Dr Ruth DeFries is a professor of ecology and sustainable development at Columbia University in New York and co-founding dean of the Columbia Climate School. Her research aims to contribute to realistic pathways for people and nature to thrive. She has been connected to the Central Indian landscape for more than fifteen years. She has received many honors for her scientific research and is also an author committed to communicating the nuances and complexities of sustainable development to popular audiences. She founded and continues to direct the Network for Conserving Central India.  Read more about Prof DeFries here. 

Dr Amrita Neelakantan is a seasoned conservation and development professional with more than 15 years of global expertise, 10 years in central India. She holds a doctorate from Columbia University (New York, the U.S.A) that she earned under the guidance of Prof. Ruth DeFries Her thesis study was a post-resettlement exploration around Kanha National Park. She is also the founding member and an active participant for multiple coalitions that are at the fore front of connectivity conservation and human-nature interactions. Read more about Dr Neelakantan here.

Mansi is a hotelier turned conservationist from Delhi, India who started her career in conservation working for environment education initiatives. Her journey in research began with Dr Neelankantan as program/research assistant for Linear Infrastructure Safeguards in Asia and for ongoing projects at NCCI in 2020. Post which Mansi completed her MSc in Environment and International Development from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.  Mansi rejoined the network after her masters and is now the coordinator for the Network for Conserving Central India. Read more  here.

Satvik is a spatial analyst with an educational background in computer science and sustainable development practices. He looks forward to leveraging his background and his interests to bring positive change to the environment and the communities. He is a Research Analyst and Small Grants Administrator at the NCCI, where his major work involves analysing spatial and survey data, field planning, coordination of grants, and scientific writing. He has a passion for working on spatial models and indices that help understand the natural landscape and mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the environment. Apart from work, he likes playing basketball, reading and watching sports! Read more about Satvik here.