I am an ecologist, primarily interested in all aspects of human-wildlife interactions and applied conservation. My research draws from interdisciplinary fields of natural and social sciences. My DPhil project investigates farmer-wildlife conflicts, crop losses and livelihood interventions in transitional forest landscapes. I work in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, alongside the marginal farmers of Indo-African Siddi community, local NGOs and forest department. Through participatory research and total ecology approaches, I address: 1. Historic trends of cropping, conflict, and associated food insecurity. 2. Intended and unintended consequences of livelihood interventions on human-wildlife interactions.
I am supervised by Prof. EJ Milner-Gulland at ICCS and funded by the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development. I post-graduated with a Masters in Ecology from Pondicherry University in 2013, where I studied the socioeconomics and perceptions around smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) and fishermen interactions in the Cauvery River in southern India, funded by the International Otter Survival Fund, UK.
Alongside research, I am also an active participant and contributor at policy based global forums such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity - Conference of the Parties (UN CBD-COP) and Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) COP voicing for mainstreaming youth and indigenous communities in wildlife conservation. I am also a trained Natural History Illustrator and use art as a medium to communicate conservation science. You can explore more about my research, outreach, and artwork on www.apoorvakulkarni.com
