Foundation for Research and Sustainable Development

Foundation for Research and Sustainable Development (FRSD) is a 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. 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.

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 programmes for preventing climate change and preserving our valuable plant and animal species and their natural habitats. Our organization has been exploring community-based approaches to natural resources management and we 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.

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: FRSD's mission is to conserve and protect Nature, natural resources and ecosystems in the Western Ghats Mountain 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.

Working Fields

The need of the hour is an environmentally sustainable, cost effective solution for potable water purification at home to benefit our communities drinking microbiologically contaminated impure water.

FRSD is engaged in educating rural women and children in rural schools on sanitation and traditional water purification technologies to combat water borne diseases. We have been documenting successful and promising traditional water purification technologies found among rural and indigenous communities in our region. We were supported by the Pollination Project (Feb 2014) to start the activity. We are continuing the education programs among self help groups of women and students in rural schools in Madurai District. Our compilation work on traditional water purification technologies is nearing completion and will be first of its kind in our State. The work will naturally attract researchers on water and sanitation since there is an urgent need to revitalize our ancient wisdom to save our communities;.

FRSD has been conducting awareness programs among farming community on aquatic rights, protecting local water bodies and cleaning of local ponds, lakes and rivers through indigenous tree species like Barringtonia acutangula and Ficus bengalensis.

Countries of activity

Location of projects and headquarters