Mr. Y. Giri Rao

Y. Giri Rao joined Vasundhara in 1995 and currently leads the Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood and Environment & Development teams.  He was initially involved in research on institutional issues, and was actively associated with Orissa Jungle Manch, a state-level federation formed for advocating forestry issues in Orissa. More recently he focuses on policy research and advocacy on conservation and livelihood issues, alliance building and media advocacy. Giri is the Treasurer of Vasundhara and also the staff representative to the Executive Committee. Email:-ygiri.rao@gmail.com

Ms. Sweta Mishra

Since joining Vasundhara in 2005, Sweta’s has been engaged in biodiversity and ecological research, and in advocacy work focusing on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood issues.  Her primary responsibility is coordinating research and advocacy on livelihood and traditional rights of communities residing in and around Protected Areas.  Her background includes work on energy auditing and watershed development, as well as research on community forestry, indigenous forest management practices, NTFP inventory, sustainable NTFP harvesting methods, etc. Sweta is a M.Phil in Environmental Science.Email:-swetamishra1@gmail.com

Mr. Pratyush P. Mahapatra

Brimming with an incredible interest in the breeding and study of scorpions and snakes, Pratyush is the team leader of a voluntary snake Helpline and has vast experience with reptiles. His academic credentials include a B.Sc and M.Sc in Zoology, and he is pursuing a Ph.D. on systematic and biogeography of snakes of the Eastern ghat ranges of Orissa. He has also published a few materials on snakes, scorpions, and biodiversity.Email:-pratyush.kingcobra@gmail.com

Mr. Tushar Dash

Tushar joined Vasundhara in 2006 after completing a Master’s Degree in Rural Management from Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. His areas of specialisation are micro-credit management and watershed management. His Master’s Degree dissertation topic was on understanding the role of community-based organisations in strengthening the livelihoods of tribals in Koraput. Email:-tushardash01@gmail.com

Mr. Prasad Kumar Dash

Prasad joined Vasundhara in 2007 after gaining seven years’ experience as a researcher in aquatic plants and mangroves in Utkal University’s Department of Botany and the Regional Research Laboratory in Bhubaneswar.  His academic credentials include B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Botany, and he is continuing his Ph.D. on Biodiversity of Aquatic plants of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa. Prasad has also published several papers in peer-reviewed research journals on aquatic plants, mangroves, ethnobotany and bryophytes of Orissa.Email:-prasad.dash2008@gmail.com