Nitesh Kumar is the India Program Lead at GGGI. In this role, he is anchoring the planning, development, resource mobilization and implementation of Sustainable Landscape portfolio of GGGI India. Acting as the key liaison with project partners and government, Nitesh is managing the landscape work of GGGI-India through strategic guidance, technical oversight, and leadership.

Besides implementing the USAID-GGGI “Narmada Landscape Restoration Project (NLRP)” as Chief of Party, he is strengthening GGGI’s work in the water, landscape, and ecosystem sector. His work on integrating climate resilience in MGNREGS and greening of the PMAY-G have strengthened Government’s response to build climate resilience among the rural population. Nitesh has played an instrumental role in mobilizing adaptation fund for small tea growers in India. He is also supporting GGGI-ISA Trust Fund for Solar Irrigation Pumping Systems across 13 countries in Africa, Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Before GGGI, Nitesh has worked as an UNDP professional with Government of India. His work experience spans in the domains of natural resource management, climate resilience, poverty alleviation, land rights and financial inclusion.​​​​​​​

Nitesh obtained his post-graduate degree from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand in 2010. He also has a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.