Nicolas Giordano, studying interntional development in Canada contacted AID expressing interest in doing research concerning the "impact of panchayati raj in the society of remote mountain areas in India and to study its effectiveness to the society as a whole and to women empowerment."  In 2009 he spent 4 months in the Himalayan village of Munsiari to study the role of Van Panchayat and Gram Panchayat in the life and development of the rural communities.  AID Saathi Malika Virdi introduced him to Himal Prakriti which hosted him and also arranged for him to share his findings with the local community before returning to his university.

Some questions he posed to the villagers and panchayat leaders were:

How much is their reliance on the forest?
How they perceive the forest?
How much do they participate in the meetings of Van Panchayat and Gram Panchayat?
How do they perceive the Forest Department?

What is the impact of construction jobs and private companies in the Gram Panchayat?
What do people think are the priority of their villages?
How much is Gram Panchayat is doing according to their priorities?
How much do they participate in Gram Panchayat meetings?
What did people receive from Gram Panchayat?

We wish Nicola the best as he continues to study development and decentralized governance. 

Read about what other volunteer interns have done in India |  Apply for internship.