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| programmes . research . advocacy . conservation . people . publications and resources | contact us . about us . home | |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROJECTS
QUALIFICATIONS
2000 Master of Arts in Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROJECTS
Since 2000 I have worked on the interface of environment and development and more recently have focused on marine conservation related issues. My work involves research and advocacy and has centred around the issue of community rights to natural resources and environmental justice. This involves working with local, state and the central government, various civil society organisations (local, national and international), marginalised community groups, trade unions, scientists and a range of stakeholders.
Conflicts and conservation
My interest in dissimilar perspectives, opposing interest groups and conflicts has motivated me to be part of various dialogue forums and platforms such as the Orissa Marine Resources Conservation Consortium. I now work on issues of conflicts over conservation measures and environment-development issues which impact marginalised communities. I believe in collaborations as a means to overcoming conflicts. Conflicts in marine conservation, in the regions I work in, are either between different categories of fisherfolk over resource use patterns and control, or conflicts between fisherfolk and the State over regulations on fishing practices. With the post-liberalisation growth drive in India since 1991, conflicts have emerged over infrastructure projects (such as mining, shipping and port development) and community assets. I have witnessed multiple origins of these conflicts and their dynamic nature which often complicates interventions towards positive social change. This has implications over how responsibility and control for the resource is viewed by various stakeholders and can intensify unsustainable resource use, regulation and heighten social tensions. The implications of unresolved conflicts are borne mostly by marginalised groups such as artisanal fisherfolk and especially by the invisible labour force in these communities – women and youth.
Collaborations for conservation
My colleagues and I facilitated the creation of a multi-stakeholder group in the coastal state of Orissa, called the Orissa Marine Resources Conservation Consortium in 2004 to overcome deepening conflicts between fisher communities, conservation NGOs and the government over official marine conservation measures. The initiative arose from a stalemate over sea turtleconservation measures which continue to cut off vital access to marine areas for fishing communities through the formation of marine sanctuaries and restricted fishing zones. The OMRCC is a collaborative initiative among conservationists and fisherfolk aimed at promoting community-based fisheries and marine management and promotes livelihoods of local marginalised fisher communities and women’s federations. The OMRCC now advocates co-management between fisherfolk and the government in turtle conservation measures as well as in fisheries management.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I’ve been involved in several research projects like the Post-Tsunami Environment Initiative which contribute to our understanding of the role of law in conservation and governance. I am also a member of campaigns whose goals are either to seek environmental or social redressal, demand rights or even express dissent, whose value in a democracy I respect. My interests in law are related to the role they play in different interpretations of environmental governance and its consequent impacts on different sectors of society. My training in social work and experiences over the years has shaped an ideological slant that commits my efforts towards social justice and change. I’m guided in this through research and through my engagement with several social campaigns and movements.
PUBLICATIONS
Articles/ Reports/ Popular articles
Articles
Rodriguez, S & A. Sridhar. 2008. Dhamra Port: How Environmental Regulatory Failure Fuels Corporate Irreverence. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter 8: 19-23
Sridhar, A. and Shanker, K. 2007. Lessons from marine paradigms. Seminar No. 577 (2007) pp 63 – 68.
Menon, M., S. Rodriguez, A. Sridhar. 2007. Coastal Zone Management Notification ‘07 – Better or bitter fare? Economic and Political Weekly. September 22-28 (2007), Vol. XLII (38), pp 3838-3840.
Reports
Shanker, K., N. Namboothri, S. Rodriguez and A. Sridhar. (Editors)(2008). Beyond the Tsunami: Social, Ecological and Policy Analyses of Coastal and Marine Systems on the Mainland Coast of India. Post-Tsunami Environment Initiative report submitted to the United Nations Development Programme. UNDP/UNTRS, Chennai and ATREE, Bangalore, India. pp. 397.
Menon, M., S. Shenoy, D. Desikan, A. Shankar, and A. Sridhar. 2008. Beyond the Tsunami: Environmental Law Guide - An Analytical Guide for Deciphering Content of Laws in India. UNDP/UNTRS, Chennai and ATREE, Bangalore, India. p 122.
Sridhar, A., M. Menon, S. Rodriguez and S., Shenoy. 2008. Coastal Management Zone Notification ‘08 – The Last Nail in the Coffin. ATREE, Bangalore. pp 81.
Sridhar, A., R. Pearlin., A. Kasturi Rangan., V. Natarajan, B. Jairaj. 2007. Assessing and enhancing legislative provisions for natural resource conservation in the Gulf of Mannar Draft submitted to GoMBRT, Ramanathapuram.
Rodriguez, S., J. John, R. Arthur, K. Shanker, A. Sridhar. 2007. Review of the Sethusamduram Ship Canal Project – Mitigating and monitoring measures as a management strategy for the Gulf of Mannar Draft submitted to GoMBRT, Ramanathapuram. pp 64.
Menon, M. and A. Sridhar. 2007. An appraisal of coastal regulation law in tsunami-affected mainland India. In: Report on ecological and social impact assessments post-tsunami in mainland India; Submitted to UNDP. Post-Tsunami Environnent Initiative. 105-149 p.
Sridhar, A. 2006. Environmental Governance Reforms, Rephrasing the Reform Process. International Institute for Environment and Development, New Delhi. 15p.
Sridhar, A. 2006. Pre- and Post-Tsunami Coastal Planning and Land Use - Policies and Issues in India. FAO, Bangkok. 30p.
Sridhar, A., R. Arthur, D. Goenka, B. Jairaj, T. Mohan, S. Rodriguez and K. Shanker. 2006. Review of the Swaminathan Committee Report on the CRZ Notification, Draft submitted to UNDP, New Delhi. URL: http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/tsunami; accessed 20th May 2006.
Sridhar A., 2005. Statement on the CRZ Notification and Post Tsunami Rehabilitation in Tamil Nadu. UNDP Discussion Paper, New Delhi, India.
Sridhar, A. 2005. Sea Turtle Conservation and Fisheries in Orissa. ICSF, Chennai, 40pp.
Popular articles
Sridhar A. The Olive Riddle. The Hindu Sunday Magazine. April 16, 2006.
Sridhar A. A shift in conservation approach from Orissa, India. IOSEA Website. July, 2006.
Sridhar A. Lessons in Conservation – Involve the fisherfolk. The Hindu Survey of the Environment. 2004.
Sridhar A. Fishing in Troubled Waters. The Hindu Young World. July 10, 2004.
Sridhar A. SESA - setting precedents for innovative conservation. Deccan Herald April 4, 2004.
Sridhar A. When development spells trouble. The Hindu Young World, August 2, 2003.
Sridhar A. Clean-up or legal mess? Frontline. Volume 20 - Issue 04, February 15 - 28, 2003.
Sridhar A. Coastal zone management authorities - Why the poor policing? The Hindu Business Line. February 18, 2003.
Sridhar A. Portending Threats. Deccan Herald. July 27, 2001.