Projects in India

Effects of Fragmentation on a Keystone Tree Species in the Wet Forest of Southern Western Ghats, India

The project will investigate the effect of forest fragmentation on mutualistic interactions between a keystone species and its associated fauna and flora in a rainforest in southern India. It will see how pollination, seed dispersal and seed predation of a keystone species are affected in fragments and how the survival of this species is important for other biodiversity associated with the tree. This will be the first study in India that attempts to understand to what extent mutualistic interactions are important for the survival of species in fragments.

Assessing the Status and Distribution of Large Mammals in Highwavy and its Environs, Southern Western Ghats

The overall aim of the project is to assess the distribution and to identify conservation zones for the large mammals in the highly fragmented Highwavy environs of southern Western Ghats.

A Herpetological Bio Inventory Survey of Tripura

This project aims to document as many species as possible of herpetofauna that occur in Tripura in order to know the true biological importance of this otherwise data deficient state.

Social Mobilisation and Advocacy for Conservation of Elephants and their Habitat

The aim of the project is to capacitate the local tribes through their children to strengthen harmonious alliances at village and block level with a focus to regain ecological integrity & for sustainable management of forest, reserves by using indigenous knowledge base and technical know-how for conservation of elephants & their habitat.

Crocodilian and Freshwater Turtle Research and Conservation Project, Uttarakhand, India

This study aims at developing baseline information on crocodilian and freshwater turtle populations in Corbett Tiger Reserve. This would be important so as to compare and document population growth and reproductive success of these species within Corbett Tiger Reserve so as to develop effective conservation plans for these species within the Reserve.

Towards Participatory Conservation in the Trans-Himalaya – Conserving Rangelands for Wildlife and People’s Livelihoods

This project will try to determine the properties that enable certain rangelands to harbour many wild species, whereas others are more extinction-prone and retain only a fraction of their original species pool.

Participation of Local Villagers in Conservation of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara (Gazella Bennettii) in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

The study aims to estimate population status, habitat use and awareness in local communities of the Indian Gazelle or Chinkara.

Conservation of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara through Community Support in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

The present study aims to conserve remaining populations of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, through community participation, conservation action plan, advocacy to establish Community Reserve through engagement of villagers for a long-term conservation.

Conservation of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara through Community Support in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

The present study aims to conserve remaining populations of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, through community participation, conservation action plan, advocacy to establish Community Reserve through engagement of villagers for a long-term conservation.

Conservation Education and Awareness in the Kuno Landscape, Madhya Pradesh, India

My project is aimed at enhancing children’s sensitivity towards environment and biodiversity through specially designed environment education package developed for them. It will be implemented through the 200 children of the Adharshila Middle School at my project village.

Creating Community Support for Sanjay Gandhi National Park, A Global Biodiversity Hotspot in Mumbai, India: By Valuing and Communicating Ecosystem Services

This project aims to rapidly assess ecosystem services, build capacity of key stakeholders, communicate the value of ecosystem services and increase community support for the Park.

A Study of Leopard Diet and Habitat-Use in the Fragmented Rainforests of Anamalai Hills, the Southern Western Ghats

The project aims to understand leopard diet and habitat-use in a fragmented landscape dominated by plantations and surrounding protected area. This will assist in examining patterns of human-leopard conflict and develop strategies for conflict mitigation.

Ecological Status of Artisanal Fisheries Resources Along the Coromandel Coast

The aim of this project is to document the current species composition, abundance and ecological status of fish that are the primary catch of artisanal fishing communities of the Coromandel Coast. This baseline will be used to address the paucity of data in this sector which has the potential to reform the way fisheries management is approached in India, specifically along the Coromandel Coast.

Adapting to Invasives – A Community Based Approach to Research and Extraction of Lantana Camara

The project aims to first use local knowledge to map the spread and intensity on the lantana infestation through the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), and then to help local communities create furniture out of lantana.

Pastoralism and Wildlife Conservation: Assessing the Coexistence of Wild and Domestic Ungulates for Multiple Rangeland Use in the Trans-Himalaya.

The aim of my project is to determine the relative vulnerability of three mountain ungulates by studying their diet use in relation to that of the livestock.

Survey and Conservation of Multiple Owl Species in Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

This project aims at obtaining baseline data on multiple owl species occurring in the Brahmaputra valley, Assam, primarily their occupancy, distribution, nesting habits and potential threats for survival of owls in unprotected areas and to generate awareness through community participation.

Survey and Conservation of Owls in the Protected and Unprotected Areas of Meghalaya, India

This project aims at obtaining baseline information on presence and distribution of Owl species in the protected and unprotected areas of Meghalaya, India. We will also access the potential threat towards Owls and identify the key areas requiring immediate conservation attention.

An Avifaunal Survey of Namdapha National Park – Exploring the Potential for Limited Bird Tourism with Local Communities

This project will document bird species and identify areas of tourism value, stimulate community-based bird tourism by training members of the Lisu community and establish a website providing detailed information on the area.

Developing Solutions for Leopard-Human Conflicts in Karnataka

Human-leopard conflict is rising in most regions where leopards occurred in India. The project aims in developing solutions for human-leopard conflict with the involvement of local community in Deccan regions of Karnataka.

Developing Solutions for Leopard-Human Conflict in Karnataka: Education Drive to Reduce the Leopard-Human Conflict

The study aims to conduct education awareness programme in the localities that experienced leopard-human conflict in Central Karnataka, India. A joint-venture programme is planned by inviting parties of forest department officials and village heads. It primarily aims to bridge the gap between foresters and locals. Developing relations between forest officials and locals is crucial in reducing the conflict. The best conflict prevention technique employed by locals will be adapted for wider application.

Ethnobotany, Trade, Life History, and Population Dynamics of Endemic Cycas Species in the Western Ghats of Southern India

This project aims at getting a worm’s-eye view about the use, status and responses of Cycas species in the Western Ghats. For this I will obtain the necessary data to ensure effective conservation through research on trade, ethnobotany, life history and population dynamics.

Elephant-Human Conflict: A Multivariate Ecological Approach to Understanding Crop Raiding in Kodagu, Southern India

This study attempts to address elephant-human conflict (specifically crop raiding) in an extensive multivariate framework by looking at several ecological variables (viz. spatial correlates, foraging behaviour and factors related to elephant demography) to better understand crop raiding behaviour in elephants in Kodagu, southern India.

Elephant-Human Conflict: A Multivariate Ecological Approach to Understanding Crop Raiding in Kodagu, Southern India

This study attempts to address elephant-human conflict (specifically crop raiding) in an extensive multivariate framework by looking at several ecological variables (viz. spatial correlates, foraging behaviour and factors related to elephant demography) to better understand crop raiding behaviour in elephants in Kodagu, southern India.

Caecilians of the Northern Western Ghats, India – An Assessment of the Species and their Conservation Status

This project aims to improve data on Caecilian populations with a particular focus on systematics.

Traditional Management and Change: Studying the Effectiveness of Marine Resource Management Systems Post-Tsunami in the Nicobar Islands, India

In this study, I plan to document contrasts in pre-tsunami and post-tsunami marine resource-use patterns and management systems, and compare resources and ecological parameters within and outside managed areas to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional management systems in conserving marine resources and habitats.