Malyasri Bhattacharya | Ecology and Conservation | Best Researcher Award
Ms Malyasri Bhattacharya, Wildlife Institute of India, India
Malyasri Bhattacharya is a dedicated wildlife researcher pursuing her PhD in Wildlife Sciences at the Wildlife Institute of India, focusing on the breeding ecology and social dynamics of vultures in Himachal Pradesh. With a Master’s in Zoology from the University of Calcutta, she has received prestigious awards, including the Carolus Linnaeus Award for her master’s project. Malyasri has served as a Senior Research Fellow, studying critically endangered vultures, and has contributed to several publications in prominent journals. Her commitment to wildlife conservation is evident through her research and community awareness programs. π¦ ππ
Publication profile
Education
Currently pursuing a PhD in Wildlife Sciences at the Wildlife Institute of India, focusing on the breeding ecology and social dynamics of vultures in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Previously, earned a Masterβs in Zoology from the University of Calcutta (74.4%), where she researched the breeding of freshwater angelfishes. She also holds a Bachelorβs in Zoology from the University of Calcutta (68.625%), completing a project on the fauna of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary. Her academic journey showcases a strong commitment to wildlife research and conservation. ππ¦ ππ
Awards and Honors
Recognized for outstanding academic achievements, the individual received the First Prize for presentation at the Annual Research Seminar held by the Wildlife Institute of India π. This accolade highlights their dedication to wildlife research and communication. Additionally, they were honored with the Carolus Linnaeus Award in 2016 for the best Master’s Project from the Department of Zoology at Asutosh College, Kolkata ππΏ. These prestigious awards reflect a strong commitment to excellence in zoological studies and contribute significantly to the conservation and understanding of wildlife πβ¨.
Experience
From September 2020 to March 2024, a Senior Research Fellow at the Wildlife Institute of India focused on the ecology of critically endangered vultures in Himachal Pradesh. This role involved literature reviews, tagging White-Rumped Vultures, and surveying nesting and feeding sites while promoting awareness among locals. Prior to that, an internship in early 2020 provided foundational research experience in vulture ecology. A Project Biologist from November 2019 to June 2020, worked on establishing climate-resilient landscapes in Sikkim through GIS modeling and field surveys. Earlier roles included volunteering for Lesser Florican census surveys and conservation projects for Black-necked Cranes. π¦ π±π
Research focus
M. Bhattacharya’s research focuses on avian and mammalian responses to environmental changes, particularly in the context of habitat conservation and biodiversity in India. Their work includes the impacts of long-established wind farms on wildlife, with specific studies on the Eurasian otter and black-necked cranes in Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, they have documented new records of species like the Tawny Fish-Owl, highlighting the importance of conserving sacred groves. Bhattacharya’s contributions significantly enhance our understanding of species distribution and habitat requirements in response to anthropogenic pressures. π¦π³ππΎ
Publication top notes
Responses of birds and mammals to long-established wind farms in India