Indu Kumari has been working in the development sector for more than fifteen years after her M.Phil. from IIFM in 2006. She has a whole gamut of experiences in managing programs with forest dwelling communities, smallholder farmers and marginalized communities and planning, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy. Her key interest areas are livelihoods, handicrafts, sustainability, agro-ecology, food systems, FPOs, gender and wildlife conservation. Her strengths include building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders.
Just after completing her M.Phil, she joined World Bank District Poverty Reduction Project as Gender and Communication Expert. Thereafter she worked at Centre for Environment Education (CEE) as Program Officer in Delhi. However, she found her calling in Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), where she headed the Green Livelihoods Division, aimed at supporting communities dependent on forests and wildlife for livelihood, showcasing best practices and addressing key challenges and issues faced by the livelihoods of the forest and fringe village communities. Presently, she is working in IGSSS leading the project on Sustainable Production and Consumption of Food and simultaneously pursuing her Ph.D. on Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. She has won the Ph.D. Voice Scholarship by Scrintal for the year 2021.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indukumari
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indu-kumari-2390805/
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. When I look back, I found my journey very beautiful & enriching so far. I had just completed my Masters, when I joined IIFM in 2006. I didn’t have any exposure to the “real” world of Forestry and Natural Resource Management. It was my fascination with travelling, being amongst nature and wildlife, which took me to IIFM. I am thankful that the course at IIFM provided me the required exposure and a launch pad to venture into a career related to forest and nature.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Working for the communities, who for no fault of theirs were being considered as criminals when they went to the forests for sustenance and livelihoods was most satisfying. During my numerous field visits, I got chance to see the immense natural beauty of our country and work for its conservation. Key milestone was working with Kalandar (bear dancers) community in India and playing an instrumental role in ending this tradition in the country. Kalandars were bear dancers whose livelihood was to purchase young bears from forest communities and then forcefully remove the claws of the bears and put rope in the nozzle after piercing it. Then the bears were made to dance. This practice was cruel but the Kalandars had been practicing it since ancient times and didn’t have any other skills or means of livelihood so the project provided them alternative livelihoods which helped in eradication of this tradition from the country.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. Historically almost all our cereals, crops and vegetables were naturally and sustainably grown. The state of Punjab which was the cradle of green revolution has started seeing the negative impacts of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. I was a part of the Project which worked for the revival of organic farming in Punjab which gave me immense satisfaction as I could completely relate to it. I have changed my eating habits after working on sustainable production and consumption.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM’s professional course was unlike the bookish knowledge which I studied all my life. It provided me the right exposure and showed me the path to pursue a fulfilling career in improving lives.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates, who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. I have been focused on livelihoods as it was my biggest driver. It could be livelihoods related to wildlife, handicraft, or agriculture as all of them are important in their own ways. I tried getting into Solid Waste Management in between but lost interest in it as soon as the focus from livelihoods shifted so I switched my job to be back in the main domain. Therefore, my advice to freshers is to find your calling which should be as per your strength, passion, and interest. I have seen professionals shifting from their core subject areas to new area to find their happiness. So, what matters in long term for a productive and successful career is your happiness and excitement when you enter your work place every single day in your life.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. IIFM is full of happy memories so to list a few is difficult but I will pick the field trips, the hostel life and celebration of various festivals and events as the cherry on the cake. It was a great experience to see students and faculties work hard in classrooms and then enjoy and celebrate the cultural events and outdoor sports together which showed the special bond we shared between us. I remember one of the field trips to Betul where we were shown timber processing and the trade flow which was both fun and enlightening. Celebration of Holi and New Year were also memorable. Being a book worm, I had my best time and memories from library and the computer lab where we used to work very late. The present batches might not relate to it but we completed our assignments and dissertation in the computer lab as most of us did not had our laptop/desktops at hostel those days. I remember spending many sleepless nights for my dissertation at the computer lab and even had a scary encounter with snake while coming back at 4 am!! I think I might have even touched it in the dark as it had coiled right in front of me. Thankfully it didn’t harm me ?
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. It was a combination of all good things falling in place at IIFM. I started my first job at Chhattisgarh Poverty Reduction Project with three of my batch mates, so we had a great time facing all the challenges and learning while doing which we brought back for further discussions to Headquarters at Raipur for meetings. I’m in regular touch with my IIFM batch mates, friends, and faculties. The faculties continue to be my friend and guide all these years.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. At IIFM, I used to study and prepare for exams with Arunima Sen, Swati Karamcheti and Shakti Saha. I remember how each of us used to help each other in their subject area. I was from sociology, so they taught me agro-forestry, SFM and few more just like a student and surprisingly when the result came I scored more marks than them so they said no more teaching Indu as she knows all now!! I am very thankful to them for all the support.
I try to be in regular touch with some faculties even after all these years. I regularly consult and seek guidance from Prof. Parul Rishi, Prof. P.K Biswas and Prof. Manmohan Yadav for my research work.
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. IIFM curriculum is a great mix of management and forestry. Try to learn both equally well as this will help you in pursuing career in pure management field as well as development sector as you move in life and explore options basis your interest areas. The faculties are highly qualified, experienced and very dedicated at IIFM. One example which I can recollect is when we asked for extra classes for paper writing and references and to our pleasant surprise the faculty came during night to teach us as there was no free time in the working hours. There are many such examples so try to make the best of the available resources which is at your disposal there.
Q. What is your typical day at the office? (We want to know what your day job looks like)
A. Due to personal commitments I chose IGSSS which requires lesser travel. My regular schedule includes arranging and conducting various events on awareness/ capacity building on production and consumption of food.
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family and anything else you want to add
A. My son keeps me totally busy during the weekends, I schedule his extra-curricular activities and classes during weekends. During weekends, I also work on my research work for my Ph.D. Going on holidays and travelling with family to National Parks rejuvenates me.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors
A. I like reading non-fiction and classics.
Hollywood movies include romantic, war and historical movies like: Little women, Pride and Prejudice, Social Network, Troy, and Gladiator.
Hindi movies with mix of substance and entertainment like Article 15 and 3 Idiots.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I will always be there to guide the students or get involved in workshops or research work so do connect.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? What do you think is a positive change and what is not?
A. I visited IIFM only once after my convocation in 2008 for conducting a workshop on sloth bear conservation. Therefore, I don’t have much idea about the changes happening. I wish and hope IIFM keeps updating with the changing trends around the world to stay relevant.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Aditya Petwal: MRM 2007, Rajendra P. Mishra: MRM 2001 & Ratul Shah: MRM 2006