Mr. Bharat Patwal is Executive Director of Institute for Development Support (IDS), Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. He started his carrier as Development Professional under the guidance of well-known social activists and development professional Dr. Swami Manmathan, a founder of SBMA. Before, joining IDS, he has been associated with several National / International organizations such as SBMA, HARC, South-South-Solidarity, Knowledge Links Pvt. Ltd and Center for Development Studies, Uttarakhand Academy of Administration, Nainital.
He has planned and implemented various participatory development projects in the field of environmental conservation, education, livelihood, women empowerment and water & sanitation at grass root level. He designed and facilitates training and capacity building programs for the project staff, NGOs and community members involved in community based participatory development project, action research and studies conducted in the field of watershed management, human adaptation, Himalayan Central Heritage, wool industry, forest conflicts, tribal culture and natural disaster. Dealing with the challenges of climate change, he has developed a model of rooftop rainwater harvesting system for demonstration and developing a nursery of 1 Lac saplings managed by Women Self Help Groups.
He has participated in several training programmes. Bharat is a trained Anthropologist. He has Masters Degree in Anthropology from H.N.B. Garhwal University Srinagar, Garhwal.