Team-info – Sankala Org

Team

Sankala Foundation unites experts in sustainability, conservation, healthcare, and cultural heritage to empower communities and address global challenges. Through innovative partnerships and initiatives, we create sustainable solutions that inspire progress. Available for workshops and speaking engagements, we transform challenges into opportunities for a better, greener future.

Shri Devendra Kumar Nim

Director (Programmes)

Shri Devendra Kumar Nim

Director (Programmes)

Shri Devendra Kumar Nim is a distinguished senior civil servant from the 1993 Batch, selected through the Civil Services Examination, 1992, with over three decades of leadership experience in public administration, governance, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, public finance, human rights, and institutional development. He superannuated at the level of Additional Secretary to the Government of India after serving in several key positions across the Department of Telecommunications, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

As Joint Secretary, NHRC, Shri Nim supervised critical divisions including Research, Training, Administration, Information Technology, Media & Communication, Publications, and Official Language. He played a significant role in strengthening human rights governance through policy development, research coordination, stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity building, and national-level awareness initiatives. Earlier, he held senior leadership positions in the Department of Telecommunications and led the BharatNet Project, contributing to the expansion of digital connectivity across rural India.

He holds a Master of Business Laws (MBL) from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru; an M.Phil. in Social Sciences from Panjab University, Chandigarh; a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi; an LL.B. from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi; an Executive Master’s in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi; and a B.Tech. in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (formerly MNREC), Allahabad.

Shri Nim is presently associated with Sankala Foundation as Director (Programmes), where he continues to provide strategic guidance on governance, policy, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development initiatives.

Dr Malvika Kaul

Director (Research and Communications)

Dr Malvika Kaul

Director (Research and Communications)

Dr Malvika’s professional experience has been shaped by a myriad of interconnected, yet distinct sectors – academia, publishing and journalism – largely motivated by passion for diverse experiences. At Sankala, she provides direction to all aspects of research, documentation, and editorial supervision for all publications.

As a researcher and journalist, she has worked on issues like environment degradation, women empowerment, conflict and media challenges and the rights of the marginalised communities. In the last three decades and more, she has worked in the academia (government and private institutions), the media industry (Times of India, The Indian Express, The Pioneer, Hindustan Times), the development sector (ActionAid India, Plan International, UNICEF) and with various publishing houses.

Dr Malvika has engaged in research with some top-ranking universities like the New York University, Steinhardt and edited journals and other research reports for various publications. As an editor, she has developed an eye for the essential and urgent, and her association with the social sector has equipped her to tell stories through multiple lenses. She is a recipient of the international Panos fellowship that enabled her to research on how women use technology for economic growth and empowerment in Gujarat and Rajasthan. She regularly contributes to various news portals and publications and writes a blog on art, culture and heritage.

Dr Vaibhav Rastogi

Director (Public Health)

Dr Vaibhav Rastogi

Director (Public Health)

Dr Rastogi is a community physician and public health expert with over 14 years of experience in strengthening healthcare programmes across India. He holds an MD in Community Medicine, Master's in Population Studies and a Master's in Health and Hospital Management.

He has worked extensively with the Government of India, international development agencies and leading public health organisations to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions in child health, primary healthcare, nutrition and health systems strengthening.

Dr Rastogi leads public health research, digital health and healthcare innovation programmes at Sankala Foundation. Previously, he provided technical leadership for child health programmes at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and led policy development, operational guidelines and capacity-building initiatives.

His professional experience includes organisations such as AIIMS (Delhi), INCLEN Trust International, URC (USAID ASSIST Project), Nutrition International, CARE India, and MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child. He has led large-scale programmes supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA), directing data-driven decision-making, monitoring and evaluation, implementation research and digital health solutions.

He is committed to advancing equitable, evidence-based and technology-enabled healthcare systems that improve public health outcomes at scale.

Dr Abha Jaiswal

Visiting Fellow

Dr Abha Jaiswal

Visiting Fellow

As visiting fellow, Dr Abha Jaiswal supports the public health vertical at Sankala. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the City University of New York and an undergraduate degree in Dentistry. Her diverse experience spans research, advocacy, program implementation, and teaching in the public health field. Abha is driven by her commitment to advancing public health and tackling healthcare challenges. She is also multilingual, with proficiency in English, Hindi, Spanish, Bengali, and Nepali. In her free time, Abha enjoys watching movies, reading, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Dr Dibyendu Mandal

Programme Lead (Forest and Wildlife)

Dr Dibyendu Mandal

Programme Lead (Forest and Wildlife)

At Sankala, Dibyendu leads and oversees the strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of forest and wildlife conservation programs, driving policy advocacy to safeguard biodiversity and natural habitats.

Dibyendu’s work focuses on managing human–animal interactions amid ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. He earned his doctorate from the Wildlife Institute of India, where his research explored how habitat fragmentation and resource heterogeneity influence the behaviour and population dynamics of striped hyenas in the Indian semi-arid system.

He began his career working on ground-level conservation initiatives, primarily within terrestrial ecosystems, and travelled extensively across India. These experiences gave him a strong grounding in the practical aspects of project implementation and a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding conservation challenges. His firsthand experience with both government processes and field-based project execution has proven invaluable in his subsequent programmatic roles following his PhD.

Over his fifteen-year career, Dibyendu has led and supported large-scale development and conservation initiatives across non-governmental organizations, bilateral agencies, and various Indian government ministries. He has collaborated closely with local communities, government agencies, and NGOs to implement biodiversity conservation efforts, species recovery programs, human–wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, landscape management, and climate change adaptation initiatives. He has successfully led multi-stakeholder partnerships, scientific research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building programs.

Dr Aarti Mahajan

Senior Fellow

Dr Aarti Mahajan

Senior Fellow

Dr. Aarti Mahajan is a passionate researcher with a PhD in Agricultural Chemicals from IARI, New Delhi and Masters from University of Delhi. She’s all about agrochemicals, bio-pesticides, and pest management, with hands-on experience in pesticide formulation and phytochemical analysis. She’s a pro at using advanced analytical instruments like UV-VIS, IR, NMR, GC, HPLC, and GC-MS. Her research on Piper longum even led to a patent for potential fungicides! Over the years, she’s worked at Shriram Institute and IARI, diving deep into bio-pesticide development and eco-friendly insect control. With multiple research papers, conference presentations, and fellowships like NET qualification and an IARI scholarship, she’s made her mark in the field. She is fluent in English, Hindi, Assamese and Bengali.

Dr Adeeba Parveen

Senior Research Associate

Dr Adeeba Parveen

Senior Research Associate

Adeeba works in the areas of water resource management and environmental sustainability, where she is dedicated to promoting sustainable water solutions. She holds a PhD in Geography from Aligarh Muslim University. Her research spans both rural and urban water systems, with a focus on water source sustainability, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and water quality monitoring. Adeeba’s expertise in research complement her in-depth knowledge of evaluating water quality indices (WQI), water supply centralization, rainfall supply and use replaceability, wastewater supply replaceability, water demand, and water budgeting. Her skills also extend to spatial and geostatistical analyses, including Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) mapping, delineation of groundwater potential zones (GWPZ), land surface temperature (LST) analysis, and site suitability assessments. In her leisure time, Adeeba loves to cook, read, and explore nature.

Dr Prakash Biswakarma

Senior Research Associate

Dr Prakash Biswakarma

Senior Research Associate

Dr Prakash Biswakarma is a geoscientist and remote sensing professional working at the intersection of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and geohazard assessment. At Sankala Foundation, he brings extensive experience in applied earth system science and space-based technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science (Landslide Studies) from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, along with a Master’s degree in Applied Geology from the Assam University, Silchar, and a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. His academic training provides a strong foundation in geospatial analysis and satellite-based environmental monitoring. Previously, he served as a Research Scientist at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Department of Space, Government of India, where he worked on landslide and earthquake hazard assessment across Northeast India. His work integrates optical and microwave remote sensing, GIS, and field investigations to support risk mitigation and reduction. His research includes landslide early warning systems using satellite-derived rainfall, landslide inventory and susceptibility mapping, and InSAR-based ground deformation analysis for earthquakes and slope instability. He has also contributed to multi-hazard studies including floods, GLOFs, and forest fires, etc. Dr Biswakarma has international exposure through presenting at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2022 in Vienna, Austria, and participation in the LARAM International Summer School 2022 in University of Salerno, Italy. He received CSIR Foreign Grant and International Travel Support from Govt. of India to attend the same. He has undergone numerous trainings and certifications from institutions including ISRO, ESA, World Bank, NIDM and leading academic organisations. He has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in reputed journals and chapters in books and focuses on linking science, policy, and practice to address climate-induced geohazards, early warning and disaster resilience.

Ms Utkarsha Rathi

Research Associate

Ms Utkarsha Rathi

Research Associate

Utkarsha Rathi is a skilled professional with a strong academic background in botany, ecology, and environmental sciences, complemented by expertise in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector. Holding a Master of Science in Botany (Plant Sciences) from the University of Delhi and a Master of Education from Maharishi Dayanand University, Utkarsha has developed a robust foundation in ecological systems, sustainable development, and scientific research, and inclusive education and gender perspective. She is committed to both academic excellence and practical application.

With over 5 years of experience, she has worked with eminent universities and research institutions in DBT and DST funder projects, where she contributed significantly to research and project management.

She has led research on DNA barcoding for medicinal plants, CRISPR-Cas Technology and has hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, field-based surveys, and data analysis. Her work also involved systematic documentation, academic writing, and training undergraduate students, showcasing their ability to bridge scientific research with knowledge dissemination. She has previously worked with the Ministry of Jal Shakti in the WASH sector. She has a vast knowledge base in event coordination, knowledge management, and communication strategies and for high-profile initiatives.She has been part of national-level events, and conducted news analysis on water-related issues. As a research associate in Sankala, Utkarsha is poised to contribute to sustainable development initiatives with a focus on ecology and the WASH sector. Leveraging her expertise in ecological conservation, research methodologies, and stakeholder engagement, she aims to develop innovative solutions for water resource management, sanitation, and hygiene.

Ms Disha Sandilaya

Research Associate

Ms Disha Sandilaya

Research Associate

Disha Sandilaya is a Climate and Natural Resource Management professional with over five years of experience in carbon finance, greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, ecosystem valuation, and sustainable agriculture. She holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and brings a strong foundation in environmental research and practice. She has worked with a range of international organizations, non-profits, government research institutions, and private sector entities, contributing to projects focused on climate action and sustainable land use. Her experience includes developing carbon projects under global standards, assessing GHG emissions, and supporting climate-smart agriculture initiatives. Her work spans project design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement, focusing on applying nature-based approaches to address environmental challenges and support sustainable development.

Ms Anjali Lomas

Research Associate

Ms Anjali Lomas

Research Associate

Anjali works in the areas of wildlife conservation and environmental research, with a particular interest in understanding and addressing the complex dynamics of human-wildlife conflict. She holds an M.A. in Environment and Development from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi. Her research spans terrestrial ecosystems and community-based conservation, with a focus on human-wildlife interactions, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological restoration. Her field experience spans camera trapping, socio-economic surveys, and spatial mapping of conflict sites across tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. She complements this with strong technical expertise in QGIS, NDVI analysis, ecological modelling, and data visualisation using R-Studio. Anjali also brings a grounded understanding of India's policy landscape, having worked with central government ministries and bodies. This has equipped her to engage meaningfully with diverse stakeholders across institutional and bureaucratic levels, connecting field realities to policy processes.

Dr Simran Dutta

Research Associate

Dr Simran Dutta

Research Associate

Dr Simran Dutta is a public health professional whose work sits at the intersection of digital health, research, and health systems strengthening. With a PGDM in Health Management from IIHMR, New Delhi and a Bachelors in Homoeopathic Medicine, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to improving how healthcare is designed and delivered. Her journey into digital health deepened during her time at Deloitte USI, where she worked closely with health plan system implementations for Kaiser Permanente. In this role, she engaged with complex healthcare operations—analysing data across revenue cycles, and care delivery systems to identify gaps and drive improvements. From building performance dashboards to conducting root cause analyses, she contributed to making health systems more efficient, responsive, and user-centric. She also translated operational needs into technical requirements, supported system builds, and facilitated stakeholder coordination and training to ensure effective adoption of digital solutions. Her experience with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare involved supporting national maternal and child health initiatives. She developed program reports, operational manuals, and behaviour change communication materials. At IQVIA, she worked on research and proposal development under the One Health framework, contributing to secondary research and qualitative analysis to support integrated health approaches. Across her experiences, Dr Simran is particularly interested in how data, technology, and behavioural insights can come together to improve health outcomes. She is driven by the goal of making healthcare systems more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the communities they serve.

Ms Ayushi Srivastava

Communication & Outreach Associate

Ms Ayushi Srivastava

Communication & Outreach Associate

Ayushi Srivastava is the Communication and Outreach Associate at Sankala Foundation, a dedicated discourse professional and skilled communicator who leverages the power of narrative, structured dialogue, and strategic outreach to drive impactful environmental and social change. Holding a Master’s degree in English Literature from Zakir Husain Delhi College and a Bachelor’s degree in English Honors from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, she brings a deep understanding of analytical thinking, cultural contexts, and human-centric narratives to her work.

Her experience as a PR Manager and Editor for the KMC Annual Magazine Committee highlights her expertise in end-to-end content curation, copyediting, and stakeholder engagement. She is uniquely equipped to amplify the foundation’s initiatives in climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable resource management by crafting compelling narratives that resonate with policymakers, scientific communities, and the public.

With a strong foundation in governance frameworks and policy consciousness—fostered during her tenure as Executive Anchor and Co-Convener of Kartavya: The Civil Services Society—Ayushi is adept at facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue and organizing large-scale awareness programs. A recipient of the Times of India Student of the Year Award and a qualified UGC NET scholar, Ayushi combines rigorous academic discipline with a collaborative spirit. Her technical proficiency in tools like MS Office, Canva, and Milanote allows her to seamlessly manage research data and design impactful outreach materials.

Mr Ankush Kumar

Junior Fellow

Mr Ankush Kumar

Junior Fellow

As a Junior Fellow at the Sankala Foundation, Ankush specializes in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration. His professional background is supported by a master's degree in Environment and Development and a UGC NET qualification in Environmental Science. Through extensive fieldwork, he has managed diverse projects ranging from socioeconomic surveys and camera trap deployment in Uttarakhand's conflict zones to investigating langur population dynamics in rural Rajasthan. Ankush's expertise includes human-wildlife conflict analysis, habitat occupancy, and biodiversity monitoring, with technical proficiency in R Studio and GIS-based spatial analysis. He remains dedicated to advancing conservation strategies through community involvement and data-driven research

Admin

Mr Satish Chopra

Administrative Officer

Mr Satish Chopra

Administrative Officer

Satish manages the administrative and finance work at the organization. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Ramjas College, University of Delhi. Before joining Sankala he worked in the finance and accounts department at Indian Railways which he retired from after 30 years of service. Outside of work, Satish enjoys playing badminton in his free time.

Mr Akash Sikdar

Deputy Manager (Administration)

Mr Akash Sikdar

Deputy Manager (Administration)

Akash Sikdar brings over a decade of experience in programme coordination, strategic administrative operations, and financial planning within the Government of India. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Amity University.

At the Sankala Foundation, he draws upon this extensive background to strengthen institutional processes, enhance administrative systems, and advance digital initiatives to improve organisational efficiency.

Prior to joining Sankala, he worked with the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions, Government of India, where he successfully coordinated over 90 domestic and international capacity-building programmes in partnership with State Governments and under the Ministry of External Affairs’ ITEC framework. He has led digital transformation initiatives including eOffice implementation, development of website, and streamlining of workflows to enhance operational excellence.

He has to his credit the conduct of governance training programmes for over 2,600 officers from India and abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic and organized 35+ national webinars, including the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration series, which engaged over 10,000 participants from various Ministries, Departments, and Institutions.

He is deeply committed to structured execution, effective communication, and delivering impactful results.

Mr Sanjeev Kumar

Administrative Resource Staff

Mr Sanjeev Kumar

Administrative Resource Staff

Sanjeev is a key member of Sankala’s office team, contributing significantly to our daily operations and keeping everything running smoothly. Originally from the Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh, Sanjeev brings a practical and hands-on approach to his role. When he’s not working, he enjoys repairing electronics and learning about cars and auto parts.

Mr Ravi

Administrative Resource Staff

Mr Ravi

Administrative Resource Staff

Ravi is an integral part of Sankala’s office team, playing a vital role in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Hailing from Delhi, he brings a practical, hands-on approach to his work and is always ready to help where needed. Outside of work, Ravi enjoys spending quality time with his family and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Consultants

Ms Deepna

Consultant

Ms Deepna

Consultant

A communications consultant with more than 5 years of experience, Deepna is responsible for conceptualizing communication strategies and crafting impactful collaterals. With a focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH), she has successfully organized multiple conferences at Sankala, enhancing dialogue and collaboration in the field. In addition to her organizational expertise, Deepna oversees social media communications, forging valuable digital partnerships and engaging in extensive outreach efforts to amplify their message and impact.

Mr Saurabh Dutta

Consultant

Mr Saurabh Dutta

Consultant

Saurabh contributes to the research and communication efforts in the water sector at Sankala. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and master’s degrees in chemistry from IIT Roorkee and chemical engineering from University of Twente, Netherlands where he studied on a full scholarship from Royal Dutch Shell. He has diverse experience in project implementation and management, research, engineering, and consulting in the environment sector.

Earlier, he worked with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI where he performed a key leadership role in ideation, strategy, implementation, management and outreach for all projects and initiatives under their Waste to Wealth Mission. As part of his work, he engaged with diverse stakeholders including urban local bodies, domestic and international technology companies, ministries, academia and non-profits to identify problems statements in waste management, develop technology evaluation frameworks, evaluate and recommend innovative technologies in municipal solid waste, agricultural waste, waste to energy, wastewater and sanitation space for uptake by end users.

He led the implementation, techno-commercial management, monitoring, and evaluation of two pilot projects with Municipal Corporation of Delhi on decentralized waste management and urban drain desilting. He also has extensive experience in engineering and consulting on water, sewage and industrial effluent treatment projects, techno-commercial studies, science communication, onboarding of partners and technical experts, vendor and contract management, program budget management, organizing events, roundtables etc. His other interests include reading, writing, traveling, photography, filmmaking, movies, music, and cooking.

Dr Abha Jaiswal

Visiting Fellow

Dr Abha Jaiswal

Visiting Fellow

Dr Abha Jaiswal supports the public health vertical at Sankala. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the City University of New York and an undergraduate degree in Dentistry. Her diverse experience spans research, advocacy, program implementation, and teaching in the public health field. Abha is driven by her commitment to advancing public health and tackling healthcare challenges. She is also multilingual, with proficiency in English, Hindi, Spanish, Bengali, and Nepali. In her free time, Abha enjoys watching movies, reading, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. On weekends, Shikhar can often be found on the badminton court or enjoying bike rides with friends to the dhabas around Delhi. Her expertise encompasses stakeholder management, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), program planning and implementation, and extensive fieldwork. Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys travelling, poetry, and doodling to add a creative touch to her life.

Resource Persons

Mr Vidya Bhushan Kumar

Distinguished Fellow

Mr Vidya Bhushan Kumar

Distinguished Fellow

Mr V.B. Kumar is a retired Indian Forest Service officer of 1987 batch, with over 34 years of demonstrated experience across diverse sectors, including forestry, wildlife conservation, eco-tourism, water resources, and large public-sector governance. He has held key leadership roles in designing and implementing major projects, collaborating with international organizations such as the World Bank, UNWTO, ADB, and JBIC. His expertise spans policy advisory, strategic planning, environmental conservation, project execution, monitoring & evaluation and cross-sectoral collaboration. Mr Kumar holds post graduate degree in Physics from Delhi University, and MBA in Public Policy from University of Ljubljana with master degree thesis on “Economic Valuation of Forests - A Case Study of Punjab”. In addition, he has completed certification courses in tourism from University of George Washington, D.C.USA and leadership and ethics from Harvard Kennedy School.

His expertise in integrating environmental sustainability with developmental goals has led to impactful initiatives, including the pioneering conservation efforts in Green Punjab Mission, promotion of Trees Outside Forests, initiation of carbon credit compensation in Punjab and eco-restoration of Shivalik Hills with community participation. Mr Kumar has not only been instrumental in drafting Tourism Master Plan for Punjab and securing ADB assistance for tourism infrastructure, but also enabling institution building and successfully implementing ADB project. His role in the Government of India in MoEFCC and Water Resource ministry at policy framing and advisory role has been equally challenging and fulfilling. As Chief Vigilance Officer of Defence PSU, he has immensely contributed in institutionalising preventive vigilance and ethical management framework in corporate governance. Now, as an advocate for sustainable conservation practices, Mr Kumar continues to leverage his vast cross-sectoral experience to support the protection of India’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

At Sankala Foundation, he guides the initiatives on eco-restoration, environmental sustainability, promotion of nature conservation and documentation of natural heritage and related activities. Mr Kumar is an avid photographer and enjoys nature and wildlife photography, bird watching, and exploring impact study tours.

Mr Umakant

Distinguished Fellow

Mr Umakant

Distinguished Fellow

Mr. Umakant is a seasoned forestry and environmental governance expert with over two decades of distinguished service in the Indian Forest Service (IFS). A Gold Medalist in Botany from Bhagalpur University, he has held key positions across various states, addressing complex challenges in forest conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable land management.

His tenure includes pivotal roles as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Goa, Chief Wildlife Warden, and Director at the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). He has spearheaded watershed management projects, represented India at global forums like UNCCD COP 14 & 15, and played a crucial role in policy development for land conservation and afforestation.

Beyond administration, he has been instrumental in training over 1,000 forestry professionals, enhancing capacity building and field-level management. As a Senior Fellow at Sankala Foundation, he continues to contribute to environmental sustainability, policy advocacy, and conservation efforts at national and international levels.His expertise spans wildlife protection, climate change adaptation, project implementation, and ecological policy, making him a leader in sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Mr Amitabh Agnihotri

Distinguished Fellow

Mr Amitabh Agnihotri

Distinguished Fellow

Amitabh Agnihotri, Principal Chief Conservation of Forests (Retd.) is a member of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) of 1988 Batch borne on the Madhya Pradesh Cadre.

An alumnus of Department of Geology, Lucknow University, Lucknow, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun and Department of Project Planning Center (DPPC), University of Bradford, UK, he brings rich experience of about 35 years in project planning and implementation of various programs in Natural resource management, Wildlife management and Rural Development supported by State and Union Governments and various external agencies such as GEF, World Bank etc.

As a Forest and Wildlife Manager, always yearning to bring about change in the existing dispensation and approaches for management effectiveness and better services to the people, Mr. Agnihotri has been awarded Gold Medal by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1999 for his outstanding contribution in conservation education and forest management in Madhya Pradesh.

An ardent advocate of active involvement of local communities in the planning, decision making and implementation of conservation projects to bring about effective implementation and sustainability in our natural resource management programs, he has worked in various capacities in the Forest Department, Rural Development Department of Government of M.P., Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India and State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) at the field, policy and research levels.

At present Mr Agnihotri is a member of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of Ministry of environment, forests & climate change (MoEFCC) and Special Monitor, Environment Climate change and Human Rights of National Commission of Human Rights (NHRC).

An avid lover of Hindustani Classical Music and Tennis, he still enjoys trekking in the Himalayas and long walks in the forests in India and all around the world.

Mr Vivek Kapadia

Senior Fellow

Mr Vivek Kapadia

Senior Fellow

Vivek Kapadia, former secretary to the Government of Gujarat, India has been working in the field of Water Resource Engineering and Management for last 29 years. At present, he is a Professor of Practice at IIT, Gandhinagar, and at IIT, Roorkee, India. His focus areas have been water resource planning, design, execution, repairs and benchmarking of large irrigation projects, Dam Engineering, environmental and ecological aspects, policy making, techno-legal solutions and dispute resolution related to trans-boundary water disputes.

He has also done extensive work in participatory irrigation management, rejuvenation of ancient Indian water conservation systems and in making productive use of problematic soils. He has a long experience of application of geosynthetics in hydraulic structures.

Voice for a Sustainable Planet

Team

Admin

Consultants

Resource Persons