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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Late Shri Mahesh Nilkanth Buch, popularly known as M. N. Buch, was a distinguished administrator, urban planner, institution builder and a writer. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1957 and opted for voluntary retirement in 
1984 as Principal Secretary to the Government of Madhya Pradesh. During his illustrious career, he held several important portfolios including Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority, Director General of the National Institute of Urban Affairs, and Vice-Chairman of the National Commission on Urbanisation.
He founded the National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment (NCHSE) in Bhopal to provide technological support to weaker section of the society to improve their livelihood. He served as its founding Chairman until his demise on 6 June 2015. He wrote extensively on issues related to governance, planning and environment. His contributions were widely recognised, earning him the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1998, an Honorary Doctorate from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya in 2002, and the Padma Bhushan in 2011 for his outstanding service to the nation.
After the demise of Shri M. N. Buch, Mrs Nirmala Buch took over as the Chairperson of NCHSE and worked extensively to upheld the legacy of Late Shri M N Buch towards sustainable urban development and protection of environment until her death in 2023.
Mrs Buch was a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1960 batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre, who became the first woman Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh.She was known as the "Iron Lady" for her strict administrative style. She worked relentlessly towards the protection of rights of women and child. In 1984, she establishedthe “Mahila Chetna Manch, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with a mission to promote equality, equity, and empowerment of women by enabling their effective participation in the social, political, and economic life of society. She authored the widely acclaimed book "From Oppression to Assertion: Women and Panchayats in India", which documents awareness, motivation, perceptions, and participation levels of women elected in the first election following the Constitutional Amendment in 1992.
Shri P. K. Dash, IAS (Retd.) joined as the Chairman of NCHSEon 9thSeptember 2025. During his career in civil service, he held senior management positions with the 
Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Government of India. He has experience in diverse sectors such as Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, poverty alleviation, SHG mobilization, Micro enterprises, Watershed Development, Finance, Labour and Industrial Relations and Commerce & Industries.
National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment