A male member of the tribal community carrying leaves from the forest for sale. While PGR is said to have declined, especially in the tribal and forested districts in India, many households are still dependent on forest produce. Forest produce at household level act as a source of building material, fuel, and food. The produce in the form of leaves, fruits, timber, and bamboo (especially tendu leaves for bidi making and sal leaf for plate making) helps support household income. There is a deep cultural association between the communities and the forests in many of these tribal pockets. This close connection places a strong emphasis on the protection of the forest from fire and any other adversity. Credit: Smriti Das

Students of the Masters Programme in Environment Science and Resource Management at TERI University learning tracks and signs as indicators of faunal diversity in a trek at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala. The programme is an amalgamation of the science of environment and the management of natural resources. Credit: Smriti Das

Student and faculty of TERI University measuring trees. Their findings will be used to demonstrate that healthy ecosystems’ are core to climate adaption. Credit: Smriti Das

A Masters student from Bhutan analyzing a source of traditional ecological knowledge. The goal of sustainable forest management is achievable when scientific knowledge is combined with traditional ecological knowledge. Such convergence can result in sustainable and scientific approaches to the benefit of the forest and community. Credit: Smriti Das

A student educating women in rural Odisha on the importance of quality health services. While there has been a significant achievement in India in terms of reducing maternal and infant mortality, the global targets for 2030 require more attention for the development of sustainable healthcare. Credit: Smriti Das

Masters students evaluating resource use patterns with women stakeholders in rural Bhutan. The recognition of women as stakeholders in the economy will help meet the SDG 5 target of achieving equality and empowerment for all women and girls, particularly in rural communities where women have less access to information and resources. Credit: Smriti Das

Students assessing the changing resource use patterns presented to them by the locals of a Peri-Urban area of Haryana. While the SDG goal on Sustainable cities and the Government’s initiative of developing smart cities has had a positive impact in India, Peri-Urban areas are still vulnerable to the impacts of climate change , and declining resource productivity. Credit: Smriti Das

Masters course students who conducted quantitative and qualitative research on the resource conditions in Peri-Urban Haryana, share the data collected with villagers. Credit: Smriti Das

Teachers demonstrating the techniques of participatory research and planning to villagers. The development interventions in the village have been designed to address the requirements of the villagers by taking a hands-on approach and fully including them in the resource planning process. Credit: Smriti Das

Villagers in Odisha learning how to install solar equipment in a project steered by alumni of the masters programme. Innovative students of TERI University are trying to overcome
one of the challenges posed by a lack of resources in the rural areas of India by providing reliable and affordable electricity to villages in the country. Credit: Smriti Das

A group discussion conducted by a faculty member of TERI University with farmers in Ganganagar, Rajasthan. TERI University’s field study in Rajasthan demonstrates how solar based irrigation systems can help enhance crop productivity in remote semi-arid areas all over the country. Credit: Smriti Das

Villagers discuss forest rights near Kumbalgarh Sanctuary in Rajasthan. The discussion centered on the study “Analyzing the implementation of Forest Rights Act (2006): a cultural political study of community rights in southern Rajasthan”, aimed at understanding how the landmark act, Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act, 2006, is developing in the tribal belt of Rajasthan. Credit: Smriti Das

An elderly tribal couple, born and raised in the Rajasthan forest narrating their life story. Both vouch for the implementation of sustainable measures that will protect natural resources and leave a lasting impact on the future generations of forest dwellers. Credit: Smriti Das