I am a conservation scientist at Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), India and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I am interested in large and meso-carnivore ecology, human-wildlife interaction and prey-predator interactions. My research identified wetland patches key for the survival of wetland-dependent species in fragmented landscapes, unique habitats that support intact mammal assemblages and how large carnivore populations are vulnerable to extinction, in smaller PAs and their long-term survival depend on developing appropriate management strategies to maintain their optimal habitats.
The conversion of wetlands and their associated habitat for agriculture and residential development pose a serious threat to the survival of wetland-dependent indicator species such as serval because of habitat loss and discontinuity of wetland. My research identified wetland patches as key for the survival of wetland-dependent indicator species in fragmented landscapes. The long-term survival of such species depends on developing appropriate management strategies that maintain optimal eco-friendly farming habitats with support from local farming communities.
