Anoop Thakur

Foundation For Ecological Security (FES)

FES works towards the ecological restoration and conservation of land and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded and marginalised regions in India, through the collective efforts of village communities. We work towards the ecological restoration and conservation of land and water resources, in conserving the uplands and other eco-fragile, degraded and marginalised zones of the country and to set in place the processes of co-ordinated human effort and governance to achieve this objective. Spread across diverse ecological and social geographies, FES works towards conservation of nature and natural resources through collective action of local communities. The crux of FES efforts lie in locating forests and other natural resources within the prevailing economic, social and ecological dynamics in rural landscapes. Globally, FES hopes to see an increasing influence on two fundamental issues in governing shared natural resources a socio-ecological systems approach and a Commons paradigm, which together could have far-reaching impact on world views on development. FES presently works with 36,400+ village institutions in 100 districts across 12 states, and assists the village communities in protecting 11.38 million acres of common lands including revenue wastelands, degraded forest lands and Panchayat grazing lands, positively impacting 22 million rural people across India. We support Panchayats and their subcommittees, Village Forest Committees, Gramya Jungle Committees, Water Users Associations and Watershed Committees in order to improve the governance of natural resources. Regardless of the form of the institution, we strive for universal membership and an equal access of women and poor in decision making.