Dr Arvind Kumar Jha

I am a forest officer with 35 years of experience in Forest and Wild-life conservation. Also worked as Commissioner in Tribal Department as head of Tribal Research and Training Institute.

My experience in field relates to the issues of poverty, governance, natural resources conservation, equity, grass-root level democratization and politicization in India in a unique way.

I have handled, as quasi- judicial authority, cases related to forest and wildlife offences under the Indian Forest Act 1927 and Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

I have handled caste certification cases as the Chairman of the Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee of the State of Maharashtra under the Maharashtra SC, ST, DTNT, OBC (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate Act 2000.

Supervised the making of about 20 films on tribal culture, Forest Rights Act implementation, and livelihood and empowerment issues of rural and tribal people. The latest film scripted by me is a documentary feature film (AatmBodh) on Naxalite areas’ problems.

Received E.P.Gee Prize for Wildlife in the Indian Forest College, DehraDun.

Got letter of appreciation from the Government of Maharashtra for innovative handling of Naxalite problem in Gadchiroli District . I was a part of the Timber Theft Prevention Experts Workshop organized by the World Bank in 2005,

Received Brandis Award in 2006 for my article on ‘Forest Management Certification System - A Working Plan’s Perspective’ in the Indian Forester.

Use of geoinformatics in the implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 by me was short listed as one of the semi-finalists for the 2010 CAPAM (Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management) International Innovations Awards.

System of implementation of FR Act developed by me was acknowledged as BEST PRACTICE by the Department of administrative reforms and public grievances, Government of India. It is placed on the Governance Knowledge Center website.

eWorld Forum recognized my geoinformatics work as Best Public Choice ICT initiative for the underserved Community in 2011.

Received eGovernance National Award (Silver) in 2011.

The Rockefeller Foundation shortlisted my GIS based work as one of the hundred nominees for Next Century Innovators Awards in 2013..

I am into consultancies in forestry, wildlife and environment related issues and am also registered as an advocate.