About Rural Development Council
Empowering Irular Adivasi and Dalit communities towards self-governance and sustainable development since 2002.
Our Vision
RDC envisions an egalitarian society where indigenous Adivasi communities and Dalits live with dignity, self-identity, & secure livelihoods. We advocate for their access to customary rights over forests and lands and the realization of human rights, particularly for children and women in socio-economic, cultural, and political spheres.
Our Mission
RDC is committed to facilitate the empowerment process of the most deplorable social groups of adivasis and dalits towards establishment of Self Governance, Ownership and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, with emphasis on People Centered Sustainable Development, micro action research for evidence-based advocacy, revival of traditional knowledge and practices and, collective actions to protect forest and natural resources.
Objectives
- To reduce school dropouts and enhance retention of children in schools towards the implementation of the Right to Education Act 2009, with a special focus on ensuring the right to education for girl children.
- To eliminate the practice of child marriage and to prevent girls from falling prey to camp labour.
- To capacitate the communities to access all basic entitlements and other welfare measures. To pave the way for accessing basic health care for women and children, ensure 100% coverage of immunization and prevent infant mortality and maternal mortality.
- To enable the community to protect forests and rich biodiversity with eco-balance, in collaboration with the forest department and other stakeholders.
- To enhance the capacity of women towards the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women.
- To capacitate women on income generation related to value addition to non-timber forest products towards safeguarding livelihood rights.
- To work towards the enforcement of the Forest Rights Act towards ensuring collective rights over land and forests.
- To promote sustainable local economic sources and thereby eliminate bonded labour practices and reduce distress migration among Adivasis.
- To commission studies and micro-action research on issues concerning women and children to promote evidence-based advocacy for all rights.
Two Decades of Grassroots Change
Rural Development Council (RDC) was founded in 2002 with a singular purpose: to uplift the marginalized Irular Adivasi and Dalit communities in the remote hilly terrains of Krishnagiri district. What began as a small initiative in the Denkanikottai Taluk has grown into a movement for self-determination and dignity.
In the early years, our focus was primarily on basic access—bridging the gap between these isolated hill settlements and essential government services. We witnessed the stark reality of maternal mortality, child labor, and lack of education due to sheer geographical remoteness. Launching our Tribal Mobile Outreach Medical Service in 2002 was a critical first step, bringing doctors and medicines to doorsteps that had never seen a healthcare worker before.
Over the last two decades, our scope has broadened significantly. We realized that true empowerment comes not just from receiving aid, but from reclaiming rights. We facilitated the formation of 120+ tribal village committees, enabling communities to demand their entitlements—from clean water to community certificates. We helped establish 22 Anganwadis and 20 primary schools, ensuring that a generation of Irular children could access education within their own cultural context.
Our journey has also been about economic resilience. Recognizing the rich knowledge of the Adivasis, we moved towards sustainable livelihoods, establishing the Thenkani Women's Federation and later the Melagiri Natural Products company. This shifted the narrative from subsistence to entrepreneurship, allowing women to add value to forest produce like Amla and Honey, thereby breaking free from exploitative middlemen.
Today, RDC works across 9 hill ranges, impacting over 32,000 lives. Our partnerships with organizations like HCL Foundation, The Banyan, and government bodies have strengthened our resolve. Yet, our core philosophy remains unchanged: to revive traditional wisdom, protect natural resources, and build an egalitarian society where every individual leads a life of dignity and self-respect.
Key Intervention Areas
I. Child Centered Programs
II. Adolescent Focus Programs
III. Women Centered Programs
IV. Common Programs
Leadership & Governance
Our diverse Board of Members guides our strategic direction with transparency and accountability.
Key Staff
The dedicated team executing our programs on the ground.
Josephstalin
Project Director
Hendry Denshilon
Project Lead
Isa Abraham
Project Coordinator
Narmadha
Project Associate
Sagadhevan
Marketing Coordinator
Sivakumar
Community Organiser
Dr. Dinesh
Medical Doctor
Dr. Navaneethakrishnan
Medical Doctor
Mrs. Vishnupriya
Health Coordinator
Mrs. Govindhamma
Health Coordinator
Sudhahar
Finance Manager
Naveen
Internal Accountant
Our Auditors
Ensuring financial transparency and accountability.
Annual Reports
Transparency is our core value. Click to read our financial and activity reports.