Research Unit for Livelihoods and Natural Resources (RULNR) is promoted by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies with financial support from the Jamsetji Tata Trust, Mumbai for conducting theoretical and empirical research on human livelihoods and natural resources with an objective of creating a centre for excellence in this field. We aim to conduct original and policy relevant research on river basins, forests and dry-land ecosystems that helps to foster the knowledge base of sustainable livelihoods and natural resource management by providing the means for understanding and analysing the issues and the tools for resolving them. We have adopted a multi-disciplinary approach in research drawing on various disciplines such as economics, social anthropology, ecology, political science, etc.

Keeping livelihoods as a central theme, the RULNR research team extends their research activities to different geographical locations and communities in India. We conduct research at national, state, regional or local levels either individually or in collaboration with identified research partners, both academic and development practitioners. In order to disseminate the research output to a wider public; we take up different activities like organizing periodic workshops, seminars, and publications. RULNR contribute to the curriculum of higher education through teaching and guiding students at M.Phil and Ph.D. level.