Shri Ravindra Dharia
Executive Co-Chairman, Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI)
Shri Ravindra Dharia is a distinguished social development leader, environmental conservationist, and institution builder who serves as the Executive Co-Chairman of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI) and the President of Vanarai Trust, one of India’s most respected voluntary organizations dedicated to sustainable rural development. As the son and successor of the late Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mohan Dharia, he has carried forward a remarkable legacy of public service by combining ecological restoration with community-led rural transformation. Under his leadership, Vanarai has expanded its work in watershed development, natural resource management, climate resilience, livelihood promotion, and rural capacity building, strengthening thousands of villages through participatory development.
Within CNRI, Shri Ravindra Dharia plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and strengthening its position as India’s leading national platform of voluntary organizations. As Executive Co-Chairman, he works closely with the leadership of CNRI in promoting effective collaboration among civil society organizations, government institutions, academia, and the corporate sector. He has consistently advocated for participatory governance, sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and stronger institutional capacity for NGOs, helping CNRI broaden its engagement with national and international policy platforms.
A strong advocate of integrated rural development, Shri Dharia believes that ecological security and economic prosperity must go hand in hand. His leadership emphasizes watershed management, soil conservation, water security, afforestation, regenerative agriculture, climate adaptation, women’s empowerment, youth participation, and community ownership of development initiatives. He has guided numerous large-scale CSR partnerships and development programmes across Maharashtra and other states, creating measurable improvements in water availability, agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, education, sanitation, and environmental sustainability.
Shri Ravindra Dharia has also represented Indian civil society at prominent international forums. In 2023, he represented Vanarai and CNRI, speaking on behalf of nearly 7,000 member NGOs of CNRI at the United Nations Water Conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York. During the conference, he showcased India’s innovative community-based watershed management practices, particularly the internationally acclaimed Vanarai Bund model for low-cost water conservation. His participation highlighted the critical role of Indian civil society in addressing global challenges related to water security, climate change, and sustainable development, earning appreciation from delegates across several countries.
As Executive Co-Chairman, Shri Dharia has been instrumental in strengthening CNRI’s commitment to promoting transparent, accountable, and nationally responsive civil society institutions. He actively supports initiatives that encourage rural entrepreneurship, environmental restoration, social innovation, cooperative development, and policy advocacy aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development. His leadership reflects a balanced approach that integrates grassroots action with strategic policy engagement, enabling civil society organizations to become effective partners in nation-building.
Known for his humility, consensus-building approach, and unwavering commitment to public service, Shri Ravindra Dharia continues to inspire voluntary organizations across India to work towards resilient communities, ecological sustainability, and participatory governance. Through his stewardship of both Vanarai and CNRI, he is carrying forward the enduring vision of Dr. Mohan Dharia by fostering a people-centric development movement that places environmental security, rural prosperity, and national development at its core.
