To assess the environmental benefits of NRM (Natural Resource Management) works of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) in south rural Rajasthan
Student name: Ms Mary Eliza
Guide: Dr Nirupam Datta
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: Society for Promotion of Wasteland Development (SPWD)
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Hardeep Singh
Abstract: The MGNREGA, one of the world’s largest act for employment generation, which also, facilitates
generation of sustainable assets for the environment and it’s benefits. The present study looks at
the environmental benefits or the nature’s benefits as defined by IPBES, which have been accrued
due to the MGNREGA works in the South rural Rajasthan. While many studies have tried to
qualify and quantify the environmental benefits according to various assessment methodologies,
the present study would develop indicators based on the resource type and the related Mgnrega
works relevant for these resources. The study uses a perception assessment to quantify the basic
factors of water availability, fodder availability, fuelwood availability amongst the respondents
apart from groundwater levels, soil erosion, surface runoff, etc. The study further would use an
environmental matrix based result to study the level of interaction between the MGNREGA works
and the indicators affected by these works. The indicators developed can be used for regional
level assessment of the ecosystem benefits accrued by any environmental works.
Keywords- MGNREGA, environmental benefits, sustainable assets, environmental indicators,
IPBES
