Meet the Team!
Course Director & Mentor
Dr. Sanjay Molur, Course Director
Sanjay is a globally recognised conservationist with over three decades of experience in species assessment, planning, and on-ground conservation. He has assessed over 10,000 taxa across Asia, Africa, and South America and is a leading expert in conservation planning. He is the Editor of Zoo's Print and Founder & Chief Editor of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, both of which have significantly advanced scientific communication in biodiversity-rich regions.
His work has contributed to securing legal protection for endemic bat species and advocating for threatened marine species. He has also described new species and contributed to research across diverse taxa including amphibians, bats, and small mammals.
Sanjay has received several prestigious awards, including the IUCN SSC Leadership Award, IUCN SSC Conservation Achievement Award (2008), Wildlife Service Award (2020), IUCN George Rabb Award for Conservation Innovation, and the SCB Distinguished Global Service Award. He actively contributes to multiple IUCN SSC specialist groups and global conservation platforms.
Mentors
Dr Mewa Singh
University of Mysore
University of Mysore
Mewa Singh is a globally acclaimed primatologist whose pioneering research on species like the Slender Loris and Lion-tailed Macaque has shaped understanding of behaviour, ecology, and conservation. A Professor for Life at the University of Mysore, he has mentored generations of conservationists and driven impactful, science-based conservation action.
Dr. LAK Singh
Indian Zoologist
Indian Zoologist
Lala Aswini Kumar Singh is a veteran zoologist with over 50 years in wildlife conservation. His work on crocodiles, tigers, elephants, and forest fauna shaped management practices. Associated with IUCN SSC CPSG, he received the Biju Patnaik Prize for Wildlife Conservation in 2013 and was felicitated in 2025.
Dr. Chelmala Srinivasulu
Osmania University
Osmania University
Chelmala Srinivasulu is an Indian conservation biologist and taxonomist, heading the Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab at Osmania University. His research spans vertebrate diversity, systematics, and climate impacts, with significant contributions to South Asian biodiversity, species discovery, and conservation science.
Dr. A. Biju Kumar
University of Kerala
University of Kerala
Dr. Biju Kumar is a leading aquatic biologist and Professor at the University of Kerala, with extensive contributions to taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology. An IUCN SSC member, he has published 200+ papers, authored 25 books, and described numerous new taxa, while actively contributing to environmental policy and science communication.
Dr. SR Ganesh
Kalinga Foundation
Kalinga Foundation
S. R. Ganesh is Research Director at Kalinga Foundation. He studies reptile and amphibian diversity in Peninsular India, contributing to new species descriptions, rediscoveries, and taxonomic revisions. His work supports conservation through threat assessments, protected area planning, and collaboration with IUCN and policymakers.
Dr. Rajeev Raghavan
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Rajeev is an aquatic conservation biologist dedicated to South Asia's freshwater biodiversity. South Asia Co-Chair of the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, he has authored 170 publications and described numerous new species, genera, and families, making significant contributions to taxonomy, research, and mentoring young conservationists.
Dr. Aparna Watve
MIT World Peace University
MIT World Peace University
Aparna Watve is a botanist and vegetation ecologist with over 25 years of experience in the Western Ghats. Her work focuses on rock outcrop ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and management, contributing significantly to ecological research, biodiversity informatics, and community-linked conservation initiatives in India.
Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Bhargavi Srinivasulu specializes in chiroptera and herpetofauna systematics and conservation. With over 80 publications and IUCN Red List assessments, she integrates research, teaching, and outreach. A Senior Scientist at Zoo Outreach Organisation, she advances conservation through species discovery, taxonomy, and capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Vivek Pandi
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Vivek Pandi is an Assistant Professor at the Manipal Centre for Natural Sciences, MAHE, whose work focuses on liana ecology and conservation. His research explores plant–animal interactions, forest dynamics, and biodiversity, contributing to understanding tropical ecosystems while mentoring students and advancing field-based conservation science.
Mr. Gerry Martin
The Liana Trust
The Liana Trust
Gerard Martin, Co-founding Trustee of the Liana Trust with 25 years of reptile conservation and research experience, is a renowned global expert in herpetological research and conservation. He specialises in snakebite management and spearheads pioneering efforts in human-snake conflict mitigation in the country.
Dr Sujata Goel
Dr Sujata Goel is a botanist whose work bridges ecological science and sustainable living. As co-founder of Mojo Plantation, she has spent over 30 years advancing conservation through agro-ecology and sustainable tourism, supporting sustainable livelihoods through long-term landscape engagement.
Mr. H. Byju
Annamalai University
Annamalai University
Dr. Byju H is a field ecologist and conservation practitioner specializing in wetland ecology, shorebirds, and long-term biodiversity monitoring. His work integrates field research, conservation planning, and capacity building, focusing on migratory waterbirds and coastal ecosystems, while contributing through publications, training, and mentoring young conservation professionals.
Mr. Obuli Chandran
Mango Education
Mango Education
Obuli, Founder & CEO of Mango Education, a PSG Tech Young Alumni Awardee & GD School Young Achiever Awardee, is an astronomy, physics and math educator fueled by a passion for science. A science communicator at heart, he engages the public on various topics around astronomy, myth busting, and science in general through blogs, articles, audio, video and speaking engagements.
Mr. Vishal Ahuja
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Hailing from Chamba, Vishal is an educator and conservation practitioner who joined WILD in 2012 for the Himalayan Grey Langur Project, studying the distribution, threats, and conservation status of the Chamba Sacred Langur. He now serves as Project Manager for the Himalayan Restoration Project, with strengths in restoration, animal behaviour, and community outreach.
Mr. R. Marimuthu
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Rengasamy Marimuthu leverages his expertise in conservation education at the Zoo Outreach Organisation to lead conservation efforts and engage communities in protecting biodiversity.
Mr. Sanjay Thakur
Wildlife Conservation Trust
Wildlife Conservation Trust
Over the past decade with the Wildlife Conservation Trust as a wildlife law enforcement trainer, Sanjay has conducted training workshops for over 6,000 Forest Department officers. He places a strong emphasis on empowering Forest Guards, recognising them as the vital frontline protectors of our ecosystems. Sanjay has played a pivotal role in developing institutional training tools for tiger reserves and forest training academies.
Dr. Divya Mudappa
Nature Conservation Foundation
Nature Conservation Foundation
Her research focuses on tropical ecology, especially rainforest systems, restoration ecology, and conservation biology. She specializes in hornbills and small carnivores, with extensive work on Malabar Grey Hornbills and the endemic brown palm civet. Her work integrates animal behaviour, plant–animal interactions, and conservation to inform science-based strategies benefiting wildlife and local communities.
Dr. T.R. Shankar Raman
Nature Conservation Foundation
Nature Conservation Foundation
A wildlife scientist–writer at heart, he works in the rainforest–plantation landscapes of the Anamalai Hills. His research focuses on tropical forest ecology and conservation in the Western Ghats. He also writes widely on nature, authoring The Wild Heart of India and co-authoring Pillars of Life, while contributing to public knowledge platforms.
Mr. Srinivasan Kasinathan
Nature Conservation Foundation
Nature Conservation Foundation
He is part of the NCF Western Ghats Programme, working on the ecological restoration of degraded rainforests in the Anamalai Hills. He coordinates restoration initiatives, long-term monitoring of forest dynamics plots, and tropical tree phenology, contributing to a deeper understanding of forest recovery and ecosystem processes in the Western Ghats.
Mr. Sriram Murali
Saving the Dark
Saving the Dark
Description coming soon.
Mr. Chandra Sekar
Saving the Dark
Saving the Dark
Description coming soon.
Dr. Aditya Srinivasulu
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Adi Srinivasulu is a conservation ecologist and research affiliate with Zoo Outreach Organisation. He studies knowledge gaps in the conservation of South Asian vertebrates, and explores how climate change, land use, and missing data shape extinction risk in biodiverse regions of the Global South, combining ecological data with conservation planning.
Dr. PO Nameer
Kerala Agriculture University
Kerala Agriculture University
He is a Professor of Wildlife Science at Kerala Agricultural University with training in forest ecology and ornithology, and extensive work on mammals, including bats. His research spans biodiversity documentation, climate change impacts, and citizen science in the Western Ghats, and includes pioneering contributions to India's first mammal checklist and a state bird atlas.
Dr. Anurag Goel
Mojo Plantation
Mojo Plantation
Dr. Anurag Goel holds a Ph.D in Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto and left the laboratory to build a life on a small piece of forested land in the Western Ghats. He believes in drawing attention to the 'small' biodiversity — plants, fungi, insects, amphibians, reptiles and birds — that support our existence.
Mr. Mitesh Damania
Nature Future
Nature Future
Description coming soon.
Mrs. Dipal Damania
Nature Future
Nature Future
Description coming soon.
Ms. Maya Goel
Mojo Plantation
Mojo Plantation
Maya Goel holds a double Masters in Anthropocene Studies (University of Cambridge, UK) and Creative Writing (University of East Anglia, UK) with a keen interest in bridging the gap between the social and biological sciences through her understanding of forest ecosystems. She organizes workshops on subjects across ecology and the arts, and is pursuing her own research to enable conversations between different disciplinary world views.
Psychological Support & Guidance
Welfare of Wildlifers
The Halcyon Experience
Recognising the growing impact of eco-anxiety and solastalgia among conservation practitioners, the programme integrates mental wellbeing support as a core component. Through guided group exercises and personalised one-on-one interactions, Fellows are equipped with tools to understand, process, and manage environmental stressors. The approach acknowledges that individuals experience these challenges differently, and therefore provides tailored support to build emotional resilience, helping Fellows navigate the psychological demands of conservation work in an era of rapid environmental change.
Core Team
Ms. Trisa Bhattacharjee
Course Co-ordinator
Trisa is an ecologist and perception analyst by training and works on the intersection of human wildlife interactions at Zooreach. She is associated with different projects in the organization helping with perception studies, fundraising, reporting, and other tasks. As a proud RHATC alumni, Trisa helps the CPC team coordinate and plan the program for smooth and seamless functioning of the course.
Ms. P. Kritika
Assistant Co-ordinator
Kritika is a wildlife researcher primarily working with the 1OCEAN program, while also contributing to other conservation projects. She has experience in ecological restoration, biodiversity surveys and education, and has created artwork for various programs. As assistant coordinator, she supports the smooth and effective functioning of the course.
Mrs Payal Molur
Course Planner and Fund Raising
Payal is a wildlife and environmental education consultant with 21 years of experience creating inclusive learning materials using nature-based approaches. She specializes in educator and community training, has conducted workshops across India, developed interpretation resources, contributed to global learning initiatives, and serves as course planner and consultant for CPC.
Mrs. Priyanka Iyer
Course Planner
Priyanka is the coordinator for the 1OCEAN program which focuses on marine biodiversity conservation, and also runs the LivelyWaters! Program that focuses on freshwater biodiversity conservation. She helps with planning for the course by bringing in experts, case studies, and supporting the mentorship process of the course.
Mr. B. Ravichandran
Logistics and Planning
B. Ravichandran, associated since 1999, serves as the Managing Editor of the Journal of Threatened Taxa. A passionate nature photographer, he plays a key role in shaping course structure and managing logistics, ensuring seamless coordination and smooth execution of all backend operations.
Mrs. Letha Devi
Finance and Administration
Latha is the Finance Director and Administrator with 34 years of experience, managing finances, administration, and compliance. She contributes to multiple Zoo Outreach projects, including Zoo's Print, databases, IT support, and education materials. In CPC, she oversees website management, donor reporting, office coordination, technical support, and publication assistance.
Ms. Tandrali Baruah
Social Media and Outreach
Tandrali Baruah is a wildlife educator who works on designing and implementing biodiversity education and community engagement programmes. She works closely with teachers, students, and local communities to develop curriculum-aligned learning materials, conduct teacher training workshops, and coordinate school and community outreach initiatives. She also handles the social media and communications for Zooreach, managing content strategy, digital outreach, and online engagement.
Mr. Koshik Rao
Social Media Assistant
Koshik's journey in wildlife conservation began with the RHATC course. He later joined Zoo Outreach as an intern and progressed to a researcher role. His work includes perception studies, community outreach, species assessments, and field projects. At SWC, he contributes as a social media assistant, promoting wildlife awareness and engagement.
Mr. Rajesh Ravikumar
Administration
Rajesh generally supports all aspects of finance and administration, including compliances and daily office coordination. In CPC, he manages accounts and plays a key role in logistics planning, from food, travel, and purchases to printing.
Partner Organisations
Wildlife Information & Liaison Development
Conservation Planning Specialist Group South Asia
IUCN Species Survival Commission
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Western Ghats Plant Specialist Group
South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group
Annamalai University
Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Studies, Osmania University
Global Alliance for Rights of Nature
Global Landscape Forum
Green Hub
Humane World for Animals
Kalinga Foundation
Kerala Agriculture University
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
Mango Education
Manipal Academy for Higher Education
Nature Conservation Foundation
Nature Future
Rainforest Retreat by Mojo Plantation
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History
Saving the Dark
The Liana Trust
University of Kerala
University of Mysore
Wildlife Conservation Trust
