People s Science Institute

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Byron Trevor Banks
5 years ago
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People s Science Institute Committment Innovation Leadership Impact Research Training Development Advocacy

established People s Science Institute (PSI) in 1988 as a non-profit research and development organization.

sustainable and equitable use of available human and natural resources.

implements development programmes and undertakes public interest research.

1 People s Science Institute Committment Innovation Leadership Impact Research Training Development Advocacy A group of IIT-educated professionals, some with two decades of experience in the field of development, established People s Science Institute (PSI) in 1988 as a non-profit research and development organization. Its stated mission is, To help eradicate poverty through the empowerment of the poor and the productive, sustainable and equitable use of available human and natural resources. It provides technical and managerial support to communities and organizations that work with them; implements development programmes and undertakes public interest research. The Institute is known in India s voluntary sector for its pioneering work in the fields of community-led watershed development, environmental quality monitoring and disastersafe housing.

The Process PSI believes that research, communication,

Possible solutions are researched and the results discussed

They are trained to implement consensual development

2 The Process PSI believes that research, communication, training and development support are key steps in promoting self-reliant development. People identify a problem Together with PSI they analyze it Possible solutions are researched and the results discussed Local people are organized into village-level institutions They are trained to implement consensual development solutions PSI provides technical and managerial support during implementation Outcomes are periodically reviewed

Natural Resource Management Basic Objectives Inculcate a conservation ethos Optimize the harnessing of rainwater Ensure its equitable distribution among competing users to minimize conflicts Enable

activities Studies on hydrology and environmental impact of large dam projects Studies on traditions of water management Development and diffusion of appropriate technologies Policy research and

3 Natural Resource Management Basic Objectives Inculcate a conservation ethos Optimize the harnessing of rainwater Ensure its equitable distribution among competing users to minimize conflicts Enable communities to conserve, develop and manage their water resources Major Activities Implementing community-led natural resources development projects Training in participatory watershed development activities Studies on hydrology and environmental impact of large dam projects Studies on traditions of water management Development and diffusion of appropriate technologies Policy research and analysis I would like to cite the example of Palamau district in Bihar where Pani Panchayats have been set up to harvest water and manage watersheds. With the help of traditional structures and modern scientific inputs, a drought-prone area has witnessed remarkable change and is now set on the path of sustainable development. Some Important Projects -- Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee citing PSI s Sukha Mukti Abhiyan Doubling paddy productivity : Propagating SRI paddy Micro-watersheds development in an area of over 20,000 ha in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Drought-proofing Palamau district (Sukha Mukti Abhiyan) Hydrological studies in Himalayan micro-watersheds Technical analyses of Mansi-Wakal (Rajasthan) and Auranga (Jharkhand) dams Studies of water management traditions in Jharkhand, Uttarakhand & Himachal Lok Jal Niti (People s Water Policy) for Uttarakhand Population and India s water resources in the 21st century Alternate development strategies for the Thar desert

Environmental Quality Monitoring Basic Objectives Monitor environmental quality to support citizens initiatives Develop user-friendly environmental quality monitoring techniques Build the capacities

Fluorosis mitigation Research to develop low-cost pollution monitoring methods Training programmes in measuring and interpreting pollution data Some Important Projects Environmental impact studies of

4 Environmental Quality Monitoring Basic Objectives Monitor environmental quality to support citizens initiatives Develop user-friendly environmental quality monitoring techniques Build the capacities of citizens groups and voluntary organizations to gather and interpret pollution data Major Activities Testing water, air and soil quality Monitoring pesticides and heavy metals in the environment Fluorosis mitigation Research to develop low-cost pollution monitoring methods Training programmes in measuring and interpreting pollution data Some Important Projects Environmental impact studies of the Ken-Betwa river link Epidemiological study of air pollution s impact on human health in Dehra Doon Mercury contamination of groundwater by the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal Environmental impact assessment of the establishment of the Pench Tiger Reserve Fluorosis mitigation in Sonbhadra, Nuapada and Palamau districts Water quality monitoring of Hindon (U.P.), Kali (Karnataka) and Kosi (U.P.) rivers Monitoring pollution by tanneries, pharmaceuticals and soft drinks manufacture Impact of pesticides use by tea-gardens on the Gorumara National Park, Darjeeling Biomonitoring of Ganga river water quality Development of Water Quality testing kits Community-based water quality monitoring

Basic Objectives Disaster Mitigation & Response Develop a comprehensive understanding of natural disasters Mobilize communities for disaster preparedness and response activities Undertake relief and

5 Basic Objectives Disaster Mitigation & Response Develop a comprehensive understanding of natural disasters Mobilize communities for disaster preparedness and response activities Undertake relief and rehabilitation to rebuild peoples lives and confidence Help formulate policies and programmes for disaster preparedness Major Activities Research into the nature, causes and impact of disasters Studies on disaster-safe traditional architecture Community mobilization for post-disaster rehabilitation Post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation Training for earthquake-safe housing construction Analysis of disaster management policies Some Important Projects Post-earthquake relief, reconstruction & rehabilitation in Chamoli (1999) & Gujarat (2001) Earthquake - safe housing construction in Uttarkashi (1991), Latur (1993) and Kashmir (2005) Construction of temporary shelters in Tamil Nadu (2004) and Kashmir (2005) Drought-proofing in the arid and semi-arid regions Flood control in the Kosi basin Studies of traditional earthquake-safe architecture in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Relief and rehabilitation after the Orissa cyclone Community-based disaster preparedness in Rudraprayag district Establishment of the Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Response Training of masons in earthquake-safe construction techniques Preparation of training materials on EQ-safe housing Of all the NGO activities that have taken place after the relief effort, I regard the training work done by PSI as the most meaningful. Pravin Pardeshi District Collector, Latur

Developing Innovations Basic Objectives Innovate technologies and social processes Major Activities Research, development and extension Technology development Creative approaches for sustainable

6 Developing Innovations Basic Objectives Innovate technologies and social processes Major Activities Research, development and extension Technology development Creative approaches for sustainable community action Some Important Projects Renewing Jal Sanskriti in the central Himalayas Gram Swaraj Abhiyan in western Orissa VIS (Village Information System) GIS-based applications software Development of intermediate-sized hydrams

7 About PSI PSI s activities are spread all over India. Its geographical focus is on the centralwestern Himalayan region (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) and the poverty-ridden districts of western Orissa. Its operational headquarters are in Dehra Doon. Executive Board The governance of PSI vests in an Executive Board of six honorary members, eminent persons in their chosen fields of endeavor, and the Institute s Director. The current Board members are: Dr G.D.Agrawal Chairperson Environmental Scientist Dr K.S.Chawla Treasurer Geotechnical Engineer Dr B.K.Joshi Dean of Research Political Scientist Mr Abhay Bhushan Member Information Technologist Ms Madhu Sarin Member Architect Dr Leela Visaria Member Sociologist Dr Ravi Chopra Director (Ex-Officio) Scientist Major Funders ( ) The IIT Connection Dr. G.D. Agrawal Former Dean & Head of Environmental Engg. IIT - Kanpur Abhay Bhushan IIT - Kanpur, 1965 Dr K. S. Chawla IIT - Delhi, 1969 Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai The Ford Foundation The Prime Minister s Office, GoI Department of Science & Technology, GoI DRDAs, Himachal Pradesh Oxfam (India) Trust International Water Management Institute CAPART, GoI Indians for Collective Action International Service Society India Friends Association Water Aid India Aga Khan Foundation Winrock International (India) Canadian High Commission Dr Ravi Chopra IIT - Bombay, 1968 Dr Sunil Kale IIT - Delhi, 1977 Dr Dinesh Mohan IIT - Bombay, 1967 A. K. Roy (Dunu) IIT - Bombay, 1967

8 PSI Delivers! Irrigation works and improved agricultural practices yield net annual returns of 40 to 60 per cent PSI s catalytic investment of Rs ( US $ 360) in reviving traditional water harvesting structures and their catchments provides remote mountain villages with year-round potable water An expenditure of Rs (~ US $ 1000) trains a mason and makes seven rural houses earthquake-safe For less than Rs 700 per person PSI provides fluoride free drinking water in rural communities Village-specific development plans, village-level institutions and cadres of trained villagers to ensure that mandated government services reach rural communities and government funds are effectively spent cost PSI Rs (US $ 720) per village in western Orissa Innovative technologies and social processes achieve impact on scale. PSI plans to directly benefit about 1 million people in the next ten years Donate generously to PSI. For every rupee spent on salaries and administration at PSI, about five rupees are mobilized and spent on planned activities. PSI is registered as a society in New Delhi, under the Societies Act (1860), and under the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Donations to PSI are tax-deductible under section 80-G of India s Income Tax Act. Indians for Collective Action (ICA), a California-based non-profit organisation is one of PSI s major sponsors. Contributions sent to ICA are tax-exempt in the USA. Contact details People s Science Institute 252 Vasant Vihar-1, Dehra Doon Tel : , Fax : psiddoon@gmail.com Website : peoplesscienceinstitute.com Designed & Printed at Shiva Offset Press, Dehradun Ph

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