Self-sustaining Biodiversity Conservation through Tribal Livelihoods in Arunachal Pradesh
Ramana Athreya, IISER Pune
Project Leader
Ramana Athreya is a member of the Faculty of Physics and Biology at
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Pune
After a PhD in astronomy and research positions in France and the world-class telescopes of the European Southern Observatory in Chile, Ramana joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research as a research astronomer in 2003.
In 2003, as a hobby, he also started the Eaglenest Biodiversity Project, a tribal livelihood-cum-conservation project, in partnership with the Bugun tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
The project led to a faculty position in Biology (even without a formal degree) in IISER Pune, a premier research and education institution of the Government of India, designated an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.
At IISER Pune Ramana supervises (PhD) research in radio astrophysics and in biodiversity patterns and processes in Arunachal Pradesh.
He continues to work with tribal communities on sustainable, ecofriendly livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. In fact, the data collected during biodiversity research is translated to assist in livelihood generation, nature education and conservation policy.
31 August 2023, Ramana Athreya