R. Parasuram, is an independent consultant on rural development and public policy. Presently he is a Senior Fellow at World Resources Institute, India, and serves on the India Board of Operations Eyesight Universal. He also advises a number of NGOs on rural livelihoods and institutions, Panchayats, soil and water conservation and sustainable development.  He is a founding member of the Bundelkhand Initiative for Water, Agriculture & Livelihoods (BIWAL), a consortium of like minded NGOs working for the restoration of ancient water bodies and improving agriculture and horticultural practices in the Bundelkhand region, Parasuram has an abiding interest in issues and challenges faced by the rural population in developing countries like India. His interests in the elimination of rural poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods have informed his work and association with institutions working to help attain these objectives. As the realization and sensitivity around concerns relating to the environment, biodiversity and climate change have grown, this work has expanded to connect rural livelihoods with the sustainable management of natural resources.

• Academics: Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal. Lester B. Pearson Fellow (Public Policy), University of Ottawa/Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada.

• Government Of Madya Pradesh: Chief Secretary, ACS/Principal Secretary/Secretary in Departments of Panchayat & Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Technical Education & Skilling, Tourism. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. Managing Director of MP Stare Dairy Federation and MP State Civil supplies Corporation. Collector & District Magistrate in Districts Bastar, Satna and Sidhi.

• Government of India: Joint Secretary, Ministry of I&B, and Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. GoI Representative at to the UN Organisations in Rome: FAO, IFAD, WFP.

• MP State Election Commission: State Election Commissioner

• A.B.V. Institute of Good Governance & Policy Analysis: Director General