Academics

Ph.D Programme at SACON

SACON is a recognized Ph.D research centre for Bharathiar University− Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra University− Gujarat and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)− Karnataka.

Scientists of SACON are recognized Ph.D research guides under these universities and one can register for Ph.D programme at SACON under them.

A qualified candidate with assured funding support (Eg:− Personnel working in SACON Research Projects, Candidates with UGC/CSIR/DST/Inspire Fellowship, Scholars with approved external Project funding etc.) can register for Ph.D through SACON.

Admission procedures may vary as per the norms of the respective Universities where the candidate wishes to register.

To apply for Ph.D registration at Bharathiar University, one need to first clear the Common Eligibility Test (CET) conducted by the University. Further details are available at the Bharathiar University website

(https://www.b−u.ac.in/).

For Saurashtra University Ph.D admissions, one needs to clear the National Level Entrance Exam to be conducted by SACON. Please check SACON website for the announcement in this regard.

For Ph.D registration at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), the application needs to be forwarded through the recognized Guide/ faculty of SACON to MAHE.

Kindly contact any of the faculty members (https://www.sacon.in/people/faculty/) with PhD guideship in the field relevant to your area of interest for any further guidance regarding PhD registration through SACON.

For any further information please contact the Research Coordinator, SACON


Ph.D Status (Completed/ Ongoing)

Status of Ph.D. Thesis (Awarded/Submitted/Registered)                                             Updated on 24.08.2022

SACON is a recognized Research Centre of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Saurashtra University, Rajkot (Gujarat) and Manipal University, Manipal, (Karnataka)

Ph.D. Degree Awarded

S.No
Name of Ph.D. Scholar
Title of Thesis
Name of University
Year of Award
Name of Supervisor(s)
1. Dr. Umapathy G. Impacts of Habitat Fragmentation on the Arboreal Mammals in the wet evergreen Forests of the Anamalai Hills in the Western Ghats, South India Bharathiar University 1998 Dr. Ajith Kumar
2. Dr. Prabhakar A. Impacts of Habitat Fragmentation on The Terrestrial Small Mammal Communities in the Tropical Rain Forest of the Anamalai Hills in the Western Ghats, South India Bharathiar University 1998 Dr. Ajith Kumar
3. Dr. Gokula V. Bird Communities of the Thorn and Dry Deciduous Forests in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, South India Bharathiar University 1998 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
4. Dr. Maya V. Mahajan A Study of The Ecology of select Species of weeds in different Vegetation types of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bharathiar University 2000 Dr. P.A. Azeez
5. Dr. Arun P.R. Seasonality and abundance of Insects with Special reference to Butterflies (Lepidoptera : Rhopalocera) in a Moist Deciduous Forest of Siruvani, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, South India. Bharathiar University 2000 Dr. V. S. Vijayan
6. Dr. Rajasekaran A. Ecology and Utilization of Medicinal Plants with Special reference to Select Tribal groups in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Bharathiar University 2000 Dr. S. N. Prasad
7. Dr. Sivakumar K. A Study on the Breeding biology of the Nicobar Megapode Megapodius Nicobariensis. Bharathiar University 2000 Dr. Ravi Sankaran
8. Dr. Divya Cauvery Mudappa B. Ecology of Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus Jerdoni in the Tropical Rainforests of the Western Ghats, India Bharathiar University 2001 Dr. Ajith Kumar
9. Dr. Krishnamani R. Phyto-Ecology of the Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) Habitats in Southern India Bharathiar University 2002 Dr. Ajith Kumar
10. Dr. (Sr.) Nirmala T. Ecology of Bird Communities in Anaikatty Hills, Coimbatore. Bharathiar University 2002 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
11. Dr. Mohanraj R. Air Quality of Coimbatore With emphasis on Respirable suspended Particulate Matter Bharathiar University 2002 Dr. P. A. Azeez
12. Dr. Maheswaran B. Habitat Utilization by Malabar Grey Hornbill at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2002 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
13. Dr. Mathews Nixon Armstrong A. Population and Resource utilization by Reptiles in Upper Nilgiris, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Bharathiar University 2005 Dr. S. Bhupathy
14. Dr. Eswaran R. Ecological studies of Insect communities in Anaikatty hills Bharathiar University 2006 Dr. P. Pramod
15. Dr.Somasundaram S. Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon in the Western Ghats. Bharathiar University 2006 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
16. Dr.Debanik Mukherjee Resource Utilization Patterns of Reptiles in the Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest of Anaikatty Hills, Western Ghats, India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. S. Bhupathy
17. Dr. Uma J Vindo Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Pipit in the Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
18. Dr. Jayakumar R. Heavy metal contamination in the fishes of Inland wetlands of India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. S. Muralidharan
19. Dr.Basundhara Chettri Distribution and Resource use patterns of Reptiles along the Teesta Valley, Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim, India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. S. Bhupathy
20. Dr. Anjan Kumar Prusty B. Distribution of Select Nutrients and Metals in the Soils of a Wetland-Terrestrial Ecosystems Complex : A Case Study of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. P. A. Azeez
21. Dr. Balakrishnan P. Status, Distribution and Ecology of the Grey-Headed Bulbul Pycnonotus Priocephalus in the Western Ghats, India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. V. S. Vijayan
22. Dr. Gunasekaran K. Studies on Taxonomy, Ecology, Distribution and Conservation values of Sthalavrikshas (Temple Plants) in Tamil Nadu, South India Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
23. Dr. Anoop Das K.S. Bird Community structure along the altitudinal gradient in Silent Valley National Park, Western Ghats, India Bharathiar University 2008 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
24. Dr. Bhoj Kumar Acharya Bird Communities and their Distribution pattern along the elevation gradient of Teesta Vally, Sikkim Bharathiar University 2008 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
25. Dr. Jaya Thapa Communities of small mammals and small carnivores in the Teesta River Basin, Sikkim Himalaya, India Bharathiar University 2008 Dr. S. Bhupathy
26. Dr. Baladhandapani M. Techno-economic Assessment of Physio-Chemical and anaerobic Treatment of Textile Wastewater from the Textile Industrial clusters in Tiruppur. Bharathiar University 2008 Dr. P. A. Azeez
27. Dr. Dhananjayan V. Levels of organic Contaminates and select Biomarkers in the birds of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, India Bharathiar University 2009 Dr. S. Muralidharan
28. Dr. Ezhilarasi N. Status and Ecology of the Andaman Crake Bharathiar University 2009 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
29. Dr. Manchi Shirish S. Breeding Ecology of the Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus and the Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta in the Andaman Islands, India Bharathiar University 2009 Dr. P. Pramod /

Dr. R. Ravisankar

30. Dr.M. A. Rajamamannan Avifaunal diversity of the Andaman Islands Bharathiar University 2010 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
31. Dr. E. Santhoshkumar Studies on frugivory and Seed dispersal by Indian Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros birostris in Sathyamangalam Forest Division, Eastern Ghats Bharathiar University 2010 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
32. Dr. Rachna Chandra Nutrients and Metals in soils and Plants in Araku, AP, Inida Bharathiar University 2010 Dr. P. A. Azeez
33. Dr. N. Sheeba Ecology and conservation of spot-billed pelican Bharathiar University 2011 Dr. Lalitha Vijayan
34. Dr. J. Gokulakrishnan Ecology of sea turtles along the Nagapattinam coast, Bay of Bengal Bharathiar University 2011 Dr. S. Bhupathy
35. Dr. Srinivas G. Ecology of amphibians in high wavy mountains, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2011 Dr. S. Bhupathy
36. Dr. Nikhil Raj P.P. An analysis of environmental changes in the Bharathapuzha River basin, Southern India”. Bharathiar University 2011 Dr. P. A. Azeez
37. Dr. Ramesh C. Ecology of the Indian python in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Bharathiar University 2012 Dr. S. Bhupathy
38. Dr. Aruna R. Frugivory and seed dispersal by birds in mixed dry deciduous and scrub forests, southern India Bharathiar University 2012 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
39. Dr. Jayanthi P. Organochlorine pesticides residues in the commercial marine fishes of Coimbatore and their suitability for human consumption Bharathiar University `2012 Dr. S. Muralidharan
40. Dr. Chetan Nag Addressing the issue of taxonomic position of peninsular Indian Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) through a multidisciplinary approach Bharathiar University 2013 Dr. P. Pramod
41. Dr. Dhanya R. Urbanization and environmental transition: A study on the impact of developmental activities with special reference to EMR on the House Sparrows. Bharathiar University 2013 Dr. P. A. Azeez
42. Dr. Alaguraj A. Organic contaminants in the marine fishes available in Coimbatore and their suitability for human consumption Bharathiar University 2013 Dr. S. Muralidharan
43. Dr. Nehru P. Floristic diversity, dynamics and recovery of littoral forests of Nicobar Islands, India-a post Tsunami scenario Bharathiar University 2013 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
44. Dr. Anbarasu C. Avian frugivory and seed dispersal in the shola forests of Nilgiris, Western Ghats, India. Bharathiar University 2014 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
45. Dr. Ranjini J. Adaptation and tolerance of birds to urbanization – a critical evaluation with emphasis on life strategy Bharathiar University 2014 Dr. P. A. Azeez
46. Dr. Jayakumar S. Impact of agricultural pesticides on the population status and breeding success of select species of fish-eating birds in Tamil Nadu Bharathiar University 2014 Dr. S. Muralidharan
47. Dr. Rajan P. Bird community of Andaman Island with emphasis on human associated and introduced birds Bharathiar University 2014 Dr. P. Pramod
48. Dr. K. Ganesan Comparative study on pesticide residues in select components of an agro ecosystem adopting organic and chemical farming in Padayetti village, Palakkad District, Kerala Bharathiar University 2015 Dr. S. Muralidharan
49. Dr. K. Santhosh Status, ecology and conservation of Lion Tailed Macaque in Sirsi-Honnavara forests of Western Ghats, Karnataka Bharathiar University 2016 Dr. H. N. Kumara
50. Dr. Mohd. Zeeshan Malik Assessment of environmental changes in three districts (Jammu, Rajouri & Ramban) representing altitudinal gradients in Jammu region. Bharathiar University 2017 Dr. P. A. Azeez
51. Dr. K. Nishad Usage and application of real time and continuous environmental data for climate change adaptation. Bharathiar University 2017 Dr. P. A. Azeez
52. Dr. A.P. Zaibin Insular biogeography of Nicobar Islands from a bird community perspective. Bharathiar University 2017 Dr. P. Pramod
53. Dr. Jins, J.V Reptile communities of Agasthiyamalai Hills, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. P. R. Arun
54. Dr. Ramesh Kumar S. Environmental Impacts of Wind power generation with special reference to birds in Kutch District, Gujarat. Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. P. R. Arun
55. Dr. Manikandan P. Study on nest tree preferences by cavity nesting birds in the riparian forests of Athikadavu Valley, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
56. Dr. Akshaya Mohan Mane Population dispersal studies of Edible nest Swiftlet in Andaman & Nicobar islands, India Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. Manchi Shirish S.
57. Dr. Aditi Mukherjee Burrow use patterns by terrestrial vertebrates in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2018 Dr. H. N. Kumara
58. Dr. Arijit Pal A study on reproductive behavior of Nicobar long tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa) in Nicobar Islands, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2018 Dr. H. N. Kumara
59. Dr. R. Chandran Impacts of environmental education on higher education students Bharathiar University 2019 Dr. P. A. Azeez
60. Dr. Suhirtha Muhil M. Ecology of Odonates in the Coimbatore Bharathiar University 2019 Dr. P. Pramod
61. Dr. Pankaj Pramod Koparde Molecular phylogeny and comparative phylogeography of owlets in India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2019 Dr. Shomita Mukherjee
62. Dr. Madhumita Panigrahi Bird communities of Agasthiyamalai Hills, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2019 Dr. P. A. Azeez
63. Dr. Parthasarathi Misra Aggression and post-conflict affiliation in Nicobar long-tailed macaques Macaca fascicularis umbrosa Bharathiar University 2020 Dr. H. N. Kumara
64. Dr. Kirubhanandhini V. Levels of metal contamination in select species of birds Bharathiar University 2020 Dr. S. Muralidhran
65. Dr. Mythreyi Devarajan Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Pallikaranai Wetland, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Fish as an Indicator Bharathiar University 2020 Dr. S. Muralidhran
66. Dr. Divya Priya Spatial and temporal variations of call & song repertoire in Common Iora in selected locations of Westeren Ghats. Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. P Pramod
67. Dr. L. Prakash A study on the flora of Sathyamangam Tiger Reserve, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. P. Balasubramanian
68. Dr. WG. CDR. Srinidhi S. Assessment of management strategies of bird hazards to aircrafts in select Indian Air force airfields. Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2021 Dr. P Pramod
69 Dr. Avadhoot D Velankar Population status and resource utilization of Nicobar long-tailed macaque Macaca fascicularis umbrosa in Nicobar Islands, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. H. N. Kumara
70 Dr. Joydeep Shil Feeding Ecology and social structure of golden langur (Trachypitheus geei) in secondary forests of chakrashila wildlife sanctuary, India. Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. H. N. Kumara
71 Dr. Suresh Marimuthu S. Occupancy and Distribution pattern of Owls in Andaman Islands with special reference to Community Assembly Rules Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. S. Babu
72 Dr. Golusu Babu Rao Assemblage of shorebirds in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. S. Babu
73 Dr. B Shantha Kumar Impact of developmental activities on bird communities along Sutlej river basin, Himachal Pradesh Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. P. R. Arun
74 Dr. Chaitra shree Dynamics of biodiversity in paddy fields: A study of indicator communities Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. P Pramod
75 Dr. Swapna Devi Ray Molecular markers for forensic analysis of highly traded avian species in  Assam Bharathiar University 2023 Dr. R. P. Singh
76 Dr. Anoop V. Impacts of Wind power generation on select faunal components of a dry deciduous forest at Harpanahalli, Davangere Bharathiar University 2023 Dr. P. R. Arun

Ph.D. Thesis Submitted

S.No Name of Ph.D. Scholar Title of Thesis Name of University Year of Submission of thesis Name of Supervisor(s)

Ph.D. Ongoing

S.No Name of Ph.D. Scholar Title of Thesis Name of University Year of Ph.D Registration Name of Supervisor(s)
1. Mr. L. Joseph Reginald Diversity and habitat preference of bats (Order Chiroptera) of Coimbatore Bharathiar University 2007 Dr. P. Pramod
2. Mr. Roy Aditya Ashimkumar Effects of environmental contaminants on ecology and breeding biology of Gyps vultures Bharathiar University 2013 Dr. S. Muralidharan
3. Mr. Sankar S. P. Life History Strategies of the Yellow-billed Babbler and Indian Robin in Anaikatty Hills, Western Ghats, India. Bharathiar University 2014 Dr. Manchi Shirish S.
4. Ms. Aakriti Singh Ecology of elephants (Elephas maximus) and their interactions with humans in South-West Bengal, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2017 Dr. H. N. Kumara
5. Mr. Anoop Raj P N Diversity and distribution of birds in Bharathapuzha river basin, Kerala Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2017 Dr. P. Pramod
6. Mr. Prathamesh Study on the factors affecting dispersal patterns of the endemic Andaman Edible-nest Swiflet in the Andaman Islands Bharathiar University 2017 Dr. Manchi Shirish S.
7. Mr. Asit Kumar Behera Landscape level patterns of mammalian assemblages in Bellary district, Karnataka Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2018 Dr. T. Ramesh
8. Mr. Prateek Dey Assessment of genomic variation in domestic and wild quails Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. R. P. Singh
9. Mr. Harif Parengal Distribution pattern and habitat use of Galliformes in Manipur Bharathiar University 2018 Dr. P. R. Arun
10. Mr. Ashish Kumar Socio-ecological factors driving the population of striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) in the Western and Eastern Ghats part of Tamil Nadu, southern India Bharathiar University 2019 Dr. T. Ramesh
11. Mr. Ashwin C. P. Impact of select linear infrastructure projects on bird communities of Chhattisgarh, India Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. Arun, P.R.
12. Ms. Milda David Role of social and ecological attributes in human-large mammal interaction: Multi species approach in Tamil Nadu, India Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. Ramesh, T.
13. Mr. Ashiq P. P. Factors influencing the structure of urban bird communities in selected landscapes of India Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. Pramod, P.
14. Mr. Alby J. Mattathil Ecology of Asian elephants(Elephas maximus) and human-elephant conflict in Coimbatore Forest Division, Western Ghats Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. Arun, P.R.
15. Mr. Ankit Otter habitat under changing land use in coimbatore reserved forest, Tamil Nadu Bharathiar University 2021 Dr. Riddhika Ramesh
16. Ms. Dhanusha J. Kawalkar Breeding ecology of the Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus Unicolor) In western Maharashtra Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2021 Dr. Shirish Manchi
17. Ms. Ritika S. Chauhan Effect of habitat characteristics on the abundance, nest site selection and nest success of select understory endemic birds in upper Nilgiris, the southern Western Ghats Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. Babu, S.
18. Mr. Santanu Mahato Distribution pattern of langurs, and comparative behaviour of Nilgiri Langur (Semnopitheeus johnii), and Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus priam) and their mixed-species groups in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, India Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. Kumara, H.N.
19. Mr. Hitesh Kumar Functional Ecology of Vertebrate Scavenging Community in the Western Aravalli Hill Ranges of Haryana Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. Riddhika Ramesh
20. Ms. Subhadra Barik Evaluation of suitable habitat of Indian Gaur population with special emphasis on invasive species and forest fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. Ramesh, T.
21. Ms. Anamika Gautam Influence of urbanisation on host-pathogen interaction, using a zoonotic bacterium in House sparrow as model Bharathiar University 2022 Dr. Ashutosh Singh
22. Mr. Sujin N. S. Birds on the Edge: Ecology and Conservation of Banasura Laughingthrush Montecincla jerdoni in the Western Ghats, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. Babu, S.
23. Ms. Saswatti Panda Dimensions of Human- Elephant interatcions in Karnataka, India Manipal Academy of Higher Education 2022 Dr. Kumara, H.N.
24. Mr. Gourav Sonawne Ecology of sympatric carnivores in and around Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan Bharathiar University 2023 Dr. Aditi Mukherjee
25. Ms. Kanchan Choudhary Assessing the carbon sequestration from biodiversity rich wetlands of Tamil Nadu Bharathiar University 2023 Dr. Vidyadhar Atkore

FAQs on M.Sc. (Wildlife Science & Ornithology) Course at SACON Click here
Notification for CUET-PG 2024 examination by National Testing Agency Click here

M.Sc. Wildlife Science (Ornithology) 

[ In collaboration with Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) ]

Final List of Candidates Selected for Admission to the M.Sc. Wildlife Science (Ornithology) Course at SACON for the AY 2022-23

FAQs on M.Sc. Wildlife Science (Ornithology) Course at SACON

Syllabus and Curriculum (2022 – 2024)

Profile of Students (2022 -2024)

BHAVESH

Growing up in a village near Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, where Narmada valley meets with the Satpuda Range, provided me ample opportunities to explore the rich biodiversity of Central India. During my childhood, I was fortunate to listen to the fascinating accounts on wildlife from the elders and they really helped me to understand people’s perceptions and relationships with nature, much later.

I did my B.Sc. Forestry (Hons.) course at JNKVV Jabalpur, which provided me the right atmosphere to understand the ecological and socio-economic values of different ecosystems and, challenges associated with conservation of habitats. This also led me to take up further specialized courses like the Basic Course in Ornithology from BNHS, a certificate course on Non Timber Forest Products from TFRI, and a course in Wildlife Conservation offered on NPTEL platform. I am also a proud cadet of the NCC, holding C certificate.

With the growing conflicts in nature and ecosystem management like resource depletion, climate change, and degradation of wildlife habitats, challenges associated with wildlife conservation have increased manifold. This has kindled my interest to learn various techniques and applications in wildlife science and the principles of landscape ecology, species reintroduction and wildlife policy.


DIPIKA DAS

Having been born and brought up in the southernmost part of West Bengal, I was always very close to nature. My interest in watching wild animals and their behaviour started right at home. My mother used to show me house geckos predating on various flies, ants collaborating with each other in carrying food materials and still maintaining their lines, crows scavenging on our waste, and many other things, all of which always fascinated me. Then came the television and I was introduced to visually appealing documentaries on wild mammals, reptiles, and the gorgeous and mysterious marine world.

As I grew older, I started to show more interest in biology and took Zoology as major in my B.Sc degree from University of Calcutta. There I met some very helpful and inspiring faculty members and seniors, who were passionate about wildlife ecology and conservation; they also helped me getting proper orientation towards studying animals and introduced me to the fascinating hobby of watching birds. Having developed a keen interest in watching birds and other wild animals, I visited quite a few lakes and forests across urban, suburban and rural areas.

The prolonged nationwide lockdown, imposed to curb the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, actually made me becoming more fond of wildlife. During this time, I used to watch lots of wildlife documentaries on social media, and I was particularly fascinated by different aspects of relationship between humans and wildlife. I understand that humans are very much part of the natural ecosystems and it is impossible to conserve nature excluding humans. I also believe that increasing human-wildlife conflicts arise out of our poor understanding of the ecology and lack of knowledge on wild animals and their habitats. I hope to learn the principles and practice of wildlife ecology and management in this course, and apply the same to resolve conservation issues.


DISHA MONDAL

I hail from the suburban town of Kanchrapara in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. I have done my B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, where I was introduced to multiple domains encompassing genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, animal and plant physiology, human physiology, immunology, genomics and proteomics, and various bio-analytical tools.

But having been born and brought up in the largest riverine delta of the world that hosts the unique mangrove ecosystems of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, I was always intrigued by the idea of the earth, which nurtures and sustains a great diversity of life and ecosystems, both interacting in a such way that they maintain a unique ecological balance. And it also saddens me how humans, through their thoughtless activities and incessant exploitation, continue to destroy the natural habitats and our own livelihoods. This has nudged me to pursue higher studies in wildlife ecology and conservation for a better understanding of the issues and solutions. And during my under-graduation in Ranchi, I was able to visit various landscapes and habitats, and appreciate their value for biodiversity and  ecosystem functions.

I am interested in studying mammal behaviour and ecology, and I am also keen to learn and apply advanced molecular and genetic tools in biodiversity conservation


KEERTHANA M

I am a person with multiple interests, which I would always liken with rain – drizzling, pouring, creating, destroying and sometimes doing all these at once; amusingly in perfect sync with current climate scenario – more chaotic, very unpredictable and dramatically sudden as the years move on. But my curiosity and awe of nature, wildlife, and the ecosystems always underlie the various interests and mantles that I wear. I love working on, with and for it.

I can’t exactly recall whether my fascination with nature started with cartoons, documentaries, books, or stories, but it stuck with me forever. During the four years of my B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in agriculture, I was introduced to a seemingly unconnected range of subjects – from analytical chemistry, soil science, agronomy, entomology, crop physiology, livestock science, economics, agricultural extension, to social psychology and rural sociology! But now I realize that these subjects are not as disconnected as I thought; they, in fact, are key to the interdisciplinary approach to studying and understanding our environment being shared by humans and other living beings.

The strange combination of my perpetual excitement to learn more of our environment and the calmness that I derive from observing the nature and its myriad forms of life made my resolve to take up further studies in wildlife science and ecology. Besides my interest in nature, I am also passionate about science communication in vernacular language – the best way to take science to the people.


PRADEESHWAR R J

I was born and brought up in Avadi, a suburb of the Metropolitan Area of Greater Chennai in Tamil Nadu. I completed my Bachelor’s in Physics from Madras University. Though my under-graduation was in a non-biological subject, I was hooked to nature and wildlife when I procured a camera and started observing trees, flowers, birds, butterflies, and their habitats more closely. Around this time, I also developed my fascination for birdwatching.

My interest and curiosity in birding led me to take up an online course in Basic Ornithology offered on NPTEL platform.  This course opened up the wonderful vistas of the world or ornithology to me, and I decided to pursue a more formal course in the field. My primary interests are avian bioacoustics, bird behaviour, community ecology and wetland ecology. My hobbies include cubing and solving puzzles, digital illustration, bird photography, travelling, trekking, and butterfly watching.


PRAJJWAL KUMAR

I hail from Nalanda – the Land of Knowledge in Bihar. My passion for wildlife studies was rooted in my curiosity in understanding the novelty of interactions among species – that take different forms like predation, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.  The challenge of finding solutions for complex problems has always intrigued me, and I naturally started looking up to technology for issues in wildlife ecology and management. Using the latest non-invasive technologies for better understanding of wildlife distribution and behavior fascinates me.

After my B.Sc. degree in Botany, I joined M.Sc. Ecology and Environment Studies at Nalanda University, where I got introduced to adopting an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental management and sustainability. My PG dissertation under the guidance of Dr. Shyam S Phartyal, “Detection of arboreal faunal diversity using camera traps” made me realize the usefulness of non-invasive techniques in understanding the behaviour of lesser-known taxa. In addition, and my internship with Dr. Kishore Dhawala in assessing the potential of renewable energy on Nalanda University Campus, gave me a lot of hands-on experience in studying environmental issues.

I have now enrolled for my second PG degree with SACON and CUTN, as I wish to receive advanced training in wildlife sciences and to learn more of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to natural resource management and ecology.


SIDDHI SUNIL DAMLE

I still remember the awe and wonder that struck me – a child then, when my grandfather showed me a pair of brilliantly coloured Black-hooded Orioles. My unbounded appreciation for all things wild perhaps started thereafter. And growing up in a verdant and picturesque town like Chiplun at the foot of the northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra further nurtured my passion for nature and outdoor ventures.

I completed my graduation in Zoology from Fergusson College, Pune, where I learnt the fundamentals of life sciences. Subsequently, a few wonderful internships and volunteering opportunities helped me to get a ringside view of how wildlife research and conservation studies are designed and conducted; these included GIB recovery project at Wildlife Institute of India (WII), study on the anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and mutualistic interactions at Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), the human-wildlife coexistence project at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and the Anubhuti project of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. And my professional association  with the Planet Earth Foundation (PEF) also contributed to my passion for nature conservation.

I am keenly interested in studying behavioral ecology and human-wildlife interactions. Apart from wildlife studies, my other interests include making wildlife illustrations, traveling, and singing.


SRINIDHI SRIDHAR

When I was six years old, my father bought me a boxed set of ‘Life’, the British nature documentary series by BBC. For the next few years, I would invariably fall asleep to the soothing tones of David Attenborough. This was my first introduction to the beautiful world of wildlife and their habitats and ecosystems. This also started my lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation. I began watching birds and insects around my house. I would see these birds calling out to each other and kept trying to figure out what they were communicating. I would hear squirrels giving out alarm squeaks on seeing a cat on the compound wall. I could also see spiders in the corners of my home, and they would sometimes lose balance and fall on my desk as I was studying. As I grew older, I also became restless wanting to explore nature further away. Living in a metropolitan city like Chennai, my options for observing wildlife were limited to pockets of greeneries in and around the city, such as small bird sanctuaries, wooded gardens, and zoos. My search for outdoor exploration led me to the Madras Crocodile Bank, which quickly became my favorite place and set me on a path towards herpetology.

To further my knowledge of reptile biology, I took the STORM Certification Course conducted by the Kalinga Center for Rainforest Ecology, where we were taught by herpetologist Gowri Shankar; this course gave me immense insights into ecology and conservation of snakes. I also learnt to handle snakes, as well as how to manage onlookers when a snake is found in or near human dwellings.

As part of my career, I wish to focus on prevention of human-snake conflicts in urban and rural areas. A vast majority of human-snake encounters end in wanton death of snakes, while hundreds of humans are accidentally killed by snakebites every year in India. I want to educate people on the important roles that snakes play in our ecosystems and on prevention of negative interactions between humans and snakes particularly in human-dominated landscapes.


SUDHANVA JAHAGIRDAR

I was born and brought up in Raichur, Karnataka – a beautiful region swaddled by two grand rivers of the peninsular India, viz. Tungabhadra and Krishna, and blessed with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna, particularly birds. My interest and passion for birds and ornithology was perhaps imprinted in me, when we read a chapter about Sálim Ali in our 4th grade textbook in the school.

I did my B.Sc. degree in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Zoology from Christ University in Bengaluru, where I joined the Green Army – a student movement for conservation of nature. In Green Army, we conducted regular surveys of birds, spiders, butterflies, moths, etc. on the campus and also in and around the city. During these surveys, I met a lot of nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, who helped me polish my birdwatching skills; my zoology professor Dr. P.U. Antony encouraged me to take my birding hobby as a serious pursuit and consider a research career in ornithology. So, I took the Basic Course in Ornithology offered online on NPTEL platform during my final year at the university; this course taught me the fundamentals of the science of ornithology. I also volunteered for a two-day workshop on bird species diversity, hosted by ATREE, where we conducted awareness camps on birds and their importance in the ecosystem, for the students of government schools in Manvi and Lingasugur towns in Karnataka.

Personally speaking, joining SACON for the PG course in ornithology is a dream-come-true moment for me as I have always been aspiring to study at SACON since my school days. And I really want to use this opportunity to build my career as an ornithologist and work towards bird conservation and ecology. In particular, I have a fascination for studying avian bioacoustics and community ecology.


M.Sc. (Ornithology & Conservation Biology)

[ In affiliation with Saurashtra University ]

This course has now been revised and relaunched as M.Sc. Wildlife Science (Ornithology), offered in collaboration with Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN).


Syllabus & Curriculum (2018-2020)

Award of Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation Scholarship  

Wildlife Trust of India Scholarship 

Award of World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India)scholarship


Students Profile (2018-2020)

Abhilasha

Abhilasha S. Fulzele
I was born in Nagpur-The Tiger Capital of India. With about 8 Tiger Reserves, 4 National Parks and 17 Wildlife Sanctuaries around my city, I developed an admiration for wildlife at a very young age. I completed my Bachelors in Life Sciences from Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. I started my volunteering work with WWF. I’ve volunteered with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) on two projects; one was a study on behavioural ecology of Asiatic Wild Dogs and the other was a landscape level survey of the Great Indian Bustard. I was also a volunteer with National Centre for Biological Sciences(NCBS) for a project on Genetic Connectivity of Ungulates and Small Carnivores in Central Indian Landscape. My main area of interest is animal behaviour and ecology. And I also have a particular interest in vegetation sciences. Since I grew up visiting the forests of central India, I want to work towards conservation of these forests in future.

Deepak Arvind Chavan

An interest and curiosity towards wildlife and nature were inculcated in me since my childhood as I often used to visit the countryside accompanied by my grandmother. I was born and brought up in Pune. I completed my Bachelors in Science (Honors) from Azim Premji University in Bangalore. This is when my interest and curiosity towards wildlife got a form and structure and my mentor Dr. Shomen Mukherjee has been the biggest source of my inspiration. In 2016, I conducted a mesocosm experiment on the effect of Acacia and Eucalyptus leaf litter on life history traits of Microhyla ornata tadpoles. I presented my study at SCCS (2017) and YETI (2018) conferences. For my honors, I looked at the effect of the different amounts of Eucalyptus leaf litter. I worked with Divya Uma on the effect of predatory cues on the phototactic index of Daphnia spp. I interned with Dr. Abi Tamim Vanak (ATREE) on his project on ‘Adaptation of Mesocarnivores to Human-Modified Landscapes’ in 2016. In 2018, I interned with Dr. S. Sathyakumar of WII on a project which looked at the mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts. Apart from this, I did volunteer with rescue of snakes for 3 years in the peri-urban area of Bangalore.

I have a keen interest in ecology, evolution and conservation biology. I am very interested in understanding how environment shapes life-history parameters of a species and how a species alters its environment. Questions addressing such interactions in terms of behaviour, morphology and physiology fascinate me. Conceptual interests aside, I would actually like to apply my research findings to find solutions to habitat and species management issues on the ground, as I believe that conservation should be based on sound science.


Paurnima Vikas Mohite

I was born and brought up in the rural area of Konkan, Maharashtra. Naturally most of my childhood was spent wandering aimlessly in the forest. I completed my graduation in forestry during which I, along with my classmates started a bird-watching group out of our interest towards birds and field ornithology. In due course I participated in the Volunteer Patrolling Programme arranged by Maharashtra Forest Department at Bhimashankar WLS. I also volunteered for a study on genetic connectivity of ungulates in the Central Indian Landscape under Mr. Abhinav Tyagi, PhD student of Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan, NCBS.

I am interested to study different aspects of natural history, ornithology, wildlife biology, ecology and evolution during this course. I wish to conduct research on these subjects and contribute efficiently for conserving the flora and fauna of the nation. I also would like to work in public outreach and conservation education programmes.

My main pastime includes travelling to different landscapes, trekking and explorations, watching wildlife documentaries and wildlife photography. I am a sea swimmer and I also love to play water-polo and badminton.


Priyanka Das

The first seed of environmental consciousness was sown in me with the introduction of environmental education in 5th standard. I did my BSc in Christ University, Bangalore where I joined Green Army, a student movement for nature conservation. Apart from conducting regular biodiversity studies and awareness programmes, we published books on bird and butterfly diversity of the campus and started restoration work of a local lake. To strengthen the footing that Green Army provided, I attended a workshop on rainforest ecology during my vacation, and volunteered for projects on human-leopard conflict, ant-bird interaction across elevational gradient and biogeography of wetland birds. In order to attain a holistic understanding of conservation and ecology, I took a year off and worked on various field projects that involved study of East Kolkata Wetlands, Fishing Cat, Human-Wildlife Interaction and Marine biology. My primary interest lies in human-animal interactions and finding sustainable solutions to rising conflicts.


Sangeeth Sailas S.

I owe my interest towards birds to a couple of seniors and my alma mater the Madras Christian College (MCC) itself which is situated inside a scrub jungle. Birdwatching is something I really enjoy, which sort of drew me towards the field of wildlife ecology and conservation. Since I wanted to contribute to research, I volunteered for a WCS project in Tungareshwar WS, camera-trapping for leopards and did occupancy surveys and call recordings for the Forest Owlet Athene blewitti in Melghat Tiger Reserve for WRCS. I enjoyed and found myself very interested in both these experiences, which motivated me to make my career in this field. I also interned at the Chennai Snake Park and conducted a behavioural study of captive Gharials Gavialis gangeticus to get a feel of doing my own research. Although I’ve had experiences with a couple of taxa, birds will always be special for me since they were the start of this very serious interest of mine. For this reason, I’m sure SACON and my current course are the best fit for me. I have a particular fascination towards polymorphism and acoustics in birds – particularly owls, which I hope to work on later in my career. Apart from this, I’m interested in science communication and theatre and I am also learning German at the moment.


Shardul Shrikant Joshi

I got introduced to nature and natural beings by my father,a keen naturalist and my mother, an animal lover. With their support and encouragement, I went on to do my Bachelor’s degree in forestry during which I also completed one-year online Basic Course in Ornithology offered by  BNHS. My selection for the Winter School in Ecology and Evolution at IISER, Mohali introduced me to the fundamentals of biological research and experimentation. I was awarded the best presentation award at a National Seminar on Wetlands at Christ University, Bengaluru where I presented the findings of a preliminary study on wintering shorebirds in Dapoli taluka. I have volunteered for a project on the genetic connectivity of ungulates in the Central Indian Landscape with Mr. Abhinav Tyagi, a PhD student under Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan, NCBS, Bengaluru.  I also volunteered with the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) on their camera- trapping project in Melghat Tiger Reserve. My areas of interest include Ornithology, Biogeography, Paleoecology and Evolutionary Biology. Apart from academics, I also indulge in classical music, reading, photography and sports.


Shriranjani L Iyer

Being brought up in Coimbatore surrounded by the Western Ghats, I have been fascinated by the natural world since my childhood. The earliest memories I have were visiting Topslip (Indira Gandhi National Park) as a kid, thanks to my parents who decided to spend many weekends there. My fascination led me to begin exploring forests using every opportunity that came my way –trekking expeditions, wildlife census, birding, butterfly-watching, insect photography and public outreach. Eventually I joined as a member of the Salim Ali Naturalists Forum – an initiative of the SACON’s Nature Education Programme. With increasing exposure to conservation issues, research projects and interaction with ecologists, my enthusiasm for wildlife and forests naturally graduated to ecological research. I developed an avid interest in bats during my school days and that fascination I had with them continues to this day! The choice of dedicating my life to the study of ecology and natural history was thus a natural transition, I went on to get my Bachelor’s in Zoology From PSG college. My current research interests lie in understanding bat diversity, behavioural ecologyand biogeography.


Subhiksha Lakshmi Maxima

In spite of a city upbringing, my fascination with the natural world began at a very young age thanks to a lot of hand-holding and guidance from seniors in the field, Gerald Durrel’s books and summer vacations spent travelling to wilderness areas across the country. Birdwatching became my favourite pastime since 2009, the year of my first bird survey at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. During my Bachelors degree course, I became interested in butterflies and “butterflying” became my second favourite pastime. Subsequently, I got opportunities to take part in various  bird/butterfly/mammal surveys and they immensely helped me to gain first-hand exposure to nature and its myriad ways of functioning. I also interned at ZSI- Marine Biology Regional Centre, volunteered with the SSTCN (turtle conservation) and joined as a Docent at Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. My internship with BNHS at the Bird Migration Study Centre, Point Calimere and the Bird Ringing Project at Lake Chilika, Orissa after my graduation propelled me in the right direction to join the inaugural Masters course at SACON. My other hobbies are photography, reading, and playing piano. My research interests lie in the field of natural history, ecology and evolution with focus on birds, herpetofauna and arthropods.


Swapna Lawrence

I happened to discover my interest in wildlife during my Bachelor’s degree at Christ University, Bangalore. At the university, I found like-minded peers with whom I spent hours observing and documenting birds and butterflies across green spaces within the campus and also the city. As my interest piqued, I used my summer breaks to volunteer for line transect surveys conducted by Centre for Wildlife Studies to estimate ungulate populations in the Western Ghats. After I graduated, I joined CWS as a research assistant and worked on population estimation of large carnivores and their prey using camera trap, line transect and occupancy data. I also took some time off to volunteer for a behavioural study on elucidating the social structure and reproductive strategies of Central Himalayan Langurs. More recently, I worked under Dr. Divya Vasudev on a social survey based study investigating the effects of NTFP collection on Lion-tailed Macaques across the Western Ghats. Among various things, animal behaviour specifically interests me and I would like to study species’ responses to changes in their environment and work towards the conservation of these species.

List of M.Sc. Dissertations

Name of the student Title of M.Sc. dissertation Supervisors /

Co-Supervisors

Funding Agency
Abhilasha S. Fulzele Effects of sterilization on social organization and behaviour of free-ranging rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) Dr. H.N. Kumara (SACON) MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Deepak Chavan Influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on anti-predatory behaviour of Peninsular Rock Agama (Psammophilus dorsalis) Dr. S. Babu (SACON)

&

Dr. Kavita Isvaran (IISc, Bangalore)

Wildlife Trust of India
Paurnima Mohite Composition of intertidal rock pool sedentary fauna from select beaches of southern coast of Maharashtra Dr. Goldin Quadros (SACON) WWF-India
Priyanka Das Dry season forage selection by Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in a fragmented landscape, northern West Bengal Dr. H.N. Kumara (SACON)

&

Sh. Aritra Kshettry (The Co-Existence Project)

MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Sangeeth Sailas S. Factors influencing the habitat use of owls in a mosaic landscape in Garo Hills, Meghalaya Dr. P. Pramod (SACON)

&

Dr. S. Babu (SACON)

Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation
Shardul Joshi Insectivorous bird communities of monoculture plantations in Konkan region, Maharashtra Dr. Rajah Jayapal (SACON) MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Shriranjani L. Iyer Urban green spaces and their effect on bat activity in Pune, Maharashtra Dr. Manchi Shirish S. (SACON)

&

Dr. Anand Krishnan (IISER, Pune)

MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Subhiksha Lakshmi Maxima An assessment of butterfly species composition across a disturbance gradient in Garo Hills, north-east India Dr. P.V. Karunakaran (SACON)&

Sh. Rohit R.S. Jha (WII, Dehradun)

MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Swapna Lawrence Influence of timber plantations on high-altitude understorey insectivorous birds in the Nilgiris landscape Dr. Shomita Mukherjee (SACON)&

Dr. V.V. Robin (IISER, Tirupati)

MoEFCC, Govt. of India

Title Rules Application
Rules and Regulations for affiliation of Post Doctoral Fellows/ Young Scientists/ Research Affiliates Pdf Word
Rules and Regulations for affiliation of external candidates for Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.Sc., Degrees Pdf Word
Revised Rules for the award of research fellowships other than JRF/SRF/RA Pdf
Guidelines for admission to Internship Programme Pdf Word
Guidelines for affiliation as Volunteers Pdf Word

Post Doctoral Fellows / Young Scientists / Research Affiliates

(Candidate seeking affiliation at SACON without a funded project)

Validity period Affiliation fee       Rs. Caution Money refundable Rs. Access fees non-refundable Rs.
3 Years 10000 5000 5000

    Foreign Nationals

Fee details Amount
Affiliation fee US$ 150
Refundable Caution Fee US$ 100

External candidates for Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.Sc.

Duration   Course/purpose Validity period Admission Fee Rs. Caution Money refundable Rs. Access fees non-refundable Rs.
1-6 months Masters degree Up to 6 months 500 2,000 3,000
1-2 years M. Phil Up to 1 year 500 3,000 5,000 / Year
3 – 6 years PhD Up to 1 year 500 5,000 10,000 / Year

            Foreign National

Admmission Fee US$ 15
Caution money (refundable ) US$ 150
Access Fee US$ 150

Internship Programme

Fee details Amount
Affiliation fee Rs.3,000/- for Indian Nationals (or)
US$ 50 for Foreign Nationals
Refundable Caution Fee Rs.1,000/- for Indian Nationals
(or)
US $ 20 for Foreign Nationals

volunteers

Access Fee Rs. 2,000/- for Indian Nationals (or) US $ 30 for Foreign Nationals