Education
Accomplishments
Summary
Work History
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Kulesh Bhandari

Biodiversity Researcher
Jharkhand
Kulesh Bhandari

Education

Sido Kanhu Murmu University
Dumka Jharkhand

Master of Science from Zoology

University Overview

Santhal Pargana College
Dumka, India

Bachelor of Science from Zoology
04.2001

University Overview

Accomplishments

Accomplishments

• Awarded the Pollination Project Seed Grant (USA)
For leading the Wild Food Forests Initiative, a community-based conservation model rooted in indigenous ecology and agroforestry revival.

• Member, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)
Contributed field-based insights to global consultations on invasive species, nature contributions, and animal culture & conservation.

• UN Ocean Decade Endorser (2025)
Recognized for aligning grassroots biodiversity projects with global environmental frameworks.

• International Conference Selections (Turkey, Egypt, Kerala)
Presented research on biodiversity gradients, zoonotic risks, and tribal public health across multiple international platforms.

• Invited to Yale Tropical Forest Leadership Summit (2026)
Acknowledged for youth leadership in tropical forest conservation.

• Invited Delegate – EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit (2026)
Participated in a global climate leadership forum connecting young conservation leaders.

• IndiaBioscience Featured Author (2025)
Published a widely-read ecological narrative on Santhal Pargana’s forest landscapes.

• Mongabay-India Contributor
Commissioned to write a field-based investigative story integrating ecology, livelihoods, gender, and climate policy.

• Selected for IISF Young Scientist Conclave (2025)
Presented the Wild Food Forests model at India’s largest national science platform.

• Led community conservation education across tribal villages
Designed eco-education sessions, youth climate circles, and women-led ecological leadership activities in Dumka–Godda–Pakur.

• Developed GIS-based biodiversity zonation maps
Used QGIS, GPS surveys, and species datasets to identify ecological gradients and forest hotspots in Eastern India.

Summary

Biodiversity Researcher rooted in the tribal uplands of Eastern India, working at the intersection of ecology, indigenous knowledge, and community-led conservation. I lead the Wild Food Forests Initiative (funded by The Pollination Project, USA), reviving wild edible plants and strengthening agroforestry systems across Santhal Pargana. My work blends GIS-based biodiversity mapping, habitat-use surveys, and traditional ecological knowledge to build climate-resilient landscapes. As an IUCN CEM Member and UN Ocean Decade Endorser, I contribute grassroots ecological insights to global conservation dialogues. I’ve presented research internationally—from Turkey to Egypt to Kerala—and collaborate with youth climate networks such as Yale’s Tropical Forest Leadership Summit and EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Summit. My focus is to bridge tribal ecological wisdom with modern conservation science, creating living landscape models that restore biodiversity and empower communities.

Work History

The Pollination Project (USA) — Wild Food Forests
Santhal Pargana , Jharkhand

Biodiversity Researcher & Project Lead
09.2025 - Current

Job overview

Lead the Wild Food Forests Tribal In Jharkhand Initiative funded by The Pollination Project (USA), a flagship community-driven conservation programme in the tribal uplands of Santhal Pargana. Spearhead ecological restoration by reviving wild edible plants, strengthening traditional agroforestry systems, and designing climate-resilient foodscapes rooted in indigenous knowledge. Conduct biodiversity assessments using GPS-tagged field surveys, QGIS spatial analysis, and habitat-use documentation to map ecological corridors and culturally significant wild foods. Work closely with Santhal communities to record traditional ecological knowledge, run structured interviews, and co-develop landscape-based conservation strategies. Facilitate village-level eco-education, women’s ecological leadership groups, and youth climate action sessions to build long-term community stewardship. Manage full project operations—including planning, field logistics, monitoring, budgeting, reporting, and global communication—with The Pollination Project’s international team.

Timeline

Biodiversity Researcher & Project Lead
The Pollination Project (USA) — Wild Food Forests
09.2025 - Current
Santhal Pargana College
Bachelor of Science from Zoology
04.2001
Sido Kanhu Murmu University
Master of Science from Zoology

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Kulesh BhandariBiodiversity Researcher