Dr. Narayan Hegde, a specialist in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
is the Managing Trustee of the Nisargopachar Gram Sudhar Trust, which was
established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1946 at Urulikanchan for promoting Naturopathy
and Rural development. With his academic background of M.Sc. (Agri) from GBPUA,
Pantnagar, Nainital, M.S. from University of Hawaii, PMA from IIM, Ahmedabad and
Ph.D. from University of Pune, he worked with BAIF Development Research
Foundation from 1974 to 2019, and served as the President and Managing Trustee
during 1993 - 2009. He was also a Research Faculty in the Department of
Environmental Sciences, at SP Pune University from 1998 to 2018 for guiding
M.Sc. and Ph. D. students.
Dr. Hegde has authored several books and research papers on sustainable
agriculture. His book, ‘Gandhian Approach to Rural Prosperity’, provides a
practical approach to sustainable livelihood and poverty alleviation. ‘Handbook
of Wastelands Development’ book has been serving as a field manual for
afforestation, Another book – ‘Super foods for better Health’ highlights the
medicinal values of important fruits and vegetables. He wrote five books for
creating Environmental Awareness among children. One of these books, ‘Mother
Nature’ was awarded the ‘Best book for children in English’, by NCERT, GOI in
1991. He has published many scientific papers on agroforestry, mixed farming and
benefits of nanotechnology in agriculture.
He also wrote extensively on spiritual development and traditional values as
essential components of sustainable development and better quality of life and
many of them were published in Bhavan’s Journal. His book ‘Positive Attitude for
Good Health and Happiness’, has been popular as a tool for stress relief and
happiness. His recent fiction book ‘Shami Tree – Teacher for Humanity’
emphasizes on the need for orienting the younger generation about the moral
duties, which are essential for Progress, Peace, Environmental Conservation and
Sustainable Development
