Leo F. Saldanha works with Environment Support Group in Bangalore, India, a non-profit organisati... more

Leo F. Saldanha works with Environment Support Group in Bangalore, India, a non-profit organisation that he helped initiate along with fellow activists and professionals during 1996. He has over a decade's experience of working with environmental and social action groups and has been an active campaigner on various public interest issues in the State of Karnataka and across India. As Founding Trustee and Coordinator of ESG, he has led several of ESG’s campaigns including the termination of Karnataka Government’s contract with the controversial Cogentrix power project, developed a wide platform of support to end mining in the Kudremukh National Park, initiated a variety of reviews on the controversial Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project and championed several causes by way of Public Interest Litigations in the High Court of Karnataka and Supreme Court of India. He is currently involved in two significant PIL initiatives, one focusing on people centered planned development of urban transport infrastructure and the other challenging the privatisation of lakes in Bangalore. He is an active participant in campaigns to protect and promote green and open spaces, in ensuring equal access to public spaces, and in advocating against dislocation of settlements of un-organised and poorer communities due to poorly planned developments. (More details of his engagement with initiatives of Environment Support Group can be accessed at _www.esgindia.org _). He has initiated innovative local government partnerships as part of the Asia Urbs Programme of the European Union for Raichur City Council in Karnataka under a project entitled: Community Access. Similarly, a project on hazardous waste management was initiated with participation of universities from Germany, UK, Vietnam and ESG in India as part of Asia Pro Eco Programme of European Union. (More details at: _www.sacodi.tu-dresden.de _) > He constantly endeavours to bring his grass-root experiences to influence various levels of decision making at the State and National levels. To leverage this process, he is actively involved with independent efforts to bridge the gap between the world of activism and academia. His areas of research include Environmental Law and Policy, Local Governance Legislation and Policies, Child Labour Law and Experiential Education methodologies. Such experiences have been transformed into significant learning experiences in key areas of environmental law and policy, and strong working relationships with leading national and international organisations, such as the United Nations ESCAP, UNEP, National Law School of India University, Karnataka Judicial Academy, Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme, Karnataka Directorate of Municipal Administration, Ministry of Environment and Forests, International Honours Programme, Environmental Law Institute (USA), Centre for International Environmental Law (USA), Association for India’s Development (USA), Permanent People’s Tribunal, World Resources Institute, etc. Of late he has been active in the formation of the Campaign for Environmental Justice – India. He is also the Country Coordinator/Faculty/ /of the /“Cities in the 21/^/st/ / Century”/ and “/Health and Communities” /courses offered by International Honors Programme, Boston, USA. This programme is an inter-disciplinary and experiential approach to urban and health issues. Participating students come from leading universities across the US to study in India, South Africa, Brazil, USA and several other countries over a semester. (_www.ihp.edu) _ > He has many publications to his credit and his most recent contribution is as co-author of the book /“Green Tapism: A Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification – 2006”/, a publication of the Environment Support Group. This book has been considered a ''must read' for policy makers, engineers, scientists, contractors, independent thinkers and even investors who should be sensitive to India's environment' by the former Indian Environment Secretary Mr. Rajamani in The Book Review [Volume XXXII Number 8 August 2008 (p. 14-15)]. Currently he is working on a study that addresses the long term implications of climate change on coastal communities in support of the concerns of various fish worker unions. In parallel, he is involved in critiquing a series of urban development models that have been evolved as a part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, with a deep concern to democratising local government functions. Additionally, he is focussing on efforts to develop policies and action plans that advance wise use of wetlands promoting biodiversity conservation and securing the rights of access of local communities. With a B. Sc. in Environmental Sciences from Bangalore University (St. Joseph's College) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Ecology and Environment (Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment), his predoninant focus now is in bridging the gap between environmental law and practice and environmental research. He has frequently lectured in various universities and public institutions in India and abroad. In 2004 and 2006, he was part of a speaking tour in over twenty cities across the United States and the venues included leading universities, international NGOs such as the Sierra Club, Centre for International Environmental Law, Kennedy School of Government, World Bank, etc. In recognition of his work, the Association of India's Development, USA awarded him the /Saathi/ fellowship. (_www.aid-india.org _) He is an avid birdwatcher and has participated in mid-winter waterfowl censuses coordinated by Asia Waterfowl Research Bureau (now part of Birdlife International) and Birdwatchers Field Club of Bangalore. He is also an active participant in the processes and initiatives of the National Alliance of People's Movement, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, etc. less