Speakers

• Apoorva Oza Global Programme Lead- Agriculture and Climate Change, Aga Khan Foundation
  

  Apoorva Oza

  Global Programme Lead- Agriculture and Climate Change, Aga Khan Foundation

  Apoorva is currently the Global Lead (Agriculture and Climate) for the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). His role is to provide thematic technical support to country units, long term strategic thinking and partnership development in Sustainable Agriculture, Water management and Climate Resilience.
  Before joining AKF in May 2022, Apoorva was the CEO of AKRSPI (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India)) from September 2001.AKRSP India was established by His Highness in 1984 and improves the quality of life for rural communities in more than 3500 villages of the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. He continues to be on the Board of AKRSPI.
  Besides this, Apoorva has promoted and supported many civil society organisations and networks. Networks on coastal salinity (CSPC)and women’s land rights (WGWLO) have grown substantially. He is on the Board of NGO’s like ACT, SWATI, WaterAid India, CSPC, Gyanshala, SESTA and on the advisory committee of the National Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF) and RCRC.
  He has also served on several committees appointed by the Government of India for Rural drinking water promotion, watershed development, rural livelihoods, forest management, irrigation management etc.
  Apoorva has graduated in Engineering from L.D. College of Engineering, Gujarat, India and done a Post-Graduate Diploma in Rural Management (PGDRM), Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA). He has also taken up short term courses at Cranfield University, UK and Cornell University, USA.

• Dr. Mercy Samuel Sr. Associate Professor, CEPT University
  

  Dr. Mercy Samuel

  Sr. Associate Professor, CEPT University

  Dr. Mercy S. Samuel is an urban management specialist with extensive expertise in waste management, circular economy policies, municipal finance, and urban governance. Over the past two decades, she has been pivotal in advancing circular economy and sustainable waste management practices by collaborating with municipal corporations, civil society organizations, and global institutions. Her work has focused on designing and implementing innovative strategies for waste reduction, resource recovery, and transitioning cities towards circular economy models. Dr. Samuel’s efforts have addressed critical challenges at the intersection of waste, climate change, and public health, providing actionable solutions that drive long-term impact. Her contributions include policy advisory roles, participation in national and international panels on circular economy, and leadership in impactful research projects funded by esteemed bodies such as ICSSR and Research Council, UK. She is a member of International Peer Review College, UK for reviewing International Grants. She has to her credit many research papers, case studies and a recently authored book on Transforming Waste Management published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis group UK. Dr. Samuel’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of integrating evidence-based practices into waste management and urban systems. She is currently engaged with CEPT University as Senior Associate Professor, Urban Management Programme.

• Haragovin Patel Director- Vasundhara Foundation, Chairman- Sumey Members Association, Ahmedabad
  

  Haragovin Patel

  Director- Vasundhara Foundation, Chairman- Sumey Members Association, Ahmedabad

  A rural development professional with over 28 years of experience in community mobilization, capacity building, and sustainable livelihood programs, with a proven track record in managing large-scale projects in collaboration with government bodies, CSR initiatives, and NGOs. Currently working as a freelance trainer and consultant for CSR, NGOs, and government projects, including Reliance Foundation and Jal Jeevan Mission, while also serving as Director of Vasundhara Foundation (VF), leading rural development initiatives in partnership with government and corporate entities.

  With over 10 years of expertise in rural drinking water and sanitation programs, he has been actively involved in projects under Swajaldhara, Jal Jeevan Mission, and WASMO (Water and Sanitation Management Organization, Govt. of Gujarat). He serves as a trainer for village-level water and sanitation infrastructure under Jal Jeevan Mission across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Ladakh. His extensive experience in community-managed, demand-driven rural water and sanitation programs has led to significant contributions in infrastructure development, water quality monitoring, and gender-inclusive water governance. Working closely with government departments, NGOs, and CSR partners, he has successfully implemented sustainable water supply and sanitation systems in rural areas.

  Additionally, he has designed and conducted training programs for government officials, NGO workers, Pani Samitis, and community-based organizations on water conservation, sanitation, and hygiene behavior change. His expertise extends to developing village-level action plans, rainwater harvesting systems, and rural sanitation models aimed at improving water security. A Certified National Level Master Trainer (NIRD) and Social Auditor for all rural development schemes in India, he also serves as a Visiting Faculty at the State Institute of Rural Development, Gujarat (SIRD).

• Lokendra Balasaria Founder, TREEWALKS
  

  Lokendra Balasaria

  Founder, TREEWALKS

  Lokendra Balasaria is a renowned Architect, Urban Planner, and Urban Ecologist from Ahmedabad. He currently serves as the Chair of ASSOCHAM GEM Gujarat and is the Founder of TREEWALKS Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar. He is the India Coordinator for the Global Tree Initiative, and was recognized among the Top 10 Water Warriors of India by The Better India in 2022. His remarkable work in groundwater recharge for Ahmedabad city, harvesting over 200 crore liters of rainwater annually, through the restoration of 100+ Khambati Kuvas (traditional step wells), 20+ rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, and 15+ drinking water collection systems, has been widely appreciated. His efforts have been featured by The Better India, BBC Hindi, and leading Indian newspapers in 2024. Currently, he is actively advising and conducting training sessions for ULBs (Urban Local Bodies), universities, and NGOs across India, contributing significantly to sustainable urban water management.

• Pavan Bakeri Director, Bakeri Group
  

  Pavan Bakeri

  Director, Bakeri Group

  Pavan Bakeri is the Co-Founder and Director of Charge+Zone and Director at Bakeri Group, with over 25 years of experience in construction and real estate development in India. An MIT graduate in Engineering, his expertise spans structural applications of polymer composites in aeronautics, alternative energy solutions, VoIP technologies, AI/ML startups, and drone manufacturing. He is actively involved in social impact ventures, serving on the boards of organizations in education, healthcare, heritage conservation, and cultural exchange, including Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad, INTACH Ahmedabad, and Jivraj Mehta Smarak Health Foundation. He has been honored with l’Ordre National du Merite by the French Government for promoting Indo-French collaborations and continues to mentor startups and foster innovation across diverse sectors.

• Tulsi Savani Secretary, Sumey Association, Ahmedabad
  

  Tulsi Savani

  Secretary, Sumey Association, Ahmedabad

  Tulsi Savani is a practicing advocate at the Gujarat High Court. He serves as the secretary of the Sumey Members Association. Coming from a farming background, he has firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and environmental concerns. As a legal professional, he strongly believes in the importance of raising awareness about environmental laws, even though I do not actively practice in this field. His goal is to empower individuals with legal knowledge, ensuring they understand their rights and responsibilities. Through this role in the association, he work towards community welfare and legal awareness. His experience in law and deep connection with agriculture will help him bridge the gap between legal frameworks and real-world issues.

• Utsav Pandya Business Development Executive, ADM Meters LLP
  

  Utsav Pandya

  Business Development Executive, ADM Meters LLP

  Utsav Pandya, an experienced Business Development Executive at ADM Meters LLP, Ahmedabad. With a strong background in Mechanical Engineering from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, Utsav has expertise in Entrepreneurship, Water Resource Management, Strategic Planning, and Business Development. At ADM Meters, a leading company in the water sub-metering industry since 2016, Utsav plays a key role in promoting smart and sustainable water management solutions, helping individuals and enterprises efficiently monitor water usage and reduce wastage.

• Vijay Patel City Engineer, Water Resources Management, AMC
  

  Vijay Patel

  City Engineer, Water Resources Management, AMC

  Vijay Patel is a City Engineer specializing in Water Resources Management at the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC). He holds a significant role in overseeing the planning, implementation, and management of water supply systems within the city. His work involves ensuring efficient water distribution, maintaining quality standards, and addressing challenges related to urban water management. Patel’s efforts are crucial in addressing the growing demands for water in urban settings, especially in rapidly developing cities like Ahmedabad. He focuses on optimizing existing water infrastructure and exploring innovative solutions to improve service delivery.