Kkalaivendhan

Environmental researcher with 5+ years of experience in water resource management, wetland ecology, and GIS-based spatial analysis, centred on the Cauvery Delta region of Tamil Nadu. Deep expertise in tank cascade assessment, groundwater monitoring, water quality evaluation, and nature-based solution design. Skilled in QGIS, Google Earth Engine, and Python for integrated data analysis and decision-support.

International collaborator (IHE Delft, Utrecht University); co-author of peer-reviewed publications in Journal of Hydrology (2024) and an upcoming journal paper on tank cascade restoration. Bringing proven fieldwork leadership, stakeholder engagement, and science-to-policy communication skills to lake and wetland restoration challenges.

Research consultant - Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment - Cauvery Delta, India

(2022-01)

• Leading on-ground restoration of the Munnavalkottai–Ayyampettai–Sikkapattu tank cascade network (Cauvery Delta) under the ReAL project (IHE Delft); coordinated 13 field events (Aug 2024 – Apr 2026) including inception meetings, farmer workshops, livelihood vulnerability programmes, cross-village exchange visits, and women's traditional farmer workshops.
• Spearheading Ayyampettai tank rejuvenation as the focal restoration site — coordinating hydrological assessments, ecological monitoring, community mobilisation, and institutional partnerships with AAMEC and Jeevan Mission.
• Leading interdisciplinary research on cascade tank systems in the Vennar basin: historical connectivity analysis, disruption mapping, and restoration design — resulting in peer-reviewed publication (Rural Landscapes, 2025).
• Conducted socio-economic census (~100 households) in Kodiyakarai wetland assessing livelihood dependence on wetland ecosystems (fisheries, cattle rearing, traditional farming practices).
• Developed QGIS and Google Earth Engine workflows for wetland extent mapping, land use change detection, and seasonal water dynamics; built Python pipeline merging GPM-IMERG satellite data with ground gauges using kriging interpolation for rainfall distribution mapping.
• Served as Case Coordinator for IHE Delft 'Rethinking Water 2023/2024' module; delivered lectures on tank rejuvenation based on field experience.
• Participated in POLKA 2nd International Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya (Oct 2023) — Ecosystem Services, Decision-Making & Gender in Water Management; BOBLME Project II National Consultative Workshop (March 2024).
• Presented at GeoVista 2023 International Conference, Central University of Tamil Nadu.
• Supported India–Costa Rica international knowledge exchange on traditional and natural farming movements.

Case coordinator - IHE Delft

(2023-11 - 2023-11)

• Led the "Rethinking Water 2023/2024" module, focusing on two cases in the Cauvery Delta.
• Delivered lectures on rejuvenating tanks based on previous hands-on experience with a youth group.

Internship - Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment - Cauvery Delta, India

(2021-01 - 2022-12)

• Coordinated 'Pathways towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Cauvery Delta' (Utrecht University collaboration); designed and managed a Citizen Science Programme with 75+ volunteers (farmers, students, youth) across five Cauvery Delta blocks.
• Personally collected 700+ georeferenced groundwater survey points; produced groundwater salinity maps using QGIS and Google Earth Engine; data directly contributed to Journal of Hydrology publication (2024).
• Supported PhD researchers including contributing to Richard Pompoes' thesis (2022): 'A Tale of Two Deltas: Aquaculture-Salinity Interface in the Kaveri and Mekong Delta'; supported IIT student groundwater modelling through field data coordination.
• Engaged 20+ students whose theses on groundwater salinity covered five Cauvery Delta blocks; identified tank sites that became study areas for POLKA and ReAL projects.

Team-led - Munnavalkottai tank rejuvenation

(2020-01)

• Initiated and led a three-year volunteer-driven rejuvenation of Munnavalkottai tank — now one of the three tanks in the active ReAL cascade restoration network.
• Organised fundraising, mobilised youth, and oversaw infrastructure and ecosystem improvements.

Community Engagement Volunteer - Irrigation Management Institute

(2018-05 - 2018-06)

Orchestrated the planning and execution of tank irrigation enhancement initiatives in collaboration with the Irrigation Management Institute, fostering community participation and ensuring the successful implementation of sustainable water management practices.

Master of Science - Geography - Tamilnadu university (2022-01 - 2024-12)

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) - Civil Engineering - Anjalai Ammal Mahalingam Engineering College (2015-01 - 2019-12)

Higher secondary education - 12th - Laurel Higher Secondary School (2014-01 - 2015-12)

School education - 10th - Government High School (2012-01 - 2013-12)