Other Key Functionaries
Dr. Nudrat Zawar Sayed
National Coordinator
She holds a doctoral degree in Botany from Mumbai University with specialization in conservation of forest trees. She is an academician and researcher in the field of environment and allied field forestry, wildlife and environmental conservation. She also has experience of working on Regional and Zonal Master plans of Eco-sensitive Zones
Mr. Umesh Dhotekar
Regional Coordinator – Central Region
A retired forest officer from Maharashtra cadre with 29 years of experience in handling all issues related to forest and wildlife. His expertise lies in capacity building of forest staff and communities living in the forest. He also has vast experience in dealing with situations of Human-Wildlife Conflict.
Mr. Ishteyaque Patel
Field Biologist and RS-GIS Analyst
His expertise lies in Technology Development and its applications. He is actively involved in the applications of Remote Sensing, GIS, GPS, Allied Technologies and Networking in forest wildlife and environmental conservation. He is adept in estimation of wildlife populations using the latest tools and technologies. Apart from this, he has been actively involved in education and awareness generation programs and all the field-based activities of the organization. He is also specialised in theme-specific Ecological Status Models. His forte is, providing field based support to various State Forest Departments through the organisation’s initiatives.
Mr. Popatrao. B. Bhalekar
Regional Coordinator (Western Maharashtra)
He has 30 years of experience in the Maharashtra Forest Department and retired as a Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife. He has vast experience of working on Water Shed Management, Catchment Area Treatment Plans, bamboo cultivation and community land afforestation programs. He also has experience in wildlife management, habitat improvement and Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) management.
Mr. Tarun Nayi
Reasearch associate (Plant Taxonomist)
He is a passionate botanist and ecologist currently pursuing a Ph.D. on “A Systematic Study on Grasses of the Aravalli Range.” He has an extensive field experience across all major phytogeographical zones of Gujarat and is actively working on biodiversity surveys, taxonomical studies, habitat assessments, and conservation projects. His key projects include preliminary biodiversity surveys in Polo Forest, taxonomy surveys of Waghai Botanical Garden in the Dang (Western Ghats), in-situ conservation of wild orchids in North Gujarat, grassland ecology studies in Banni Grasslands, and climber diversity documentation in Vansda National Park. He has also contributed to long-term ecological observation (LTEO) initiatives with IISc Bangalore across Gujarat’s sanctuaries and Gir Lion National Park. His contribution in the field for the projects of the organisation in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana is phenomenal.
Mr. S. Raghupati Reddy
Regional Coordinator (Northern India), Dehradun
He is borne of 1986-88 CASFOS Dehradun batch. He has a graduation in Forestry from Osmania University and Masters degree in Forestry from CASFOS, Dehradun. He has done a P.G. Diploma in Wildlife Management from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and also done a P.G. Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun. He is trained from the Logging Development Institute, Dehradun and has done a course in Computer Applications from CASFOS, Dehradun. He has been with the U.P Forest Corporation from 1986 to 2021 as a Divisional Manager and has served an interim term as an Assistant Silviculturist and Deputy Conservator of Forest, Forest Research Institute of India. He has a rich experience in Forest Management, Research and Administration. He has provided his valuable contribution in the revision of the National Working Plan Code. He has a rich experience in silviculture and management of tropical forests. His multi disciplinary experience is an asset to the organisation.
Mr. Jalid Riyaz Banday
Coordinator, The Himalayan Arc Landscape, Srinagar, UT of J&K
The expertise spread over a period 31 years and still on, in research and Policy advocacy in the Forestry related with respect to logging operations vis a vis extraction/ sale and marketing of forest produce/ timber, Research in the field of Soil and Water Conservation to implement Catchment Area Treatment plan to arrest erosion/protecting soil mass and conservation of water and monitoring/supervision of Catchment Treatment plan , For the successful management of watershed one has to know the objectives, indicators, source of verification and assumptions/risks before implementation of programme. Worked in the field as Divisional Forest Officer Research for the department of State Forest Research Institute predominantly active in GIS technology, and had an opportunity to raise nurseries and minor forest produce as Divisional Forest Officer Seed Development Division. Worked with Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board as an Environmental Expert for better sanitation process and disposal of municipal solid waste during the Yatra period from the year 2010 till physical yatra that is 2019.