Manthan Adhyayan Kendra is a centre set up to research, analyse and monitor water and energy issues from the perspective of just, equitable and sustainable development. Manthan was set up in 2001 at Badwani (M.P.) The activities of Manthan. including analysis and advocacy are now being run from two locations, Badwani and Pune.
There are four broad components of Manthan’s work.
- Overall monitoring of developments in the water sector, including policies, laws, regulations, projects and programs.
- Privatisation, commodification and reforms in the water sector, and alternatives to privatisation.
- Water, growth and development, exploring how much water will be needed for the current aspired growth and what are the implications for water resources.
- Rivers, Dams and Environmental flows, looking at happenings in river basin development, dams, hydropower and irrigation projects and the impacts of these on people’s lives, livelihoods and ecology.
Apart from these four broad theme, Manthan also looks at several other related issues like environmental governance, land acquisition etc.
Manthan feels it is important to raise resources and funds from people and institutions that share its political and ethical vision. Since its inception, much of Manthan’s work has been supported by contributions from individuals, friends and well-wishers who share our concerns. Since the last several years, we have also received institutional support from Arghyam, Bangalore, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai. Contributions from individuals remain an important support for Manthan. Apart from the support itself, raising resources from a number of sources is also an important means to anchor Manthan’s work in the society at large.