Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment

7 days Field-based Course in Conservation Science
For young professionals, Senior Graduate and Post-Graduate students

Protecting and conserving India's biodiversity is a challenging and complex task. There has never been a more critical need for well-informed professionals in our combined efforts to conserve India's rich natural heritage. As a small, but significant step to meet this need and on popular demand, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is offering a comprehensive field based course on conservation science and allied social sciences needed to build a conceptually strong framework for effective conservation. The course will focus on conservation issues at the regional level but with a global perspective. A set of 6-8 lectures will complement several half a day discussions and intensive project mode exercises in the field that will expose students to holistic perspectives, rigorous concepts, innovative tools and the latest techniques in conservation science. The 7-8 day fieldwork in the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas is designed to maximize the student's exposure to real-life field situations.

The course is focused in the Eastern Himalayas. Preference will be given to North East applicants. The Eastern Himalayas course is being organized in partnership with Aaranyak, an Assam-based Conservation NGO (www.aaranyak.org).

Eligibility: First class graduate (any discipline). Senior undergraduate and postgraduate students with a keen interest in nature and conservation can also apply. Number of participants will be limited to 15.

Location and dates: Dates and Location: February 3-10, 2011 at Guwahati, Assam.

Application process: An application from the participant should contain 1. A one-page justification by the candidate of why this course is important to him or her. 2. Demonstrated aptitude or interest in the area of natural resource conservation- published articles, essays, other relevant activities and membership. 3. Recommendation by the Department Head or concerned supervisor and 4. Good academic record including a minimum of a First class in any discipline with an active interest in conservation and willingness to learn.

The course fee is Rs. 3,000 (foreign participants 500 USD) and includes boarding, lodging and course material. Travel expenses to and from Bangalore will have to be borne by the participants. We are able to keep the course fee to a minimum through a core grant to ATREE’s Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies by the Jamsetji Tata Trust.

Kindly send your application to Madhavi by email (madhavi@atree.org) or by post before January 20, 2011 to: Ms. Madhavi Latha, ATREE, Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560064. Check for updates at www.atree.org/fbc_consci