Jalaj Team profile
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| 1. Jalaj Assistant Coordinator >> Uttarakhand | |
| Ms. Heera Devi Email: madansingh140684 [at] gmail [dot] com Ms. Heera Devi belongs to Champawat district of Uttarakhand. She completed her master's degree in Sociology. She has more than 13 years of experience on working for women empowerment. Her past experience in the community-based programmes has been her major driving force and motivation for joining the Wildlife Institute of India, as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator in the Jalaj project. In the project she is majorly involved with grass root community including women, youth and children. She is stiving to link traditional regional craft to conservation initiatives under the project. |
| Mr. Prakash Singh Email: panwar.prakash0522 [at] gmail [dot] com Prakash Singh completed his MA in History from HNBGU and worked with Pragya International on biodiversity, medicinal and aromatic plants, rehabilitation, education, and health projects. As a village head, he collaborated with the Forest Department on plantations, water conservation, and environmental protection. Trained in bird watching, he guided tourists in identifying over 100 migratory and Himalayan birds in Joshimath. As a Ganga Prahari and later as a field assistant with NMCG, he raised awareness in villages along the Alaknanda River. Currently, he is working as Assistant Coordinator for the Jalaj project. He has conducted millet training sessions to help women become self-reliant and provides bird-watching training to local tourists. He educates people about the Alaknanda River's biodiversity and is creating a platform to sell local products through Jalaj. |
| Ms. Jaya Negi Email: jayanegi2215 [at] gmail [dot] com Jaya Negi has extensive experience in social work, including 2.5 years as a social worker with Mahila Samakhya and 6 months as an ASHA worker. She worked for 1 year on the SWE Jal Pariyojna and has been involved in millet work since 2022, a project launched by Hon. Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami at Almora by HILANS. Additionally, she has 1 year of fieldwork experience with CHESTa Vikas Kalyan Samiti in Jolycot, Nainital. Since August 2023, she has been engaged in fieldwork as a Ganga Prahari, and from January 8, 2024, she is serving as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator. |
| Ms. Radhika Chauhan Email: radhikachauhan2018 [at] gmail [dot] com Radhika Chauhan is from Panjiala, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, and completed her post-graduation from Uttarakhand Open University in 2021. She first worked as a volunteer with Nehru Yuva Kendra, Uttarkashi, from May 1, 2017, to July 2018, focusing on raising awareness to keep the Ganga clean. In 2018, she joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari, learning about the Namami Gange project. From March 2020 to December 2023, she served as a field assistant, working on community mobilization, livelihood development, awareness and plantation drives, workshops with women and youth and promoting Ganga conservation and biodiversity. Since January 2024, she has been working on the Jalaj project, focusing on connecting women with livelihoods. She manages two Jalaj centres: Jalaj Ali, where women create products using local resources, and Jalaj Anand Ganga, a homestay offering tourists meals made from local grains. She also raises awareness about the Ganga project and Jalaj initiatives. |
| 2. Jalaj Assistant Coordinator >> Uttar Pradesh | |
| Mr. Brijesh Kumar Maurya Email: brijeshkumarmaurya94 [at] gmail [dot] com Mr. Brijesh Kumar Maurya belongs to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Geography from the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University. Since his childhood, he has been passionate about wildlife conservation, which led him to join WII, as a field assistant at the Kachua Punarvas Kendra, Sarnath. At this center he was involved in handling of freshwater turtle; assisting in ecological surveys and rescue operations. Presently, he has joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj project. |
| Mr. Ishu Verma Email: ishuverma791 [at] gmail [dot] com Ishu Verma is from Sarnath, Varanasi, and has been associated with the Wildlife Institute of India for the past six years. From 2017 to 2023, he worked as a Field Assistant at the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Sarnath, where he learned to handle and rescue turtles and other animals. Participating in awareness programs expanded his understanding of the importance of wildlife in the environment, which he shared with his community, leading to a change in how they treat animals. Since December 2023, he has been working as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator, providing various training programs to make the people living along the Ganga self-reliant. He and his team work to spread the objectives of the Wildlife Institute of India, involving schools, the forest department, and the local community to raise awareness about the endangered species of the Ganga River. He completed his 10th and 12th from the UP Board and holds a BA and PG from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University. |
| Ms. Rama Tiwari Email: rama0909rama0909 [at] gmail [dot] com Rama Tiwari is from Mehndipur village in Sadar Block, Kannauj district, near the Ganga River. After completing high school, Rama studied at K.C. Inters College in Kannauj and actively participated in the Swachh Bharat Mission, contributing significantly to toilet construction projects and gaining recognition from the District Magistrate. In 2017, Rama joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari. She led a team in Kannauj, organizing Ganga cleanliness and biodiversity awareness campaigns, which were acknowledged by prior Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Rama played a crucial role in achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for their village and was elected President of the Mahila Mangal Dal in 2020, contributing to various social activities and awareness programs. In recognition of her efforts, Rama received the Vivekananda Youth Award in 2021. Currently, Rama works as an Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj project at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. |
| Mr. Neeraj Kumar Email: sahuneeraj2222 [at] gmail [dot] com Hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, Neeraj kumar completed his graduation from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University in 2015. He has been actively involved in a team dedicated to conserving native trees and plants, as well as raising awareness among people about the importance of conservation for human life and the environment. In 2022, Neeraj was chosen as a Ganga Prahari at the Wildlife Institute of India. He underwent extensive training, including learning to make pickles, fruit jam, and juices. Recognizing his dedication, Neeraj was promoted and appointed as a Field Assistant. His responsibilities included organizing awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, tree plantation initiatives, and awareness games, all aimed at sensitizing local community. As a Field Assistant, Neeraj gained valuable insights into the river Ganga and its associated communities. Prior to this, he had limited knowledge about them. His dedication and hard work led to further promotion, and he became the Jalaj Assistant Coordinator at the Wildlife Institute of India. |
| Mr. Chandra Kumar Email: pkchandpk [at] gmail [dot] com Chandra Kumar completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Sanskrit from Young Christian College, Prayagraj, and Allahabad University, respectively, and earned an Acharya degree in Sanskrit education. He was elected President of the Fishermen's Association and has had a lifelong connection with rivers, inheriting fishing and boat navigation as his ancestral profession. In 2018, he joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahar, focusing on conserving aquatic species like dolphins, gharials, mugger crocodiles, and turtles. Recognizing his dedication, he was appointed as a Field Assistant in 2020, diligently following directives from the WII. His exemplary work led to his current role as Jalaj Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj Project, focusing on guiding the local team and empowering women through self-reliance initiatives. |
| Mr. Shubham Katiyar Email: katiyarshubham561 [at] gmail [dot] com Based in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, Shubham Katiyar completed his high school education in 2011 and his intermediate studies in 2013. In 2017, he graduated with a degree in physics and mathematics from Kanpur University. He joined the Namami Gange project in 2018, actively participating in programs aimed at conserving aquatic life and keeping the Ganga clean. In 2019, for a whole year, he gets associated with an organization working on children's vaccination and hygiene. He also worked as a sales officer at HDB Financial Services. Currently, he is working as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator for the Jalaj project initiated by Namami Gange in Farrukhabad district. |
| Mr. Mohd. Hasnain Khan Email: phoenixhasnainkhan [at] gmail [dot] com Originally from Bisalpur, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his graduation in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and earned his Master of Science in Zoology (Entomology) from the same university. During his master’s degree, he participated in various conferences. Driven by a desire to contribute to the conservation of the Ganga River basin and its aquatic biodiversity, he joined the Ganga Project as a Ganga Prahari, focusing on the conservation of the Gomti River and its aquatic biodiversity. In this role, he conducted workshops, awareness activities, plantation drives, cleanliness drives, and other initiatives related to the cleanliness of the Gomti River and the conservation of its aquatic flora and fauna. He worked as a field assistant with WII-NMCG at the Pilibhit Field Station for one year. Following this, he was selected as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator in the WII NMCG-JALAJ Project. Currently, he is fulfilling his responsibilities in the JALAJ Project, working towards the conservation of the Ganga River basin and its aquatic biodiversity. |
| Mr. Deepak Kumar Email: deepakkatiyar076 [at] gmail [dot] com Deepak Kumar is originally from Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Law and a Master's degree in Arts from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur. Driven by a passion for nature conservation, Deepak has been actively working with local communities since 2017. He began his journey as a Field Assistant at the Anubhuti Interpretation Centre in Kanpur Zoo, where he conducted sensitization programs to raise awareness about river conservation and freshwater species among visitors. Currently, he serves as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj project at the Wildlife Institute of India, contributing to community-driven river conservation efforts. |
| Mr. Rahul Kumar Email: rahulsahanikumar [at] gmail [dot] com Rahul Kumar Nishad completed his Master's in Sociology from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, and joined the Swachh Bharat Mission as a Swachhagrahis in 2017 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. He actively participated in training community members on sanitation and hygiene. Later, through the Wildlife Institute of India, he became a Ganga Prahari, promoting the conservation of the Ganga and its aquatic life. He contributed to community awareness programs such as tree plantation, cleanliness drives and environmental rallies. His work led to a position as a Field Assistant in the Namami Gange project, which aims to improve local livelihoods and self-reliance through various training programs. Currently, he is dedicatedly working as Project Assistant under the Jalaj Project. |
| Mr. Deepak Sahani Email: deepaksahani18302 [at] gmail [dot] com Deepak Sahani is a resident of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. His initial education was done in Gorakhpur itself and he studied till graduation from Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University in the subjects of history, geography, political science etc. He was associated with the Janani Forest Animals Welfare Trust NGO for 2 years in the conservation of rivers, plantation, and awareness activities. He later joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari under the Namami Gange project for more than 1 year to raise awareness about aquatic creatures in schools, colleges, and local communities, and then as a field assistant in NMCG-WII. Currently, he is working as Project Assistant under the Jalaj Project. |
| 3. Jalaj Assistant Coordinator >> Bihar | |
 | Mr. Mayank Kumar Ojha Email: mayankojhaa [at] gmail [dot] com Mr. Mayank Kumar Ojha belongs to Sahibganj district, Jharkhand. He completed his graduation and post-graduation in computer application. He undertook a course under the Jal Fellowship Course from Rishihood University, Sonipat, in Water Management System. During the course he understood the value of water and water resources in sustaining human life. He volunteered as a Ganga Prahari in the project biodiversity conservation and Ganga rejuvenation. Presently, he is working as an Assistant Coordinator with the Wildlife Institute of India, under the Jalaj project. |
 | Mr. Rahul Kumar Raj Email: rrahulkumar9135 [at] gmail [dot] com Rahul Kumar Raj is from Bhagalpur district in Bihar and completed his Master's degree from the Department of Ambedkar Thought and Social Work at Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University. He has worked as a volunteer at the Nehru Yuva Kendra, focusing on rural youth. Additionally, he has received training from the Disaster Management Department as a Disaster Friend and has organized awareness programs to educate people about disaster prevention. Under the aegis of the Agriculture Skill Council of India and ATMA Bhagalpur, he has received training as an Agricultural Extension Provider, raising awareness among farmers about organic farming, natural farming, and vermicomposting. He has also received training as a bird guide from the Bhagalpur Forest Division. Moreover, he has voluntarily worked with the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari, contributing to biodiversity conservation and the Ganga rejuvenation project. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Coordinator at the Wildlife Institute of India under the Jalaj project. |
 | Mr. Kunal Kumar Singh Email: kunalkumar51296 [at] gmail [dot] com Kunal Kumar Singh was born on December 5, 1996, in a traditional home near the banks of the Ganga River in Dharani Patti, Purvi Rasalpur, Thana: Mohanpur, Samastipur district. He has seen and understood the Ganga since childhood. He completed his graduation from Lalit Narayan Mithila University under J.M.R.D. College, Mohanpur. He has been teaching children continuously for 10 years, having also established his own private school from nursery to eighth grade. Since 2017, he has been associated with the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari, working on cleanliness and biodiversity conservation of the Ganga River. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Coordinator at the Wildlife Institute of India under the Jalaj project. |
| 4. Jalaj Assistant Coordinator >> Jharkhand | |
 | Mr. Barun Kumar Mandal Email: barunkrsbg123 [at] gmail [dot] com Barun Kumar Mandal hails from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand state. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the history department at Sahibganj College under Sidho Kanho Murmu University, Dumka. He pursued a course in water management systems under the Jal Fellowship Program at Maharishi Dayanand University, Sonipat. In 2019, he joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Ganga Prahari in order to contribute to environmental conservation. After joining the Wildlife Institute of India, he contributed for 3 years as a Ganga Prahari, for the protection of the Ganges River and its aquatic life. Recognizing his work, he was appointed as a Field Assistant for his responsibilities in the field. He diligently fulfilled his duties as a Field Assistant for 2 years. Currently, he is actively engaged as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator in the Jalaj Project. |
| 5. Jalaj Assistant Coordinator >> West Bengal | |
 | Mr. Ratan Halder Email: ratankumarnarayan [at] gmail [dot] com Mr. Ratan Halder belongs to Farakka town, Murshidabad District, West Bengal. He completed his Master's degree from Burdwan University. His active participation and experience in community service, aided him for being chosen as a field assistant for community mobilization and awareness activities along the Ganga River in Farakka, with the Wildlife Institute of India. Presently, he is working as a Jalaj assistant coordinator in the NMCG-WII, Jalaj Project. His field work includes coordination of Jalaj project activities with stakeholders including local communities, students and line agencies, to undertake awareness campaigns on the conservation of aquatic species and link local handicrafts to conservation initiatives and engagement of women groups with Jalaj centers. |
 | Mr. Mangal Chowdhury Email: mangal [at]wii[dot]gov[dot]in Mr. Mangal Chowdhury belongs to Nayachar village in Nadia district West Bengal. He completed his bachelor's degree in the Bengali language from Netaji Subhas Open University, Katwa, Nadia. He has been associated with WII as field assistant since 2017 and has received trainings from the institute on rescue of aquatic species and ecological survey. His field work included organising awareness programmes on conservation of aquatic species of the Ganga River basin and community mobilisation. He joined WII as the Jalaj Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj project. |
 | Mr. Soumen Dutta Email: soumendutta561 [at] gmail [dot] com Mr. Soumen Dutta was born and brought up in a small village Bethuadahari, in Nadia district, West Bengal near the Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary. Living around this protected area was his major driving force to contribute for conservation of natural resources. He completed his graduation from Krishnagar Government College and is presently associated with the Wildlife Institute of India as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator under the Jalaj project. |
 | Mr. Sourav kar Email: minisk1234 [at] gmail [dot] com Mr. Sourav Kar hails from the mangroves of India-the Sunderbans, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. He did his Bachelor of Science from Calcutta University. After his graduation, he worked with the Wildlife Institute of India as a field assistant. This experience helped him in knowing the importance of aquatic biodiversity for human well-being. He has great interest in illustration & painting and finds interest in portraying nature and natural beings. Presently, he joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a Jalaj Assistant Coordinator in the Jalaj project. |
 | Ms. Suparna Kayal Email: suparnakayal39 [at] gmail [dot] com Ms. Suparna Kayal belongs to Diamond Harbour, 24 Praganas (South) West Bengal. After completing her postgraduate in History from the Rabindra Bharti University, she joined a local NGO- the Kankura Masat Social Welfare Society (Kankura Masat) at Diamond Harbour. She worked as an accounts manager and project coordinator in the livelihood project of the NGO for eight years. Presently, she is working as a Jalaj Assistant Co-ordinator in the Jalaj project. |
Last Updated: June 25, 2025
