Kiran Rajashekariah
Present Address: WWF-India, 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi- 110 003, Ph (mob): +91-09711188465
Permanent address: 339, 11th ‘A’ Cross, 17th Main Road, J. P. Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore- 560 078
SUMMARY
· Experience in the field of environment and social assessment at operation and policy levels
· Extensive interaction and networking with elected representatives, government agencies, civil society, academic institutions, funding agencies and media
· Wide ranging experience in project management including development, implementation and monitoring
· Excellent people management and leadership skill, with experience in leading inter-disciplinary teams
· Good written and presentation skills
EDUCATION
Oct 2004-Present / University of Oxford, D. Phil, Environmental PolicyClarendon Scholarship & Brockhues Graduate Award
The thesis looks at the impact of urbanization on natural ecosystems in Bangalore and explore conservation options based on market (neoliberal) principles
Oct 2003 - Sep 2004 / University Of Oxford, M. Sc, Environmental Policy
J. N. Tata Endowment Scholarship for Indians & Kelly Memorial Fund
Dissertation: Independent fieldwork for eight weeks, examined judicial activism in environmental conservation in India
Jul 2001- Aug 2002 / Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Economics
Reserve Bank of India Scholarship
Oct 1994 - Oct 1996 / Bangalore University, M. Sc, Environmental Science
Dissertation: Laboratory based study, involved characterizing and utilizing iron fly ash from a steel manufacturing unit
Aug 1991 - Aug 1994 / St. Joseph’s College, B. Sc, Chemistry, Environmental Science & Zoology
Dissertation: Analyzed the quality of groundwater in two districts of Karnataka state, India
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SHORT TERM TRAININGS
Oct 2005 / University of Oxford, Workshop on Corporate Social ResponsibilityTrained in analysing and developing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy
Apr 2005 / University of Oxford, Workshop on Political Ecology
Trained in applying the principles of political ecology in environmental research
Oct 2003-
Feb 2004
Aug 2002 / Said Business School, University of Oxford
A certificate course on Entrepreneurship for Science Graduates
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Workshop on Urban Environment Management
The workshop, jointly conducted by the World Bank and Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi, dealt with issues concerning urban environmental problems in Indian cities
Feb 2000 / Administrative Staff College of India, Training workshop on Ecological Economics
Trained in the principles and application of environmental economics
Jun 1993 / St. Joseph’s College - Bangalore, Honors, Terrestrial Ecology, Grade: B+
Dissertation: Mapped the diversity and ecological importance of trees in Bangalore city
WORK EXPERIENCE
Jan 2012- Present / Head- South Asia Regional Environment Program, WWF-India, New Delhi· Mobilize technical and financial support for environmental program in the region
· Lead a 22 member multi-disciplinary team in India, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan
· Select, manage contracts with partners and consultants, and review their work
· Collaborate with national government and international agencies viz. ICMOD, ICF
· Led a project on reviewing good practices in the social and environmental aspects of hydropower development in India, Bhutan and Nepal for the World Bank
· Develop framework for economic valuation and vulnerability from climate change on ecosystems
Jan 2009 – Dec 2011 / Senior Coordinator, Policy & Program, WWF-India, New Delhi
· Conceptualized and developed program on ecological footprint of cities
· Initiated program on sustainable hydropower in the Eastern Himalayan region
· Coordinated regional forum on sustainable hydropower that included governments, developers and civil society organizations from India, Nepal and Bhutan
· Assessed the feasibility of the Begana hydropower project for the Government of Bhutan
· Core team member involved in developing methodology for identifying ‘No-Go areas’ for hydropower development
Jul 2007 - Sep 2007 / Research Intern, Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi,
· Reviewed state policies for developing urban infrastructure
· Interviewed policy makers, senior bureaucrats, experts and key individuals from NGOs to collate their views on issues related to urban infrastructure
· Developed a new financial model for developing urban infrastructure
Apr 2003 - Sep 2003 / Natural Resource & Environmental Specialist, Department of Watershed, Government of Karnataka-The World Bank, Bangalore
· Independently researched and prepared methodology for assessing and managing environmental impacts for 125 million USD watershed project
· Liaised with State departments, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
· Conducted training programs for government officials, NGOs and beneficiaries
Sep 2002 -Mar 2003 / Consultant, Bangalore University, Bangalore
· Led a five member team in carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Bangalore metro-rail project
· Analyzed data, prepared report and presented the findings to the clients
Jul 2001 - Aug 2002 / Research Assistant, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai
· Assisted in data collection, analysis and writing a chapter on India’s urbanization for the India Development Report: 2002, UNDP, Oxford University Press
· Consulted for World Bank sponsored study on the economic valuation of pollution from oil and gas exploration in India
Jun 2000 -Jun 2001 / Research Scholar, Bangalore University & Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore
· Led a team in assessing the impact of water pollution on agriculture and health of local population in Bellandur catchment, Bangalore
· Researched and prepared a study on the implication of WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture for farmers of Karnataka
· Suggested strategies for invoking Green Box measures in the state agricultural policy
Oct 1996 - Mar 2000 / Project Assistant, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
· Monitored water quality and identified conservation status of lakes in Bangalore
· Published research papers and reports and presented at national and international seminars
SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY
Jun 2007 - Oct 2007 / Consultant, WWF-UK, London,· Reviewed national and international laws on environmental flows
· Provided road map for incorporating environmental flows into hydropower policies
Jul 2005 - Oct 2005 / Consultant, Frost & Sullivan, Bangalore
· Assessed the market for energy management services in India
· Designed questionnaire, interviewed key informants from leading energy management service providers in India
Mar 2004 - Apr 2004 / Research Consultant, Duke University, USA
· Developed a conceptual model for restoring the Ever-glades in Florida
Apr 2000- May 2000 / Consultant, Karnataka State Department of Forest & Environment, Bangalore
· Worked in an interdisciplinary team of three members, in preparing white paper on the status of pollution in Bangalore city
VOLUNTARY WORK
President, Oxford University United Nations Association (OUUNA), Oxford
· Led a society of over 1000 members
· Organized seminars and fund raising events
Conservation Corps Volunteer, WWF-India, New Delhi
· Implemented Social Forestry Program in three villages of Karnataka
· Developed conservation strategies through consultative processes
SKILLS
IT : Proficient in MSOffice, Statistical Software (SPSS), working knowledge of GIS software MapInfo
Languages: English (fluent), Kannada (Native), Hindi (fluent), Tamil (fluent)
AWARDS
Nov’ 93 Rotary Youth Leadership Award
Dec ’97 Young Scientist Award, National Environmental Science Academy, Delhi
PUBLICATIONS
BOOK
· Ramachandra.T.V, Kiran.R. & Ahalya.N (2002). Status, Conservation and Management of Wetlands, Allied Publishers, Mumbai, India
RESEARCH REPORTS AND PAPERS (Selected)
· Kiran Rajashekariah, Nitin Kaushal and Subrata Bhowmik (2012). Review of Good practices of environment and social management in hydropower projects: India, Bhutan and Nepal. WWF-India and the World bank
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2011). Impact of Urbanization on biodiversity: case studies from India, WWF-India
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2010). A Study of the proposed Begana hydropower project on Thim-Chu, National Environment Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2007). Pool Finance: Exploring the prospects of financing urban infrastructure, Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2006), Pollution status, Conservation and Management of River Vrishabhavathi in Bangalore, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Government of Karnataka, India
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2004). Inter-State Water: examining the hydro-politics of water sharing in the Cauvery basin in South India., School of Geography, University of Oxford
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2003). Disappearing wetlands of India: a critical analysis of its causes, consequences, and need for conservation policy., School of Geography, University of Oxford
· Kiran Rajashekariah (2003). Community Participation in the restoration of a degraded tank in Magod Village, Haveri district., Case Studies of good examples in Natural Resource Management, World Bank-Government of Karnataka
· Kiran.R. (2002). Urbanization patterns and environmental status in India and China: An overview, at International seminar on Foreign Investment, Reforms and Economic Development in China and India, Indo-China conference at IIM-Calcutta, March 2002
· Somashekar. R. K., Lenin Babu, Kiran. R and Chandrashekar (2001), Impact of water pollution from Bellandur lake on agricultural productivity and local health, report submitted to Department of Ecology, Environment and Forests, Government of Karnataka
· Kiran.R. and Ramachandra.T.V. (2000). Status of Bangalore Wetlands: Strategies for Restoration, Conservation and Management, INTCOL, Quebec, Canada
· Kiran R. and Ramachandra.T.V. (1999). Status of wetlands in Bangalore and its conservation aspects., ENVIS journal of Human Settlements, March 1999
· J. R. Mudakavi, B. V. Narayana and R.Kiran (1999) Characterization and utilisation of iron- rich dry ash from an electric arc furnace, Current Science, 76(4), Pp: 473
OP-ED
· Kiran Rajashekariah, A business case for Conservation, Financial Express, Nov 14, 2010
· Kiran Rajashekariah, What does the great urbanization era mean to nature?, UNESCO-APCEIU, SangSaeng, Aug 2010