ANNUAL REPORT

2009-10

AMRITA

AMRITA

[Agency For Multidimensional Research, Implementation, Training & Advocacy]

Head Office: Plot No. 125, Leelapur Road, Chack Hariharvan, Jhunsi, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India,-221506 Regional Office:

A-2, Gopal Tribhuvan Gupta Enclave,

Finance Colony, Akashvani Road

Khajpura, Beli Road,

Patna, Bihar, India- 800014

Email: amrita.org@gmail.com

Mobile: +91-9507203763

]

Heading For Green

Development

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Forewords__________

Year 2009-10 was very crucial for us. In this year, we, as a team, had decided to do more focus

on climate change issue. Climate change is big issue. It is deep rooted in our all walk of life. As

we know, in every coming year, people from different locations from our country, are facing

water scarcity, lack of production in agriculture and many others, due to irregular monsoon,

less rain fall and excess heat. It was big question mark in front of us that why we are facing

such problems in increasing manner? Can we solve it or reduce it? And we have got positive

answer from the different sources. And we have decided to do good research, provide good

information to the people and also decided to work in the field of food security and on water

conservation at grassroots level.

Food security and climate change issue are very interlinked because flood and drought is the

most difficult situation for the people. We are reading from last 5 -6 years that Bundelkhand as

drought prone area is facing acute problem of food and water crisis. To know the drought and

its problem it was important to work in this area and we have prefer go for Bundelkhand. We

entered in another region is Bihar, in this concern. As Bihar is known for flood prone area and

people are facing trouble severe problem due to flood.

In this year, we gave more focus on developing leadership skills of community people and

empowering them and improving governance system in the operation areas. The efforts were

made in terms of conducting researchers and studies and capacity building programmes. Hope,

in future, we will have encouraging results.

We are also focusing to save the two species. Firstly vultures and secondly gangetic dolphin

(Souns). As, we are running our campaign to SAVE DHANESH (A migratory bird). Gangetic

dolphin is in crisis and people are hunting this extraordinary species for their profit and it is

important to make awareness to SAVE SOUNS.

We hope, we will make some differences with our serious approach and peoples support.

Dr. Alka Singh President

18 May, 2010

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Contents

S.N. Issues Page Nos.

1 Profile of The Organization 4-7

2 Accomplished Programmes and Activities

Research Project on Citizen Engagement & Accountability in

Climate Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Processes in

India

8-9

Capacity Development of Local Rural Governance 9

Development of Women’s Leadership Skills 9-10

Study on Women in Local Rural Governance System In Bihar:

Current Status, Problems, Challenges and Future Options

10-11

Sensitization of Women and Adolescents on Health and Hygiene Issues

11-12

Research on Unending Problems of UP’s Small-Marginal and

Women farmers

12-13

Improving Policy Responses to Enhance The Climate Adaptive Capacity of the Food System of the Indo-gangetic Plain, Bihar, India.

13-14

Community Empowerment & Development Initiatives in Patna,

Bihar

14

Technical Support to State, National and International

Organizations

14-15

Sharing of Learning and Concerns 15

3 Bihar Development Network 16

4 Supporter on Technical Issues 16-17

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Profile of The Organization

AMRITA is an outcome of a voluntary movement initiated by some sensitized students of Allahabad University, Uttar Pradesh, India, during early nineties, to bring about positive changes in the Environment, social environment as well as people’s behavior and practices. Early evangelical thoughts and emotions were translated into insights and programs with specific objectives. At initial level AMRITA as a visionary worked for the issue related to Environment, Health, gender with extreme focus. In the field of Environment primarily worked for water conservation. At the start AMRITA worked for awareness generation programme to save GANGA (A holy river) and also worked to save migratory birds specially – Dhanesh (local name). Many camps were organized at Allahabad to generate awareness to save GANGA and also to save migratory birds like Danesh and others. Coordination with Ganga Action plan was one of the major achievements in this regard.

At the dawn of new millennium, most of the people involved with the AMRITA started feeling the need of a formal organization and hence AMRITA was registered as a non-governmental organization under the Indian Society Registration Act 1860, in 2000. Initially, people associated with AMRITA were not in favor of taking direct government support or grants from funding agencies, however, with many such notions were re-considered under the requirements at grassroots level. Major portion of the activities and programs were (and still are) funded by community and professional fee of AMRITA’s development professionals working for many national and international agencies.

AMRITA, today, is one of the most streamlined and competent organizations, upholding the true spirit of research, analysis, advocacy, training, and consultancy. We have qualified professionals to take care of the needs of the local clients and organizations. All India network of field staffs and partner NGOs, language proficiency, capability to handle multi-centered projects, and extensive experiences in rural, urban and tribal areas are our assets. Senior experienced professional staff, renowned external consultants, and international experts involve in projects requiring specialized knowledge. Our professionals have undertaken research for several national and international organizations including World Bank, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Human Resource Development, EngenderHealth, USAID, DFID, IFES, BBCWST, NACO, Actionaid, UNICEF, IFES, UNDP, The Futures Group, DANIDA, ISS, SIDA, CASP-PLAN, Ministry of women and child development, various departments of different State Governments, et

Organizational Vision

We subscribe to the view that the change is the ultimate nature of universe. We, also, hold the view that changes in society and environments are complementary to each other. It is essential to understand and recognize this interface between society and environment to have a realistic understanding of various issues. Such an approach with holistic perspective and multidisciplinary insight is the only way to tackle the problems faced by contemporary world and for ensuring a sustainable development of society and environment across the globe. We believe that poor and marginalized people must be at the core of all developmental efforts so

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that their capacities would be built against the forces and factor which put them under the vulnerable situation.

Organizational Mission

To create an enabling environment for making this world a better and more equitable place to live.

Bring grassroots level reality at the table of policy formulators, in order to sensitize the political and administrative system on important issues.

Generate awareness among people and communities about adopting eco-friendly practices in agriculture and allied sector.

To bring positive changes in the health, education and governance related practices of people and communities.

To eradicate poverty through effective interventions and insights on various livelihood options.

To bring equality among people across races, gender and social categories. To bring changes in the lives of weaker sections by creating an enabling environment

through developing a network of organizations and experts.

To disseminate the experiences of working with communicates among development professional & agencies, policy formulators and people at large in order to bring the grassroots realities before them.

Thematic Issues

Health and Care management of

destitute patients

Human Rights

Primary education in slum areas (

named as Education at door step )

Environment Conservation related

issues

Health of Adolescent Girls and Boys

Gender and Women Empowerment

Poverty reduction

Local Governance Issues

HIV /AIDS

Climate Change Adaptation

Disaster Risk Reduction

Sustainable / Organic Agriculture

Networking and Policy Influencing

Public Private partnership

Livelihood and food security

Sexual and Reproductive Health and

Rights.

Our Approaches

Problem Solving Participatory Learning Community Centric Experiment and Promote

Innovations

Community Based Institution Building

Flood & Drought Specific Initiatives

Gender as a Cross Cutting Agenda Research Based Policy Making

Process

Our Operational Area and Our Network

AMRITA is implementing the programmes and projects in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on the various social developmental issues, detailed below. It has a huge team of researchers, trainers and other consultants located at various places in India. AMRITA has recently brought together highly qualified and experienced research and training professionals to provide research, training and other technical support as well as services in health, social development and environmental issues. AMRITA’s network exists at national and international levels.

In India, the network partners are in below mentioned states:

Uttar Pradesh Bihar Uttarakhand Delhi

Madhya Pradesh Chattisgarh Jharkhand

Internationally, it has had linkages with organizations and experts on the various issues. These countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan etc. Our Role

AMRITA discharges following roles and responsibilities in the social developmental sector:

Programme Implementation

Conduction of Researches & Studies

Capacity Building

Policy Advocacy

Monitoring and Evaluation

Support Organization

Our Expertise:

AMRITA as an organization of experienced professionals offers its professional expertise in

programme implementation, conducting training, researches and studies, data collection and

analysis and capacity building of the stakeholders. It also collaborates in researches with

premier research institutions, national and international NGOs and funding agencies. AMRITA is

a partner organization of INSIGHTRESEARCHNETWORK. The areas of research and training are

as under:

Biodiversity and Conservation

Demography / Population & Health/ RCH

HIV/AIDS Sexual and Reproductive Health

and Rights.

Gender and women development Process documentation Industrialization, Development &

Environment

Energy and Environment

Agriculture and Rural Development

Water Resources Urban Development Rural development and

Panchayati Raj Social and Political Movements Communication and Media

Research

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Appreciation & Award Considering remarkable work and contribution, AMRITA was given appreciation & award by government organizations.

Water and sanitation Watershed

Other areas of Social Research

Capacity Building Areas

Our Training experts have experiences of conducting TOTs for Government officials and people associated with NGOs and CBOs. Our professionals have huge experiences of developing training manuals, on various topics, for national and international agencies. Our training team has conducted training workshops and TOTs on following issues;

Health (RCH and ARSH, HIV/AIDS) Water and Sanitation Masculinity and gender Globalization Sexual and Reproductive Health &

Rights. Environment conservation &

Pollution

Climate change and disaster risk reduction

Community base institutions Livelihood and food security Education and Learning PRA and Participatory Research

Collaborative Partnership with Government

AMRITA, by collaborating with government and private organizations, strategically wants to serve the larger section of the society. It has been successful in establishing good rapport with government and private organizations and has worked on various issues.

With Swarooprani Nehru Medical Hospital, Allahabad, a well recognized government hospital, AMRITA has worked for more than 12 years on the issues, care services to destitute, tuberculosis and leprosy patients. In addition to it, work was carried out the issues, HIV/AIDS and blood donation. On these issues, several camps, seminars and awareness generation of youth on HIV/AIDS were carried out.

In support of Railway department, AMRITA has provided travelling facilities to huge numbers of destitute patients. Realizing the strength and expertise, recently, The North Central Railway has appointed AMRITA as member of the Committee, constituted upon the judgment of the Honorable Supreme Court of India. The committee, comprising five members, has to take corrective measures on the complaint of on sexual harassment and atrocities on the workplace.

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Figure 1: Discussion with Community

Accomplished Programmes and Activities in Year 2009-10

1- Research Project on “Citizen Engagement & Accountability in Climate Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Processes in India” supported by Institute of Development Studies, U.K and Christian Aid, UK (2009). Under the Climate and Disaster Governance Programme, Institute of Development Studies, U.K and Christian Aid, UK had invited research proposals. Our member had submitted me a research proposal on “Citizen Engagement & Accountability in Climate Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Processes in India” and his proposal was selected and included one of five selected research proposals at international level. For the research purposes, Gorakhpur district was chosen to represent the national data as which faced shocks of disaster and climate change. In India, for tackling threats and disaster and climate change, policies and programmes were being developed. As the policy affected the citizen, henceforth in policy process their participation was demanded. Also, government policies and programmes expressed their intention to involve the citizen in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction policy process. In the situation, the research project had followed below objectives:

Bring out the present status of role of citizen engagement and accountability towards and existing government process for engaging the citizens in - climate adaptation & disaster risk reduction policy processes.

Gathering information about possible barriers in and challenges before and for exploring the possibilities of -effective collaboration of government and citizen for climate adaptation & disaster risk reduction policy processes.

Sensitizing both the government and citizens towards contributing to effective formulation and implementation of climate adaptation & disaster risk reduction policies.

The data collection was taken from the citizens of both rural and urban areas as well as from government officials of various department, public representatives (MLA and local urban and rural governance systems), non-voluntary organizations, media, subject matter specialist and media. For collecting the data and opinion on wider level, the research questions were also raised at international e-forum namely Solution Exchange, run and

9

managed by UNDP, India. After data collection, report was prepared and prior submitting to funding organization, the feedbacks were obtained from national and international networking organizations (Australian National University, Australia). After incorporating their suggestions and feedbacks, the report was submitted.

2- Capacity Development of Local Rural Governance

India is a rural country and a largest democratic country in the world too. Its 65% of total population lives on rural areas. By learning from the golden history of local governance system, for development of the rural population, 73th and 74th of Indian Constitution Amendments were made. Despite it, the local rural and urban governance systems in Uttar Pradesh are not in a good position. The local rural governance is unable to perform their role and responsibilities. Behind their poor and pathetic status, the lack of the capacity building about their constitutional role and responsibilities, leadership skills and government programmes is the major reasons. The situation of local urban governance is more worst because even after passing of around 15 years, the state government has not made applicable 74th of Indian Constitution Amendment.

Realizing the potential of local governance system and urgent need of rural development through this system motivated us to build the capacity of selected rural governance system of Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. In this regard, a training programme was planned and a training material was developed. The training of selected panchayat members of five panchayats of Mehnagar block of the district was carried out. In this training, below mentioned aspects were covered:

Development of leadership skills. Development of understanding about the Concept of Local Governance Systems and

their constitutional role and responsibilities.

Government programme and schemes. Challenges and Problems

The capacity building and follow up of the local governance systems has started the positive changes in the community. They are also learning to make the difference in the community. During the follow up, we are also creating awareness in the community to extend their full co-operation and support to the local governance systems.

3- Development of Women’s Leadership Skills

Indian women significantly contribute in the development of domestic, society and nation. Despite being 50% of total population and their contribution in the societal development, they are out of developmental mainstreaming. Also, India has been traditionally been home of atrocities on the women due to male dominated society. For their developmental, a numbers of progarmmes and schemes are being implemented but their benefits are not reaching to the women. Behind their pathetic position and being out of developmental mainstreaming, the major reasons includes, lack of education, lack of leadership skills and other are responsible determinants.

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As per our strategy, we had chosen Shankargarh block of Allahabd district for building the capacity of women of five panchayats. This block of drought affected and migration is very high and reach of government programmes and schemes is almost the negligible. Before initiating training process, in support with local NGOs, the contents of training was prepared and later five batches of comprising women and adolescents from five panchayats were covered under the training. Below aspects were covered under the training:

1. Status of Women in the Indian History covering the local context. 2. Development of leadership skills. 3. Mobilization of community and other stakeholders 4. Government programme and schemes. 5. Challenges and Problems

The capacity building of the women leaders is making them realized about their importance and status in the society and motivating them to lead their development. They are also mobilizing the community and learning to make the difference in the community.

4- Study on “Women in Local Rural Governance System In Bihar: Current Status, Problems, Challenges and Future Options”

During working on our research on citizen engagement in climate adaptation and disaster risk policy process in India, we had had very astonishing and frustrating comments regarding women as ordinary community member and as local governance member; they said that women have no role in policymaking process. The government and policy makers are not willing to involve them in policymaking process. It is well known fact that after 73rd amendments, it was the big questions that how can it be effective if women are unable to participate in decision-making process. Moreover, it was decided that women would be the essential part of this important process. At the moment women is enjoying reservation at panchayat level in the all states of India. But the unfortunate part is this that they are not actual decision maker as political leaders in everywhere in India. However, women reservation at panchayt level is good for women leadership at grassroots level but at the same time, many other important aspects are also necessary to develop good leadership. This is sad and raises uncountable questions on us!

Considering this facts and high percentages of women in local governance system in Bihar had motivated us to see what women’s status is in local governance system. For the study purposes, five panchayats of Patna district was selected. Below mentioned respondents were covered in the interview:

o Pradhans (women) o Panchayat member (women) o Community members (FGD) o Panchayat seceratory o District panchayat officer o NGO’s representatives

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After 73rd amendments, very few organizations are working with panchayats. What we have found in our study, broadly there are two types of women leadership at panchayat level

1. Women who are working according to family norms and community rule, 2. Women who are bold and trying to enjoy power and work as actual pradhans

However, the unfortunate part of both types is:

They don’t know about panchayat act and rule less informed less gender sensitiveness not trained mostly illiterate very shy and less vocal behaving like their male counterpart

The most worst part is this that very few women who are dominant as leader is either learning the tricks and tact’s of corruption or getting tips to do so. However, they need:

Better exposure Good training to know about the role of panchayat & pradhan Sufficient information Better support from government agencies Community support

If women as panchayat leader are trying to work independently facing:

Masculine behavior of the community Strong opposition of family members Being helpless because of less information and knowledge

We found here that panchayat member even many pradhans (Mukhiya) don’t know about the 6 panchayat committees. Hasbands of Mahila Mukhiyas are proxy mukhiya. The bureaucracy is more overriding and dominant they often treating panchayas as subordinate agencies and using panchayat body as the part of their nexus. This is one of the main reason which prohibits women to come out from the shadow. It is also notable that women pradhan or mukhiyas are often failed to deal the corruption and the complicated political situations.

This study is a primary step of our big aim of developing a model of panchayats working on sustainable development through building the capacity of panchayat members including women members. We believe, sustainable development without local governance and women is not possible especially when 78% is our rural population.

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Figure: Women Farmer Sowing Wheat Seeds in Her Field

5- Sensitization of Women and Adolescents on Health and Hygiene Issues

Azamgarh is a one of the most backward district in Uttar Pradesh. It is located in Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is a large district of eastern U.P. and a least urbanized district. Above 70% of total population lives in villages and around 80% people are dependent on the agricultural work or its allied activities. The women contribute a lot in domestic and livelihood development status. But, their social economic and health condition are not good. In the absence of adequate health services and inadequate knowledge about hygiene, sanitation practices, they face very hardship. The sexual transmitted infections and reproductive transmitted infections are more common in the women. Also, adolescence girls face the problems in menstrual health. In discussion with women and adolescent girls, the need of education / awareness generation programme was felt. Realizing the urgency of the issues, two approaches were adopted:

1. Awareness generation on health issues through organizing meeting of women and adolescent girls

2. Orientation about government health programmes and services and their sources

The meeting was facilitated by health expert and a lot of queries were solved by her. After orientation, attitudinal and behavioral changes are reflecting amongst women and adolescent girls. They are also accessing the government health systems.

6- Research on Unending Problems of UP’s Small-Marginal and Women farmers

Uttar Pradesh,

agriculture is still the

main occupation of the

majority of the people /

farming community. This

farming community is

recognized as backbone

of our food production

system. From this

occupation, they feed

their family members as

well as others including

our public

representatives,

bureaucrats and

developmental workers.

Of total farming

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Figure: Poor Quality Seed of Black Gram

community, landless, small and marginal famers constitute around 80%. This farming

community so-far has continuously been making efforts to overcome so-called well known

negative factors-created by green revolution. Because of continuous effort for tackling the

problems and

challenges posed

by green

revolution,

disaster, climate

change impacts

and lack of a

conducive

environment (at

the levels of

government and

bureaucrats), their

socio-economic

situation is day by

day becoming

vulnerable and

empathetic. No

doubt, this

community has

taken the

responsibility to feed us but they are hungry and dying in thousand numbers every year. On

the issue, the government in public meetings & their reports are highlighting their

achievements and efforts. These are anyhow not going to solve the farmers' problems and

present food crisis. The problems of poor and marginalized framers are continuing.

To expose the above realities through an organized research study, above 200 voluntary organizations of all four economic regions of Uttar Pradesh were distributed a questionnaire and asked to submit the filled up. Collected data has been analyzed and report development is in the process.

7- Improving Policy Responses to Enhance The Climate Adaptive Capacity of the Food System of the Indo-gangetic Plain, Bihar, India. Globally, there is growing concern that global environmental change will seriously affect the production and equitable provisions of food and undermine efforts aimed at socio-economic development. To address climate change issues more efficiently, the national and international key organizations and players have given emphasis on conducting the researches at regional and local levels. In the context, in the Indo-gangetic region, one AMRITA’s member has worked with consortium of organizations, likes, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology of Natural Environmental Research Council-UK, Global Environmental Change

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Figure: Water Logging in Research Area ( Vaishali) Bihar

Figure: Malnourished Women with Her Child

And Food System- International Project Office-UK, Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research-Japan, Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, Nepal, Punjab Agricultural University, Haryana, Centre for Global Change (CGC), Bangladesh and Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Pakistan. For this research purposes, five sites in four countries were chosen.

In collaborative work, in below mentioned phases, research work was carried out:

a. Food Characterization

System of Research Area ( Vaishali district in Bihar)

b. Vulnerability Assessment of Research Area ( Vaishali district in Bihar)

c. Policy Gap Analysis for Developing Decision Support Systems d. Policy Advocacy Efforts

Due to several reasons, last two steps would not be completed and project was over. But, realizing the need to work on sensitizing various stakeholders to contribute in enhancing adaptive capacity of food system, previously involved AMRITA’s member continued the efforts without any support. In the reported year, he sensitized various stakeholders about the research findings and continuing on last steps (Policy Gap Analysis for Developing Decision Support Systems and Policy Advocacy Efforts).

8- Community Empowerment &

Development Initiatives in

Patna, Bihar

AMRITA, has, so-far, been involved

in Bihar development though

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conducing researchers and studies on various issues, including climate change and local

governance system. Realizing the importance of promoting community level initiatives and

transferring knowledge and experience into community level interventions, AMRITA,

initiated community level empowerment process. The process has been initiated in five

panchayats of Patna district of Bihar. In the reported year, the preparatory process could be

initiated. The good rapport with local governance members and community has been

established.

9-Technical Support to State, National and International Organizations: The capacity building of various stakeholders has been one of AMRITA’s key approaches. With passage of time, AMRITA has not only evolved itself as research organization but also as technical and support organization. It has provided support to a numbers of state, national, international and governmental organizations. In the reported year, AMRITA provided technical support to below mentioned organizations:

In the March, 2010, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and the International Recovery Platform (IRP) organized a workshop to develop Recovery Tools and Guidance Notes on the various issues related to climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction. IRP had drafted sector specific notes capturing some of the good practices of disaster recovery programs and lessons learnt in recovery, including restoration and improvement of facilities, livelihoods and living conditions of disaster-affected communities. In this programme, AMRITA member was called as Technical Expert For Climate Change Adaptation Sector to provide the technical inputs.

Care India, Uttar Pradesh Chapter, had invited AMRITA member to provide technical support on conducting study on Role of Local Governance in Improving Health Situation in Uttar Pradesh. She was engaged for three months.

Sehyog, Lucknow, India, had involved AMRITA member in their workshop on health and documenting the process on Janani Suraksha Yojna for two months.

Vinoba Sewa Ashra, Shahjahanpur, India had engaged AMRITA member for documenting and providing technical support on INHP-III for seven months.

10. Sharing of Learning and Concerns

Apart from learning through conducting researches and studies and implementing projects on

various issues, AMRITA members used to share their knowledge and experiences on various

national and international workshops, e-forum, meetings etc. In persuasion of its approach,

AMRITA shared on below mentioned platforms:

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Figure: President’s Addressing Workshop’s Participants

In workshop on Drought Protection Programme in Budelkhand Region, India

AMRITA, based on its previous experience in the sectors of climate change and disaster,

is making various types of

efforts. It is not only doing

research and study in both

drought and flood affected

areas, but also

collaborating with local

partners NGOs and other

peoples. In the reported

year, The President of

AMRITA, had participated

in a workshop on

Drought Protection

Programme in

Budelkhand Region,

organized by Grammonnati

Sansthan, Mahoba, Uttar

Pradesh. In the workshop,

she had shared the

previous history of drought and emphasized collection and promotion of local traditional

knowledge and practices. Convinced with knowledge and experience, other present

organizations had invited AMRITA to work on the issues. In this director, AMRITA is

making necessary efforts.

AMRITA’s members had written articles and commented on various issues, likes, food security, urban poverty, local governance, women leadership, climate adaptation, etc, on below mentioned e-forums:

o Gender community of Solution Exchange, run & managed by UNDP, India

o Climate Change community of Solution Exchange, run & managed by UNDP, India

o Food Security community of Solution Exchange, run & managed by UNDP, India

o Food Security Network, run & managed by FAO, Italy

o Evidence Based Policy in Development Network ( www.ebpdn.org)

11. Bihar Development Network

To sensitize the stakeholders to contribute in the Bihar development, AMRITA has developed one e-forum (v4bihar@yahoogroups.com ). This is at initial stage and has shared few experience and information. AMRITA is making its full effort to popularize it for getting expected results.

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12 – Technical Supporter Team

AMRITA is expanding its network and taking technical support from national and

international experts on various issues:

a. Dr Ahsan Uddin Ahmed Executive Director, Centre for Global Change (CGC), Bangladesh Contact address : House 12-Ka/A/1 Shaymoli (Second Lane), Mohammedpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. Specialization: Climate Variability and Change (Impacts, Vulnerability, & Adaptation),

Environmental and Resource Management

b. Dr R K Vishnoi Vice President In-depth Technical and Financial Consultant Lt., 205 Main Road, Samta Colony, Raipur-492001, Chhatisgarh, India Specialization: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Agriculture, Livestock Management and Environmental and Resource Management

c. Mr Rohit Singh Technical Advisor-Eastern Plain Landscape-Law Enforcement WWF Cambodia Country Programme House #54, Street 352, Boeung Keng Kang I, PO Box 2467, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Specialization: Wildlife Conservation Issues

d. Mr Muhammad Arif Rashid Goheer Senior Scientific Officer Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) National Centre for Physics (NCP) Complex, Quaid-e-Azam University Campus,Shahdra Valley Road, Islamabad-44000, Pakistan Visiting Fellow National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia

Specialization: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Agriculture

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e. Mr Madhukar Upadhaya

Director Nepal Water Conservation Foundation Nepal, Nepal Specialization: Climate Change, Food Security, Agriculture

f. Dr Raj Kumar Pandey Bihar Economic Research Institute, Patna, Bihar Specialization: Renewal Energy and PRA

g. Mr Ram Dayalu Jaiswal, State Leader, National Forum Sasakawa Indian Trust, Village- Leprosy Centre, Bindwa, Mohanlalganj, Lucknow Specialization: Lepers Issues and Rural Development

h. Mr Avnish Kumar Independent Consultant C/o Mr. S.P. Purohit, Block‐B, Saraswati Vihar, Ajabpur Khurd, Dehradun,Uttranchal.

Specialization: Research, HIV/AIDs. Leprosy, Gender and Women Development and Waste Management

i. Mr Mrigank Shekhar Singh Advocate & Independent Consultant 3rd floor, 247‐Rama Market, Munirka, New Delhi‐110067,

Specialization: Social Legal Issues, Health Issues ( HIV/AIDs), Gender and Women development, Human Development

j. Mr. Gyaneshwar Singh AusAID ALA International Leadership Fellow ( 2009) Research Fellow under Climate & Disaster Governance Programme, Institute of Development Studies, U.K (2009) House No. 529/GA/1, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Near Hansbhakti Dham, Ring Road, Post - Vikas Nagar, Lucknow – 226 022 (U.P.) India. Specialization: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable / Organic Agriculture, Food Security, Livelihood, Disaster Risk Reduction, Governance