Phylogeny | Evolutionary & Historical Biogeography
There is a deep scientific mystery hidden behind our understanding of the origin of species, evolutionary relatedness among them, and the geographical distribution patterns we see today. 'What is what' is not a naming problem but also always has a biogeography perspective attached to it, which fascinates us.
During my doctoral studies, I resolved a long debate on the phylogeny of Indian owlets, studied the effect of Quaternary climatic fluctuations and future climate change on the ranges of owlets, and attempted to translate the research towards aiding conservation of one of my study species, Forest Owlet Athene blewitti which is an Endangered owlet.
Presently we are working towards enhancing our knowledge about owl phylogeny and biogeography through a shared research project with Skyisland Lab at IISER-TPT and SACON.
We will soon start a project on Odonata phylogeny.
There is a deep scientific mystery hidden behind our understanding of the origin of species, evolutionary relatedness among them, and the geographical distribution patterns we see today. 'What is what' is not a naming problem but also always has a biogeography perspective attached to it, which fascinates us.
During my doctoral studies, I resolved a long debate on the phylogeny of Indian owlets, studied the effect of Quaternary climatic fluctuations and future climate change on the ranges of owlets, and attempted to translate the research towards aiding conservation of one of my study species, Forest Owlet Athene blewitti which is an Endangered owlet.
Presently we are working towards enhancing our knowledge about owl phylogeny and biogeography through a shared research project with Skyisland Lab at IISER-TPT and SACON.
We will soon start a project on Odonata phylogeny.
Natural History | Diversity & Distribution
Observing, identifying and counting birds and dragonflies is a pass time for us. We have a keen interest in understanding how species diversity and distribution change as a response to proximate and ultimate factors, and how this information can be used in conservation planning.
We have led several expeditions to remote areas as and when possible. We find ourselves lucky that we could touch upon or looked into things which no-one could notice.
We are presently working on several diversity and distribution projects in the urban context. We are also collaborating with RANWA and Garware College, helping them study diversity and distribution of birds and dragonflies of Mahabaleshwar Eco-sensitive Zone. We will soon start an owl monitoring project.
Observing, identifying and counting birds and dragonflies is a pass time for us. We have a keen interest in understanding how species diversity and distribution change as a response to proximate and ultimate factors, and how this information can be used in conservation planning.
We have led several expeditions to remote areas as and when possible. We find ourselves lucky that we could touch upon or looked into things which no-one could notice.
We are presently working on several diversity and distribution projects in the urban context. We are also collaborating with RANWA and Garware College, helping them study diversity and distribution of birds and dragonflies of Mahabaleshwar Eco-sensitive Zone. We will soon start an owl monitoring project.
Urban Ecology
In recent years, we have started looking into urban ecosystems and how they shape biodiversity. Our reach till now has been conducting short projects on birds and dragonflies, but we are looking forward to long-term projects that address how pace of urbanization affect diversity and distribution.
Two such programs we have initiated are Pune Bird Atlas and Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping projects. The Pune Bird Atlas Project is inspired from the Mysore Bird Atlas. We plan to conduct the project for three consecutive years to collect data on birds and land-use. We hope analysis will reveal bird hotspots, areas of conservation priority, habitat islands, and spatio-temporal variation in bird populations.
The Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping Project is happening in phases. We are presently targeting Pune City and Marathwada Region (Aurangabad, Jalna, and Parbhani). The Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping Project is a follow-up project of a study we conducted few years back. The MDM Project will bring out information on odonate richness and help us identify species hotspots.
In recent years, we have started looking into urban ecosystems and how they shape biodiversity. Our reach till now has been conducting short projects on birds and dragonflies, but we are looking forward to long-term projects that address how pace of urbanization affect diversity and distribution.
Two such programs we have initiated are Pune Bird Atlas and Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping projects. The Pune Bird Atlas Project is inspired from the Mysore Bird Atlas. We plan to conduct the project for three consecutive years to collect data on birds and land-use. We hope analysis will reveal bird hotspots, areas of conservation priority, habitat islands, and spatio-temporal variation in bird populations.
The Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping Project is happening in phases. We are presently targeting Pune City and Marathwada Region (Aurangabad, Jalna, and Parbhani). The Maharashtra Dragonfly Mapping Project is a follow-up project of a study we conducted few years back. The MDM Project will bring out information on odonate richness and help us identify species hotspots.
Biodiversity Informatics and Citizen Science
Past many years, we are involved in citizen science projects concerning owls, dragonflies, and roadkill. Over the years, due to availability of Cit Sci portals and advances in networking through social media, the citizen science movement in India has gathered quite a power. We, along with our several collaborators, have been using Cit Sci portals and social media for understanding diversity and distribution.
I am the founder and coordinator for the annual DrgonflySouthAsia (formerly DragonflyIndia) meeting. Since 2014, we have been conducting these meetings and have trained 100+ participants in Odonatology. As a result of these meetings and workshops, we have successfully established a network of odonatologist and enthusiasts over the country and abroad.
DragonflySouthAsia
A citizen-science fueled community of odonatologists across South Asia, members of DragonflySouthAsia are actively involved in research, conservation, and outreach on odonates. The community is 9000+ members strong. The citizen science portal for DSA is DragonflyIndia iNaturalist Project. We organize annual meetings of DragonflySouthAsia in the form of meeting of odonatologists followed by a three-day long workshop on odonatology.
Odonata of India
I am a part of a well-moderated website dedicated to document Odonata fauna from India called Odonata of India. The website is an excellent resource for information on Indian odonates.
OwlIndia
To facilitate deposition of spatial distribution data on Strigidae members, I have created an inaturalist project. The project is a part of DiversityIndia. The project is connected with BirdIndia and few other small projects, for easy exchange of data. Following the footsteps of DragonflySouthAsia Meetings, we plan to initiate OwlIndia meetings to discuss about nocturnal birds, especially owls which are under severe threat of habitat loss and poaching.
Roadkill Network
It is a long-term initiative. This group aims at documenting wildlife roadkills across India. We hope that this data could be used for several purposes involving studies on animal movement, habitat fragmentation, tourism pressure, conservation planning and management.
Past many years, we are involved in citizen science projects concerning owls, dragonflies, and roadkill. Over the years, due to availability of Cit Sci portals and advances in networking through social media, the citizen science movement in India has gathered quite a power. We, along with our several collaborators, have been using Cit Sci portals and social media for understanding diversity and distribution.
I am the founder and coordinator for the annual DrgonflySouthAsia (formerly DragonflyIndia) meeting. Since 2014, we have been conducting these meetings and have trained 100+ participants in Odonatology. As a result of these meetings and workshops, we have successfully established a network of odonatologist and enthusiasts over the country and abroad.
DragonflySouthAsia
A citizen-science fueled community of odonatologists across South Asia, members of DragonflySouthAsia are actively involved in research, conservation, and outreach on odonates. The community is 9000+ members strong. The citizen science portal for DSA is DragonflyIndia iNaturalist Project. We organize annual meetings of DragonflySouthAsia in the form of meeting of odonatologists followed by a three-day long workshop on odonatology.
Odonata of India
I am a part of a well-moderated website dedicated to document Odonata fauna from India called Odonata of India. The website is an excellent resource for information on Indian odonates.
OwlIndia
To facilitate deposition of spatial distribution data on Strigidae members, I have created an inaturalist project. The project is a part of DiversityIndia. The project is connected with BirdIndia and few other small projects, for easy exchange of data. Following the footsteps of DragonflySouthAsia Meetings, we plan to initiate OwlIndia meetings to discuss about nocturnal birds, especially owls which are under severe threat of habitat loss and poaching.
Roadkill Network
It is a long-term initiative. This group aims at documenting wildlife roadkills across India. We hope that this data could be used for several purposes involving studies on animal movement, habitat fragmentation, tourism pressure, conservation planning and management.