Research & Academic Exchange

Advancing Knowledge for Sustainable Solutions

At EcoPro, research is the cornerstone of innovation. We conduct cutting-edge studies to explore sustainable approaches, refine existing practices, and address the complex challenges of environmental stewardship. Our research bridges theory and practice, driving impactful solutions for communities and ecosystems.

Our Approach

 

  • Innovative Studies: Our research focuses on pioneering techniques in sanitation, waste management, agriculture, and environmental health, ensuring relevance and applicability.
  • Collaborative Efforts: We partner with academic institutions, experts, and communities to develop holistic solutions grounded in science and informed by real-world needs.
  • Knowledge Sharing: By publishing our findings and engaging in knowledge exchange, we contribute to the global dialogue on sustainability and inspire actionable change.

Our Impact

EcoPro’s research not only addresses immediate environmental challenges but also lays the foundation for long-term progress in sustainable development.

Evidence-Based Solutions

Our work provides the data and insights needed to design effective and adaptable solutions for diverse environmental contexts.

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Policy Influence

Through research, we contribute to shaping policies that promote sustainability, resource conservation, and community well-being.

Global Reach

Our findings are shared globally, fostering collaboration and inspiring initiatives that create lasting change.

Research Focus Areas

  • Sanitation innovations and the role of UDDTs in resource conservation

  • Sustainable agricultural practices using Effective Microorganisms (EM)

  • Waste and wastewater management strategies for circular economies

  • Environmental health solutions for urban and rural contexts

  • Community-driven approaches to sustainability and behavioral change

Our publications

Text Publications

How Much Land Do We Need to Feed Ourselves?

Written by Mira Gobel, this paper examines how much agricultural land is required to feed one person in South India for one year. Using local crop yields and nutritional requirements, it provides practical insights into food self-sufficiency, land use, and the realities of sustainable farming in Tamil Nadu. Read here

Publications by Lucas Dengel

Sharing Knowledge, Building Bridges, Inspiring Change

Lucas Dengel has authored and co-authored numerous publications that reflect his commitment to ecological health, environmental stewardship and social fairness. Through these works, he has contributed to the quest for sustainable solutions in sanitation, organic farming, and community-driven development. His interdisciplinary approach builds bridges in understanding, connects areas of expertise, and aims at inspiring interdepartmental cooperation.

Explore his publications to learn more about practical solutions for sustainability and the philosophy that drives EcoPro’s mission.

Below is a curated list of Lucas’s publications.

Lucas Dengel – publications (chronologically):

Biodynamic Agriculture and Homeopathy.

Reflections on practices and conceptual foundations. Institute for Cultural Research and Action (ICRA), Bangalore. 2002

Dynamic plants for farming and healing.

In: Namah, New Approaches to Medicine and Health. 10 (4), 10-16. Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry. 2003

Sustainable Water Resource Management in Sanitation.

An Overview. In: Seminar Proceedings of “Towards Sustainable Water Resources Management for Auroville and the Bioregion” conducted at Auroville on Sept 13-15, 2004. 109-117. Auroville Centre for Scientific Research (CSR) and Auroville Water Harvest. 2004

EM Technology:

The use of an inoculant of microorganisms for the treatment of solid waste and wastewater. In: Anisa Basheer Khan, Environmental Crisis and Security in the New Millennium. 189-198. New Delhi, 2005

Eco-friendly hygiene with EM technology.

In: Namah, New Approaches to Medicine and Health, 14 (3), 15-18. Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry. 2006

Achievements and unexplored scope of Effective Microorganisms (EM) technology in India.

In: Symposium Proceedings of “Biological Methods of Waste Treatment and Management in South India” held at The New College, Chennai, 99-103. United States Educational Foundation in India, Chennai. 2007

Sanitation revised:

There is life-after-flushing. In: Spade, 2 (May 2010), 90-93. Samira Rathod Design Associates, Mumbai, 2010

The Cycle of Nutrients and the Shunned Issues of Sanitation.

In: The Awakening Ray, Vol. 28 Issue 3, 20-25. Anuradha Agrawal and Ameeta Mehra on behalf of The Gnostic Centre, New Delhi. 2024

Joined authorship:

Organic Agriculture 3.0 is innovation with research.

By: Rahmann, Gerold, M. Reza Ardakani, Paolo Bàrberi, Herwart Boehm, Stefano Canali, Mahesh Chander, Wahyudi David, Lucas Dengel et al. In: Organic Agriculture, 7 (3), 169-197. Springer Netherlands, 2017. [to be quoted as: Rahmann, G., Reza Ardakani, M., Bàrberi, P. et al. In: Org. Agr. (2017) 7: 169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-016-0171-5 ]

Mosquito Diversity in an Experimental Township in Tamil Nadu, India.

By: P. Visa Shalini, A.N. Shriram, A. Elango, R. Natarajan, B. Vijayakumar, K.H.K Raju, Lucas Dengel, K. Gunasekaran, AshwaniKumar. In: Journal of Medical Entomology, XX(XX), 2022, 1-10. [ https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac064 ]

Motivation for using Urine Diversion Dry Toilets (UDDTs) in two low-income communities in Tamil Nadu – a case study.

By: Pavitra Ellappan, Lucas Dengel, Preethi Grace Theva Neethi Dhas, Banalata Sen. – In: Sanitation, the official journal of the International Society for Sanitation Studies (ISSS), 2025 Vol. 8, Issue 2, 42-53 [ https://doi.org/10.34416/sanitation.00060 ]

Papers presented in conferences, examples:

  • 2015, Sept.: “Organic farming and sanitation – the cycling of nutrients in soils, human food and excreta” at an ISOFAR (International Society of Organic Agriculture Research) conference in Lohas Academy, Goesan County, Republic of Korea;
  • 2015, Nov.: “Household level UDDTs in a Tamil Nadu village: learning from failures, factors for success” at the 2nd International Terra Preta Sanitation Conference at BITS Pilani, Goa;
  • 2017, Feb.: “Ecological Hygiene: The need for a concept of ecological hygiene vs. medico-surgical hygiene” at the FSM4 (4th International Conference on Fecal Sludge Management) in Chennai;
  • 2017, May: poster presentation on “The need for concepts of integration and for interdisciplinary and interdepartmental communication” at the Dresden Nexus Conference (on Water, Soil and Waste) in Dresden, Germany;
  • 2018, Nov.: “Cycles of nutrients and carbon. From understanding to implementation – some bottlenecks” at a conference on the Urban-Rural Nutrient and Carbon Cycle – towards soil protection and rehabilitation, at BITS Pilani, Goa.

Why Choose EcoPro?

At EcoPro, research is not just a tool – it’s a necessity for the self-critical assessment of convictions and actions. With a multidisciplinary team and years of field experience, we ensure our studies contribute meaningfully to sustainability and community empowerment.

Join us in exchange and research for the benefit of both people and the biosphere.

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