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Papers by Harshit Sinha

This is the first of its kind computerized human resource information system that not only deals ... more This is the first of its kind computerized human resource information system that not only deals with issues pertaining to human resource development and management, but also initiate its efforts to impart quality health services to ensure equity and efficiency at all level of public health system of the country. One of the key feature of this framework is that it is easily adoptable in the existing structure of ministry of health. However looking at the socialist pat-tern of governance, radical reform required in the process for adopting the WHO pattern for data collection and analysis; in defining ‘ideal’ health institution at all level, in developing demand side budget and targeted financial allocation. Besides, structural integration among the concerned ministries with operational protocols require for swift coordination for initiat-ing an effective evidence based HR policies in the country

The outbreak of Plague in India in 1994 was of global concern. The imbalance between ecology and... more The outbreak of Plague in India in 1994 was of global concern. The imbalance between ecology and
environment has not only reinvited the unforgotten scourge of mankind after a gap of twenty-six years but
has puzzled the entire world. Different theories and related issues have led to a series of doubts in the
minds of people as to whether the outbreak was really "plague". Tracing etiological and epidemiological
aspects, the present article explores the reality to elucidate factors responsible for the current outbreaks of
Plague and discuss the critical issues pertaining to its spread.
Keywords: Mamla, Surat, plague, environment, rodent surveillance.

Health development for the tribal and their delivery system cannot be the same because of isolati... more Health development for the tribal and their delivery system cannot be the same because of isolation and growing numberof population of tribal community. The development process in tile command areas of Sardar Sarovar Dam has changed health practices of tribal community. They have shifted from indigenous to modern way of the treatment. This has raised issues concerning the diminishing art of healing through natural therapy and sustainability ofTribal communities, OWing to this problem, an attemptis being made to explorethe spatialdiffusion of healthpractices among the migratory tribalpopulation during'resettlement and rehabi litation process in the relocated villages of Vadodara district. Several issues concerning with this changes are being discussed and the idea of integration to synthesize the merits of both traditional and modem medicines are brought into notice of policy makers througha model.

Thesis Chapters by Harshit Sinha

Report by Harshit Sinha

Owing to the primary and secondary data analysis, literature survey, comparative analysis of soc... more Owing to the primary and secondary data analysis, literature survey, comparative analysis
of social forestry in other states of India and taking account of the opinion of the DFO,
Forest Rangers, and community, the study recommends the following points for
possibility of increase in Forest/ tree cover area in UP on account of Afforestration /
Plantation Programme:
i. The reconstruction of land, water and soil should be taken as regular
programme with proportionate budget allotted for these activities and research
grants should also made available for both internal needs and external
evaluations. Thus it is strongly recommended that the budget should be made
and govern as ‘demand side’ rather ‘supply side’ as witnessed.
ii. The Work plan should be made at an interval of four years and should be
developed taking assistance of Gram Panchayat and using Satellite Technology
such that the information Work Plan is classified into four major groups as vital, essential, desirable, and optional.These grouping of information should
be largely based on the importance of the items/variables that are affecting the
planning process. This will help to conduct analysis of Area Specific Market
Demand and Supply. The target set for each district should not be uniform but
it should largely base on the area available for plantation to achieve the target
of 33% green area in the state.
iii. Nursery should be decentralized for the better quality management, and should
be used as an extension training centre to ensure training of trainers both for
internal forest officials and also for participating community or NGO
voluntaries. Thus there is need to develop guidelines as well nursery
management system.
iv. Taking account of promoting NTFP through Agro Forestry, it is recommended
to supply the seedling as per soil type in the districts, the grouping of the
information largely depended upon the production of plantation suited to
district. Thus Nursery Sapling plantation and its management will largely now
depend upon the category of plant suited according to the type of soil in the
district
v. Convergence of the forestry programme under NREGA schemes should be
done using national level convergence guidelines of GOI for Labour related
activities like Seed Collection, Raising Nursery (preparation of seed beds,
sowing, watering, weeding, pricking, shifting, digging, and making balls,
transplanting watch etc) ; Planting Trees; Maintenances & Protection;
Collection of Non wood Products; Felling and Logging Tress, Transportation;
Processing of Output, Plantation at GP land. Orientation training for the
convergence of forest programme under NREGA should be made essential.
vi. Development of local organizations is the key to ensure people’s participation
and to sustain the benefits of investments and efforts made in community
forestry. Thus networking of social organization (Tree Grower, and Forest
Management organization) is essential to make effective planning and
execution.
vii. The Village Forest Committees willing to protect the natural forests, should be
encouraged to share the benefits in the form of fodder, fuel, timber and NWFP.
These committees can also take up reforestation of degraded forest lands,
aiming to conserve biodiversity and generate income. Whilefacilitating natural
regeneration, the local communities can also introduce fuel, timber and NWFP
species of their choice to enhance the productivity on denuded forest lands.
viii. To promote or popularize forest programmes in the community, it suggested to
develop Income generating activities and livelihood security programme using
participatory rehabilitation and managementof degraded forests and in doing
assistance for enhancement of the livelihood of the local people such that
assets of rural communities enhanced through more equitable, efficient and
sustainable use of forest resources. ix. The state largely experience acute shortage of trained labour, and problem
associated with after care management. Even it has been reported that the
related logistic system isnot appropriate as per the requirement in the matter
of transportation of the plant from warehouse, handling sapling at the nursery,
in supplying quality seed; supplying the plant tothe area or community,
private farming etc. Thus it is recommended to adopted the PPP model as
observed in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat.
x. Based on the Indian Forest Law of Government of India, the State Government
has well defined Forest and Wild life Law and need no modifications in the
current time. The need that arises is to make the community aware about the
procedure for acquiring their land which were under contract; cutting of the
trees on the land which are under contract, and duties imposed on the
plantation after being cut down and later sold. There iswide ignorance
regarding the procedure and other legal formalities to be followed in such
matter.
xi. Today, the merger field data on survivalrates that have been collected show
wide variations even under similar field conditions. Systematic and in-depth
investigation of such variations on a fairly large scale are needed if field
experience has to become a basis for improvements in future planning,
resource allocations, prioritization, and method of work. Many policy decisions
in the forest sector are based on incomplete information,which affects the
quality of decisions adversely. A suitable managementinformation system is
required that integrate the entire dataset using e-communication linked with
networking of computer technology as done in the state of Madhya Pradesh
and other states of India.
xii. One of issue that was highlighted in the study is related with the innovations
being made at the grassroot level for making success of any forestry
programme. The case study for increasing tree cover in urban area (Mathura)
and partnership between GramPanchayat and Forest Department (Agra) set an
example for the successful case studyin the matter of Joint Forest
Management. Such innovations at the grassroot level should always be
recognized and rewarded as such incident becomes motivational factor to other
and their techniques and methodology could be replicated tothe other similar
areas in the state. A separate study is needed to document all such innovations
with the objective to strengthen the Forest Management System
In conclusion, the social forestry programme in Uttar Pradesh in the coming years
should focus on enhancing the productivity ofnatural resources, while augmenting the
basic needs of the community; and empower the local communities to initiate the
process of planning and programme implementation at the micro level to promote
afforestration for income generation and ecological conservation.

After ICPD conference, quality is regarded as the core issue for improving the client services a... more After ICPD conference, quality is regarded as the core issue for improving the
client services and ensures its safe and time bound delivery. It also highlights to
improve the service infrastructure withthe quality standards developed under
country/state specific accreditation system. To ensure such challenges a good
beginning has been made in Dahod and Sabarkantha district by introducing the
concept of quality of care with the most popular Japanese philosophy of “Quality
Circle”. This concept was widely accepted by the participants as they do not
realize it as an additional burden and adopted it as routine activities. Looking IPD
project agenda, the demand ofboth internal and external customers, the following
recommendations are made:
1. Recognition of Structure and Process:A four tier quality structure system is
developed so that all quality matters could get justice right from grassroot
level to State level policy and programme managers. It is recommended to
make the structure statuary at all level.
2. Developing Quality Assurance Standards:To introduce Quality Assurance
and Accreditation for PublicHealth Care services in Gujarat, it becomes
essential to develop standards focus on the clients, systems, process,
measurement and team work.
3. Improving and Strengthening Service Facilities: Quality work in Public
health could be attained if service infrastructure is improved in relation to
repair and maintenance, manpower, training and supervision with follow up
activities. To attain the said objectives of IPD project, it is recommended
that QA project should bestarted in those PHC where service infrastructure
is better, especially looking Operation Theater, Labour and delivery,
Laboratories and Pharmacy.
4. Imparting Modular Training:Too many topics covered in short duration of
time neither found helpful in up bringing their skills nor their acumen.
Modular training is the best possible solution to cover each topic with hand
on training, and also describing the role and responsibilities.
5. Integrating NGOs for Quality:Grassroot level - community participation is
the major issue discussed at ICPD conference. NGOs working at the
grassroot level could very useful inpreparing strategy, outreaching the
PHC services and making the success of community based interventions.
6. Integrating RCH Service Package: Under CP 5, the community based
project activities were separately conducted discarding the local PHCs. It is
recommended all strategy should be designed (as per the RCH service
packages designated for our country) and operated under joint collaboration
of PHCs and regional NGOs.
7. Strengthening Planning of Health worker:The concept of planning is very
poor among the service providers and hence the set targets are not achieved and if at all achieved, it is either partly reported or some time wrongly
reported. It is advised to develop a regular system that help planning for
their routine work
8. Strengthening Referral System:During current time, major weakness in
public health is related with referral services. The present system needs an
efficient system that keeps track of the referred patients and the services
imparted to them, provided that all service infrastructure at FRU is fully
equipped.
9. Developing Follow up Procedure:In public health most of the programme
looses grip because of the poor follow-up activity. Integrating Quality, it is
advised to introduce monitoring committees at all level of system.
10. Monitoring Financial Implication: For effective implementation of the health
programmes, it is important for the programme managers to know how much
does it cost to provide health services under any health programme under
different hierarchy of health care systemof any project. It is recommended to
develop a system that tells us the cost effectiveness of the services being
provided through rural public health institutions.
11. Integrating Quality Data through GIS:A lot of health activities are
happening after spending a huge amount. However timely information on
achievements and failures are lately reported or sometime never reported or
are wrongly interrupted. Without such obstacle, the policy or the
programme managers can now have directaccess to such information. This
could be done by developing computer based management information
system that gives on line information ofthe parameters with geo reference
data. It will help for proper monitoring of programme as well check the
performance of individualservices providers.
This is just a beginning; however there is lot of scope to introduce and improve
quality in public health services for the long term gain.

It is well known fact that land, after air and water, is the most critical resource on which life... more It is well known fact that land, after air and water, is the most critical resource on which life depends. However this problem is much moreacute in such countries where the deterioration is due to incessant demographic pressures. India is a classic case of such a situation where the problem of land management has now become part of the global problem of saving the earth. One of the major global concerns is the problem of the declining land resources that are being threatened by the rapid human population growth which convert the fertile agriculture land to create urban structure. Consequently, the positive roleof urbanization has been over-shadowed by deterioration in the quality of built environment and quality of life. Taking lead from this Land use department of State Planning Commission, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh conduct this study along with Vardaan Consultants, to know the impact of urban agglomerations on land use pattern of Gorakhpur and Bareliy districts of Uttar Pradesh. Its objective is to conduct impact assessment of urban agglomerations in land use pattern over a decade affecting the agriculture land, urban services, human settlements, industrial production and revenue collection (as tax) and periphery area development plan. The study was conducted using satellite imagery (Google Pro) of two different times (Bareilly 2003 to 2012 and Gorakhpur 2002 and 2012) from open source Geographical Information System (Map Window) and visual interpretation of imageries. The urban sprawlfor both the mentioned period was digitized using heads up techniques. The overlays of the existing maps were used to generate the thematic maps for the required areas. The boundaries, water body, transportation network etc was checked from the existing data (maps). The GIS software was used to overlay the map layers after conversion and data interpolation of varies layers required for the land use mapping.Field verification was done in order to viii Vardaan Consultants, Lucknow (U.P) ascertain and verify the extent of the landuse change and nature of agricultural land loss, and the other related data was collected with the respective department of the city. The main findings of the present study for both cities are as follows:
a) It has been observed that urban agglomeration resulted because of rapid conversion of agricultural areas to non-agricultural uses.
b) The urban growth area is rapidly increased in North West (Nanital-Moradabad Road) and East direction (Pilibhit road) and in North (towards Katgodham road) of Bareilly while in Gorakhpur city it is more north west (towards Maharajgunj); south west (towards Shadhuli) and south east (towards Devariya by pass) in haphazard manner.
c) The Bareilly city is expanding with annualtransformation of agricultural land at the rate of 6% while the Gorakhpur city is transforming at the rate of 9% Thus the study area has recorded a significant increase in residential area to accommodate the city’s rapidly growing population that has much increased (245.634 hector in Bareilly city and 1876.837 hectors inGorakhpur city) more in unplanned residential areas than in planned residential areas.
d) It is estimated a loss of agriculture production annually worth of Rs. 1.68 Crore in Bareilly city and 13.25 Crore in Gorakhpur city which has no mitigation plan to recover the losses or any alternate plan toavoid conversion of fertile land.
e) There has been a very large increase in residential area but not much change has taken place regarding the expansion of utilities and services. This indicates haphazard expansion, without much planning.
f) The occupancy of the proportion of vacant land in and around Bareilly and Gorakhpur city has increased substantially, largely as a result of the increasing demand for land for non-agricultural uses and landowners’ anticipation of increased land values as urban development expands.

g) The urban expansion of the city (both built-up and non-built-up) has destroyed fertile agricultural land which cannot be recovered, and the study area is losing agrarian characteristics. Canals and their tributaries which used to flow through agricultural fields are now encroached upon and are used for the disposal of garbage and wastes.
For the better land use planning for the city following are the recommendations:
(a) Restrict the use of multi-cropping agricultural land for the conversion to non-agricultural purpose for the immediate use.
(b) Allow the land conversion only in case of single cropping or land with poor soil quality or required for the public purpose.
(c) The land requirement for the planning purpose can be brought down by having efficient density management plan from the standard 5000-12000 persons per Sq. km of urbanized areas.
(d) The zoning of the planning areas including the old city areas needs to be done to regulate the densityin order to restrict the urban sprawl mainly after assessing the infrastructure provision.
(e) Since the cost of infrastructure lying such as road, water supply, sewerage etc have been increasing over the time it is advisable to have high density settlements and zones in order to optimize the cost.
(f) The land pooling mechanism can be thought for increasing the value of land also allocating the usage required for the public purpose.
(g) The urban local bodies and development agencies should be more concentrating on the public services and usage urgent for the large section of people. It would better to avoid construction of housing societies catering to few sections of society.
(h) Improvement of EWS, LIG and MIG housing areas would reduce the sprawl by reallocating the land for high density housing.
(i) Land management along the water bodiesshould be carefully done, as observed most of the water bodies have been encroached during the study period.
(j) No construction beyond the specified limit for the public purpose should be allowed on the low lying areas, particularly on the flood plains along the river banks.
(k) Proper soil protection system needs to be evolved inorder to allow construction with certain limits to existing water bodies.
(l) The drainage systems should be developed mainly along the water logging areas to allow residential development, thus restricting the use of new areas.
(m) Based on the FSI, the vertical urban planning (High rise Building) should be adopted to develop the high density development along the major corridors and core city areas.
Finally, although urban expansion cannot be stopped, it is more emphasized to have urban resource management system linked with GIS for proper management and planning for protecting fertile agricultural lands. Thus a need has arisen for the strict implementation of agricultural land conversion laws and greater encouragement for farmers toremain in farming activities, since this would reduce the incentive for rural to urban migration. Thus zoning or area development plan should be considered in context to the density of urban population, in order to explore vacant or barren land for urban expansion not as linear expansion but instead vertical expansion for an effective implementation of FSI. Thus it is emphasized to have multipurpose use of landinto consideration wherever possible and no piece of land should beallowed, as far as possible, to remain vacant or as wasteland.

Vardaan Consultants, Baroda i Acknowledgement Developing a sustainable model for the effective ma... more Vardaan Consultants, Baroda i Acknowledgement Developing a sustainable model for the effective management of public health institution in rural area is a mammoth and challenging task. Vardaan Consultants is very grateful to Shri. A.R. Nanda (Executive Director, PFI, New Delhi), who provided us the opportunity to implement our innovative idea for the effective management of PHC through PRI members. Fruitful discussions with him were of immensely useful to develop new ideas. We are also very thankful to all member of governing board of PFI who approved our idea. I also take this opportunity to thank Dr. B.P. Thaigarjan; Dr .A. A. Jayachandren and Dr. A. J. Francis Zavier for designing baseline survey and improving quality of data during the course of discussions and also in their field visits.

Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, Jan 1, 2000