Ms. Hari Chandana Dasari (IAS), Collector and District Magistrate, has transformed governance with a visionary approach that combines sustainability, innovation, and empowerment. Her transformative policies have left a profound impact on urban and rural communities alike, with a special focus on environmental preservation, women's empowerment, and technological integration. Below are some of the hallmark initiatives she has spearheaded:
Hari Chandana, in his role as Zonal Commissioner in GHMC and District Magistrate of Narayanpet, supported the smart town and village initiative. He is a forward thinker who started building smart cities with modern infrastructure, technology, and sustainability for rural and urban spaces.
Eco Warrior Initiative: Hari Chandana was titled an "Eco Warrior" due to her intense dedication towards environment sustainability. The city of Hyderabad, under her leadership, achieved the recycling of 25 million metric tons of plastic waste in the form of paver tiles during 2017-18 for the Swachh Bharat Mission. The GHMC Office Building has also been presented with the most coveted Green Standard Award by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
Pet Park: In a one-of-its-kind initiative for animal lovers, Hari Chandana introduced the first ever pet park in Hyderabad. This special space, set with play equipment, training areas, and a splash pool, was created on a former dump yard, showing innovation in optimizing urban spaces while promoting responsible care of pets and safe waste management.
Making of Masks for Face in the Time of COVID-19: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hari Chandana introduced a scheme in which she trained local women in mask-making. This not only provided employment to them but also empowered women, as they started producing masks, fig jam, pulped custard apples, and jellies, generating over 4,000 jobs and a profit of 50 lakhs in Narayanpet.
She Toilets Initiative: She also has the landmark project called "She Toilets," an initiative towards providing safe and clean sanitation to women. It is an innovative approach with the creation of mobile toilets, providing dignity and hygiene to women all over the state and being recognized as a flagship program.
Toilet Campaign in Narayanpet: In Narayanpet, her toilet campaign dramatically improved sanitation, particularly benefiting women. The project not only enhanced hygiene but also aligned with the UNDP's global sustainability goals, ensuring dignity for all.
Aarunya-This initiative empowered rural women artisans through online businesses, through which she enabled the women to acquire skills in running these online businesses. The online business will sell directly to urban markets and increase income for the artisan; thus, this is a sustainable kind of livelihood.
T-Consult: Hari Chandana launched a telemedicine venture called T-Consult during the pandemic, whereby rural populations access doctors through video consultations. A platform that did away with geographic barriers, now quality healthcare at the doorstep to the underserved.
Lake Rejuvenation and Beautification: Hari Chandana was an ardent environmental conservationist and played a pivotal role in rejuvenating lakes like Durgam Cheruvu. Such projects transformed the lakes into serene parks, which served both purposes of environmental preservation and urban beautification.
Holistic Development of Children and Youth: With an eye on future generations, she created Panchatantra-themed parks, libraries, and playgrounds. All these were created to ensure the holistic development of children and youth across the city, through education, recreation, and well-being.
Early Coders : Hari Chandana Bridge Digital Divide Introduction of "Early Coders," in Narayanpet, educated more than 2,000 students from 61 schools to code. This empowered younger minds with very essential skills to prepare them for their digital future.
Stepwell Restoration and Cultural Heritage: Preservation of cultural heritage was Hari Chandana's concern, as she led the restoration of many historical step-wells, including Baram Bavi. Such restorations did not only revive the ancient structures but also reinvigorated the sense of local pride and empowered small communities to reconnect with their roots.
Through these diverse and impactful initiatives, IAS Officer Hari Chandana Dasari has proven that innovation and compassion can be powerful forces for societal change. Her policies are a testament to her leadership, one that is not just about governance but about creating a lasting, positive legacy for communities, women, and the environment.
