Work History
Apr 2022 - CurrentSenior Manager
IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
As a key member of IORA's Nature-based Solutions, and Lead of Forestry, and Biodiversity portfolio, I play a key role in designing and executing initiatives focused on Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation
- Managing large-scale biodiversity, restoration and carbon projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
Noteworthy assignments include:
- Serving as Biodiversity and Project Management & Monitoring Expert (IORA) in USAID project, "Strengthening Landscape Management and Conservation." A multi-million dollar collaborative initiative for sustainable landscapes nationwide.
- Spearheading development of long-term project in collaboration with state governments and investors, focusing on Nature-based Solutions, Forest restoration and Carbon markets. This initiative aims to rehabilitate millions of hectares in degraded and deforested government, community, and private areas eg. IORA – MBDA Forest Restoration and Carbon Project (Acorn/Rabobank)
- Contributing to Working Draft on India's Long-Term Low Emission Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) as Knowledge Partner, IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd.) to Ministry of Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India
- Directing Evaluation of Biodiversity Enhancement contributions under "Situational Assessment for Biodiversity Conservation Interventions by ITC's Mission Sunehra Kal" across seven states in the country.
- Inventorying Watershed basins in 8 states for biodiversity assessment under ITC’s Sunhera Kal Interventions.
- Reviewing and Recommending biodiversity enhancements and Biodiversity Park Design for "Tata Motors Plant" at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to achieve both biodiversity and environmental benefits
- Developed ‘Working Plan for South Tripura District’ for Tripura ForestDepartment, Tripura
- Developing projects on Biodiversity, Carbon Finance, Landscape Restoration, Forest Management, and Evaluation for the Government of India, state, and private companies.
- Developing long-term strategies for biodiversity solutions that we can provide to government. NGOs and Private companies.
- Leading a GIS team for ‘Selection of Intervention Landscape in Uttarakhand under RECAP4NDC’ Project.
Oct 2021 - Mar 2022Associate Landscape Coordinator
Worldwide Fund For Nature, India, Sawai Madhopur
- Coordinated biodiversity/wildlife conservation activities in Western India Landscape, Ranthambore-Ramgarh Tiger Reserves
- Conducted detailed biodiversity/wildlife assessments and capacity development for Forest Departments on wildlife estimation methodologies, survey tools and ranging patterns of tigers
Jul 2021 - Sep 2021Training Consultant
GIZ, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Provided technical inputs in training programs on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
- Facilitated support to selected trainings under Indo-German Project on HWC Mitigation
Achievements
- Organized, facilitated and coordinated online training for State Forest Services Probationers for CASFOS, Indian Forest Services Probationers for IGNFA, 2020-2022 Batch
Jun 2019 - May 2021Project Scientist
Wildlife Institute Of India (GIZ Project), Dehradun
- Coordinated preparation of Standard Operating Guidelines for Human-Wildlife Conflict on seven species/groups including three guidelines as lead author
- Organized workshops and meetings of Forest Department, Experts, and stakeholders for preparation of Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Guidelines
- Prepared HWC Management Action Plan for Rajaji-Haridwar-Dehradun landscape
- Organized training and workshops for authors, forest department officials, frontline staff (Rapid Response Team)
Achievements
- Seven HWC Operating Guidelines submitted to Ministry-GIZ for pilot testing, published by MoEFCC for forest managers
- Uttarakhand HWC Strategy and Action Plan and HWC Management Action Plan for Haridwar and Dehradun Divisions submitted to DFOs
Jul 2016 - May 2019Research Associate
Wildlife Institute of India, Sikkim
Long-Term Ecological/Biodiversity Monitoring in Sikkim Himalaya, (NMHS project, Government of India)
- Planned and established - Long-term Ecological Monitoring sites (1 hectare each) in Sikkim Himalaya along altitudinal and anthropogenic pressure gradients
- Created baseline of floral, faunal diversity, and protocols development for vegetation and faunal monitoring of sampled sites
Achievements
- Established 26 Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Sites,
- Created Framework for Long-term monitoring mechanism with local institutions, national, and international institutions
Aug 2015 - Jun 2016Project Associate
Wildlife Institute Of India, Dehradun
- Reviewed biodiversity profile of Meghalaya State according to National Biodiversity Targets and Aichi Biodiversity Targets
- Collated of information on the threat to biodiversity of state
- Organized workshops and meetings with Forest Department, other Government Departments, NGOs, and local institutions for a review of State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Achievements
- Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan submitted to Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (NBT and Aichi Based)
Oct 2013 - Jun 2015Assistant Manager
Wildlife Trust of India, Noida, UP
- Reviewed and collated Quarterly, Biannual, and Annual monitoring and evaluation of all wildlife/biodiversity/restoration/community projects
- Supported preparation of Project Implementation Plans of all projects
- Organized surveys of Garo Hills landscape (Meghalaya) for Hoolock- gibbons (wildlife)
Achievements
- Reviewed 40 - projects and course corrections as needed for better project delivery
- Prepared Conservation Action Plan, monitoring protocol and Landscape management plan for conservation of Hoolock gibbon in Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
Apr 2013 - Sep 2013Assistant Manager
Wildlife Trust of India, Nagaland
Deputation to Nagaland – Nagaland Conservation Project
- Conducted wildlife and community survey at sites to identify critical wildlife of protected areas and local communities' requirements and resource use
- Prepared Management Plan for protected areas for management of wildlife species, habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvement
- Preparation of detailed budget with Forest Department
Achievements
- Prepared and submitted Management Plans for three protected areas of Nagaland State, India.
Apr 2011 - Mar 2013Assistant Manager and Team Lead (Meghalaya)
Wildlife Trust Of India, Garo Hills, Meghalaya
- Coordinated data collection and preparation of REDD+ biodiversity component of Garo Hills (VCS Carbon Project/Carbon Markets)
- Coordinated project activities related to forest landscape restoration (particularly riverine areas), wildlife / biodiversity assessment, carbon sequestration and community-related alternative livelihood programs
- Maintained nursery and plantations of native tree species in degraded habitats via Afforestation and Assisted Natural Regeneration
- Coordinated with Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Village heads for effective implementation of project
Achievements
- Established 14 Community Conservation Reserves in Meghalaya with Garo-Hills Team as corridors for wildlife, promoting biodiversity
