Vishnukant Govindwad
Latur
Summary
Development practitioner with a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in ecological restoration, community forest rights, and livelihood enhancement. Proven track record at the Foundation for Ecological Security in leading projects, preparing policy briefs, and designing conservation and management plans that strengthened governance and improved livelihoods for over 300 Gram Sabhas. Skilled in data collection, research, and stakeholder engagement, with a deep commitment to ecological sustainability and the resilient livelihoods of forest-dwelling communities.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manger
Foundation for Ecological Security
Gadchiroli
10.2022 - Current
- Created training content, policy briefs on the Forest Rights Act.
- Prepared template for the conservation and management of community forest areas, which is widely followed by the Gadchiroli district administration and other districts in Maharashtra, and is also referred to in other states for reference.
- Assisted around 300 gram sabhas in preparing conservation and management plans, including livelihoods and governance plans in the Gadchiroli District.
Project Manager and Cluster Coordinator
Foundation for Ecological Security
Mandla Madhya Pradesh
05.2015 - 05.2017
Forest and commons-based livelihoods.
Institution building for the governance of common properties, including the forests.
Education
Ph.D. - Social Work
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai09.2025
M.Phil. - Social Work
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai01.2019
Master of Arts - Social Work With Specialization in Rural Developem
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
01.2015
BASW - Specialization in Rural Development
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Tuljapur01.2013
Intermediate -
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Latur01.2010
Matriculation -
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Latur01.2008
Skills
- Data collection
- Project management
- Community engagement
- Policy analysis
- Environmental sustainability
- Training and development
- Documentation proficiency
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 05/05/92
Languages
- Marathi, Native, High Proficiency
- Hindi, High Proficiency
- English, High Proficiency
Publications
- Reclaiming the Forest: How a Maharashtra Adivasi Family Won Rights on Minor Produce, National Herald, https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/reclaiming-the-forest-how-a-maharashtra-adivasi-family-won-rights-on-minor-produce
- Article in Article-14, https://article-14.com/author/vishnukant-govindwad-and-geetanjoy-sahu-651f7946bf5e0
- Lekshmi M, Vishnukant Govindwad, Geetanjoy Sahu, 2022, Pachgaon After Ten Years of Community Forest Rights Recognition, TISS
- Aaishwarya Jadhav et al., 2023, Evaluation of Ekal: Gram Sabhas Empowerment Program, Gadchiroli District Administration
- Article in 'Purushspandan' on religion and gender relations, 2014
- Two articles on Youth Ki Awaaz related to collective action for natural resource management
Extracurricular Activities
Training on Crop Water Budgeting, NREGA, FRA, Organic Farming 2nd prize in street play competition – TISS Platinum Jubilee Programme
Consultancy Projects
- Training Needs Assessment of PRI Members in Satara District, IIHMR University Jaipur
- Baseline survey and report, Amhi Amchya Arogya Sathi
- Four Case studies on impact assessment for BIAF projects funded by ITC
Research
- M.Phil., Common Property Resources: Its Importance and Governance, Umardihi village, Madhya Pradesh
- Ph.D., Socio-Economic and Institutional Implications of Community Forest Rights, Amravati, Maharashtra
Accomplishments
- Net-jrf in social work, December 2015
Languages
Marathi
First Language
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
C1
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Timeline
Program Manger
Foundation for Ecological Security
10.2022 - Current
Project Manager and Cluster Coordinator
Foundation for Ecological Security
05.2015 - 05.2017
Ph.D. - Social Work
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
M.Phil. - Social Work
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Master of Arts - Social Work With Specialization in Rural Developem
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
BASW - Specialization in Rural Development
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Intermediate -
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Matriculation -
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
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