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I am a critical development practitioner and researcher, trained as an economist and specializing in political ecology. My thematic expertise is in conservation and rural livelihoods, forced displacement, just transition, social impact assessment, agrarian change and rural education. I have carried out social impact assessments, consultancies, and training programmes for governments and international agencies.

At present, I am Visiting Professor of Environmental Studies at Ashoka University and an Associate Researcher at the Centre de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi.I have nearly 30 years of teaching and research experience in India’s public university system. I was Professor and Dean at the School of Human Ecology, Ambedkar University Delhi (2010-2024) and Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, Ramjas College, University of Delhi (1995-2010).

I am the founder and President of the NGO Adharshila, and founder trustee of the NGO Samrakshan Trust. Both organizations work for sustainable and dignified livelihoods and education in the dryland forested areas in the Chambal region of Central India.

I served as Managing Editor of Ecology, Economy and Society – the INSEE Journal during 2021-23. I am a regular reviewer for reputed international journals working in my thematic areas.