Ratul Saha is a seasoned conservation development professional with nearly two decades of experience in areas such as protected area management, wetland management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. His significant contributions to WWF-India’s conservation and adaptation efforts in Sundarbans, spanning both India and Bangladesh, are notable. He currently holds a Senior Consultant position at EY, where he leads the wildlife portfolio for the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation. Additionally, Ratul Saha is deepening his expertise through his ongoing Ph.D. pursuit in Delta Studies and Sustainable Development Goals. He is enrolled at the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, a renowned university recognized as one of the top five universities in India.
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/saharatul/
Twitter : @ratul_aranya
Instagram : @aranyer.majhe
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/aranyer.majhe
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. Joining IIFM with a pre-existing research career, it was enlightening to find the connection between my on-field experience and academic theory, aiding in the structuring of my dissertation. Post-IIFM, I have experienced varied professional environments – government, financial institutions, corporations, and civil society organizations. My journey began with Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. (a business initiative by the Forest Department of Karnataka) and progressed to IL&FS, an environmental financial institution. This spanned sectors such as environmental management, ecotourism, and habitat development.
Moving from IL&FS, I found my place in WWF-India, first serving as a biodiversity coordinator, then as the Sundarbans landscape Coordinator; and currently, I am in the role of senior consultant at EY LLP, overseeing the wildlife portfolio of the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity conservation and contributing to business development.
Throughout these experiences, I have built connection with outdoor spaces and established strong collaborations with government agencies, regional bodies, and international forums, a quality instilled in me by the IIFM faculty.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Learnings: In my professional journey post-IIFM, three key lessons have stood out as cornerstones for achieving impactful milestones in my career. Firstly, it’s crucial to generate insightful observations and construct a narrative based on scientific facts that can inspire and motivate stakeholders to think beyond traditional models. Secondly, such an approach aids in meaningful dialogue with elected representatives and policymakers which can help in integrating our objective into mainstream policy. Lastly, fostering a group of strong allies in government circles is vital in establishing supportive constituencies.
Milestones: An important milestone in my career was the development of a unique methodology for counting tigers in Sundarbans with a three-member team. The National Tiger Conservation Authority later adopted this as the Phase IV monitoring protocol. A remarkable outcome was the role reversal that ensued, with the Department taking complete ownership of the initiative and contributing successfully to the All-India Tiger Estimation.
During this process, the intricacies of the Sundarbans habitat came to light, which encouraged the Department to explore innovative tiger management strategies. We succeeded in setting up long-term ecological observatories and concurrent monitoring systems in Sundarbans, partnering with academia for a more unified approach to habitat management.
Furthermore, the ‘Blood Free Honey – a safe alternative to blood honey’ concept was designed to secure the livelihoods of traditional honey collectors in Sundarbans. My team and I played a critical role in assisting the West Bengal Forest Directorate and Panchayat and Rural Department to establish a community-based honey enterprise in 46 forest fringe villages of Sundarbans. The honey, branded as “Bonphool,” is now available online on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, and was even recently gifted to G20 leaders.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Feeling appreciated for your efforts at work is crucial for job satisfaction. To illustrate this, I recall one notable experience. I was privileged to be a guest of the US State Department and an International Visitor Leadership Program Fellow in their esteemed climate and disaster risk reduction program. Our team of eight individuals from South Asia were given insights into state systems and processes across six American cities. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s top professional exchange program. Through our visits to the United States, we got to immerse ourselves in American culture and forge enduring bonds with our American colleagues. This IVLP experience provided a better understanding of how American systems develop and deliver region-specific, scientifically supported information and technologies to agricultural and natural resource managers. This, in turn, informed our decision-making process and assisted us in implementing strategies effectively.
Q. Has you’re learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Yes, my education at the Indian Institute of Forest Management has been instrumental in shaping my professional approach. It has provided a solid foundation and equipped me with critical skills to approach and solve complex, real-world problems. It has enhanced my understanding of the interplay between forestry/wildlife, sustainability, and management, enabling me to effectively apply these principles in my roles. The exposure to diverse perspectives and innovative thought processes at the institute has significantly influenced my decision-making ability and leadership style in professional settings.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers?
A. Numerous mentors and advisors from my days at Presidency & IIFM, through to my current roles, have significantly influenced my career. Notably, Dr. Kamal Kumar Banerjee, Dr. Rupendu Ray & Dr. Debaprosad Chakraborti from Presidency College, Dr. P. C. Kotwal, Dr. Yogesh Dubey, and Dr. Prodyut Bhattacharya from IIFM, along with Dr. Somath Mukherjee of IL&FS and Dr. A. Anurag Danda of WWF-India, have all played instrumental roles in shaping my career and fuelling my passion for this sector.
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. For Indian Institute of Forest Management graduates considering forestry/wildlife sector roles, it’s essential to continuously build theoretical and practical knowledge and stay current with sector trends and legislation. Networking with industry professionals would provide invaluable insights and opportunities. Enhance your critical skills like data analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Despite inevitable challenges, maintaining passion for the sector is key.
Keep in mind that this sector offers a distinctive opportunity to make a positive ecological impact while attaining professional accomplishments. Dedication, perseverance, and above all, “patience,” should be your guiding principles in this pursuit.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. When I joined IIFM, my initial ambition, like every Presidencian, was to do a Ph.D. in wildlife, inspired by Dr. P. C. Kotwal, a D.Sc. in wildlife management. However, my first interaction with him transformed my career aspirations and my views on undertaking doctoral studies. He emphasized that a Ph.D. should not be a badge of honour but a quest for deep insights into a specific subject. He suggested pursuing a job after IIFM and considering a Ph.D. when you are confident that your contribution would be valued by key stakeholders in your chosen sector.
It took me more than 17 years to identify the niche topic to which I wanted to contribute. My tenure of 11 years with WWF-India at Sundarbans, the world’s only coastal tiger habitat, guided me towards my current research focus. I’m now dedicated to developing a Mangrove Resilience Index (MRI) tool. The MRI will provide a comprehensive overview of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem’s ecological condition, ranging from microbes, plants, and fish to water quality, and will track ecosystem responses to environmental changes. This MRI will offer reliable metrics for the Forest Department to monitor their progress in maintaining and implementing dynamic zoning, formulating afforestation plans, and executing process-based restoration strategies while ensuring the welfare of the tiger population.
P.C. : Shuvarthi Guha
Q. What are your favourite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My first day at IIFM, along with my encounter with Tarique Bhai, who I initially mistook for a parent of a student, is a vivid memory. Field trips, team assignments, surprise tests, gossips with my team – Nitin, Sandeep, Samta, Deepti & PFM friends, and the distinct aroma of the forest after rainfall are treasured reminiscences from my time at IIFM. Amidst all these, a significant highlight was meeting my better half, Shakti Khare, affectionately referred to as Mohatarma by the faculty. Our journey together began from IIFM, enriching my experience at the institute.
Q. Key take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. The essential skills of conflict management and diplomacy, honed at IIFM, have fundamentally impacted my career progression. These skills have proven vital in overcoming professional challenges and fostering collaborative relationships after IIFM. In a world characterized by continuous change and finite resources, such skills are more critical than ever before.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable titbits that you like to share?
A. I was fortunate to have shared my time at IIFM with an incredible group of classmates (MRM & PFM – both batches), many of whom I still stay connected with and regularly interact. Each faculty member left an indelible imprint on us. Notably, Prof. P.C. Kotwal, Prof. Yogesh Dubey, Dr. Suprava Patnaik, and Prof. Chinmaya S. Rathore provided deep insights into the courses at IIFM. Furthermore, Prof. Prodyut Bhattacharya, my mentor at IIFM, introduced me to the complexities of participatory biodiversity conservations, opening up a whole new world. Paramjyoti Chattopadhyay, Rahul Samaddar, Satyajit Das and Muhammed Nahar from IIFM have been my trusted advisors and go-to people for guidance throughout my career journey.
Q. What is your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. In EY, my typical workday involves various tasks. I start my day by going through my emails and updating my task list. I collaborate with my team on ongoing projects, which includes strategic planning, problem-solving, and frequent discussions on high impact concept notes. I also attend meetings with project stakeholders, partners, and clients for business development.
When on a total break, I thoroughly enjoy spending quality time with my family, provided they are available at my work location. Additionally, I indulge in my hobbies which include wildlife photography with a particular interest in butterflies, reading various genres, and watching a good selection of movies. These activities offer a wonderful way to unwind and rejuvenate.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I am immensely thankful for the contributions of the institution that deeply influenced my career, and I’m more than willing to reciprocate. I’m available for career counselling sessions, delivering guest lectures, and instilling innovative ideas on forestry and wildlife sector into new IIFM students.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. IIFM has a legacy of producing graduates who build strong connections with outdoor spaces. The introduction of new courses that align with the dynamic nature of the current market is a promising initiative to maintain leadership in the sector. Over the years, many changes have occurred, most of which have kept pace with a vibrant India, displaying the institute’s adaptability and foresight.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I would suggest name of Dhruv Jyoti Sengupta, Paramjyoti Chattopadhyay, Rahul Samaddar and Satyajit Das.