Dr. C. Madegowda

  • Program Associate
  • Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
  • Bangalore
  • Cohort 17

Dr. Madegowda is a social scientist and tribal rights activist form Biligiriranga swamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BR Hills) in southern Karnataka. He works at the field station of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecolgoy and Environment (ATREE) in BR Hills as a Programme Assoicate where he monitors participatory resources of sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest produce by the Soliga tribal people, involved in the implementation of Forest Rights Act in the district by ensuring that forest-dwelling tribes in the district obtain the rights over their land, involved in research relevant to tribal development and wildlife conservation.

He obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social work from School of Social Work, Roshini Nilaya, Unviersity of Mangalore. Later, he completed his Master of Science degree in Sustainable Development in Sikkim Manipal University and doctorate(PhD) in Social Work at Department of Studies in Social Work, University of Mysore.

For the past 17 years, he is working for the development of the tribal people in the district, organizing the tribal people into Sanghas (groups), improve basic facilities for tribal people, their rights, implementation of Government programmes, youth development, tribal cultural activities, and education and also involved in the several tribal movements and developmental activities. In 2014, he was invited to become a member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board. He has held positions: District-level Forests rights Committee Chamarajanagar, Vivekananda Girijana Kalayana Kendra, BR Hills, Indian Society of Professional Social Work, Bangalore, Large Scale Adivasi Multipurpose Cooperative Society (LAMPS) BR Hills Secretary of Zilla Baudakattta Girijana Abhurdhi Sangaha, (Indigenous Tribal peoples Organisation) Chamarajanagar and President of Shree Swethadhri Parisara Abhivrudhi Samiti (Eco-development Committee), BR Hills.

He has published 11 papers in National and International Journals and books, presented papers in national and international conferences, Seminars, workshops and received Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Silver Jubilee Celebration at BR Hills.