In last three decades of his life’s journey, Gauranga Das has touched and transformed countless lives through his activities and different roles he has been adapting to drive change in society. He is an environmental steward and is serving as the Director of Govardhan Ecovillage, a model farm community located on the outskirts of Mumbai. He has implemented many sustainable green initiatives there including Water Conservation, Green Buildings, Waste Management, Alternative energy etc. As an emerging social reformer he is facilitating various social and economic interventions to help the tribals in the villages. He led India to win the United Nations Award for Excellence and Innovation in Sustainable Tourism by presenting Govardhan Ecovillage’s case study of “Ecotourism as a catalyst for Rural Development” in January 2017. Govardhan Ecovillage is the only NGO from India to win this award. Govardhan Ecovillage also recently got accredited to the United Nations Environment assembly (UNEA). Under his guidance, Govardhan Ecovillage has won more than 30 awards in last 5 years including the International Green World Award for Sustainable Waste Management, SKOCH Platinum and Renaissance Award for Water Conservation, National Award for Excellence in Renewable Energy etc. He recently received the title of IGBC Fellow from the Indian Green Building Council for his outstanding contribution to the green building movement in India. He is playing critical roles in the leadership and organizational development of ISKCON organization including being the Global Duty Officer (GDO) of ISKCON, Divisional Director of Devotee Care, Temple Development, Systems and Administration of ISKCON Temples Worldwide and Trustee of ISKCON GBC College. He is an inspirational speaker and has spoken in various events like TEDx and at Google
headquarters. He is a B.Tech. Graduate from IIT Bombay.
Primary interests: Social (Lifelong Education, Diversity & Cohesion, Health & Healing, Leadership & Governance); Culture (Wisdom & Innovation, Defend & Protect, Vision & Purpose, Nature Connection, Mindfulness & Self Reflection); Integral Design (Whole Systems Thinking, Alliance Building, Leading from the Future, Contextualised Design); Ecology (Ecosystem Restoration, Seeds, Food & Soil, Green Building, Zero Waste, Renewable Energy & Transport, Water Cycles); Economy (Social Entrepreneurship, Planetary Boundaries)
Site content by Gauranga Das
Ecovillages
Govardhan Ecovillage
Govardhan Ecovillage established in 2003 spreads in 100+ acres of land in Palghar, India. It is home to 350+ diverse residents as families, students, volunteers & monks. With foundational principle ‘Simple living and high thinking’; community strives to live in harmony with divine, self, nature, community members & neighboring communities. … Read more