National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment (NCHSE), a non for profit organisation, having its registered office at Bhopal, facilitates participatory sustainable development of the rural community with special focus on significant economic development of the weaker sections. Its community based participatory development programme includes improving ecosystem services, eco restoration of degraded ecosystems, promoting sustainable and climate resilient agricultural practices, and livelihood promotion.

GENESIS:

NCHSE was established in 1984 by Dr. M N Buch after his voluntary retirement from IAS. Founder members of the organisation included retired bureaucrats and subject matter specialist, in the field of Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Planning & Architecture, Economics, social science etc.

LEGAL STATUS:

A society, registered under M. P. Societies Registration Act, 1973, Registration No.13784, dated 19th June, 1984. NCHSE is also registered under Income tax Act for 80 G and 12A, FCRA, NGO DARPAN portal and Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GOI for CSR.

VISION:

Sustainable development of human settlements and their environment.

MISSION:

Participatory sustainable development of the area and its people with special focus on the weaker sections of society in order to promote rapid social mobilization and significant economic development.

PURPOSE:

NCHSE aspires to expand its activities related to conservation of natural resources (soil, water, biotic components) through watershed development approach, restoration of degraded ecosystems, promotion of sustainable (climate resilient) agriculture to sustain food production and livelihood of people, especially women and marginalised community through their capacity building and linking them with Government schemes in partnership with organizations having similar vision.

GOVERNANCE:

The organization works under the guidance of the General Body (GB) and Governing Council (GC) comprised of subject matter specialists. It provides advisory support to the Chairperson who is the chief functionary of the organization. Director General is responsible for the overall supervision of the affairs of the organization under the guidance of the Chairperson.

THEMATIC AREAS:

NCHSE is pursuing environmentally compatible and locally acceptable nature based development models, which are being achieved through initiatives, like -

• i. Participatory Rural Appraisal of natural resources, vulnerability and local knowledge;
• ii. Integrated watershed development vis a vis integrated village development programme,
• iii. Eco-restoration of degraded ecosystem and biodiversity conservation,
• iv. Conservation and management of common natural resources with community participation;
• v. Promotion of Sustainable/Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices
1.  through linking the village community with ongoing Government schemes to make the programme sustainable,
2.  Capacity building and skilling of local farmers/youth/women through selection of educated local youth and grooming them as Super or Master Trainers
• vi. Empowerment of rural women through financial literacy programme to enable them to undertake income generating activities.
• vii. Capacity building of youth including in service personnel on GIS application
• viii. Consumer Protection through public awareness and counselling
• ix. Promotion of WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) practices

EXPERTISE:

NCHSE has developed special expertise in implementing holistically designed watershed development and management projects at Mili and Micro levels that have transformed water regimes of whole villages which chronically suffered due to acute water shortage. The initiatives included soil erosion control measures, aquifer recharge and rainwater conservation through stop dams, check dams, farm ponds, community ponds and recharge wells with the involvement of gram sabhas. Such interventions led to increased availability of surface water through conservation of runoff and raised ground water levels in project areas leading to increased irrigation to the fields and enhanced crop production, higher fuel and fodder availability, promoted animal husbandry, and virtually stopped seasonal migration from the distressed villages.

ACHIEVEMENT:

NCHSE has completed about 340 projects so far mainly focussing on rural development through natural resources management, restoration of degraded ecosystem, sustainable agricultural practices, water and sanitation, livelihood promotion etc.

In the urban landscape, its focus has been on carrying capacity based urban development, improving urban basic services, protection of green cover and protection of wetlands and other water bodies.