Rishi Kumar

Senior Manager 

IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

As a key member of IORA's Nature-based Solutions, and Lead of Forestry, and Biodiversity portfolio, I play a key role in designing and executing initiatives focused on Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation

• Managing large-scale biodiversity, restoration and carbon projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.

Noteworthy assignments include:

• Serving as Biodiversity and Project Management & Monitoring Expert (IORA) in USAID project, "Strengthening Landscape Management and Conservation." A multi-million dollar collaborative initiative for sustainable landscapes nationwide.
• Spearheading development of long-term project in collaboration with state governments and investors, focusing on Nature-based Solutions, Forest restoration and Carbon markets. This initiative aims to rehabilitate millions of hectares in degraded and deforested government, community, and private areas eg. IORA – MBDA Forest Restoration and Carbon Project (Acorn/Rabobank)
• Contributing to Working Draft on India's Long-Term Low Emission Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) as Knowledge Partner, IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd.) to Ministry of Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India
• Directing Evaluation of Biodiversity Enhancement contributions under "Situational Assessment for Biodiversity Conservation Interventions by ITC's Mission Sunehra Kal" across seven states in the country. 
• Inventorying Watershed basins in 8 states for biodiversity assessment under ITC’s Sunhera Kal Interventions.
• Reviewing and Recommending biodiversity enhancements and Biodiversity Park Design for "Tata Motors Plant" at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to achieve both biodiversity and environmental benefits
• Developed ‘Working Plan for South Tripura District’ for Tripura ForestDepartment, Tripura
• Developing projects on Biodiversity, Carbon Finance, Landscape Restoration, Forest Management, and Evaluation for the Government of India, state, and private companies.
• Developing long-term strategies for biodiversity solutions that we can provide to government. NGOs and Private companies.
• Leading a GIS team for ‘Selection of Intervention Landscape in Uttarakhand under RECAP4NDC’ Project.

Associate Landscape Coordinator 

Worldwide Fund For Nature, India, Sawai Madhopur

• Coordinated biodiversity/wildlife conservation activities in Western India Landscape, Ranthambore-Ramgarh Tiger Reserves
• Conducted detailed biodiversity/wildlife assessments and capacity development for Forest Departments on wildlife estimation methodologies, survey tools and ranging patterns of tigers

Training Consultant 

GIZ, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

• Provided technical inputs in training programs on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
• Facilitated support to selected trainings under Indo-German Project on HWC Mitigation

Achievements

• Organized, facilitated and coordinated online training for State Forest Services Probationers for CASFOS, Indian Forest Services Probationers for IGNFA, 2020-2022 Batch 

Project Scientist 

Wildlife Institute Of India (GIZ Project), Dehradun

• Coordinated preparation of Standard Operating Guidelines for Human-Wildlife Conflict on seven species/groups including three guidelines as lead author
• Organized workshops and meetings of Forest Department, Experts, and stakeholders for preparation of Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Guidelines
• Prepared HWC Management Action Plan for Rajaji-Haridwar-Dehradun landscape
• Organized training and workshops for authors, forest department officials, frontline staff (Rapid Response Team)

Achievements

• Seven HWC Operating Guidelines submitted to Ministry-GIZ for pilot testing, published by MoEFCC for forest managers  
• Uttarakhand HWC Strategy and Action Plan and HWC Management Action Plan for Haridwar and Dehradun Divisions submitted to DFOs

Research Associate 

Wildlife Institute of India, Sikkim

Long-Term Ecological/Biodiversity Monitoring in Sikkim Himalaya, (NMHS project, Government of India)

• Planned and established  - Long-term Ecological Monitoring sites (1 hectare each) in Sikkim Himalaya along altitudinal and anthropogenic pressure gradients
• Created baseline of floral, faunal diversity, and protocols development for vegetation and faunal monitoring of sampled sites

Achievements

• Established 26 Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Sites, 
• Created Framework for Long-term monitoring mechanism with local institutions, national, and international institutions

Project Associate 

Wildlife Institute Of India, Dehradun

• Reviewed biodiversity profile of Meghalaya State according to National Biodiversity Targets and Aichi Biodiversity Targets
• Collated of information on the threat to biodiversity of state
• Organized workshops and meetings with Forest Department, other Government Departments, NGOs, and local institutions for a review of State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Achievements

• Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan submitted to Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (NBT and Aichi Based)

Assistant Manager 

Wildlife Trust of India, Noida, UP

• Reviewed and collated Quarterly, Biannual, and Annual monitoring and evaluation of all wildlife/biodiversity/restoration/community projects
• Supported preparation of Project Implementation Plans of all projects
• Organized surveys of Garo Hills landscape (Meghalaya) for Hoolock- gibbons (wildlife)

Achievements

• Reviewed 40 - projects and course corrections as needed for better project delivery
• Prepared Conservation Action Plan, monitoring protocol and Landscape management plan for conservation of Hoolock gibbon in Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

Assistant Manager 

Wildlife Trust of India, Nagaland

Deputation to Nagaland – Nagaland Conservation Project

• Conducted wildlife and community survey at sites to identify critical wildlife of protected areas and local communities' requirements and resource use
• Prepared Management Plan for protected areas for management of wildlife species, habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvement
• Preparation of detailed budget with Forest Department

Achievements

• Prepared and submitted Management Plans for three protected areas of Nagaland State, India.

Assistant Manager and Team Lead (Meghalaya)

Wildlife Trust Of India, Garo Hills, Meghalaya

• Coordinated data collection and preparation of REDD+ biodiversity component of Garo Hills (VCS Carbon Project/Carbon Markets)
• Coordinated project activities related to forest landscape restoration (particularly riverine areas), wildlife / biodiversity assessment, carbon sequestration and community-related alternative livelihood programs
• Maintained nursery and plantations of native tree species in degraded habitats via Afforestation and Assisted Natural Regeneration
• Coordinated with Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Village heads for effective implementation of project

Achievements

• Established 14 Community Conservation Reserves in Meghalaya with Garo-Hills Team as corridors for wildlife, promoting biodiversity

Doctor of Philosophy: Wildlife Science

National Institute of Advanced Studies - Manipal University - Bangalore

Master of Science: Environmental Biology

University of Delhi - New Delhi

Bachelor of Science: Zoology 

Khalsa College, University of Delhi - New Delhi