Priyankar Chakraborty

As an interdisciplinary marine and wildlife conservationist, I am interested in developing strategies to promote environmental sustainability. I study the intersection of taxonomic, ecological, social, and economic dimensions of fish species and their management in mangroves and rivers. I mainly use local ecological knowledge to collect my data.

I believe that environmental sustainability in mangrove and riverine areas can be achieved through ecologically and socially equitable management developed through interdisciplinary, community-led collective action. In my current work, I am collecting baseline data on fish and fisheries across multiple Ganges River dolphin hotspots in India as part of a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) project on the species.

Click here for more information about my previous research and other projects.

Background

I received my Master's degree in Wildlife Conservation Action from Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) in 2018. My Master's thesis focused on collecting fishers' ecological knowledge to understand the rare sawfish in India's Sundarbans, intending to conserve these fish. The study was funded by the New England Aquarium and was supervised by Dr Ruth Leeney.

My academic journey began with a degree in psychology from the University of Calcutta. Driven by a growing fascination for wild animals and fishes, I transitioned to an MSc in Wildlife Conservation Action. This pivotal move immersed me in the intricacies of biodiversity conservation.

At Bharati Vidyapeeth, under the mentorship of Dr Kranti Yardi and Dr Sajan John, I honed my skills in wildlife and marine sciences. I conducted research with fishing communities in the Sundarbans, aiming for ecologically sustainable and socially equitable management of fisheries resources through reflexive, relational and community-driven research.

Outside of academia, fostering a deep connection with nature is central to my life. As an avid aquarist and angler, I'm fortunate to be able to engage with the natural world firsthand. In my professional endeavours, I'm driven by a commitment to transforming our society's relationship with the environment, moving away from extractive practices towards a more sustainable approach based on care and reciprocity.