Communities, Networks and Conservation

Conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and resources face the challenge of being inclusive without compromising local livelihoods and community rights, yet keeping with principles of social & environmental justice, while negotiating with economic development. The Coastal and Marine Programme focuses on the development of approaches to marine conservation that are participatory, appropriate and which promote the sustainable use of marine resources. Hence, many innovative methods are emerging: community-based management of natural resources; co-management, multi-stakeholder platforms, interdisciplinary approaches, adult environmental education, knowledge networking, collective action, scaling for replication etc. To achieve these, social science research, community engagement and extension are critical ingredients.  More…

Coastal and Marine Ecology Programme

The programme recognises the lack of baseline information and applied research on patterns and trends in diversity and ecological functions of coastal ecosystems of India as a major impediment to undertaking appropriate management interventions for coastal areas. Through our research and conservation programmes, we intend to create baseline information on coastal and marine ecosystems. More…

Programme on Law and the Environment

Our approach to conducting research on environmental law recognises the need to merge the social sciences with law. Thereby, through our research, we create an opportunity not only to describe problems contained in law and systems of justice, but also to critically examine the historical-political origin and influence of law in society, its modes of operation and impact on civil society. More…