Omkar Hande

Junior Researcher (Ecology) at WOTR, Pune, with an MSc in Ecology from Pondicherry University and a BSc in Forestry from the College of Forestry, Dapoli. Skilled in flora and fauna identification, ecological data collection and analysis, and community engagement, with a focus on biodiversity conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and climate change mitigation. Experienced in wildlife conservation and watershed management, and adept at integrating scientific research with participatory, community-based approaches.

Committed to advancing evidence-based conservation and landscape restoration for building climate-resilient ecosystems.

Junior Researcher, Ecology at Watershed Organisation Trust (2023-09 – Present)

• Conduct ecological assessments and biodiversity studies across watershed landscapes
• Lead ecosystem carbon assessments in semi-arid regions, including field measurements, data analysis, and interpretation
• Independently design and implement field data collection and analysis for ecosystem and biodiversity research
• Contribute to technical reports, blogs, and research publications
• Design and conduct training sessions and workshops for diverse stakeholders, on the following topics: Ecosystem-Based Approach for Sustainable Ecosystems; How to Make a PBR (People's Biodiversity Register); Watershed Ecology: Integrating Ecological Principles for Sustainable Watershed Restoration; Soil Biodiversity and Its Role in Sustainable Agriculture
• Support research on ecosystem services, climate change, and landscape restoration

Research Assistant, Ecology at Watershed Organisation Trust (2022-10 – 2023-09)

Assisted in field data collection for a project titled "Composition of Intertidal Rock Pool Sedentary Fauna from Selected Beaches of the Southern Coast of Maharashtra"

• Collected and processed ecological samples, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, water, and benthic organisms
• Supported field surveys and documentation of intertidal biodiversity
• Carried out field data collection, including vegetation surveys, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological assessments
• Performed data analysis for watershed and ecosystem studies using appropriate ecological methods
• Assisted in report writing and contributed to research outputs
• Coordinated with field teams and supported on-ground project implementation
• Contributed to documentation and synthesis of research findings

Intern at Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (2019-07 – 2020-02)

• Assisted in field data collection for a project titled "Composition of Intertidal Rock Pool Sedentary Fauna from Selected Beaches of the Southern Coast of Maharashtra"
• Collected and processed ecological samples, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, water, and benthic organisms
• Supported field surveys and documentation of intertidal biodiversity

Master of Science (MSc.) in Ecology – Pondicherry University (2020 – 2022)

Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Forestry – College of Forestry, Dapoli (2016 – 2020)