Foundation for Research and Sustainable Development

About

Location: Madurai and Theni districts, Tamil Nadu, India
Key(s): Access to Food and Water

Foundation for Research and Sustainable Development (FRSD) is devoted to the preservation of the natural diversity of plant and animal species, and their habitats, through prevention of environmental degradation and destruction. FRSD develops and implements projects through conservation education, action oriented programs for preventing climate change and preserving our valuable plant and animal species and their natural habitats.

The organization has been exploring community-based approaches to natural resource management and they strongly believe in Endogenous Development. FRSD has been working in the Western Ghats Mountains for the past ten years. Western Ghats mountain ranges constitute the beautiful array of mountains along the western coasts of India. The Western Ghats is considered as one of the most cherished ecological destinations in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight “hottest hot spots” of biological diversity in the world. It is also called the Great Escarpment of India.

FRSD is a tax exempt, registered non-profit, non-governmental organization and is one of the conservation organizations active in the Western Ghats Mountains in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of rural and indigenous communities. FRSD is a Member in the Commission on Ecosystem Management, IUCN, Mountain Forum, International Primatological Society, South Asian Primate Network, Biodiversity Professionals Network, Climate Action Network, Indian Environment Network, Water Integrity Network, Global Biodiversity Institute and in several international environment and conservation organizations.

“Natura mater et magistra” (“Nature is both mother and teacher”)

Vision: Biological diversity of our land is protected, conserved, managed and sustainably used, and its benefits are fairly and equitably shared for the social, economic and environmental well-being of rural and indigenous communities.

Mission: To conserve and protect nature, natural resources and ecosystems in the Western Ghats Mountains by inspiring rural and indigenous communities to care about and protect natural habitats and biological diversity through actions based on conservation education, research, networks and partnership.