Biography

I grew up in Pune, a city reputed for its environmental conscience. As an undergraduate student I often volunteered time at an environmental education camp for children where I had the opportunity to interact with experts in diverse fields ranging from botany to anthropology. These interactions left me eager to learn more about the linkages among natural resources, livelihoods and development. Consequently, I moved on to study forestry management and later worked in India where I had the opportunity to observe first-hand, the gaps between grassroots reality and environmental policy decisions. In an effort to enhance my understanding of environment-development issues, I joined the MPhil in Environment, Society and Development at Cambridge.Having completed the course in 2008, I continued onto a PhD. My research is looking at federalism and forest policy making in India. I also teach a module on international development at the University’s Institute of Continuing Education.