Afroz Ahmad

Dr. Afroz Ahmad
Afroz Ahmad at Banasthali University,2015
Born	(1958-11-14) 14 November 1958 Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh
Residence	Indore, Balrampur
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	MLK PG College, Balrampur Avadh University, Faizabad Dresden University of Technology, Germany UNEP/UNESCO-CIPSEM, Germany United Nations University- Leadership Academy, University of Jordan
Occupation	Member(Environment&Rehabilitation)[1]
Organization	Narmada Control Authority, Ministry of Water Resources (India)
Notable work	Application of Environmental impact assessment in the Himalayas, Major Irrigation projects in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Human Rehabilitation Displaced Due to major Water Resources Project on the Narmada River.[2]
Spouse(s)	Begum Sadiya Yasmin
Children	Dr Mohamid Afroz Khan Samman Afroz Khan
Parent(s)	Bekal Utsahi,Father-inlaw

Afroz Ahmad (born 14 November 1958) is an Indian environment scientist and development administrator. Afroz is internationally acclaimed for his leading role in the application of environmental impact assessments on major water resource projects in India and the Himalayas. Afroz played a leading role in coordination, monitoring, and policy planning related to the resettlement of half a million displaced people, mostly Adivasi, who were displaced due to the construction of major dams such as Sardar Sarovar Dam, Omkareshwar Dam, and the Indirasagar Dam on the Narmada River. He is an advocate for integrating environment and development to ensure sustainable development in India.^[3][4]

On 5 December 2014, Afroz was appointed Member (Environment & Rehabilitation) of the Narmada Control Authority, Ministry of Water Resources (India) after the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India.^[5]

Early life and education

Afroz Ahmad was born in Balrampur. He was the only son of Usmanghani Khan Lodi and Begum Zahida Khan Lodi. His family descends from the Lodi dynasty who migrated from Pavagadh (Champaner) in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat to Himalyan Terai in early 15th century.

Afroz earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from MLK PG College Balrampur (Avadh University) Faizabad in 1979 and 1981 respectively. Afroz’s personal motivation started with the frequent floods and droughts in eastern Uttar Pradesh when he was astudent. In 1982, while attending the Indian Environment Congress at New Delhi, he met M.S.Swaminathan and was impressed by his vision. Thereafter he decided to pursue a career in the field of environmental protection and development. He started working in a research project under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India), and was awarded Doctor of Philosophy in 1986, for his thesis “Environmental Evaluation of Saryu Canal irrigation Project with emphasis on Ecology and Soil properties for Crop growth”. The research finding was the first of its kind in India which attracted attention of all classes of people in eastern India and was discussed at the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Afroz was awarded both United Nations (UNEP)/UNESCO and Government of Germany fellowships for pursuing a Policy Makers International Training and P.G. Diploma in Environmental Management and Protection during 1987-88. He acquired extensive practical training in Environmental Management and Protection from various Institutes, Academies, Universities, Ministries in Austria, Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, & Germany. He was awarded a Diploma in Environmental Management and Protection of the United Nations (UNEP)/UNESCO and Government of Germany by the Dresden University of Technology on the Dissertation “Environmental Impact Assessment of Water Resources Project in India”.^[6]

Professional achievements

Afroz has worked in all three of the geographical regions of India, namely the Himalayas, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and the Peninsular India and in European, African & Asia Countries.

In December 2014, Afroz was appointed Member (Environment & Rehabilitation) in the Narmada Control Authority, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation within the government of India.^[5]

Afroz Ahmad discussing Narmada Rehabilitation issue with Shri Narendra Modi presently Prime Minister of India on July 22, 2006.

Before assuming charge as Member, he was Director (Impact Assessment & Rehabilitation) in the Narmada Control Authority. Afroz was credited with starting dialogue with the Narmada Bachao Andolan and other activist groups/Non-governmental organization on Rehabilitation issues of Narmada projets.^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

Prior to joining Narmada Control Authority in 1991, Afroz served G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) as a founding Scientist during 1989-91.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Afroz Ahmad discussing Environmental issue of Himalayas with shri Rajiv Gandhi Prime Minister of India on June 9, 1990 at Almora.

Yasser Arafat receive Afroz Ahmad in his office at Jericho, Palestine,June 1997

Afroz represented the government of India in the First International Leadership Training conference under the aegis of the United Nations University- International Leadership Academy in 1997. He discussed various leadership issues related to Peace, Conflict resolution, Diplomacy, negotiation, and environmental Management with King Hussein of Jordan, Queen Noor of Jordan, Abdelsalam al-Majali, Prime Minister of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, President of Palestine, Shimon Peres, President of Israel, as well as more than 50 celebrities in diplomacy, international politics, scientists and administrators. In 1998, Afroz represented the government of India as a guest of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Sweden. In 2002, Afroz represented the government of India at the 25th anniversary of the UN's course on environmental management in Germany.In 2002, he visited the Three Gorges Dam on behalf of the government of India. Afroz is currently chairman and member of various policy making organizations in India and abroad related to environmental management, human rehabilitation, and science and technology communications.^[16]

Publications

Afroz is author of over 100 research papers, articles and reports on environmental management, sustainable development, policy planning, and human rehabilitation, including three papers published by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Some notable publications are:

1. Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Sarda Sahayak Canal Irrigation Project of Uttar Pradesh Government, India. Int. J.Environmental Studies, ENGLAND, Vol.28, 123-130, 1986.^[17]

2. Environmental impacts evaluation of Gandak Canal Irrigation Project of Eastern U.P., India and Guidelines for its Management. Int. J. Environmental studies, ENGLAND, Vol.32, pp. 137–149, 1988.^[18]

3. Analysis of Himalayan Environmental Problems and Guidelines with special emphasis on Application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Planning, Management and for sustainable development. The Environmentalist, ENGLAND,Vol.10, No.4, pp. 281–298, 1990.^[19]

4. Application of Environmental Impact Assessment in Himalayas: An Ecosystem approach for resources conservation and sustainable development. AMBIO, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (selectors of Nobel Laureates), Stockholm, SWEDEN, Vol.22, No.1, pp. 4–9, February, 1993.^[20]

5. Environmental Impact Assessment for sustainable development: Chittaurgarh Irrigation Project in Outer Himalayas. AMBIO, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SWEDEN, Vol.20,No.7, pp. 298–302, November 1991.^[21]

6. Narmada Water Resources Project, India : Implementing Sustainable Development. AMBIO, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (selectors of Nobel Laureates), Stockholm, SWEDEN, vol. 28 (5) 27, pp. 398–403, August, 1999.^[3][4]

7. Rehabilitation of the displaced – A comprehensive Policy Approach. The Administrator, Journal of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administrator, Mussoorie, India, Vol.XLIII, pp. 47–64, April–June, 1998.

8. Environmental degradation and possible solution for its restoration - A case study of magnesite mining in Indian Central Himalayas. U.N. (UNEP)'s Desertification Control Bulletin, No.21, Nairobi, KENYA, pp. 15–23, 1992.^[22]

9. Rehabilitation of the displaced – A comprehensive Policy Approach. The Administrator, Journal of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administrator, Mussoorie, India, Vol.XLIII, pp. 47–64, April–June, 1998.^[23]

10. Problems for the conservation of Fresh Water Fish Genetic Resources in India, and some possible solutions. NAGA, the ICLARM Quarterly, Manila, PHILIPPINES, Vol.18 (4), July, 1995, pp. 21–25.^[24]

11. Water – A Looming Crisis – In the Book : India’s Development After Independence, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi, 2002, pp. 263–296.^[25]

12. Disaster Risk Reduction through Integrated River Basin Management – Policy Approach, NIDM, Ministry of Home Affairs, vol.7, number 1 and 2 December 2013, pp. 181–198.^[26]

Awards

Afroz Ahmad has received dozens of national and international honors and awards including the United Nations University Leadership Honor, presented by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan in 1997, as well as the National Vigilance Excellence Award in 2010.^[27]

Personal life

Afroz Ahmad married Begum Sadiya Yasmin(Afroz), daughter of poet and Politician Bekal Utsahi. Sadiya is a poetess and social worker.^[28] He has two sons, Dr. Mohamid Afroz khan, who is a medical doctor, and Samman Afroz khan who graduated from Cardiff University, and is a research analyst and a businessman.

References