Knowledge Resources
Research papers, publications and films by People in Centre, organised by thematic area.
Restructuring Human Interventions for Ecological Balance17 papers
- 2024Bandyopadhyay, S., Palrecha, A., & M. Dixit, A (2024) Chapter 11—Water in poverty alleviation (SDG 1). In A. Mukherjee (Ed.), Water Matters (pp. 131–141). Elsevier
- 2024Palrecha, A. (2024, November 6). Besides river waters, India has upstream and downstream conflicts over wastewater too. Down to Earth.
- 2024Palrecha, A. and Sheth, A (2024) Whose wastewater is it?. India Water Portal
- 2023Palrecha, A., & Dave, S. (2023, December 7). રાજકોટ શહેરનું ગંદું પાણી ખેતીમાં વાપરી આ ખેડૂતો કેવી રીતે બમણું ઉત્પાદન મેળવી રહ્યા છે ? BBC News ગુજરાતી .
- 2023Palrecha, A. and Sheth, A (2023) Unequal wastewater rights and claims in Gujarat: Institutional dynamics between urban and rural. Water Alternatives 16(2): 581-605
- 2017Palrecha, A (2017) Assessment of functionality and management of irrigation systems in the Dangs, Gujarat. Hindustan Unilever Limited; People in Centre, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India)
- 2016Har khet ko pani (Water to every farm): rethinking Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
- 2016Gupta, M., & Palrecha, A (2016) Wastewater irrigation in Karnataka. International Water Management Institute, 8
- 2016Palrecha, A., Sakhare, N., Patkar, S., & Sule, S (2016) Wastewater Irrigation in Maharashtra (Water Policy Research Highlight 09; p. 8). International Water Management Institute
- 2014Shah, T., Mehta, Y., Kher, V., & Palrecha, A (2014) Generating Agrarian Dynamism: Saurashtra’s Lessons for Vidarbha. Economic and Political Weekly , 86-94
- 2014Palrecha, A (2014) Revitalizing communities through regenerating mangroves (3.8.3 Case Study). GIZ
- 2014Palrecha, A. (Director) (2014) Wastewater Bazaar – a film . I WMI TATA Water Policy Programme
- 2013Palrecha, A (2013) Urban Wastewater for Rural Agriculture : Emerging Relations Case Studies from Gujarat, Excreta Matters, 2nd Anil Agarwal Dialogue March 4–5 2013. Centre for Science and Environment
- 2012Palrecha, A., Kapoor, D., & Malladi, T (2012) Wastewater irrigation in Gujarat (Water Policy Research Highlight 30). International Water Management Institute
- 2009Hirway, I., Lodhia, S., Palrecha A., & Rode, S (2009) , ‘Status of Salinity and its Impact on Livelihood in Coastal India: An Exploratory Exercise’, Working Paper No. 41, Centre for Development Alternatives, Ahmedabad
- 2007Indu, R., & Rawal, A (2007) Social impact of high incidence of kidney stone. Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India)
- 2006BBC(2006) Villages on the frontline. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Reinforcing People's Capacities to Reduce Disaster Risks15 papers
- 2026Rawal, V (2026) Architecture, Power and the Poor. ArchitectureLive!
- 2025Desai, J., & Rawal, V (2025) Domes of Identity: When Earthquake Challenges Herat’s Earthen Traditions. ArchitectureLive!
- 2022Rawal, V (2022) Improving Hazard Resistance of Vernacular Houses in Afghanistan. UNDP Afghanistan
- 2021Rawal, V., Bothara. J, Pradhan P., Ramraj N., & Singh V (2021) Inclusion of the Poor and Vulnerable: Learning from Post-Earthquake Housing Reconstruction in Nepal . Progress in Disaster Science 10: 100162
- 2020Bothara, J., Desai, R., Pradhan, P., Panda, J., Rawal, V., Raghunath, S., Purohit, S., Ingham, J., & Dizhur, D (2020) Experiment based Earthquake Resistant Prototype Design of Residential Buildings in Nepal. 17th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Sendai, Japan. 12
- 2020Rawal, V., & Panda, J (2020) How to extend your house safely. UNDP Nepal
- 2020Pradhan, P., Narasimhan, R., Desai, R., Rawal, V., Panda, J., & Bothara, J (2020) Improving Seismic Safety of Existing Vernacular Buildings – A Reality or Dream? 17th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Sendai, Japan. 11
- 2015Rawal, V (2015) Towards Resilient Human Settlements. Development Advocate, October 2015-March 2016 , 62–65
- 2012Virmani, S., & Rawal, V (2012) Sustainable Construction: Story of Orlaha and Puraini in Bihar. Architecture+Design, March 2012, 48–54
- 2010Baker, J., Rawal, V., Brown, P., Chiles, P., & Mohamed, E (2010) Tsunami Displacement: Lessons for Climate Adaptation Programming: Findings on Shelter Reconstruction. US Agency for International Development (USAID)
- 2006Rawal, V., Desai, R., & Jadeja, D (2006) Asessing Post Tsunami Housing Reconstruction in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A People’s Perspective. ActionAid
- 2006Rawal, V., Prajapati, D., & Rathod, S (2006) Post Earthquake Urban Planning in Bhachau – Issues and Agenda [Project documentation report]. UNNATI Ahmedabad
- 2005Rawal, V., Fautin, C., Moore, J. L., Kalonge, S., Walden, V. M., & Bhattacharjee, A (2005) Multi-agency evaluation of tsunami response: India and Sri Lanka. CARE international, world vision (WV), Oxfam GB, Catholic relief services (CRS)
- 2001Rawal, V,, & Nair T (2001) Earthquake Plan Prepared in Haste . Economic and Political Weekly 36 (March 10, 2001): 820–23
- 1994Rawal, V., & Desai, R (1994) Repairs and Retrofitting: A Manual for the People of Marathwada. Ahmedabad Study Action Group
Reclaiming Urban Space for the People1 paper
- 2013Mehta, R., & Gohil, C (2013) Design for natural markets: Accommodating the informal. Built Environment , 39 (2), 277-296
Farmers First for used water
Punjab has emerged as a leader in wastewater reuse by moving beyond policy to large-scale implementation. This film **Farmers First** *for used water* documents how treated wastewater is conveyed from treatment plants to agricultural fields through dedicated pipeline networks, providing a reliable source of irrigation water for thousands of farmers.At the heart of this initiative is a participatory approach that engages farmer committees in the planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of pipelines and pumping systems. The program has enabled the productive reuse of treated wastewater, reduced pressure on freshwater resources, and helped curb excessive groundwater extraction. Through stories from the field, this film showcases how strong policy, public investment, and community participation can work together to create sustainable water solutions for agriculture.
On Water and Wastewater6 videos

Flowing Back: Stories of Claiming Usedwater
The film examines urban–rural water inequities, unrecognised wastewater users, policy gaps, and the conveyance of wastewater from cities to villages. It foregrounds the informal yet essential use of wastewater by farmers for irrigation, a practice that persists despite limited institutional support and contributes largely to food security and livelihoods.
Watch on YouTube
Villages on the Frontline – A BBC Film
A BBC documentary film on Alka Palrecha's work on drinking water and coastal salinity in coastal Gujarat.
Watch on YouTube
A Water Swap: Gwalior's Water Reuse Story
On freshwater – wastewater transactions, telling the story of water reuse in Gwalior.
Watch on YouTube
Wastewater Bazaar
On the municipal auction mechanism for wastewater in Unjha, Gujarat.
Watch on YouTube
TEDx Talk: Wastewater Reuse from Past to Present
TEDx talk by Alka Palrecha on wastewater reuse from past to present.
Watch on YouTube
Case Study of Wastewater Bazaar
Alka Palrecha delivered this talk on the Wastewater Bazaar case study in Pune, Maharashtra.
Watch on YouTube