About CSD
The Centre for Sustainable Development is engaged in research that leads to solutions. Based within the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, our work aims for climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic development for India.
Employing an ecological approach, we identify the interconnectedness of problems for long-term solutions to chronic developmental issues. Our solution approach is as illustrated in the diagram of interconnecting circles (below).
CSD provides a scholarly environment for research and fieldwork and engages with central and state government departments, urban local bodies, and corporates.
Legacy
The Gokhale Institute Of Politics And Economics, Pune, was established in 1930 by the Servants of India Society. It is the oldest research and training institute in Economics in the country. It is dedicated to research into the socio-economic dimensions of Indian society and carries forward the legacy of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gokhale was the one who founded the Servants of India Society in 1905. His rationale was to promote education, and develop capabilities among Indians to govern a newly independent nation. Over the decades, the Institute has established strong credentials in empirical and analytical research. The Institute is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. In recognition of its contribution to higher learning and research in Economics, the Institute was awarded the status of institution Deemed to be a University, in 1993.
The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics is renowned for its initiatives in qualitative research in diverse areas of economic theory and practice. Surveys, research, informed debates, analysis, and critique generated at the Institute have shaped the public discourse on major development initiatives. It has helped formulate economic policy and plans at the regional level, especially in the State of Maharashtra. Some of the research has also contributed to policymaking at the national level.
Team
Dr. Gurudas Nulkar
Professor & Director, Centre For Sustainable Development
Gurudas has a Ph.D in industrial sustainability and environmental management. He has been the ‘Endeavour Fellow’ of the Government of Australia, where he studied sustainability initiatives within small and medium industries and city councils. Gurudas is a full Professor (visiting) at IIT Kanpur, where he teaches a course on the intersection of Ecology & Economy. Gurudas is the recipient of the 22nd Dewang Mehta Award for Best Professor of Management.
He is the author of several books. One of his books has been awarded the Government of Maharashtra 2019 “C.D.Deshmukh Award in Economic Literature,” and another book received the 2022 Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Award.
Gurudas is a member of the Committee on Implementing Green Hydrogen of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GOI, and an expert on several other committees and panels, including the UN-ESCAP program, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Divisional Commissioner’s office. He contributed to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority Draft Plan as an ecological expert.
He is a Senior Fellow of Pune International Centre, Energy, and a member of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics, Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi. He is on the board of the Ecological Society and ACWADAM.
Gurudas has worked on projects funded by organisations such as the World Resources Institute, Global Forest Watch, the Centre for Environmental Education, UNICEF, and others.
Aditi Deodhar
Senior Research Associate
Aditi has a Master’s degree in Industrial Mathematics with Computer Applications, a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources & Nature Conservation from the Ecological Society.
She worked as a Software Engineer with organizations Tech Mahindra and Persistent Systems.
She is a Founder-Director of Jeevitnadi – Living River Foundation, an organization working for river revival through people participation since 2014.
In 2016, she created a forum named Brown Leaf with the vision – ‘Not a single dry leaf should be burnt in India’.
She has published four fiction books for children and writes ‘Stories that Solve Problems’, exploring solutions for various environmental issues in kid fiction format.
Komal Dhiwar
Senior Research Associate
Komal has completed her Masters in Economics and her areas of interest include Development Economics,Environmental Economics and Circular Economy in the Indian Fashion Industry
Komal has a diverse professional background, starting in Amazon’s operational unit for retail and market research in North America. Then she obtained a Junior Research Fellowship in Economics and worked as a Research Fellow at SIBM, Pune.
Previously, she has taught undergraduate students Economics in junior colleges. She is passionate about sustainability and has actively volunteered with NGOs and social clubs like the Rotaract Club of Pune Shaniwarwada, advocating for positive change.
Hrushikesh Barve
Senior Research Associate
Hrushikesh is an engineering professional, who is passionate about clean energy & sustainable development.
Before working full-time in the filed of sustainable development, he has close to 15 years of experience in engineering research & product development, in corporate and statup environments. He has worked in the field of modeling & simulations, energy management solutions, IoT & AI based industrial solutions. He has been an individual tinkerer of various solutions such as composting, biogas-generation, biochar-making to treat degradable waste at household-level.
Hrushikesh’s current work is related to bioeconomy, land restoration approaches, sustainable agriculture, bio-energy ecosystems and Indian carbon-market. He is involved in policy research and pilot implementations regarding these topics.
Soomrit Chattopadhyay
Senior Research Associate
Soomrit is a young professional in the environment and sustainability sector and working as Senior Research Associate with 2+ years experience amongst a total of 5+ years. He has previously worked in GT Bharat in the public sector consulting and ESG vertical.He has a Masters in Water Policy and Governance from TISS Mumbai(Tata Institute of Social Science) and a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering.
Pooja Sathe
Research Assistant
Pooja Sathe holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Mumbai University and a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science from the College of Fisheries, Ratnagiri.She has an experience of 4.5+ years.
Prior to her current role, Pooja gained valuable experience at the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in Chennai and the Mangrove Foundation. Her work at these organizations focused on the critical task of conserving mangrove ecosystems while simultaneously supporting the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities.
Driven by a commitment to sustainable development, 3R and solid waste management, Pooja has also completed a course in Entrepreneurship in Solid Waste Management at ICWMR.
Shruti Ghag
Research Assistant
Shruti is an Environmental Science and Fisheries professional with over 5 years of experience in marine conservation and sustainable development. She holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science and a Bachelors degree in Fisheries Science.
Her practical experience includes managing aquaculture projects and community development initiatives with the Mangrove Foundation, a project of the Maharashtra State Forest Department. This role involved conserving mangroves and providing sustainable livelihoods to local communities.
She is currently expanding her expertise in CSR and Sustainability, while working on marine pollution research and conservation projects. Her focus areas include coastal ecosystem conservation and sustainable aquaculture practices.
Nikhil Atak
Research Assistant
Nikhil is a highly motivated Economics researcher with a Master’s degree in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.
He has proven experience in conducting in-depth research on pressing societal issues. Successfully contributed to projects like the Mahabaleshwar Drinking Water Contamination study and is currently involved in the Mandede Net Zero and Climate Resilient Village initiative and Mission Sahyadri.
Vaidehi Dandekar
Research Assistant
Vaidehi has a B.Sc. in Zoology and Master’s in Environment Science.
Current Project (Lead): Vaidehi is currently working in the area of Ecology and Agriculture in a project named: Journey from Conflict to Coexistence – “Study on Impact of Human wild animal conflict on Agriculture and Mitigation Measures for Maharashtra”
Past Work Experience: She is a professional from the Environment and Sustainable development sector, having 4 + years of experience in Policy Research in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Safety, at TISS Mumbai. Also, worked as researcher at Mitrakida Foundation on application of Beneficial Insects for Pest Management in Agriculture. She has completed a course on Fundamentals of Public Policy from Center of Policy Research and Governance (CPRG).
Nitin Raut
Project Coordinator
Nitin Raut is currently working as Project Co-ordinator at CSD,GIPE.
He is a mid career professional making his transition into the sustainability field with a total of 10+ years of experience in government and telecommunications related projects.
He has a MBA in Marketing from SP Pune University and Bachelors in Commerce(B.Com) from SP Pune University.
We work on socio-ecological issues, study sustainable pathways, and experiment with solutions that contribute to the UN-SDGs.
Interested in working with us, or engaging in action? Do contact us