About Development Alternatives

Development Alternatives (DA), a 25-year-old internationally recognised and diversified development agency, headquartered in New Delhi, is one of the two organisations appointed to manage the PACS Programme. Read an interview with DA's Chairperson, Dr. Ashok Khosla, about the organisation's involvement with the PACS Programme.

A non-profit, corporate organisation established in 1983, DA designs options and promotes sustainable development through programmes for:

• Economic efficiency
• Equity and social justice
• Environmental harmony
• Resource conservation
• Self-reliance

Professionally managed, with experienced and committed specialists in several fields, DA has three branches:

• An environment systems branch with groups for biodiversity conservation systems, environment monitoring, geomatics, global environment, industrial environment systems and rural environment systems.
  
  
• An institution systems branch with a communications unit, Development Alternatives information network, small organisation support group and a training systems unit. The PACS Programme is managed by the small organisation support group.
  
  
• A technology systems branch that has developed pioneering, low-cost and appropriate technology for building and energy services.

Among the important contributions of DA is the technology and action for rural advancement (TARA) initiative, which has resulted in the formation of several companies for promoting appropriate, sustainable technologies in rural India. Another significant initiative is www.tarahaat.com, India's first web portal for rural audiences.

DA's head office in Delhi is at:
B-32, TARA Crescent
Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi 110 016

For more information on DA, please visit http://www.devalt.org