Sudarshan Rodriguez
Senior Research Associate
Education
- Aug-Dec 98, Diploma in Environmental Law,- Centre for Environmental Law, World-wide Fund for Nature, India
- 1996-97, MSc Environmental Assessment and Evaluation,- London School of Economics and Political Science (Environmental Regulation, Environmental Economics , Strategic Environmental Evaluation )
- 1994-96, MSc Environmental Sciences,- Bishop Heber College, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, India
- 1991-94, BSc Chemistry-Loyola College, Madras University.
Research Interests
Inter-disciplinary dimensions of coastal and marine conservation, community institutions, rights discourse in coastal conservation, socio-ecological resilience.
Experience
- Founder, Coordinator and Editor of Waves, a weekly electronic news digest and bulletin on coastal and marine topics since 2002, containing compiled /edited news, research information and articles from India. It has a readership of over 400 online subscribers.
Jan 07 till date
- Senior Research Associate, Ashoka Trust Research in Ecology and Environment. Responsible for the Marine and Coastal Network Project and Socio-Ecological component of the Post Tsunami Environment Initiative.
March 06- Dec 06
- Project Co-ordinator, UNDP-GoI Post- Tsunami Environment Initiative. Responsible for assisting research teams in this project by collating the status of relief and rehabilitation measures from various sources in all tsunami-affected districts. This includes coordinating the team of researchers (both natural science and social science) collecting data and analysing relief and rehabilitation efforts. Responsible for developing a database of organisations and individuals to facilitate the establishment of a network of civil society groups working on coastal management and related issues in future along with the development of an exhaustive Geographical Information System (GIS) compatible database containing details of relief and rehabilitation, to feed the main GIS coastal database according to protocols established by the project team.
July 04- Feb 06
- Post Tsunami Coastal Area Assessment and Environmental issues- Tamil Nadu, survey & study coordinated by Equations funded by TRRC (2nd Phase ongoing)
- Post Tsunami Coastal Area Assessment and Environmental issues- Andaman & Nicobar, survey & study coordinated by Equations
- Member of the review team, "Consultative Review of the Swaminathan Committee Report on the CRZ Notification", coordinated and drafted by ATREE, funded by UNDP.
- Inputs and review of the "Statement on the CRZ Notification and Post-Tsunami Rehabilitation in Tamil Nadu" ATREE-UNDP, Aarthi Sridhar, March, 2005
June 02- Dec 02 Part time Consultancy, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Assisted in coordinating and developing the key programme areas and projects for the natural resources programme for UNDP's Country Cooperation Framework 2002-07.
- Assisted in developing two specific projects in the programme framework namely, medicinal plant conservation and the follow up project s of India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
May 02 - Jul 04 Programme Coordinator, Reef Watch Marine Conservation
- Was responsible for coordinating and building a team for various programme and thrust areas of the organisation.
- Was involved in fund raising as well as developing and writing new project proposals/concepts. Developed a framework for the organisation as an open platform for marine conservation and research. Was involved with networking with individuals and institutions involved in coastal and marine issues.
- Was responsible for developing a comprehensive conservation strategy for whale shark conservation in Gujrat, India.
- Was based in the Saurashtra Coast in the state of Gujarat for eight months working and living with local fisherfolk communities documenting local traditional knowledge on whale shark movements behaviour and ecology with the aim to explore additional livelihood options for the whale shark hunters in the form of community based eco-tourism harmonization local knowledge and science. Covered more than 20 villages and hamlets spread over 400 kms. Conducted whale shark conservation awareness workshops for fishing villages /hamlets and developed a network of over 70 local institutions and individuals in working towards whale shark conservation. Investigated the illegal trade and poaching of whale sharks.
- Used the above opportunity to study livelihood, development and conservation needs in the local area. Worked on capacity building of local groups and institutions. Action on illegal sand mining was initiated through these local groups.
- Worked on the production of documentary film "Troubled Waters", winner of the Best of Vatavaran Festival Award (2003), produced by Reef Watch on the El-Nino and global warming impacts on the Reefs of Lakshadweep.
- Was also responsible for the "Conservation Management and Policy" programme area. Conducted research and policy analysis (specific strategic environmental assessment) on coastal and marine issues-Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Special Economics Zones, Port Development, Coastal and Marine Tourism.
- Assisted the Wildlife Institute of India as a Reef Watch representative, in jointly organizing the "National Seminar on Conservation and Management of Marine Biodiversity", Kanyakumari. 15th March 2003
- Assisted with the background research and networking with other organisations for certain campaigns involving Reef Watch, such as the Sahara Sunderbans Eco-tourism project, Reliance oil surveys in Gujarat, Netrani Naval bombing site.
- Coordinated photo documentation on coastal pollution in the city of Mumbai through a volunteer programme (Sep- Dec 2002). Short campaign and awareness programme on" Plastics and the Marine Environment".
- Organised a special fund raising and charity event along with the launch of the film "The Living Sea" with Imax Adlabs Multiplex, Mumbai, 19th October , 2002
- Oversaw the development of Reef Watch's Marine Education Programme, which involved conducting education events at the schools and colleges in Mumbai.
April 00-April 02 Programme Development Specialist (GEF), Environment and GEF Division, UNDP
- Was responsible for formulating, reviewing, designing and managing new project concepts and ideas. Was responsible for developing and managing five preparatory phase projects and developing over 13 pipeline proposals in the GEF areas of biodiversity, land degradation, POPs and international waters.
- Programme Officer for NDP-GEF project "India National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan", executed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. Special representative of UNDP to the Technical and Policy Core Group (TPCG) of the project.
- Part of editorial team of documentary film, "Who sets the agenda", on participatory monitoring and evaluation.
- Was part of the "Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) for development" and "Gender" Working Groups of UNDP. Was also responsible for management and content of the Environment Division website.
- Interacted and liaised with various agencies and organizations, including government, national and international specialists, bi-laterals agencies, World Bank, UNEP, private sector, NGOs and other UN agencies for the identification, development and partnerships for pipeline projects for India. Assisted in responding and giving inputs to international conventions in the context of the GEF Portfolio.
- Was responsible for providing, views, comments, recommendations and addressing concerns vis-à-vis environment issues of all UNDP's activities, priorities, policies, programmes and ongoing projects.
Jan 98 to March 2000 Consultant, Environment and GEF Division, UNDP
- Was responsible for formulating, reviewing developing, designing and managing new project proposals and ideas in Climate Change, Biodiversity and International Waters.
August 94- May 96 Volunteer Work Experience
- During the M.Sc degree at the Bharathidasan University, worked on non- conventional energy, appropriate /intermediate technology systems such as biogas plants, shallow solar ponds, solar stills, solar heaters/cookers.
June 93- May 94 Director of Projects, Enviro Club, Loyola College, Madras, India
- Actively involved in the co-ordination of various projects and activities of the Club.
June 92- May 93 Director, Project Toon-Talk, Loyola College, Madras, India
- Conceived and co-ordinated the project which was an environmental awareness programme aided by Rotaract Club and the Enviro Club of Loyola featuring cartoons and posters.
Affiliations / Positions / Memberships
June 02 - Dec 03
- Honorary National GEF Consultant to the UNDP-GEF preparatory project on "Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Medicinal Plants "executed by the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions.
August 02 - till date
- Honorary Advisor, Rural Communes, a NGO working on medicinal plants conservation and livelihoods, rural development, biodiversity conservation and watershed development. Winner of the Equator Award Initiative for Medicinal Plants Conservation
- Developing a database of organisations and individuals to facilitate the establishment of a network of civil society groups working on coastal management and related issues in future.
Grants / Awards / Honors
- Awarded the ITC Overseas Scholarship to study at the London School of Economics by the Indian Tobacco Company Ltd. (ITC Ltd.).
- Stood first in college during the first year and fifth semester of B.Sc. Awarded the Sundar Ramaier Medal and Merit Scholarship for academic proficiency during the first year.
Select Publications
Complete Publications
- Menon, M., S. Rodriguez and A. Sridhar. 2007. Coastal Zone Management Notification '07 - Better or bitter fare? , produced for the Post-Tsunami Environment Initiative Project, ATREE, Bangalore. pp 31.
- Rodriguez, S. 2007. A preliminary socio-ecological review of post-tsunami ecosystem-derived livelihoods & rehabilitation efforts. In: Report on ecological and social impact assessments post-tsunami in mainland India; Submitted to UNDP. Post-Tsunami Environment Initiative. 151-191 p.
- Rodriguez S., J. John, R. Arthur, K. Shanker and A. Sridhar 2007. 'Review of Environmental and Economic Impacts of the SSCP'. to be published
- 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, UNDP, New Delhi.
- "Andaman & Nicobar Post - Tsunami : Looking through an Environmental Lens', at workshop on Post Tsunami Rehabilitation in Fishing Communities, organized by TRINet (Tsunami Rehab Information Network) on 11th November 2005, Chennai.
- Open working paper on "Comprehensive and Long-term Strategy for Whale Shark Conservation", Reef Watch Report, July 2004.
- Paper on "The EIA Framework in India: a Critical Analysis " in fulfilment of the Diploma in Environmental law, Centre for Environmental Law, World Wide Fund for Nature, New Delhi, December 1998.
- M.Sc dissertation on "Problems in the Diffusion of Anaerobic Sewage Treatment Technology in India" in fulfilment of the MSc degree at the London School of Economics, August 1998.
- M.Sc thesis on " Comparative Impact Assessment of Two Different Energy Systems-A Case Study of Thermal and NuclearPpower" in fulfilment of the MSc degree of Bharathidasan University, Trichy, India, April 1996.
- First year M.Sc project report on "A Study of the Indian Nuclear Energy Programme and Environment Monitoring at sites - Kalpakkam a case study", Bishop Heber College, Trichy, India, February 1994.
Meetings / Conferences / Symposiums / Workshops
- Presentation on "Coastal tourism and the CRZ in the Andaman Islands: Issues and Concerns" , Judicial Colloquium on Rights, Relief and Rehabilitation, Andaman & Nicobar , orgnaised by Human Rights Law Network, Calcutta, 16th June 2007.
- Presentation of the "Review of Swaminathan Committee Report on the CRZ Notification', National Workshop on CRZ at Nalsar Law University, Hyderabad, 22nd April 2007.
- Presentation of paper "Coastal Zone Management Notification '07 - Better or bitter fare? , at research workshop on 'Impact of Coastal Zone Management Plan to fisher folk and coastal environment' organised by Malabar Coastal Institute For Training Research And Action (MCITRA), Calicut, 28th July 2007.
- Presentation on "The Challenges of Coral Reef Conservation and Management", at the National Workshop on Coral Reefs, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 10th June 2004.
- Presented paper on 'The Challenges for Marine and Coastal Management in India", at a symposium organised by the Indian Maritime Foundation, Pune, 10th March 2004.
- Presentation and talk on "Communities and Eco-tourism: Potential for Whale Shark Conservation in Gujarat", presentation at a workshop on "Communities and Conservation", Ahmedabad, organised by Geer Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, 10th October 2003.
- Presentation and talk on "Conservation and Eco-tourism: Opportunities and Concerns", workshop on eco-tourism organized by Indo-American Chambers of Commerce and US Environmental Resource Centre, Mumbai, 16th October 2003 .
- Presentation on "Coastal Management: Zoning Vs Management" at the National Seminar on Conservation and Management of Marine Biodiversity, Kanyakumari, organised by the Wildlife Institute of India, 10th March 2003
- Participated in the final review meeting of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) South Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 2002.
- Presentation on " Opportunities and Issues of Tourism in Marine and Coastal Areas" at workshop organised by the Wildlife Institute of India on Sea Turtle Conservation, Vizag, 11-12 December, 2002.
- Joint presentation on "The Overview of Reef Watch's Coral Reef Research in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands" at the National Conference on Coral Reefs organized by Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, South Asia, Goa, 10 - 12 June, 2002.
Others
Additional Qualifications
- Successfully passed the "Sustainable Business Challenge Exam" conducted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Foundation for Business and Sustainable Development, February 1999.
- Attended training workshop on "Logical Framework" organised by UNDP-GEF and conducted by the German Foundation for International Development (DSE), Hanoi , Vietnam,20- 25 July 1998.
- Participated in the "Tropical Ecology Field Study Programme" (course on ecology of the Indian tropics), conducted by the Au Sable Institute, University of Michigan and Bishop Heber College, Trichy, India, January 1996.
- Four month course in "Environmental Management" , conducted by Dr. David Martin, Associate Professor of Economics, Davidson college, North Carolina , USA, May -December 1994.
Other Skills
- DIVING: CMAS One star diver
- LANGUAGES: English, Hindi, Tamil
Contact
Email: sudarshanr@yahoo.com
Address: Flat 2B, Adithya Apartments38, Balakrishna Road,Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041 Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: +91 44 4201 9470
Fax: +91 44 4201 9468
Mobile: +91 9840680127
Date of Birth: 22nd October 1973
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