S.F. Wesley Sunderraj Ph.D

Started wildlife research after completion of M.Sc., in Wildlife Biology - Bharathydasan University-Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and obtained Ph.D., in the field of primate study under Wildlife Science from Saurashtra University, Gujarat. A professional with over 36 years of experience in the field of Wildlife and Habitat Ecology (Ecology of threatened fauna), Biodiversity conservation, Restoration of Mining sites, Natural Resource Management & Action Plans and Regional Environmental Planning.

Gained parallel experience of 30 years in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan (EIA&EMP) include 83 projects of different sectors: Oil & Gas Pipelines, Roads -Highways, Mining & Metal plants, Isolated storage terminals, Salt works and Energy sector- covering: Hydropower, Thermal power and Transmission line, Windfarm projects in different states of the country. Expertise attained through management and involvement in overall of 151 research and consultancy projects. This project list also includes 34 projects exclusively preparation of Integrated Biodiversity Management Plan-BMP on mining and metal sector.

Research experience in different types of forest habitats of biotic province of the country covered: Himalaya, Grassland and Tropical Thorn forests of Desert and Semi-arid regions, Coastal habitat of Gujarat state, Deccan Peninsula (central India), part of North-East (Arunachal and Assam) and part of Western and Eastern Ghats. Active involvement in Sea turtles research and conservation and a member of IUCN/SSC Sea Turtle Specialist Group and Turtle Action Group-TAG India.

Justus Joshua Ph.D

During these 30 years, I have gained experience in diverse fauna starting from Elephants (Radio Telemetry, Habitat use and Movement pattern, Population estimation study), Lion habitat Assessment (Survey for second home), Giant Squirrel (ecological study and survey), Butterflies, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians and mammals in the forests of Western Ghats,Eastern Ghats Shiwalik hills, Himalayas, Aravallis and arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan covering semi-arid thorn forests to evergreen forests in Western Ghats, Sal forest and grasslands of the Shiwaliks and Pine and Oak forests of Himalayas.

Have also worked in the semi-arid forests of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, arid mangrove forest of Gujarat., Sal forest, mixed forests, scrub and grasslands of Eastern Ghats, Coastal and Inland Wetlands habitats in different parts of the country have also been surveyed. Have taken classes on ecology, biodiversity, Wildlife conservation for M.Sc students in Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, Defence Personals in Dehra Dun, Uttranchal, Kachchh district, Gujarat.

Gained experience and knowledge in restoration of grasslands, high saline desert areas (RANN), Watershed management and development for the long-term sustenance of the villagers. Mainly worked for conservation of Biodiversity in most of the ecosystem and regions and its sustainability for human welfare.

Off late try to find out the most feasible and possible linkage between people and forest department in order to find the ways and means of involving the local people in conservation of the forests.

Specialties: Wildlife Biology, Habitat Assessments, Ecological Restorations, Species Specific Conservation, Biodiversity Assessments & Preparation of Conservation Action Plans, Population estimation, Wasteland Development, Wetland Conservation Plan, Watershed Management and Natural Resource development, improvement and management, and Conservation through Community Participation

Meena Bilgi Ph.D

Dr. Meena Bilgi holds a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration. Her academic work scrutinized government policies and gender budgets of the Departments of Women and Child Development and Agriculture & Farmer's Welfare in Gujarat, India, over a ten-year period. Through this research, Dr. Bilgi examined the critical link between policy and practice, shedding light on the effectiveness of gender-responsive budgeting in promoting inclusive development

Bringing together 35 years of expertise in Development sector, 20 years as a visiting faculty and 17 years as advocate in UN-Inter-Governmental processes, spanning both India and international engagements. Dr. Bilgi connects theoretical concepts with practical applications. Her expertise spans: Human-centered and community-driven approaches to natural resources management, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods; advisor and consultant as trainer, researcher, assessor, advocate to bilateral and multi-lateral projects and programs for government, INGOs, NGOs, and corporate sectors; Grass-root, managerial, and advocacy experience in civil society mobilization and sustainability; Intersection of gender analysis and organizational change for organizational culture and leadership; Integrated approaches to majorly rural/tribal development and urban; multi stakeholder engagement, and confronting environmentally harmful and socially unjust practices; Gender, social, economic, and environmental assessments across ecosystem management, disaster risk reduction, WATSAN, and human capacity development.

She is engaged with GOI’s Indian Technical & Economic Corporation program designed to build capacity of multi-disciplinary professionals from Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Pacific and Small Island countries through series of unique training courses- Informal sector enterprise &entrepreneurship, local economic development, small business promotion, NGOs and Governance etc. She has undertaken development and promotion of IEC materials and modules, including contents for mobile applications and certification labels.

She is actively engaged in inter-governmental processes and is affiliated as core associate and steering committee member of Global Networks - Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management (WOCAN) and Gender and Water Alliance (GWA), as member of UN Women Major Group (WMG), Women Working Group on Financing for Development (WWG-Ffd), Asia-Pacific UNEP (ex) Regional Representative for Major Group & Stakeholders, Asia-Pacific Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM), UNDRR’s Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), she contributes to position papers, policy briefs, and participates in national, regional and global platforms and parallel processes - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water forums, Climate negotiations (UNDRR, UNFCCC) etc as speaker, panelist, event organizer etc.

Dr. Bilgi promotes gender sensitivity in Internal Complaint Committees at work places. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where employees can thrive. She has published numerous papers and continues her work to advance gender equality, strengthen institutions for inclusive governance, and shape public policy to address the needs of marginalized communities.

Lima Rosalind

Lima Rosalind has a Master of Science with Marine Zoology from University of Bombay, India. Her rich and varied work experience began at the Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai (BNHS). While with BNHS, she worked on various ecology projects, studying the Black necked Crane in Ladakh, Bird Hazard to Aircrafts, Endangered Species like the Bengal Florican ,in the Manas National Park ,Assam, Bird Migration studies at Point Calimere and Nature Education programs. Worked on the Conservation Education Programmes for three sites in India, Mudumalai National Park, T.N. Keoladoe National Park, Rajasthan,Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Maharashtra and developing a Conservation Education Centre at the BNHS, Sanjay Gandhi National Park. At the Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad (CEE) as a Program Coordinator in 1996, Lima handled interpretation programs for critical wetlands and forests in India, developed conservation education strategy for the National Parks, trained policy makers, forest officers, frontline forest guards, in Conservation Education and Interpretation. Worked on Interpretation Programmes like the Chilika Lagoon, Orissa, Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal, Kanha National Park, M.P., Sajjan Garh, WLS, Jaisamand, Rajasthan, Was associated with WWF-India as the Director-Environment Education, from 2004. Responsible for carrying out activities in the non-formal/ formal education constituencies, spearheading the Nature Clubs of India movement and nature camping activities, advising on formal environment education in schools and colleges, capacity building on conservation with local communities in and around protected areas as well as non-protected areas and Education for Sustainable Development.

Lima has Consulted with various Organisations, Government departments, International Development agencies. Consulted with WWF on a conservation education and livelihoods Programme around the Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan. Consulting with the CMS – Environment on various capacity building initiatives with Corporates and teachers. Set up an outdoor Education facility for the Delhi Government. Interpreted the Sariska National Park. Consulted with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, on preparing a policy document on the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Consulted with GIZ for their Airoli Marine and Mangrove Interpretation Centre, Navi Mumbai, and a Training Manual for the Human – Wildlife Conflict Mitigation. Consulting with the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Promotional Board on Designing Interpretation Centres for the Chhatbir Zoo, Mohali and Ropar Wetland Rupnagar, Punjab.

Lima is the Founder -Director, Green Future Foundation, a Section 8 Company. She is an IUCN Member of the Commission on Education and Communication. Lima is currently pursuing her doctoral programme in Conservation Science.

Mukund Thakkar

Mr. Mukund Thakkar, is a Graduate in Commerce, Bachelor of Laws and a qualified Company Secretary. He has a rich experience of more than 30 years in corporate legal environment and has worked with reputed organizations like Zydus Lifesciences, InterGlobe Enterprises, Bharti Airtel, Dumex India, Centurion Bank and law firms like Mulla & Mulla and Dua Associates.

Over the years, he has acquired insight into functioning of various industries and service sectors and acquired experience in strategic planning & investments, corporate governance & board strategies, corporate & commercial litigations, mergers & acquisitions, company affairs & joint ventures, contracts negotiations & due diligences, etc.

He is a wildlife enthusiast and has keen interest in environment conservation and bird photography. He is one of the founding members and helps Green Future Foundation in regulatory compliance and other administrative matters.