Interview Summary
Lalitha Vijayan discusses her conservation work, including studies in Sikkim from 2004 to 2008, focusing on fauna and flora. She highlights the importance of protecting unaltered habitats and promoting eco-tourism.
She details a 2000-2002 project on inland wetlands, funded by UNDP, and discusses its findings. She emphasizes the sustainable use of wetlands and the need for local community involvement in their conservation. She also discusses the challenges of pesticide use in farm fields and its impact on wetlands and highlights the need for urgent conservation efforts in this regard.
Vijayan also reflects her experience of participating in the state wildlife board of Pondicherry. She describes her involvement in an arboretum project in Tamil Nadu.
She discusses the establishment of SACON in 2006 and its projects on sustainable development. She stresses the importance of sustainable development, proper implementation of policies and community engagement in conservation efforts.
(00:00:28) Fauna studies in Sikkim, findings and recommendations, participation in inland wetlands conservation initiative, analysis and findings
(00:12:20) Recommendations by the inland wetlands conservation initiative, challenges in wetland conservation, limitations of the oversight of the state wetlands
(00:20:06) Participation in the State Wildlife Board in Pondicherry including challenges, arboretum project in Chennai, collaboration with Tamil Nadu Forest Department, contributions of the arboretum
(00:33:47) Involvement in a manuscript, participation in public awareness and educational initiatives, sustainable development projects by SACON, funding and impact assessment of projects at SACON
(00:47:28) Restoration of Shola forests, rapid loss of habitats and forests, need for better implementation of conservation policies, challenges of human-wildlife conflict, importance of sustainable development
(00:57:42) Properly implementing policies and strategizing through scientific tools, rigorous commitment of officials and community involvement in conservation efforts
Dates
- Creation: 2022-12-22
Creator
- From the File: Venkatram, Preeti Shree (Interviewer, Person)
- From the File: Shome, Nayanika (Processing Archivist, Person)
- From the File: Vijayan, Lalitha (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Level of Access: Open/Online
Biography
Lalitha Vijayan is an ornithologist and ecologist associated with the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, where she has made contributions to the study of birds and their habitats. With a focus on avian ecology, her research includes studies on bird communities, wetland ecosystems, and the conservation of threatened species.
At SACON, Vijayan has held leadership roles and has been involved in various research programs that assess the impact of environmental changes on bird populations and the conservation of specific bird species, including endemic and migratory birds under threat due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Vijayan has helped shape conservation policies and raised awareness about the need to protect fragile ecosystems in India. She has actively collaborated with international conservation efforts and advocated for sustainable environmental practices. She continues to mentor young scientists while promoting community-based conservation initiatives.
Extent
64 Minutes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Archives at NCBS Repository
National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Bangalore Karnataka 560065 India
+9180 6717 6010
+9180 6717 6011
archives@ncbs.res.in