Shakti Saha
Kolkata
Summary
Dynamic Senior Project Consultant at Ernst & Young LLP with proven expertise in project management and stakeholder engagement. Spearheaded gender mainstreaming initiatives, achieving 40% inclusion of women in leadership roles. Adept at capacity building and data analysis, driving sustainable forest management and community livelihoods across diverse projects.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Consultant
Ernst & Young LLP
Assam
05.2021 - Current
- Assisting the Team Leader, Project Management and Monitoring Consultant for the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Phase-II (APFBC), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funded project and serving as GEDSI Expert under the UK PACT ASEAN–UK Green Transition Fund.
- Led gender mainstreaming and social inclusion across livelihoods, biodiversity, ecotourism, and plantation components of the USD 56 million APFBC Project with the Assam Forest Department, promoting sustainable forest management, community livelihoods, and institutional strengthening.
- Directed real-time digital monitoring systems for gender-disaggregated data, ensuring integration of GESI principles across all project activities.
- Designed and implemented capacity-building and livelihood strategies, resulting in a 40% increase in local incomes and elimination of wage disparities across 42 Forest Divisions.
- Achieved 40% inclusion of women and marginalized groups in leadership roles, livelihood programs, and employment generation across 12,000 ha plantations and 110 Entry Point Activities.
- Promoted women-led entrepreneurship, establishing eight ‘Banshristi’ stores managed by over 80% women and forest-fringe communities.
- Provided technical leadership as GEDSI Expert under the UK PACT ASEAN–UK Green Transition Fund (USD 11.3 million), supporting Work Package 1.3 under Pillar I to establish a Centre of Excellence for MRV across ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste.
- Developed the GEDSI Integration Action Plan, embedding inclusive frameworks within MRV governance, diagnostics, capacity building, and monitoring systems to strengthen social equity and climate action outcomes.
Consultant – Ecotourism
JPS Associates (P) Ltd
Tripura
06.2020 - 04.2021
- Supported the Team Leader for the JICA-funded SCATFORM Project, advancing sustainable forest management and rural livelihoods.
- Led development of five ecotourism destinations, prepared feasibility studies and TORs, and facilitated PPP models for eco-park upgrades and community-based tourism enterprises.
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal
Sundarbans
03.2019 - 06.2020
- Supported the DFO in promoting Joint Forest Management and mitigating human–tiger conflict.
- Developed Micro Plans for eight JFMCs, trained frontline staff, and implemented honey entrepreneurship models benefiting over 100 households while enhancing biodiversity conservation and women’s participation.
Forest Management Specialist
Eptisa India Pvt. Ltd
Meghalaya
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Led community-based assessments under the JICA-funded Living Conditions Survey across 12 villages.
- Conducted socio-economic and gender analyses, recommending poverty alleviation and sustainable forest-use strategies to strengthen community resilience and natural resource governance.
Consultant – Ecotourism
West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd
West Bengal
10.2018 - 04.2019
- Prepared Detailed Project Reports for 38 eco-destinations, designed ecotourism circuits and products, and developed business plans with SOPs and monitoring systems to improve operational efficiency and community participation in sustainable tourism.
Consultant – Wildlife
Sundarban Biosphere Reserve Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal
Sundarbans
03.2018 - 07.2018
- Conducted ecological monitoring and evaluation for biodiversity management.
- Compiled and analysed primary and secondary ecological data, generating actionable insights for conservation planning in the Sundarbans landscape.
Forest Management Specialist
Eptisa India Pvt. Ltd
Tripura
12.2017 - 03.2018
- Supported the Team Leader for the JICA-funded SCATFORM Project, conducting socio-economic and gender-disaggregated surveys across 46 villages.
- Provided data-driven recommendations for sustainable resource management and livelihood improvement among forest-dependent communities.
Research Officer
West Bengal Pollution Control Board
West Bengal
03.2017 - 02.2018
- Monitored 43 polluting industries, analysed 12 years of air and water data, and mapped 54 effluent channels to the Hooghly River.
- Produced analytical reports informing state environmental policy and compliance mechanisms.
Consultant – Forestry
West Bengal State Forest Development Agency
West Bengal
12.2016 - 03.2017
- Prepared DPRs under RKVY for soil moisture conservation and nursery infrastructure.
- Developed project workflows and risk assessments, ensuring timely delivery and improving productivity for forest sector programs.
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
P.S. Consultants
Odisha
12.2016 - 03.2017
- Developed concept notes and EOIs on biodiversity, renewable energy, and livelihoods.
- Conducted stakeholder consultations and drafted project proposals aligned with donor priorities and community development needs.
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS)
Sundarbans
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Implemented projects on climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, enhancing women’s livelihoods and inclusion.
- Designed community-based M&E systems and fostered convergence with local governance for sustainable resource and biodiversity management.
Research Officer – Natural Resource Management
Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Forest Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal
Sundarbans
06.2013 - 03.2015
- Supported the Field Director in advancing biodiversity conservation, policy planning, and community resilience.
- Designed and implemented conservation and conflict-mitigation projects, improving socio-ecological stability.
- Strengthened 25 JFMCs through capacity building on vulnerability and adaptation.
- Developed livelihood and ecotourism strategies, including women-led eco-guiding and social forestry initiatives.
Programme Officer – Communities for Conservation
VASUNDHARA
Odisha
11.2010 - 01.2012
- Led initiatives on community forest governance and sustainable resource management.
- Prepared Community Forest Resource (CFR) Management Plans promoting participatory forest management.
- Designed NRM frameworks covering NTFP management, bamboo, plantations, and ecotourism.
- Linked forest ecosystem service assessments with pro-poor governance and livelihood enhancement.
Project Associate – Natural Resource Management
IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd.
New Delhi
05.2008 - 10.2009
- Assisted VP–Strategy in conceptualizing and managing biodiversity and renewable energy projects.
- Developed bids for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism projects in Rajasthan and Karnataka.
- Supported preparation of Environmental & Social Management Plan for Alang-Sosiya Shipbreaking Yard.
- Formulated renewable energy proposals integrating solar and bioenergy for rural livelihood enhancement.
Education
M. Phil. - Natural Resource Management
Indian Institute Of Forest Management
Bhopal06-2006
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Bundelkhand University
Bundelkhand 06-2006
Skills
- Project management
- Negotiation skills
- Team leadership
- Capacity building
- Documentation and reporting
- Research and data analysis
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
Accomplishments
• Income Growth Initiative: Increased local incomes by 40% through
strategic livelihood programs.
• Entrepreneurship Boost: Established eight women-led 'Banshristi' stores
enhancing community entrepreneurship.
• Gender Leadership Inclusion: Achieved 40% inclusion of women in
leadership roles.
• Community Resilience Strengthening: Strengthened 265 JFMCs through
capacity building, enhancing resilience.
strategic livelihood programs.
• Entrepreneurship Boost: Established eight women-led 'Banshristi' stores
enhancing community entrepreneurship.
• Gender Leadership Inclusion: Achieved 40% inclusion of women in
leadership roles.
• Community Resilience Strengthening: Strengthened 265 JFMCs through
capacity building, enhancing resilience.
Fellowship & Awards
- EY Award: I am exceptional - entrepreneurial and DEI
- International Centre for Community Forestry - Indian Institute of Forest Management Fellowship sponsored by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust on Community Based Ecotourism in Kerala and Karnataka
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Native
Native
Bengali
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Timeline
Senior Project Consultant
Ernst & Young LLP
05.2021 - Current
Consultant – Ecotourism
JPS Associates (P) Ltd
06.2020 - 04.2021
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
Directorate of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal
03.2019 - 06.2020
Forest Management Specialist
Eptisa India Pvt. Ltd
01.2019 - 04.2019
Consultant – Ecotourism
West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd
10.2018 - 04.2019
Consultant – Wildlife
Sundarban Biosphere Reserve Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal
03.2018 - 07.2018
Forest Management Specialist
Eptisa India Pvt. Ltd
12.2017 - 03.2018
Research Officer
West Bengal Pollution Control Board
03.2017 - 02.2018
Consultant – Forestry
West Bengal State Forest Development Agency
12.2016 - 03.2017
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
P.S. Consultants
12.2016 - 03.2017
Consultant – Natural Resource Management
Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS)
08.2016 - 12.2016
Research Officer – Natural Resource Management
Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Forest Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal
06.2013 - 03.2015
Programme Officer – Communities for Conservation
VASUNDHARA
11.2010 - 01.2012
Project Associate – Natural Resource Management
IL&FS Ecosmart Ltd.
05.2008 - 10.2009
M. Phil. - Natural Resource Management
Indian Institute Of Forest Management
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Bundelkhand University