy.
World Bank, New Delhi
70, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003; Tel: 91-11-24617241.; Fax: 91-11-24619393.;
http://www.worldbank.org.in/
It assists various state-level and national level projects through its agriculture and rural
development programme.
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), New Delhi
Sarojini House, 6 Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi 110001; Tel: 91-11-47399700.; Fax: 91-11-
2378 2174; Email; www.akdn.org
Organization is focusing on development of the marginalized communities and awards
innovations in the field of agricultural development.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Himachal Pradesh(from Archana Vaidya,
Indian Environment Law Offices (IELO), New Delhi)
Ministry of Rural Development, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110001; Tel: 91-11-23782373.; Fax:
91-11-23385876.; http://pmgsy.nic.in/
Launched in 2000, it aims to provide all weather road connectivity in rural areas of the
country.
Society for Natural Resources Management and Community Development (SNRMCD),
Ghaziabad(from Sejuti Sarkar De)
C 30, Divine Park View Apartment, Abhay Khand III, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad 201014; Tel: 91-
120-6487969.; www.snrmcd.in
Organization involved in sustainable management of the natural resources through
empowerment of communities including women.
Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), Odisha(from Rahul Kumar)
11-29248826; Fax: 91-11-26514682; headoffice@pradan.net; http://www.pradan.net/

Promotes Self-Help Groups, develops locally suitable economic activities, mobilizes
finances and introduces systems to improve sustainable livelihoods of the rural poor.
From Satyabrata Guru
Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLP), Odisha
Watershed Mission Complex, Siripur, Bhubaneswar 751003; Tel: 91-674-2397308/309; Fax: 91-
674-2397988; general@worlp.com; http://www.worlp.com/default.aspx
The project supports livelihoods of the poorest in four districts of Odhisha and works with
the goal of promoting more effective approaches to sustainable rural livelihoods.
Department for International Development (DFID)- United Kingdom, New Delhi
British High Commission, B-28 Tara Crescent, Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi 100016; Tel:
91-11-26529123.; Fax: 91-11-26529296; enquiry@dfid.gov.uk; http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Where-
we-work/Asia-South/India/?tab=0
Bilateral agency providing financing the WORLP project supports livelihood promotion
through watershed management.
Orissa Watershed Development Mission (OWDM), Odisha
Watershed Mission Complex Siripur, Bhubaneswar 751003 Orissa; Tel: 91-674-2397309; Fax: 91-
674-2397988; owdm@worlp.com; http://www.orissawatershed.org/owdm.php;
It plans, monitors, supervises and implements all watershed programmes in a
coordinated manner in the State.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), New
Delhi
Ministry of Rural Development, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110001; Tel: 91-11-23782373.; Fax:
91-11-23385876.; http://www.rural.nic.in
Poverty alleviation program of the government is guaranteeing 100 days of employment
to the rural poor.
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), New Delhi
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110001; Tel: 91-11-23782373.; Fax: 91-11-23385876;
http://www.rural.nic.in
Initiated SGSY, a poverty alleviation programme that provides micro credit and group
insurance services to the poor through SHGs now transformed into NRLM.
Recommended Portals and Information Bases
basin- South Asia, Development Alternatives, New Delhi (from Zeenat Niazi, Development
Alternatives Group, New Delhi)
http://www.basinsa.net/taranet/websitepages/basinsadefault.aspx
basin-South Asia Regional knowledge Platform (basin-SA) is committed to developing
knowledge systems and promoting collaborative action within South Asia.
Related Consolidated Replies
Financing Adaptation to Climate Change, from Shantanu Mitra, DFID, New Delhi
(Experiences; Advice). Climate Change Community, New Delhi,
Issued 08 December 2010. Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-
clmt-18101001.pdf (PDF,160 KB)

Experiences on innovative adaptation financing and advice regarding integrating
adaptation financing into government budgetary processes.
Involving Self Help Groups in Addressing Climate Change, from Mathews Mullackal,
Green- Harmony, Kollam, Kerala (Experiences; Referrals). Climate Change
Community and Microfinance Community, New Delhi,
Issued 23/August/2010. Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-clmt-
mf-05071001.pdf (PDF,640 KB)
Experiences of involving SHGs in tree plantation by providing innovative interest free
credit through microfinance were highlighted.
Micro Finance options for access to clean energy, from Svati Bhogle, Sustaintech
India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, Karnataka, India (Experiences; Referrals). Climate Change
and Microfinance Community, New Delhi,
Issued 08/November/2011. Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-
clmt-mf-10101101.pdfl (PDF,104 KB)
Includes innovative models, methods, mechanisms to provide microfinance services for
purchase of fuel efficient energy products..
Enhancing Participation of Women in the Green Economy, from Karuna A. Singh,
Earth Day Network, Kolkata, West Bengal (Experiences; Advice). Climate Change
Community, New Delhi,
Issued 20/January/2012. Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-clmt-
16121101.pdf (PDF,308 KB)
2-Includes suggestions for enhancing participation of women in green economy and in
technical education particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Responses in Full
Ashok Ghosh, Department of Environment and Water Management, A. N. College,
Patna, Bihar
My research group is working on watershed management in Banka District of rural Bihar since
last five years.
A vast tract which was barren and sterile in the early stages of our work has been converted in
green tract with active collaboration of academia (Dept. of Environment and Water Management
,A. N. College, Patna); Financial Institution, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD),local community and NGO (Indian Rural Association).
A research paper has been also presented by us related to this work in European Roundtable on
Sustainable Consumption and Production- Environmental Management for Sustainable
Universities (ERSCP-EMSU) International Conference held at Technical University, Delft, The
Netherlands in 2010.
The paper emphasizes that it has for long been assumed that low-income communities do not
know their infrastructure needs, so that decisions have been made by authorities without
obtaining information and understanding of household and agricultural water demand. This top-
down approach has been the reason for the failure of many water management initiatives,
particularly in areas of erosion and reduced soil fertility.

Watershed management plays a crucial role in sustainable development along the dry northern
fringe of the Indian Peninsula. Two such watershed schemes of Banka District in the state of
Bihar, India – Baratanr and Heth Chanan watersheds, both located in the Chandan drainage
basin – have been studied to assess the impact on the environment and society, The
methodology involved field study, obtaining data on various physical and social parameters,
inputs from maps and GPS data, GIS mapping and final analysis.
It is found that there are increases in surface water availability, ground water level and soil
moisture. Rapid soil erosion due to deforestation is controlled both by treatment and by
reforestation procedures. Immediate impact is felt in agriculture productivity, with an increase of
irrigated land and single cropping gradually giving way to multiple cropping patterns.
The case studies show the importance of participatory approach in effective watershed
management. Notable also is the innovation in standard procedures of watershed management
that is based upon traditional knowledge and existing resources. Ultimately the sustainability of
these projects is gradually paving the way for socio-economic development and gender equity of
the otherwise deprived zone
The paper can be downloaded through the following link of the Institutional Repository of TU
Delft: http://repository.tudelft.nl/view/ir/uuid%3A84a3d0dd-9e06-4895-a260-56d4ca963fc6/
The focal persons for this work are:
Academia - Dr. Ashok Kumar Ghosh - Professor In charge, Dept. of Environment and
Water Management (EWM), A. N. College, Patna
NGO – Mr. K.K.Sharma - Director, Indian Rural Association (IRA) ,Banka, Bihar
Financial Institution -Mr. Nabin Roy -District Development Manager of NABARD at
Bhagalpur and Banka
More details may be provided as per requirements.
Satya Prakash Mehra & Sarita Mehra, Rajputana Society of Natural History Udaipur,
Rajasthan
Greetings from Rajasthan!
As per the need of time, the steps taken by MoRD are appreciable. If we could provide
opportunities for the rural people within their territory, by and large we could check
urbanization, which is otherwise deteriorating the natural environment.
Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) is a registered organization working in the field of
Nature Conservation & Environment Protection in the rural areas of Rajasthan. The prime focus is
“Conservation Practices for Sustainable Livelihood". For the very first time, RSNH selected
village Chak Ramnagar (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) as the model village for executing the work. Chak
Ramnagar is a village of Banjara community (Gypsies of India). It was due to support of Drought
Relief Trust (DRT) of Oil Industry Development Bank (OIDB) and Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) work of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) along with the technical guidance of
Natural Solutions, Mumbai; a plan of improvement of the water problem was executed under the
Project Boond through community participation in 2009-10:
(http://www.grida.no/publications/et/ep7/).

After solving the water problems of the village, the community people especially women and
children were encouraged for other conservation activities (Let us share with you that it was
possible only due to the availability of water within the village which was otherwise carried from
other sources in nearby villages at a distance of two kilometres and more). The Self Help Groups
(SHGs) of the women were formed and they were trained by RSNH Team in utilizing the waste in
forming artefacts. The banjara women have their own cultural and traditional art of making
handicrafts from the local plant species especially grasses. They were encouraged to revive their
traditional art. Further, the convincing step of the Forest Department, Keoladeo National Park
(KNP) - World Heritage Site to provide the platform via Eco Development Committee (EDC) for
the sale of those articles ignited the inner instinct of the community to move ahead.
During the execution, RSNH Team focused on few points which are of great importance but are
mostly overlooked by implementing agencies:
Involvement of local community in planning of the work for resolving local problems.
Due respect to the traditional heritage and experiential approach of the old people of the
community related to their traditional knowledge on the subject of water (let us share
you with..... banjara community is known for their traditional knowledge of water storage
and harvesting. It is evident from the pokhars- talaos/ lakes, baories/ tanks/ wells etc. in
the arid & semi-arid land of Rajasthan & Gujarat);
Local sources of income in form of natural heritage or cultural heritage;
Community participation at every step from planning to execution of the project;
Encouraging gender equality and children at every level; etc.
Today, not only the community is engaged in resolving local environmental problems on their
own but also acting as mentors for other villages in resolving their problems. The income
generation within the village has inducted the community to revive their local heritage for the
betterment of their community as well as nature/ environment.
Thus, we would like to share that whatever work plan is prepared that should be linked with the
benefit for the local community in such a manner so that they are self-dependent. The capacity
building of the locals should be taken up on top priority keeping in view the local traditions and
heritage linked with local employment/ income generation which are more eco-centric and eco-
friendly than those planned by external agencies.
RSNH (www.rsnh.org) and its Team could be used in Rajasthan by any group/organization along
with expertise of the team members in the field of Capacity Building, Resources Development,
and Training Programs for the Stakeholders, Scientific Intervention, etc. Also, one could take
advantage of the approach of Natural Solutions for the environmental problems being faced all
over the country.
DSK Rao, Gyantech Information Systems (P) Ltd., Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
(Response 1)
Greetings!
I had attended the launch of 'Prime Minister's Rural Development (PMRD) Fellows
Programme' on 7th
April 2012 at APARD, Hyderabad which was graced by both Hon. Minister
for Rural Development Sh. Jairam Ramesh & Hon. Minister of Panchayati Raj & Tribal Affairs -
Shri Kishore Chandra Deo. Both the ministers have genuinely expressed their keen desire for
'Inclusive Development'.

Sadly, however, the programme leaflet explains that the programme is to have 158 PMRD fellows
for 78 backward districts showing common characteristics like high poverty ratio, high forest
cover and low human development indicators. No Root Cause Analysis (RCA) was done to find
out why these 78 'green' districts are so backward even after 64 years of Independence and the
suggested Metrics & Model that would be followed at least now to guarantee sustainable
development. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is facilitating the PMRD Fellows
Programme.
The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) proposed by us as a model can be deployed at the
Panchayat level covering vocations like farming, horticulture, Dairy Farming and many more as
best Practices are introduced for every vocation/activity of the community to achieve the desired
objectives. As an example for Farming the Best Practices can be on creating a value chain with
introduction of a Dairy Farm and using the manure as Fertilizer and the Cow’s urine with other
bio substances like NEEM cakes etc. for bio pesticides or having vermi-compost plant or use drip
irrigation methods or zero tillage farming or controlling the use of pesticides & fertilizers or
predator keeping for pest control or apiculture for Hybrid Vigor and pollination or Multi Cropping
or Water Shed harvesting or Wind Arresters by plants on Bunds or Solar Air Dryer Processing or
Seed banks or Direct Selling or Zero Energy Cold Storage or Collective farming or any other
techniques which help in sustained increase in productivity and decrease in costs. The details of
this proposal have been sent to the Hon. Minister's office. Further information is available at:
ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/res07041201.pdf (PDF; 64.5 KB)
I have an excellent case study of land use and water management including creating a 'Green
Oasis' in almost a barren saline land in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The effort can be taken as a lesson in
Management, Technology and Ecological restoration by everyone. Please see link below for
further details:
http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Transformation-of-Wasteland-into-Greenbelt-in-
Jodhpur-1.aspx
There have been other instances in a number of villages in Andhra Pradesh, where the
community has joined hands together to build internal roads and roads to highways without
seeking any financial support from the government.
There are also several failed attempts by 'Forest Department' and other departments wherein
tens of thousands of saplings were planted incurring huge expenditure which wither away in a
short period of time due to improper care and follow up.
Appropriate Models & Metrics are essential for any initiative and the rest is actualizing these
through community involvement.
Suman K Apparusu, Change Planet Partners Climate Innovation Foundation (CPPCIF),
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
It might be worthwhile to consider evaluating and extending the Monitoring & Evaluation
frameworks developed by International Labour Organization (ILO) & Development Alternatives
(DA) combine. The study developed a systematic approach for identifying and reviewing the
Decent Work and environmental dimensions of existing jobs under NREGS. It includes
recommendations for the further enhancement of the Decent Work and environmental
dimensions of existing and future jobs under NREGS, including skills development. The
assessment of Decent Work under NREGS was based on the assessment of the four pillars
namely, employment, social protection, dialogue and rights related indicators. Further details are
available at: http://www.ilo.org/newdelhi/info/WCMS_142539/lang--en/index.htm)

The World Bank Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) was applied to provide an unbiased
review of the environmental and social aspects of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY), to identify potential environmental and social risks and to recommend associated
mitigation mechanisms for the identified risks. Details are available at:
http://pmgsy.nic.in/archives/esmf/dacc.pdf. The above developed frameworks have already been
used to assess the 'green' outcomes of the Government of India’s flagship programmes of
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
On the international experiences, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA's) documentation of the
Sustainable Rural Communities programmes may prove a useful starting point. Rural
communities across America are working to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of
life to residents, and build on assets such as traditional agriculture, natural amenities and
resources. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities—made up of the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—is coordinating with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to reinforce these initiatives and ensure that the four agencies’ spending,
policies, and programs support rural communities’ efforts to be economically vibrant and
environmentally sustainable. It has developed “Partnership for Sustainable Communities Guiding
Livability Principles” including:
Providing transportation choices.
Promoting equitable, affordable housing.
Enhancing economic competitiveness.
Supporting existing communities.
Coordinating and leveraging federal policies and investment
Valuing communities and neighborhoods
The document further highlights the Common Strategic Framework (CSF) of ' innovative
partnerships' among federal departments for programmatic success.
Further details are available at: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/2011_11_supporting-
sustainable-rural-communities.pdf
The experience exemplars, if standardized, for a generic green outcomes framework for flagship
national rural development missions, can potentially pave the way for an integrated delivery
mechanism through MoRD.
Hope the inputs prove useful.
Sandeep Srivastava, Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES), Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh
Shohratgarh Environmental Society (SES) is an Uttar Pradesh based organization. We have been
working on several social issues in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Livelihood is one of our prime focus
areas.
The area that we are working in presently is flood prone. In the changing climate scenario,
frequency of floods has increased. It affects yield of crops in the area. Rice is one of important
crops in the area.
I am sure, you have heard about System of Rice Intensification (SRI). We are practicing SRI with
few farmers of District Siddharthnagar, UP. As it uses less water & enhances productivity,

ultimately improving income for the farmers. SRI has potential for reducing vulnerability to
impact of climate change.
For example, SRI has been practiced to reduce the risk of ground water contamination and
enhance soil quality, including water retention capacity of the soil which results in enhanced
resilience of the natural resources base being impacted by multiple stresses, including those
related to the climate.
Keeping green rural development in mind, SRI can help the community to enhance its livelihood
options. Further, we can also integrate MNREGA with SRI as it is in line with its objective of "land
development” and “water conservation".
It is my suggestion that before integrating MNREGA with SRI, one should evaluate carefully, the
pros & cons involved. For example, MNREGA entitles a job to a manual laborer rather than to a
farmer. In rural area, people interchange their employment role in order to suit their present
needs. SRI can help in greening rural areas.
Dhirendra Krishna, New Delhi
One needs to address the problem of why "Greening" has acquired such a low priority in the
schemes of socio-economic development in rural areas such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (Rural Roads
Programme), Rural Housing, National Social Assistance Programme, Integrated Watershed
Development Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Desert Development
Programme (DDP) etc. .
These schemes have centralized administrative control and highly decentralized implementation.
There is a need for emphasizing the direct accountability of grass-root public authorities to the
beneficiary of these schemes. Section 4 of Right To Information (RTI) Act provides the required
legal framework which makes it obligatory to disclose and disseminate information required by
citizens for holding public authorities accountable to them. This has to be implemented in letter
and spirit by every public authority. If the provisions regarding "greening" are not properly
implemented, the beneficiaries of the scheme need to step in to "audit" it. These issues were
examined in a Workshop of Social Audit organized by the Institute of Public Auditors of India on
26-27 July, 2011.
The proceedings are available at: http://www.ipaiindia.org/
Greening is an essential part of any project that alters the s ecology of the surroundings.
MGNREGA has legal obligation to conduct social audit and "greening" could be a part of this
exercise. As recommended in the Workshop, social audit should be extended to all development
schemes.
Grass-root implementing agencies could disclose and disseminate information to all citizens
affected by the schemes, to enable direct accountability of personnel involved in these projects to
the beneficiaries, apart from being accountable to their administrative superiors. Administrative
aberrations such as over-stated achievement of physical targets can be avoided only in a regime
of total transparency that enables physical verification of achievements reported by grass-root
authorities.
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has a Chapter on Transparency and
Accountability, Public Vigilance and Social Audit. NREGA envisages social audit as a continuous

process at every stage of project formulation, implementation and review. Vulnerabilities at every
stage have been identified and there are steps to ensure transparency. "Greening" is a vulnerable
area, where progress reports may not show actual facts on ground. Similar provisions could be
made mandatory for all centrally sponsored schemes.
Ministry of Rural Development needs to frame guidelines for suo-moto disclosure and
dissemination of information under section 4(2) of RTI Act, to enable every citizen to ascertain
whether the reported "progress" actually exists on the ground.
A proposal was sent to the Planning Commission as a follow-up of the recommendations of the
Workshop on Social Audit and a response from them is awaited.
Alex Thomas, Department of Environment, SHIAT University of Agricultural Sciences,
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
I would like to share my response based on field experience on water management and rural
power usage. This has reference to the Distribution Reform, Upgrades and Management (DRUM)
project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Ministry
of Power, Government of India, and USAID, India jointly designed the DRUM project to
demonstrate "the best commercial and technological practices that improve the quality and
reliability of 'last mile' power distribution in selected urban and rural distribution circles in the
country". I happened to interact with the team and other NGO’s involved in similar work in
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. My response is limited to rural power supply and involvement of
the community for such projects. The idea is important as it reduces CO2 emission and brings
about efficient water management practices. Details of the DRUM project are available at:
http://www.usaid.gov/in/our_work/health/environment_doc1.htm
The challenge:
In rural areas power for irrigation is supplied during a particular time. In most cases the farmers
leave their pumps “ON” so that it gets started as soon as the power is available. Secondly, pumps
of higher capacity than required are installed by the farmers to avoid burning of motors. This
contributes heavy load on the rural power supply network causing tripping and wastage of
electricity.
The solution:
1. Farmers in a watershed village could be made aware of ground water, its availability,
sustainable usage for agriculture, suitable capacity of pumps required, required depth of
irrigation for crops and the number hours required for the designed pump to operate.
2. It is crucial to emphasize on water harvesting structures and its relation to ground water
levels. The quantity of ground water that could be drawn for each season by the
community for agriculture and rural households needs to be ascertained. Simple
measuring devices could be installed in existing wells and to consider necessary action in
case water level falls.
3. Subsidy /incentives could be provided to farmers for installing the right capacity pumps
required for their crops. Communities could be involved in collection of tariffs from the
members and depositing the amount in the office of the power distribution agency.
Mechanism for reporting malfunction and repairs could be established.

Perhaps a research project on these important aspects could be considered.
If the community is involved it is possible to reduce power wastage, have an efficient power
supply, reduce cost of maintenance for the distribution agency.
Gautam Choudhury, National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Communications &
Information Technology, Government of India, Guwahati, Assam
Mr. Jadav Payeng known as 'Mulai' amongst the local community helped grow a forest on a sand
bar in the middle of the mighty Brahmaputra River in Assam's Jorhat district. The 30-year-long
effort to grow the woods, stretching over an area of 550 hectares, has been hailed by the Assam
Forest Department as 'exemplary'.
He began work on the forest in 1980 when the social forestry division of Golaghat district
launched a scheme of tree plantation on 200 hectares at Aruna, Chapori situated at a distance of
five Kms from Kokilamukh in Jorhat district. He was one of the laborers who worked in the
project which was completed in five years. He chose to stay back after the completion of the
project not only to look after the plants but also to plant more trees on his own to slowly
transform the area into a forest.
The department plans to launch another plantation program in the area this year, as there is
ample scope to extend the forest by another 1,000 hectares. The forest, known in Assamese as
'Mulai Kathoni' or Mulai forest, has around four tigers, three rhinoceros, over a hundred deer,
rabbits besides apes and innumerable varieties of birds, including a number of vultures.
It has several thousand trees among which are Valcol, Arjun, Ejar, Goldmohur, Koroi, Moj and
Himolu. There are bamboo trees too covering an area of over 300 hectares. A herd of around
100 elephants regularly visits the forest every year and generally stay for around six months.
They also gave birth to 10 calves in the forest in recent times.
Mulai’s efforts were noticed by the forest department only during 2008 when a team of forest
officials went to the area in search of a herd of 115 elephants that sneaked into the forest after
damaging property of villagers at Aruna, Chapori, around 1.5 km from the forest.
Mulai, an avid nature lover, has constructed a small house in the vicinity of the reserve and stays
with his family which comprises wife, two sons and a daughter. He earns his living by selling milk
of cows and buffalos. The state government has so far not provided any financial assistance
except for the Forest Department which from time to time supplies him saplings for plantation.
A few years back when poachers tried to kill the rhinos staying in the forest, Mulai alerted forest
department officials. Various implements being used by the poachers to trap the animals were
seized.
Member of Parliament from Jorhat and former Minister for Development of North Eastern Region,
Mr. B.K. Handique would recommend converting the area into a wildlife sanctuary.
Details are available at:
http://www.asianage.com/india/man-creates-forest-single-handedly-brahmaputra-sand-bar-972
Similar collaborative efforts between rural communities and government departments could lead
to development of forest areas in several other rural areas, also.

K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
In my view the realization of 'Green' (economy, development, businesses, industries,..) from
Sustainable Development almost took 20+ years. We are now aiming at something which is more
of a new variant of economic development which diffuses the focus of people on the important
dimensions of 'social' and 'environment' development by painting everything as 'green'.
According to Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma in an article at Climate Himalaya's Expert column, “Why is
the developed world that is obsessed with the idea of `greed economy’, thrusting its new
capitalist variant – green economy – on the growing economies? Is it a calculated move to pin
down the growing differences between the north and the south with a green business model?
...In its simplest expression, a green economy is low carbon, resource efficient, and socially
inclusive. In a green economy, growth in income and employment should be driven by public and
private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhances energy and resource
efficiency, and prevents the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The crucial question
remains: isn’t the `green economy’ pathway more appropriate for the debt-ridden western
economies that have the onus of generating more jobs for their disgruntled youth?.. "
He further says “....it has been acknowledged that nearly a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions
is attributed to land use changes (agriculture and deforestation), the National Land Acquisition
and Rehabilitation Bill 2011 is hinged on the inevitability of urbanization a’la land use change.
Cities not only account for 75 per cent of energy consumption but 75 per cent of carbon
emissions as well, and for the first time in history more than half of the world population lives in
urban areas....". For details please visit: http://chimalaya.org/2011/09/16/does-green-matter/
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MNREGA 2005) enacted
by the Government of India aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by
guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment annually to an adult member of a rural household to
do unskilled manual work.
The major issues in this programme, as pointed out by the people in villages, think tanks and
researchers are related to poor implementation process. This, they say, defeated the purpose of
guaranteeing employment to the rural poor and ultimately gratified a different clan of people. It
is perceived that the new Minister leading the scene is on his way to reforming the whole
scenario of MNREGA and many such rural development programmes including rural drinking
water and sanitation. He feels that a re-look into the aspects of agriculture, watershed
management, horticulture, agro-forestry, various livelihood options (like fishery, poultry, craft
making, etc.) etc. will in a real sense help the people in getting the guaranteed employment in a
sustainable manner.
In rural and urban context the Water Resources Ministry of Government of India is also revising
its ‘water policy’ (since 2002) while the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is looking
seriously into its drinking water supply monitoring and quality systems and the ‘Total Sanitation
Campaign’ (TSC; a sanitation drive of government of India) in its newer version with school
sanitation as priority. On the water policy draft the Government of India also asked for
suggestions from people, where questions are being raised regarding the deliberate inclusion of
‘business’ of water in the policy; given that water has two dimensions in India – the first one it’s
a state subject and the other one has been declared as a basic ‘right’.
While the present draft water policy document contains some inclusive provisions, there are
speculations related to the implementation, monitoring and coordinated efforts in the direction of
laid down provisions. On the rural sanitation front India could just crossed 40% coverage
recently. However, the responsible ministry is planning to increase the provisions of subsidy and

removing the divide of Above Poverty Line (APL) & Below Poverty Line (BPL) and village as a unit
to have full sanitation coverage by 2022.
As far as coordinated or integrated approach by the Rural Development Minister is concerned, he
needs to consider that almost 20 years ago, the Planning commission of India clearly advised the
government to restrict the numbers of programmes and improve the quality of programme
implementation and fiscal management which has clearly remained the crux of the problem till
now.
The disconnect and linkages between major rural development programmes, like MNREGA, SSA
(Sarva Siksha Abhiyan- Education for All Programme), NRHM (National Rural Health Mission),
National Rural Livelihood Mission, Indira Aawas Yojana (Rural Housing Scheme), Total Sanitation
Campaign (TSC), Rural Water Supply Programme, Integrated Child Development Scheme, Land
Reform programme, Horticulture Mission, etc. are among the few those certainly need a serious
thought on three important premises of Institutional Coordination, Financing and Monitoring. If
required the number of programmes could be reduced or merged together for better results.
To develop a programme/project or do a social audit in a rural development programme there
should be adequate provisions for open discussion and debate, after which only the approval
could be sent to the district or state level bodies for their action (mainly for technical support and
release funds). Therefore, while devising new policies or revising the existing policies and plans,
the poor and marginalized rural people of India want reassurance that they at first hand are
involved in the process and discourse of development. This applies to all major sectors like water,
agriculture, education, sanitation, land development, forest, livelihood, and housing, among
others.
In above context, the bureaucratic system needs a serious push in terms of giving more powers
at the bottom of the pyramid (to the people) in planning, managing and auditing their progress in
a systematic and planned way which is only possible when we empower and develop their
(people’s) capacity at a level, where they can lead the scene. In this way not only government
agencies, we need to also consider the institutional functioning of businesses, civil society groups
and international agencies working in India in rural development sectors.
In the words of Dr. Sharma, “In the run up to the Rio+20 conference, the world is likely to be
painted green with optimism. For the west it offers an opportunity to divert attention from the
core issue of curtailing its carbon-guzzling lifestyles. But should the developing world fall prey to
the over-hyped but unsubstantiated gains from green economy projections is a billion-dollar
question…."
For details please visit: http://chimalaya.org/2011/10/27/watch-the-shades-of-green-economy/
Zeenat Niazi, Development Alternatives Group, New Delhi
(Inputs also relevant for Indira Awas Yojana (IAY))
This is in response to query by Sumeeta Banerji on Greening of Rural Development Programs.
Rural Housing and infrastructure development holds special importance in this case. The
programs such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) are designed to strengthen natural
resource assets and are "green" at least considering the environmental aspects. However the
social aspect of generating decent work and sustainable workplaces could be improved. The
social infrastructure such as Anganwadis, Panchayat Bhavan's, schools and housing need
attention towards greening.

Greening Rural Development

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