Dr. J.R.B Alfred
Member
Dr. Alfred graduated from Assam and obtained his Master’s and Ph. D. degrees from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu respectively. After his post-Doctoral studies, he joined the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, where he served as Lecturer and Reader in Zoology before being appointed as Deputy Director, Eastern Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Shillong and later as Director of the Zoological Survey of India. A well-known Zoologist and taxonomist, he started his work on Limnology with special reference to Chironomids and moved on to Soil fauna dynamics in Jhum cultivation and ecology and behaviour of the Hoolock Gibbon from N.E. India. He has more than 30 years of research experience, having coordinated several research projects and participated in many faunal surveys and expeditions to different parts of India. He has represented India in a number of International conventions such as CITES, CBD-COP, SUBSTAA, GBIF-IUCN etc. He has published more than 300 scientific papers and 50 books. He is the President of the Zoological Society of Kolkata and the Vice-President of Nature Mates and is a member of the West Bengal Biodiversity Board.
Mr. Biswajit Rai Chaudhuri
Secretary
Mr. Roy Chowdhury is an eminent conservationist and wildlife expert. He is the founder secretary of NEWS and editor of the wildlife magazine Environ. He has been a member of the State Wildlife Board for the last 13 years. He is the writer of some legendary wildlife books, like, ‘Days in the Wild’, ‘Wild Wonders of India’, ‘Sundarbans: a majestic mangrove’ and several others.
Ms. Ajanta Dey
Joint Secretary & Program Director
Ms. Ajanta Dey has been working on ecological and environmental issues with an ecosystem approach for over two decades. She is the Joint Secretary & Programme Director of Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS). She is a member of the Commission on Ecosystems Management (CEM) – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and also the Regional Co-ordinator of Living Lakes and Wetlands-South Asia. Ms. Dey also holds the position of Editor of Eastern India’s only wildlife and environment magazine, ENVIRON, and is also the member of Directorate of Distance Education, Vidyasagar University. She has worked on coastal restoration programme, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, water shed management etc and believes in partnership and building synergies at all levels to achieve the sustainable development goals. She believes in nature-based solutions and works in the science-community-policy interface to bring transformations to that effect.
Mr. Milon Sinha
Director - Fisheries and Animal Husbandry
Milon Sinha, is a M. Sc. in aquaculture having also extensive field level experience of fish culture and breeding of more than a decade. A nationally acclaimed Magur breeder developing improvised management practice for the same and acts as a regular resource person on this subject ranging from Universities to ICAR & State training programmes.For his significant contribution in the fisheries field, he has been acknowledged with several prestigious national awards like “Nabonmeshi Krishi Puroskar” from Indian Agriculture Research Institute(IARI,), Delhi, NFFD Award from Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute( CICFRI), Kolkata, Hiralal Chowdhry Foundation Award from Central Institute of Fisheries Education( CIFE), Mumbai etc. He is also member of many important national level and regional institutional committe related to fisheries education, research and policy.
Dr. Chandrima Sinha
Program Manager - Planning & Monitoring
Chandrima holds Ph. D degree in Ecology and Environmental Science from University Of Kalyani. She was a Research Scholar in Zoological Survey of India. She has worked extensively for Wetland management and biodiversity conservation of different Ramsar sites of India. She is having 24 years experience including 7 years teaching experience.
Mrs. Oaindrila Chakraborty
Manager - HR & Development
Oaindrila has over a decade long experience in HR and Admin in the corporate sector. She loves to work and Coordinate office activities and operations. She is also passionate about computer designing .
Dr. Sukanta Gayen
Project Manager
Sukanta Gayen has over 12 years of experience on different fields viz. socio-economic and health status of rural people in West Bengal , Self Help Groups, Sanitation, Sustainable livelihoods etc. He worked as Field supervisor at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Kolkata, Research Scholar in University of California, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha and others. He has a Master of Science degree in Integrated Rural Development and Management (IRDM) at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Narendrapur and pursuing Philosophy of Doctorate (Ph.D.) from Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development, West Bengal State University, Barasat, Kolkata. His interests lies in Agriculture abd Rural Development, livelihoods, women development and SHGs, participatory action research etc. Presently he is engaged in managing sustainable lilvelihoods programme in Sundarban.
Mr. Ayan Roy Chowdhury
Project Manager
Ayan Roy Chowdhury has done his graduation in Hotel Management from Bangalore university. He is passionate in wildlife photography since childhood which has converted into immense love for nature and wildlife. After working almost 20 years in Jet Airways, he decided to dedicate himself for the welfare of nature and wildlifeand promote environmental awareness and joined NEWS.
Dr. Nimai Bera
Project Manager
Dr. Nimai Bera holds M.Sc., M. Phil and Ph. D. degree in Environmental Science, with more than 8 years of research expertise. He has worked under a Space Application Centre, ISRO Sponsored network project on “Energy and Mass Exchange in Vegetation System” for measurement of Heat, Carbon-di-oxide and Water flux in Rice ecosystem during his Ph.D. program. He has experience in preparation of wildlife and biodiversity conservation plan for NMDC, Chattishgarh. He has worked at RRC, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) for more than 3 years for livelihood development and fish based integrated farming in Sundarban. Since 2019 he is associated with NEWS as the Project Manager
Mr. Papai Dubey
Project Manager
Papai Dubey is a Zoology graduate and Masters in Social work. He has more than 10 years experience in the development sector in diverse thematic areas. He has worked extensively with the community at the grassroot level and experienced various participatory tools like Social Audit, Citizens Report Card, Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) on health and nutrition, on preparing of Village Health action Plan (VHAP), Participatory School development Plan, Integrated participatory Planning Exercise (IPPE), and the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). He has been a former member of the State Resource Team for GPDP and has been working in NEWS since 2018 as a Team leader and Community Mobilization Specialist and presently he is a part of the Research and Development Team and involved in monitoring and management of the MIS of different projects.
Mr. Saikat Manna
Field Botanist
Saikat is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Dept. of Botany, University of Calcutta. Former Research Fellow and PBR Monitoring assistant in West Bengal Biodiversity Board, Dept. of Environment. He is experienced in the field of plant ecology especially in ecosystem restoration and management since past 10 years. Skilled in identification of vascular plants, exploration of indigenous traditional knowledge and plant community analysis. Proficient in field surveys, team leading, documentation through community interaction, sampling methods and data analysis. Published quality research articles on fundamental plant ecology and phytosociology in journals of international repute.
Mr. Sabyasachi Chakraborty
Documentation and Communication Officer
Sabyasachi Chakraborty holds a post-graduate degree in Marine Science from University of Calcutta. He has worked as a research fellow in several research projects sponsored by Govt. of India and Govt. of West Bengal in the field of environmental and estuarine sciences surrounding the Sundarban mangrove vegetation. Presently, he is engaged with Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) as Marine Biologist in different projects
Mr. Sitangshu Das
Assistant Biologist
Sitangshu joined NEWS in 2019 and holds a MSc. degree in Environmental Science from University of Calcutta & a diploma in ‘Wildlife Management’. He is currently working as Assistant Biologist and has been involved in writing project proposals and feasibility studies, assessment of Floral and Faunal diversity. His interest lies in action-based research towards effective measures for reducing human-animal negative interaction and contributing practical knowledge to Wildlife Conservation.
Mr. Indrajit Sarkar
Diploma Engineer
Indrojit Sarkar is a professional Civil Engineer experienced in the building and planning of infrastructure projects like roads, building, dams etc. He has completed B.E. in Civil Engineering from The University of Burdwan and is associated with WBADMI project of NEWS since 2017. He has expertise in AutoCAD drawing and budgets & project resources management.
Mr. Anup Kr. Manna
Field Animator
Anup Kumar Manna is a Graduate from Calcutta University having vast field level work experience of more than 7 years in Sunderban as a field Animator. He is trained in sustainable development (WWF-India, WBSO), Hilsa conservation (International water Association) and SHGs/SGSY Group (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development) etc.
Mr. Subhrojit Kar
MIS Officer
Subhrojit is an MSW from IISWBM, Kolkata, with specialization in community development and labour welfare. He has over 4 years of work experience in the development sector in social outreach and livelihood domain. He is very passionate about wildlife and environment conservation. Presently he is working in NEWS as an MIS Officer.
Mr. Tayan Das
Field Assistant
Tayan Das is a Masters in Anthropology from West Bengal State University. He is experienced in various tribal communities in rural areas of West Bengal and also has interest in wildlife research study. Currently working as a Field Assistant in this organisation and is happy to engage in different type of research for conservation works.
Mr. Paritosh Giri
Zonal Manager
He has long experience and good exposure to the related works he undertook. ; he is hardworking, very productive and able to work in team. He is responsible for Sagar zone.
Mr. Chandan Kr. Maity
Zonal Manager
Mr.Chandan Kumar Maiti has been working with our organisation as a Field Officer for a period of 12 years. He is responsible for Saptamukhani zone.
Mr. Biswajit Mondal
Zonal Manager
Mr. Mondal has been working with our organisation as a Field Officer for over 12 years. He is an expert in community mobilization and is responsible for Bidya-Raimongol zone in Sundarban.
Mr. Bidyut Maity
Office Assistant
Bidyut is one of the oldest members of the organisations and works as a support staff for the official works.
Mr. Bhagabath Shasmal
Field Supervisor
He is working as the field supervisor in NEWS and is responsible for monitoring as well as community connect in the field areas
Mr. Kunal Mondal
Field Supervisor
He is working as the field supervisor in NEWS and is responsible for monitoring as well as community connect in the field areas
Mr. Ashok Mandal
Field Supervisor
He is working as the field supervisor in NEWS and is responsible for monitoring as well as community connect in the field areas
Mr. Dipankar Mondal
Field Supervisor
He is working as the field supervisor in NEWS and is responsible for monitoring as well as community connect in the field areas
Mr. Prabir Mondal
Field Supervisor
Prabir is a nature lover and has been involved in conservation activities and environment protection for the past 10 years. He is one of our field supervisors who works closely with the community in mangrove restoration along with livelihood augmentation works
Mr. Provash Mondal
Field Supervisor
He is working as the field supervisor in NEWS and is responsible for monitoring as well as community connect in the field areas
Dr Mayur Bawri
Project Manager
Dr Mayur Bawri earned his master’s in Zoological Science from the Department of Zoology, Gauhati University and a PhD in Animal Ecology and Wildlife Sciences from the same department. For his PhD he studied the population demography and habitat utilisation pattern of Endangered Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Dr. Bawri was awarded Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Student (RF-SMS) under UGC’s Basic Research Scheme (BRS) for 5 years for his Doctoral Research. Dr. Bawri carries work experience of more than 15 years in the field of Wildlife Conservation and Research and has published his findings in peer reviewed International and National journals of repute. He has worked with organisation like Bombay Natural History Society, The Corbett Foundation, Cotton University in various capacities. He has experience of working with local community in and around Protected Areas. Before joining Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, Dr Bawri was engaged as Scientist ‘D’ in the Integrated Regional Office, Guwahati, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India.