Wetlands are an integral part of every landscape. The different types of wetlands provide habitats to several life forms that remain associated or dependant on the wetland. Understanding the ecosystem services and interlinkages among the various lifeforms and wetland habitats is essential in designing strategies and policies aiding conservation. SACON has been contributing significantly to the research, documentation and conservation of wetlands across the country. It has played a leaders’ role in aspects of policy making and added to the knowledge of Indian wetlands. The Wetland Ecology division at SACON pursues to carry on with the good work and further it by laying importance on research and training.
The emphasis in research will be to study the ecological aspects of the wetlands and its utility to the flora and fauna including the bird species. Although the species and habitat specific research will have a prominence, integrating sustainability of individual wetlands is of equal concern.
The Wetland Ecology division also conducts training programme required for capacity building of various stake holders viz. forest officials, students, teachers and researchers.
Dr. Goldin Quadros, Principal Scientist
Dr. Mahendiran Mylswamy, Senior Scientist
Ankita Bhattacharya, Ph.D. Designation: Research Associate
Project: Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystems, habitats & landscapes in the country (North Zone: Delhi-NCR & Uttarakhand)
Contact: ankita.bhattac@gmail.com
Previous Work: I pursued my graduation and post-graduation in Zoology from the University of Calcutta, following which I joined Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun as a research scholar. I have worked there for 9 years which included my PhD tenure as well. My research career till now has involved studies on biodiversity and habitat assessments in mountainous landscapes, primarily focusing on mammals and birds. In this regard, I have gained experience in designing and conducting field based surveys which include camera trapping exercises, high altitude surveys, vantage point counts, sign surveys, trail samplings, line transects, gradient directed transects, vehicular transects, rapid biodiversity assessments and semi-structured questionnaire surveys to understand the human dimensions as well. My target given was to provide baseline information at landscape levels for some lesser known but biodiversity rich Himalayan regions where few studies have been conducted previously. To achieve this, I focused mainly on species distribution modelling, habitat suitability modelling, occupancy modelling, distance sampling and future climate change prediction modelling. The results led me to provide population estimation, current and future distribution status and delineation of suitable habitats for some key mammal and bird species. I have used Maximum Entropy Models (MaxEnt), Point Process models, Generalized Linear Models, Regression analyses and have gained fair experience in the use of several analytical and geospatial software like R, Google Earth and ArcGIS in this process. My doctoral dissertation entailed a part of these large scale studies. The focus of my work was population estimation of wild and domestic ungulates and how distribution and resource selection patterns of Blue Sheep or Bharal (Pesudois nayaur), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), and Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) were affected by presence and intensity of livestock in alpine habitats and transition zones of the Upper Gori valley in Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Current Work: Currently, I am working on drafting a comprehensive State Action Plan for conservation of avifauna and their habitats in two states of India (Uttarakhand and Delhi). This involves compilation and analysis of existing data as well as consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Research Interest: Species Distribution Modelling, Mammals & Birds, Himalayan Ecosystems, Habitat/Landscape Ecology
Mr. Siddhesh Dhruv Bhave, Senior Research Biologist (M.Sc. Zoology)
I am from Mumbai, Maharashtra; I have graduated from University of Mumbai with specialization in Zoology. After my Masters I have had the opportunity to work on research projects with several National research institutions like ICAR Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural history (SACON), CSIR National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The research projects gave me several opportunities to travel different landscapes and seascapes mainly central and southern India. The prospect to sample deep sea sediments from the Arabian sea by participating in the Sea Cruises developed my insights to the ocean ecology and dynamics. These varied field trips have contributed to developing my skill sets, be it mammal, bird and insect identification in the field or analyse water, sediment plankton or benthos in the laboratory. Having worked in different projects and dabbled in several topics I have now gathered specific interest in Ecology of Rocky shore Tide pools, Marine Benthos and Shorebirds. I have registered at Mumbai University for my PhD on the topic “Ecology of benthic community from intertidal rock pools of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra”.
Since December 2021, I am working at SACON as Senior Research Biologist on the project titled ‘Assess the association of avifauna with rocky shore tide pool ecosystems along the Indian coasts’.
Prathamesh Gurjarpadhye, Senior Research Biologist (SRB) &Ph.D. Scholar
I obtained my Master’s degree in Zoology from Mumbai University (2015). After completing Masters, my passion for wildlife drove me towards the field of wildlife research. My interest lies in Wetland Conservation, Ornithology and Genetics. I joined Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in year 2015. I work under three different research projects conducted by SACON. During these projects, I developed various skills like sample (Water, Soil, Benthos, Planktons) collection and analysis techniques, identification of Fish, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Benthos, Bird study Techniques, Mangroves identification and study methods. During six years of my research career, I got the opportunity to improve my observation skills, Communication, teamwork and Leadership skills, Ability to adapt, Micromanagement and increase the ability to work independently for extended periods of time in unfavourable field conditions. During this period, I have worked on Edible Nest Swiftlet and also registered for my Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Manchi Shirish at Bharathiar University. Currently, I am working as a Senior Research Biologist in Wetland Ecology Division on the project titled “Rejuvenation of storm water drain and restoration of holding ponds in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area.” I wish to contribute more information to this field of wetlands that presently-lack ecological knowhow.
Contact: gurjarpadhyeprathamesh@gmail.com Phone: 7588310361/ 9920132366
Mr. Durgesh Patil, Junior Research Biologist
Since my early high school days, I have been passionate about Science, History and Geography. Soon, I developed my interests in venturing out in nature, going trekking and traveling into wilderness areas. I remember my first trek during bachelor’s course work (Botany, 2018) at Karnala Fort, situated in Karnala Bird sanctuary, Raigad, MH, where my professors and seniors guided me into this fascinating world of Plants, Birds, Butterflies, Insects and their interaction within the ecosystem. Later, for my M.Sc. Dissertation (Botany, 2020), I selected the same field site for ‘Floristic Enumeration of Monsoon Ephemeral Species’.
My Interest in Ecology, mainly with birds, escalated gradually during my academics. I was actively involved in Nature Education and Awareness as I was working Part time as Nature Interpreter at ‘Sanjay Gandhi National Park’ and ‘Maharashtra Nature Park’, Mumbai. After my Graduation in Botany, I was engaged as Project Assistant for ‘SACON’ on the project titled ‘Synanthropic Bird Survey of Maharashtra State’. I have participated as Botany Expert in preparation of PBR’s In South Goa Region and also involved in Literature reviews for PBR’s of Haryana state. After completion of my Master’s Degree in Botany with specialization in Angiosperms Taxonomy, I joined Himachal Pradesh Forest Department as Research Assistant for the Reintroduction Program of Western Tragopan. This experience developed my skills in Radio Telemetry and its analysis, Camera trapping, Habitat assessment, Bird handling and tagging along with enhancing my physical abilities to work in rugged Himalayan landscapes. Later after completion of the project, I worked as Associate Consultant – Ecology at ‘Arcadis’ mainly performing surveys and studies for ESIA and ESDD reports.
Currently at SACON, I’m engaged as Junior Research Biologist in “Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for Conservation of Avian Diversity, their Ecosystem, Habitats and Landscape in the state of Nagaland”
Mr. Sunilkumar G. Gupta, Junior Research Biologist (MSc Zoology)
I have done my Postgraduation in Zoology from the University of Mumbai in 2018.
Currently, working as a JRB on the project titled “Rejuvenation of stormwater drain and restoration of holding water pond in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area” at SACON under supervision of Dr Goldin Quadros. After my post-graduation, I have worked as a lecturer at Bhavan’s College, A.E. Kalsekar College and V.K. Menon College. I have also enrolled for my PhD from the University of Mumbai and will be conducting ecological research along the Mumbai coast.
As a Nature enthusiast I have a keen interest in wildlife and its conservation. Other field of interest includes Ornithology, Nature education, Ecology and Wildlife Photography.
Contact: sunil.sacon2022@outlook.com
Divya Prakash, Junior Research Biologist (M.Sc)
Biology as a subject and wildlife conservation as a purpose are both instilled as my profound interests. To have the advanced knowledge in theoretical and practical biology, I did my bachelor’s in Life Science from University of Delhi and Master’s in Life Science from Central University of South Bihar. Wildlife and especially birds have always been my fascination and that I further took forward in my academics. I did my dissertation thesis on effects of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on behaviour and physiology of birds under Dr. Ram Pratap Singh. My current academic interests include studying Physiology, genetics, behavioral ecology, Urban biodiversity & conservation biology.
At present, I am working as a Junior Research Biologist at SACON under the supervision of Dr. Mahendiran Mylswamy in the project titled- “Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystems, habitats & landscapes in the country: Delhi NCR”. I hope to further learn and grow my skills in order to serve my country’s wildlife with all my capabilities in future.
Research Projects – Ongoing
Research Projects Completed
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in Books/ Proceedings of International / National Seminars / Conferences.
Books Published