2024
Gender Mainstreaming in Asia Through Financial Empowerment
Arthshastra: Indian Journal of Economics & Research, Vol. 13, Issue 4, pp. 27–46
37+ Years of Academic & Geospatial Leadership
Professor Dr.
Seema Mehra Parihar
Senior Professor, Department of Geography
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, India
Fellow, Delhi School of Public Health (DSPH), Institute of Eminence (IoE), University of Delhi
Principal Investigator, Women Empowerment Atlas of India (DST, Government of India)
Pioneering academician, geospatial data scientist, and public health advocate. Dedicated to bridging Earth observation, GIScience, environmental sustainability, and gender parity across India and the Global South.
ISRO-IIRS Awardee
83+ E-Learning Courses
SEED, DST Project Lead
Ministry of Science & Tech
Prof. Dr. Seema Mehra Parihar
Faculty · Geospatial Scientist · Public Health Fellow
37+
Years Teaching at University of Delhi
8+
Published Books & National Atlases
57+
Peer-Reviewed Articles & Papers
83+
ISRO-IIRS E-Learning Courses Led
175+
Keynotes, Plenary & Invited Talks
Academic Pedigree
A Lifelong Commitment to Scholarship & Mentorship
Spanning over three and a half decades of teaching, institution building, high-impact research, and global educational exchange.
Prof. Dr. Seema Mehra Parihar has been a cornerstone faculty member in the Department of Geography at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi since September 1987. Her scholarly leadership bridges physical geography, geospatial technology (Remote Sensing, GIS, Web Cartography), and the critical societal imperatives of natural resource management, gender equity, and youth mental wellness.
“Spatial science is not merely about maps on a screen; it is an evidence-based instrument of empowerment, giving voice to communities, women, and ecosystems that need urgent healing.”
In addition to her professorship, she serves as a Fellow at the Delhi School of Public Health (DSPH), Institute of Eminence (IoE), University of Delhi, directing the landmark programme "Creating Healers in Public Health in Higher Education (CBP-HHH: 2023–2025)". Her administrative leadership includes serving as Deputy Dean Students' Welfare (DU), Chairperson of the Central Placement Cell (DU), and Convener of the Academic Integrity Panel at Kirori Mal College.
Global Visiting Professorships & Lectures
Academic Qualifications
Post-Doctoral Fellowship · 2002
Geo-Information Processing
International Institute of Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation (ITC), Enschede, The Netherlands (Govt. of Netherlands Fellowship).
Ph.D. in Geography · 2000
Natural Resource Management of Bhagirathi Basin
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. Focus on Himalayan environmental stress & GIS modeling.
M.Phil. in Geography · 1986–1988
Women and Fuelwood Resource in Khatalgad Watershed
Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi — Highest Marks in the Group (70.50%).
M.A. Geography · 1984–1986
Second Position in Delhi University
Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi (63.20%).
B.Ed. · 1983–1984
University Topper with Distinction
Central Institute of Education (CIE), University of Delhi — President of Panchayat (Students' Union).
National Benchmark Publication
Women Empowerment Atlas of India
Science & Technology Perspective — A monumental geospatial study analyzing 300+ gender-disaggregated indicators across India.
Click to Inspect Full Cover Jacket
Released by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
Synthesizing 300+ Spatial Datasets into National Policy Action
Jointly conceptualized and produced by Prof. Seema Mehra Parihar (Principal Investigator, GIS-RS-Gender Data Lab, Kirori Mal College, DU) and Dr. Tapati Banerjee (Former Director, NATMO), this pioneering Atlas captures the diversity of India through maps, graphs, and geo-analytics. It evaluates women's advancement across 9 vital sectors to enable evidence-based policy formulation.
300+ Indicators:
Health, education, livelihood, safety, and leadership parameters
9 Thematic Booklets:
Dedicated monographs for state and district-level interventions
FilmFreeway Documentary:
Companion investigative film showcasing spatial realities
Digital Web GIS Portal:
Accessible at womenempowermentindia.org for researchers
The Nine Pillars of the Women Empowerment Index
Structured geospatial methodologies capturing parity, opportunities, and grassroots vulnerabilities across every state and union territory.
01
Women Mainstreaming Science & Technology
Access to tech parks, STEM participation, patents, and capacity building via WISE-KIRAN and DST schemes.
02
Demographic Empowerment
Sex ratio at birth, fertility transitions, child sex ratio trends, and rural-urban spatial shifts across states.
03
Women Health Empowerment
Maternal mortality ratio, institutional deliveries, reproductive health services, and adolescent nutrition metrics.
04
Women Education Empowerment
Literacy gender gaps, gross enrolment ratios (GER) in higher education, and spatial access to educational institutions.
05
Women Safety and Support
Spatial analysis of VAW grievance redressal mechanisms, One Stop Centres (OSC), and emergency helpline infrastructure.
06
Women Livelihood Empowerment
Workforce participation rates, agricultural labour contributions, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and microcredit outreach.
07
Women Leadership & Gender Mainstreaming
Panchayati Raj representation, urban local body seats, corporate boards, and decision-making bodies.
08
Women Agency & Decision Making
Household autonomy, land and financial asset ownership, mobile phone access, and digital banking independence.
09
Government Initiatives & Policies
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and multi-sectoral central budgetary impacts.
“I am happy to note that the Department of Science and Technology has taken an important initiative by publication of the Women Empowerment Atlas — Science & Technology Perspective having visualization of 300+ gender-disaggregated data. I congratulate all members of the team, especially Dr. Seema Mehra Parihar for contributing towards development of this unique nationally important document.”
View Official Ministerial Letter
“I am delighted that the GIS-RS-Gender Data Lab of Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi collaborated with NATMO to bring out this unique Women Empowerment Atlas of India. Each page is a visual delight with data captured across nine themes. I wish to congratulate Principal Investigator Professor Seema Mehra Parihar for her vision and meticulous execution, adding immense value to the 100 years of celebration of the University of Delhi.”
View Official Vice Chancellor Letter
Scholarly Output
Research, Books & Publications
Over 57 articles published in high-impact international journals and edited volumes, alongside standard-setting textbooks.
Major Published Books & National Atlases
Pearson India Education
Physical Geography in Diagrams (4th GCSE Edition)
Authored by R. B. Bunnett & Seema Mehra Parihar (520 pages, ISBN: 978-93-534-3375-8). Comprehensive reference covering geomorphology, climatology, and cartographic diagramming.
SEED Division, DST, Govt. of India
Women Empowerment Atlas of India: S&T Perspective
By Parihar, S. M. & Banerjee, T. (2022). Comprehensive geospatial documentation with 9 thematic companion monographs collating 300+ indices.
Ministry of WCD, Govt. of India
Gender Atlas of India: Geospatial & Thematic Perspective
Series 1 & Series 2 (ISBN 978-93-82847-49-7 & 978-93-82847-50-2). Landmark baseline geospatial mapping of gender vulnerability across India.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2022
Landuse Dynamics and Impact on Regional Climate Post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalayas
Sustainability (MDPI), Vol. 14, Issue 16, 10221
2022
The Idea of Geospatial-Gender-Based Data Infrastructure for Protecting Women Living in Post Covid-19 Created Global Village
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 9, No. 10
2015
Fuzzy Risk Assessment Modelling of East Kolkata Wetland Area: A Remote Sensing and GIS Based Approach
Environmental Modelling & Software (Elsevier), Vol. 75, pp. 105–118 · Impact Factor 4.42
2013
Characterizing Wetland Dynamics: A Post-Classification Change Detection Analysis of East Kolkata Wetlands
Geocarto International (Taylor & Francis), Vol. 28, Issue 3, pp. 273–287
Major Sponsored Research Projects (PI & Co-PI)
2024
Zonal Implementation & Utilization of Women Empowerment Atlas of India
Supported by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India
2022
Web GIS-Based Women's Health Atlas of India: Public Health Perspective
2021
Mapping Good Practices of Institutions for Supporting Redressal of Violence Against Women in India
2017
Mapping Geospatial Dimensions of Hydro Politics in Jammu & Kashmir
2011
Devise a Grassroots Level Geospatial System for Climate Stress Management in Bhilangana Basin
Community Transformation
Public Health, Training & Youth Wellness
Pioneering nationwide youth suicide prevention, mental wellness, and geospatial capacity building across India's premier institutions.
DSPH · IoE · DU
Creating Healers in Public Health (CBP-HHH: 2023–2025)
Programme Coordinator of a transformative capacity-building initiative under the aegis of Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi.
- Youth suicide prevention and emotional resilience workshops
- Training peer educators across higher education colleges
- Trauma-informed healing spaces combining science & mindfulness
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
RKSK National Master Trainer (2021–Present)
Serving as National Trainer under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- Training Medical Officers & State Master Trainers across India
- Specialization in "Prevention of Injuries & Violence"
- State coverage: Meghalaya, Nagaland, Kerala, Assam, J&K, etc.
ISRO · IIRS Dehradun
ISRO-IIRS E-Learning Nodal Leadership
Coordinator of 83+ e-learning initiatives of the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at University of Delhi since 2006.
- Over 100 courses conducted for thousands of students and faculty
- Recipient of the prestigious IIRS-ISRO Annual Award 2018
- E-content author for MHRD UGC-EPG Pathshala (Resource Geography)
National & International Acclaim
Honors, Awards & Fellowships
Recognizing over three decades of pioneering contributions to spatial sciences, education, and women's empowerment.
2025
KMC 72nd Founder's Day Honor
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi — Distinguished faculty recognition on Founder's Day.
2024
Tu Hai Shakti 2.0 Peer Educator Award
Santulan, Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan — For outstanding leadership in carving 21st-century empowered women.
2021
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Distinguished Professor Award
Conferred during National Teachers Day Celebrations for distinguished higher education service.
2019
IIRS-ISRO Annual Award
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO — Awarded for exceptional nodal outreach coordination.
2002
Netherlands Government Fellowship
International Institute of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Netherlands.
2022–2023
FICCI Geospatial National Award Jury
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry — Jury Member for national awards.
2005
Bhoo Samman National Award
Recognized for significant contributions in geosciences and rural spatial information systems.
2023–2024
National TV Geoscience Expert
Invited Expert on News Nation (Programme PRITHVI) on Earth's Magnetic Field, Sinkholes, & Volcanoes.
Archival Visual Record
Media, Conclaves & Photo Gallery
Historic moments: Book launches with Union Ministers, academic honors at Delhi University, international panels, and spiritual guidance.
Collaboration & Inquiries
Institutional Contact & Connect
Available for academic collaborations, research consultations, doctoral mentorship, keynote lectures, and public health advisory.
Academic Headquarters
Primary Faculty Affiliation
Department of Geography, Kirori Mal College
University of Delhi, North Campus
Delhi – 110007, India
University of Delhi, North Campus
Delhi – 110007, India
Public Health Fellowship
Delhi School of Public Health (DSPH)
Institute of Eminence (IoE), University of Delhi
Institute of Eminence (IoE), University of Delhi
Official University Email
Professional Network
Project Portals
Send an Academic Inquiry
Direct your invitation for conferences, guest lectures, student mentorship, or research collaboration.