Governing Board
Governing Board
Dr.Sunderrajan Krishnan
Dr.Sunderrajan Krishnan is the chairman of Pravah and also the Executive Director of INREM Foundation, a position he has held since 2007. He holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay and a PhD in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University. Under his leadership, INREM focuses on empowering rural communities in India by developing scalable solutions for safe drinking water and improving public health. Dr. Krishnan is recognized as an Ashoka Fellow for his impactful work in water quality management, influencing policies, and advancing sustainable groundwater management. His efforts have helped people to gain access to safe water and improved health outcomes.
Nafisa Barot
Nafisa Barot is a pioneering social activist and founder of Utthan and Pravah, an organization established in 1981 in Gujarat that works towards empowering marginalized communities, especially women, in coastal and tribal regions. Her work focuses on social justice, gender equity, water resource management, and rural development. Nafisa has over four decades of experience in fostering community-led change, building gender-sensitive institutions, and influencing policies at various levels. She has been recognized internationally for her contributions, including receiving the Women in Water Award from the International Water Association in 2020.
Alka Palrecha
Alka Palrecha is the founder member and director of People in Centre, a consulting organization based in Ahmedabad dedicated to sustainable development and community-focused management of water resources and sanitation. With extensive experience spanning over two decades, she has worked on natural resource management, wastewater use, rainwater harvesting, and environmental planning for both urban and rural communities. Alka holds advanced degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, and has earned recognition as a Humphrey Fellow at MIT for her research and leadership in water sector innovations.
Apoorva Oza
Apoorva Oza is the Director of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India), a prominent organization dedicated to rural development and livelihood improvement. He is a mechanical engineer with a diploma in rural management from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), and has enriched his expertise with courses in strategic change from Cranford University and Cornell University. His work involves leading initiatives in agriculture, climate change, and rural empowerment, and he actively supports and influences numerous NGO partners and policy frameworks for rural development.
Lokendra Balasaria
Lokendra Balasaria is an architect, urban planner, and urban ecologist based in Ahmedabad. He is known for his commitment to ecological action and sustainable urban development. Lokendra is the founder of Treewalks, an initiative that promotes environmental awareness and community engagement through guided walks focused on urban ecology and biodiversity. He actively advocates for natural resource management, water conservation, and reconnecting people with nature through education and participatory experiences. His work integrates architecture, planning, and ecological principles to foster greener, healthier urban environments.
Rajendra Jaiswal
Rajendra Jaiswal is Founder of Prakruti Foundation, an NGO based in Dahod, Gujarat, focused on natural resource management, rural development, health and nutrition, tribal welfare, women's empowerment, water and sanitation, and legal awareness. The foundation works primarily in Dahod's Fatehpura and Jhalod talukas, reaching around 250 villages in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Rajendra Jaiswal serves as a key contact and leader within the organization, which is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for tribal and rural communities in the region.
Krupa Dholakia
Krupa Dholakia is a key team member at Sahjeevan, Kutch, actively involved in water governance and rural community development initiatives. She has played an important role in strengthening local water management systems, including establishing Samudaik Sahabhagita Kendra (Community Participation Centers) that significantly improved the repair and maintenance of handpumps across multiple village Panchayats in Kutch. Her work emphasizes community participation, transparency, and timely response in rural water supply schemes, leading to increased water availability and better sustainability. These efforts have contributed to reducing water-related issues and promoting livelihood improvements in the Kutch region.
Devuben Pandya
Devuben Pandya is a transformative grassroots leader and the founding trustee of Mahiti Trust, an organization established in 1994 that works extensively in the Bhal region of Gujarat. Despite limited formal education, she has been a driving force for women’s empowerment, rural development, and sustainable water solutions in a region marked by harsh environmental and socio-economic challenges. Under her leadership, Mahiti Trust has implemented innovative rainwater harvesting projects benefiting thousands of families, promoted women-led cooperatives, and continuously expanded its reach across more than 180 villages. Her work exemplifies community participation, local knowledge, and visionary leadership in achieving social justice and improving livelihoods in Gujarat’s coastal belt.