Rushikesh Chavan Email & Phone Number

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India

I was the second person to join WCT. Today it is one of the leading organisations working in 160 Protected Areas and impacting a population base of approximately 3.5 million people. Last five years, among other things I focused on developing an evidence based policy think tank in the organisation. I have been entrusted with various critical management functions, strategic partnerships, onground implementation, policy advocacy and reporting to the board of trustees. Our combined work has led to securing at least 8,000 sq.km of forests.I have worked across various landscapes from forest to coral reefs. I have been part of various committees such as Maharashtra State Wildlife Advisory Board, Special Task Force for conservation of Central Indian Wild Buffalo constituted by the Supreme Court, and Committee to assess implementation of Forest Rights Act in Maharashtra. Advisor to the Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Centre. I have authored over 60 publications.

BNHS is India’s oldest and one of the largest organisation. I was the youngest Head of Conservation in the organisation and led several initiatives in terrestrial and marine environments. Our work in coral reef conservation won us the Whitley Fund for Nature award. As part of my profile, I worked on the county’s biggest conservation challenges at the highest levels of country’s development. It gave me the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders from the Prime Minister’s office, the defense forces, and corporations to small fishing communities of atoll islands. It made me work on ground from restoring mangroves to degraded forests and writing management plans for sanctuaries to getting community based conservation projects. My extensive and intensive work provided me with the tools to be a leader. I was considered credible to be part of various committees such as Maharashtra State Wildlife Advisory Board, Special Task Force for conservation of Central Indian Wild Buffalo constituted by the Supreme Court of India.