ADVANCED CENTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TOWARDS CONSERVATION OF NATURE THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING, RESEARCH & EXTENSION

The Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (ACESSD) is an Inter-university Centre aims to integrate Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development. It has been envisaged as a common centre where all branches of Science, Social Science as well as Humanities converge so as to facilitate the conduct of programmes with inter-disciplinary dimension. The Centre has taken up activities under Academic, Research and Extension programmes with specific objectives. The research projects are carried out under the seven major research divisions. The areas identified for the overall activities of the Centre include sustainable resource management, green chemistry and technology, waste management, pollution studies, climate change, public health and sanitation, forest studies, indigenous communities and traditional knowledge, sustainable agriculture, sustainable consumption, biodiversity conservation and management, environmental awareness and education.

The Centre at present is housed in the School of Environmental Sciences of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. There are science and social science groups to coordinate the academic, research and extension programmes envisaged. The Centre has the state-of-the-art facilities for advanced level research. It works with an open-minded approach and established linkages with various National and International Institutes and Universities for collaborative works and exchange programmes.

Vision

Interdisciplinary research towards knowledge generation and integration for evolving sustainable development strategies in the conservation of nature and natural resources.

Mission

• Establishment of advanced facilities for Interdisciplinary research to address emerging environmental Issues.
• Foster linkages with National and International Institutions for collaborative academic and research activities.
• Enrichment of Extension activities aiming at capacity building and knowledge sharing for local bodies, NGOs,  academic institutions and public with environmental awareness and best practices.
• Promotion of sustainable development strategies linking advanced level knowledge with traditional environmental wisdom and practices.