VIKSAT
is an institution of Nehru Foundation for Development
(NFD), a registered public charitable trust, founded by
the eminent scientist and the legendry visionary, Dr. Vikram
A. Sarabhai, in the year 1966. Vikram Sarabhai Centre for
Development Interaction - VIKSAT, was established in 1977,
the second of the several activities that were initiated
by the foundation towards all round development of the societies.
VIKSAT, engaged in promotion of participatory management
of natural resources, believes that the goal of sustainability
in natural resources development and management can be achieved
only through decisive participation of the local communities
aided by an enabling role of the government agencies.
At
present, VIKSAT has five field offices in four districts
of Gujarat, namely, Bhiloda taluka, Sabarkantha district
(1985); Satlasana taluka, Mehsana district (1985); Bhuj,
Kachchh district (2001); Santalpur taluka, Patan district
(2003); and Khedbrahma taluka, Sabarkantha district (2006).
VIKSAT Head office is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Over
34 years, VIKSAT has worked at grassroots level with communities
in their local regions and tried to reach for the sustainability
of natural resources.
The main Thrust areas of VIKSAT are Natural Resource Management
and sustainable livelihoods. An activity area includes Forestry,
Land, Water, Sustainable Agriculture, Bio-diversity, Policy
Advocacy and Women Empowerment. To enhance meaningful participation
in Natural Resources Management (NRM), VIKSAT has been working
towards imparting community skills related to group organization,
institution building, training and other resource support.
VIKSAT has associated with government departments not only
as an implementing partner but also a responsible collaborator
to carry forward the development processes in the region.
For example, VIKSAT has been actively working with the Forest
Department for the promotion of wasteland development and
Joint Forest Management (JFM), Water and Sanitation (WATSAN)
programme with WASMO and Sector Reforms projects of the
Government of Gujarat. VIKSAT is also a nodal agency for
Gujarat, Diu and Daman for National Environment Awareness
Campaign (NEAC) since 1986, supported by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, New Delhi. (More details on www.viksat.org)
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