I see my career unfolding in clear, distinct patterns. From age 15 to 25, I simply went with the flow—dabbling in different interests, experimenting, and soaking in the world around me. Between 26 and 35, I pursued only what I loved. From 36 to 45, I focused on what I was truly good at. And from 45 onwards, I’m doing what I excel at while also mentoring the next generation. I’m 52 now, and while I’m content with the journey so far, I suspect I may make a few strategic shifts after 55.
My career has been less of a straight road and more of a winding forest trail, one that took me from Vizag to the heart of India’s wild landscapes and now to the global field of holistic landscape restoration. I’ve always trusted intuition, embraced serendipity, and found purpose in bridging people and nature.
Location: The Netherlands
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sskolipaka1973
Q.Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A.I grew up in Visakhapatnam, where life felt like a perpetual holiday. The first 15 years of my life are a beautiful blur, some schooling, lots of playing outdoors, naughty and adventurous outing and carefree and slightly privileged life. Phantom, Tarzan, Tintin, Indian stories my grandmother and my school history teacher narrated, and my own adventures, shaped my imagination.
Between 15 and 25 years, fueled by imagination and testosterone, I explored a lot of interests and just went with the flow and trends that prevailed in those times. Luckily by 25, I completed my graduation and also an MBA from Symbiosis, Pune and started a career in Rickette and Colman( FMCG multinational). In this phase, I travelled a lot, earned a bit, learnt the art of spending money, befriended diverse groups of people, and enjoyed a good, physically active life. The ten years vanished with happy memories.
At 25, driven by a moment of clarity to do something more than a simple pursuit of a career, I was drawn to work in wildlife and natural areas. I had to reeducate myself and had some saving to fund my own studies. It took me a greater part of 1 year to explore options. Marine wildlife was my first choice but 25 years ago that field in India was in its infancy and still remains microscopic compared to Australia or America. Let me remind you, at this stage I was already 25 and had different life experiences and trainings and was very aware and I made a ‘conscious choice’ to join IIFM, one of the few gateways to the Indian forest and wildlife sector.
Q.How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. 26 to 35: I joined IIFM in 2000. There, I met Mr. Hassan—an IAS officer, master storyteller, and an old-school wildlife manager. Under his mentorship, I was introduced to Central India. He sparked my interest in two little-understood species: the Indian caracal and the wolf. What began as a modest M.Phil. study soon became a decade-long deep dive into Central Indian forests.
Those years were intense and immersive. I did everything—field research, community engagement, publications, book writing, fundraising, even further studies at Kwa Zulu Natal University, South Africa. I married and eventually set my base in the Netherlands, working with Leiden University while continuing my work in India. I followed what I loved, and the world opened up.
36 to 45: This phase was defined by a real-world conservation challenge: the local extinction of the tiger in Panna Tiger Reserve. I had been working in that landscape for years, and naturally, I became part of the reintroduction program’s steering committee.
I had deep relationships with local communities and leaders. I could connect people, had technical knowledge, understood policy, and could bridge silos. Everything I was good at was tested—and it worked. The program succeeded. And in that success, I found personal reward: a PhD, a daughter, meaningful opportunities, and a powerful local-to-global network.
46 onwards: In 2019, I was invited to join Commonland Foundation to support their India program. Commonland’s global mission of holistic landscape restoration—interweaving ecology, economy, community, and inspiration—aligned deeply with my values. I also continue mentoring transdisciplinary PhD students in South Asia, especially those working on wildcats and human coexistence. I get to blend research, travel, fieldwork, and systems thinking—and shape the next generation. That keeps me going.
Q.What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. a) I’ve noticed 10-year spirals of personal and professional transformation.
b)My internal compass—what motivates me, what I enjoy, what I’m good at—has always guided my direction.
c)I’ve failed to maintain relationships with many fascinating people I met along the way. Robin Dunbar’s theory (Dunbar’s Number ~180) explains that well.
d)I carry a deep purpose: to create the right conditions for people and nature to thrive in India. That purpose energizes everything I do.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. Commonland Foundation is a unique place. It’s ideal for independent thinkers who can also act—those with multi-disciplinary backgrounds, the courage to imagine boldly, and the patience to drive systems-level change. We work globally on Holistic Landscape Restoration using the 4 Returns Framework—return of inspiration, social capital, natural capital, and financial capital. It’s not just about restoring nature; it’s about restoring hope and healing entire landscapes. That’s what we’re trying to do in India and beyond.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. There isn’t one part—I love the whole journey.
My boyhood heroes—Phantom, Tarzan, Mandrake, Tintin, and Indian legends—continue to animate my spirit. I’ve met amazing people, lived through unforgettable adventures, and learned deeply through them.
The magic lies in seeing theory come alive. Like studying tiger behavior in human landscapes, crafting management strategies, and watching them work. Or decoding what drives inspiration in people—and then watching inspired individuals change their world. To me, applying wildlife and human behaviour insights to transform landscapes is the ultimate reward.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Absolutely. IIFM opened the doors to the forests of Central India. It taught me how to work with government systems and understand the Indian Forest Service. Today, navigating that bureaucratic world is key—and IIFM gave me the foundation.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. People, experiences, and conscious self-reflection. Over 50 years, many people, turning points, and “Aha!” moments shaped who I am and the work I do. The list is long.
My advice to freshers? Don’t chase careers—chase purpose. Pay attention to what excites you, what you’re good at, and who you enjoy working with. Reflect often. Let your values guide your choices, and don’t be afraid to take the long way.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. By the time I joined IIFM, I was self-aware. I knew I was stepping into a field that would demand lifelong, multidisciplinary learning.
Early on, I chose to stay grounded in field biology, chose fieldwork rather than climb the vertical career ladder. But I discovered something even more powerful: horizontal growth. I diversified. Trained myself in social sciences too, cultural anthropology, and systems thinking and change management. I didn’t become a Director or CEO—but I became someone who can influence systems, policies, and mindsets at the landscape scale. That’s my idea of leadership.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My IIFM days were intense and joyful. There was always something new to learn, do, or explore. I came with years of life experience, and I drove right in—friends from across PFM and MRM, crazy field trips, barbecues, high-energy sports like frisbee, and city getaways. Every day was a mix of hard work and great fun.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Mr. Hassan was a pivotal mentor. He didn’t just teach—he showed me how to see nature, how to tell stories, how to study the wild. He introduced me to Pardhi tribes, spotlight surveys, and field-based wildlife science. My first observational study—on man-eating leopards at Van Vihar National Park—lit the spark.
Mrs. Madhu Verma demystified environmental economics for me in one brilliant class. And beyond the faculty, the entire IIFM ecosystem—staff, mess workers, peers—was a supportive family that enabled me to be my full self.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. The list is long :)!
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. Spend some time to reflect on why you are at the IIFM in the first place and be true to your inner calling. If you are there for a better shot at life and a campus placement, focus on that. If you are there for a step to greener educational pastures, keep that as a focus, if you are there like me, for a gateway into a new sector do not lose that focus.
Q. What would be your advise for recent graduates who look for changing their sector after working for couple of years?
A. Changing sectors is not easy. You have to have a lot of courage and self-motivation. Invest in a coach, it’s a common approach in Netherlands not sure about the status in India. There is a cost you have to be prepared to pay.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. While in Netherlands, a typical day is divided between chats with colleagues in India and chats with those at the office in Amsterdam. A certain time of the day is spent on design components, this is a creative side on how to move our programs in India.
While in India I am in the rural landscapes most of the time spending time with local leaders and stakeholders and doing things together and also exploring the landscape. I do some trainings where cross sectoral groups are taken on field sensing journeys. I enjoy organizing and showing people intricate facts of the landscape and how things are ecologically and socially connected.
I also have a second job with beforest.co, another restoration initiative in south India. There I focus on wildlife restoration in private lands.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. While in India, I am the boss of my time and continue riding a motorcycle. While in Netherlands, the family comes first. The Dutch way of life is very active and filled with activities. Time flies.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Currently reading – Lords of the deccan; a book on rock art; Field guide on Insects; The rare metals war.
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?
A. I notice that IIFM students have branched out in several directions. I am keen to forge relations with those who see value in working collaboratively to solve deep rooted issues. The interlinked nature of many issues be climate adaptation, water and food security, biodiversity collapse, natural resource management or poverty alleviation means no one organization or group can solve these, these problems need to be addressed at scale and at a systems level. If there are people working on such transformative projects or have interests in solving such issues, I am happy to meet and find ways to collaborate.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. I don’t remember the last time I visited IIFM to interact with colleagues.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Advait Edgaonkar is a lovely colleague. Also my friends, Meghna(MRM 2000-2001) & Aveek Roy(MRM 2000-2001).
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