Interview Summary
Asmita Kabra discusses her journey in conservation, starting with her work on the Kuno National Park, and narrates the establishment of Samrakshan Trust. She reflects on the evolution of her thinking, from initial skepticism to a more inclusive view of conservation.
Kabra also discusses her academic journey, including her PhD on the Kuno resettlement, and her involvement in designing interdisciplinary courses at Ambedkar University. She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary education and the role of fieldwork in shaping students' understanding of conservation issues.
Kabra identifies legal successes in conservation such as the Forest Rights Act and the creation of protected areas, as significant achievements. She highlights the limitations of binary thinking in conservation and highlights the need for more inclusive approaches. Kabra underscores the importance of dialogue and democracy in conservation action and reflects on hopes and concerns for the future of wild species and spaces in India.
(00:00:36) Interest in research and development, community-oriented surveys on village resettlement, Samrakshan Trust and its objectives, initial observations, and challenges at Kuno National Park
(00:10:58) Influence of fieldwork on personal research, equipping frontline conservation workers, education and writing as tools of conservation action, growing conservation consciousness
(00:18:24) Transition from teaching economics to conservation, PhD on the Kuno resettlement, importance of interdisciplinary education and fieldwork, challenges and successes of implementing interdisciplinary programs at Ambedkar University
(00:32:49) Legal achievements in conservation action in India, limitations of binary thinking in conservation research and action, reconciling thought and action, need for evidence-based solutions
(00:44:04) Decolonizing approaches to conservation, incorporating local perspectives and realities into conservation strategies, democratizing forest governance, crafting site-specific strategies
(00:52:18) Understanding non-formal everyday politics and adaptations in conservation, limitations of prioritizing conservation of flagship species, importance of recognizing plurality of co-habitations in India
Dates
- Creation: 2022-12-07
Creator
- From the File: Venkatram, Preeti Shree (Interviewer, Person)
- From the File: Shome, Nayanika (Processing Archivist, Person)
- From the File: Kabra, Asmita (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Level of Access: Open/Online
Biography
Asmita Kabra is an academic known for her work in environmental studies, development, and natural resource management. She has held faculty positions at Ambedkar University, Delhi, as a professor in the School of Human Ecology. Her research focuses on issues such as displacement, community-based natural resource management, and rural livelihoods.
Kabra has conducted extensive fieldwork on the impact of conservation policies on indigenous communities and contributed to various policy discussions related to sustainable development and social justice in India.
She is a Founder Trustee of Samrakshan Trust, an NGO working for socially just conservation in various states across India, and the Founder Member and President of Adharshila, an organization working for meaningful education of underprivileged rural children in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. She has also been a member of several committees and associations related to community rights, equity, and livelihood issues.
Her publications include journal articles, book chapters and reports on topics such as conservation-induced displacement, community rights in protected areas, and rural development. She has contributed to both academic and public discourse on the ethical and social implications of conservation policies and their impact on marginalized communities.
Extent
59 Minutes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Archives at NCBS Repository
National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Bangalore Karnataka 560065 India
+9180 6717 6010
+9180 6717 6011
archives@ncbs.res.in