Empowering Communities for Social Justice and Sustainability

Since 1993, Lokpanchayat has been at the forefront of grassroots interventions aimed at uplifting rural communities and promoting social justice, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental regeneration. Our journey began with the watershed development of a single village, and today we have expanded our reach to encompass 95 villages across two talukas in Sagamner block, impacting the lives of over 250,000 men, women, and children.have grown into a thriving nonprofit, serving hundreds of individuals each year.

Our Mission

We are committed to empowering through community-led initiatives and collaborative endeavors, believing in their transformative potential for enduring change.

Our mission at Lokpanchayat is to stand alongside communities, championing social justice, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and promoting environmental restoration. 

Our Team

At Lokpanchayat, our committment is empowering communities and fostering sustainable development remains unwavering as we continue to strive for a more just, equitable, and environmentally conscious society. With a strong team comprising 16 women and 27 men social development activists, supported by 105 village volunteers, Lokpanchayat has extended its reach to over 250,000 individuals, encompassing men, women, and children. Additionally, we have forged partnerships with like-minded NGOs across Maharashtra to amplify our impact.

Lokpanchayat operates in the remote villages of the Sagamner and Akole blocks within Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. These areas face significant challenges associated with underdevelopment.

Sagamner Block: This region receives an average annual rainfall of only 450 mm and is situated in the rain shadow area of the Sahyadri ranges. The topography of Sagamner includes three distinct zones: the Pravara river basin, the Talegaon area with semi-arid geography (receiving mere 400 mm rainfall), and the Platu area located in remote hills (receiving 500 mm rainfall). Approximately 80% of the rural population depends on agriculture and related livelihood activities. The workforce analysis of the agriculture sector reveals that 44.34% are cultivators who also work as laborers, while 25.3% are sole agricultural laborers. Challenges faced by farmers include the shift towards mono cropping over traditional multi cropping, the replacement of traditional seeds with commercial ones, and increased reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Excessive use of chemicals has adversely affected soil and groundwater quality. Lok Panchayat focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture among small farmers in this region.

Akole Block: Known for its tribal heritage and organic connection to flora and fauna, this area is referred to as Chaalis Gaav Dangan. The main tribal communities here are Mahadev Koli and Thakar. Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) collection and seasonal agriculture are major sources of livelihood. However, over the past few decades, there has been a decline in close canopy forests, leading to reduced NTFP production and impacting tribal livelihoods. Agricultural productivity has also decreased due to declining forests and soil quality. Seasonal migration for agricultural labor has become common among tribal families. Child development concerning health, nutrition, and education is a significant challenge. Lokpanchayat collaborates with tribal families to improve livelihoods and child development.

Common Challenges: Gender discrimination is a prevalent issue in both talukas. Sagamner has approximately 25% single women due to widowhood or desertion, with 5311 women seeking refuge at the Short Stay Home (Mahila Adhar Kendra) of Lok Panchayat in Sagamner due to domestic violence in the past two years. In Akole, child marriage is a major concern, along with women's education and malnutrition.

From left 1st Row

Mr. Sarangdhar Pande

Mr. Sarangdhar Pande, the founder Executive Trustee of Lokpanchayat, holds a postgraduate degree in Rural Development. He is an expert in water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood programming.

Mr. Tulshiram Jadhav

Mr. Tulshiram Jadhav, also a founding member and vice president of Lokpanchayat, has retired as a professor in commerce. Passionate about folk music, he leads Lokpanchayat’s folk art group, playing a crucial role in community awareness generation.

Mr. Vijay Thorat

Mr. Vijay Thorat, a founding member of Lokpanchayat, joined the movement as a young activist. He currently serves as the President of Lokpanchayat and works as a senior manager in the insurance sector.

Mr. Sanjay Phalle

Mr. Sanjay Phalle, the Secretary of Lokpanchayat, has retired from the government agriculture department. Awarded the KrushiRatn award, he is an expert in organic farming, watershed development, horticulture, and agroforestry.

Adv. Jyoti Malpani

Adv. Jyoti Malpani, the Treasurer of Lokpanchayat, is a leading lawyer advocating for women’s rights, particularly in cases of domestic violence and discrimination against women.

From left 2nd Row

Mr. Hanumant Ubale

Mr. Hanumant Ubale, manages Lokpanchayat’s tribal development programmes.

Ms. Smita Gadekar

Ms. Smita Gadekar, manages Lokpanchayat’s sanitary pad manufacturing unit.

Mr. Juber Inamdar

Mr. Juber Inamdar is a senior social activist advocating for youth employment and skills development. His expertise includes machine technology and business planning for micro-enterprises.

Mr. Sopan Bandawane 

Mr. Sopan Bandawane is a primary teacher, writer, and expert in child development.

Adv. Gopinath Ghule 

Adv. Gopinath Ghule has experience of working with communities for water resource management. 

Mr. Sitaram Raut 

Mr. Sitaram Raut, a founding member of Lokpanchayat, has extensive experience as a people’s representative at the block and district levels. His expertise includes Panchayati Raj Institutions for rural development and livelihood programming. He is also passionate about forests and has successfully restored a forest on his private land near Sangamner.