Research Group

Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi

Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Climate Change, Forests ecology and Public Policy

Office no. A-313/5 Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus Zuari Nagar, Goa - 403726

rajivc@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

0832-2580265

Current Students

Karun Jose(Ph.D)

Karun Jose is a PhD scholar working on the topic "Plot-Based Monitoring and Modelling of Tropical Forest Dynamics in the Western Ghats" under the supervision of Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi at BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus. He is a dedicated environmental researcher with a robust academic background in Remote Sensing, GIS, and Physics. He earned his Master's degree in Remote Sensing and GIS from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, where he was awarded the University First Rank, and a Bachelor's in Physics from Mahatma Gandhi University. His research integrates remote sensing technologies, forest phenology, and ecosystem modeling to evaluate climate impacts on forest dynamics. Karun’s work exemplifies interdisciplinary science with a commitment to long-term forest monitoring, data-driven modeling, and climate adaptation strategies. Through field-based observations, advanced geospatial tools, and collaborative research, he strives to contribute meaningfully to sustainable forest management and climate resilience in tropical ecosystems.

Email: p20200063@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 6282682386

Lab: A-307

Anjitha Devarajan(Ph.D)

Anjitha is a PhD student, working on the topic “Assessing the potential for developing nature-based solutions around Pandanus ecosystem in Goa” under Prof. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi and Dr. Saranya G Nair. She is a passionate ecologist with a strong academic background in forestry and wildlife science. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Forestry from Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur and a Master's in Wildlife Science from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. Her work spans interdisciplinary approaches, integrating technology, science, and community engagement to foster sustainable solutions. Driven by a vision of community-centric conservation, she strives to develop resilient ecosystems while enhancing local livelihoods. Her work embodies a blend of ecological research, grassroots action, and education, aimed at impactful progress in environmental sustainability.

Email: p20240442@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 8921312673

Lab: A-307

Aritra Bandopadhyay(Ph.D)

Aritra Bandopadhyay is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. He holds an Integrated M.Tech. in Geoinformatics from the Central University of Jharkhand. He completed his M.Tech. dissertation at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, on the topic Understanding Land-Atmosphere Interaction and Quantification of Extreme Precipitation Events. Additionally, he has undertaken multiple research internships.

Email: p20220017@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 95704 48407

Lab: A-307

Bhawani Shankar(Ph.D)

Bhawani Shankar has completed a Master's in Remote Sensing & GIS from the Central University of Jharkhand. He has previously served as a Senior Analyst in the WDSC department of the Govt. of Raj. and also worked on a land restoration project in Chhattisgarh with the Netherlands-based NGO Commonland. Currently, he is a Doctoral Researcher and Research Fellow at BITS Pilani, Goa. He is a UGC JRF Fellow.

Email: p20230040@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 8952973364

Lab: A-307

Ferdin Sylvester(Ph.D)

He is a domain expert in sustainability and circular economy with 10+ years of experience in project management and implementation, DPR, monitoring & evaluation, social development and entrepreneurship, communication strategy, SDGs and environmental policy, program design pertaining to climate change and sustainability, waste management and livelihoods. He has done Master's in Environmental Engineering from Nanyang Tech University and Bachelor's in Biotechnology from Dayanand Sagar . Currently he is pursuing Ph.D in Mangroves as a climate change adaption & mitigation solution for building coastal resilience.

Email: p20240115@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: +91-8970712668

Nasla Najeeb(Ph.D)

Nasla Najeeb is an INSPIRE Fellow and a PhD scholar working on the topic "Towards understanding the changing dynamics of forest diversity and biomass in the Western Ghats, India," under the guidance of Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. She is a passionate environmental researcher with a solid academic foundation in geospatial technologies and physics. Nasla holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in Remote Sensing and GIS from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, where she secured the University First Rank. Her research focuses on integrating remote sensing, LiDAR, and field-based observations to monitor carbon stock and model community-level forest responses to future climatic scenarios. With a strong inclination towards data-driven analysis and long-term ecological monitoring, she aims to advance scientific understanding and inform sustainable forest management practices in the face of climate change.

Email: p20230027@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 7593 943 670

Lab: A-307

Project Staff

Neha Nishan Parsekar(Office Assistant)

Neha Nishan Parsekar is a B.Com graduate with extensive experience as an Office Assistant. She has worked in the administration department across multiple organizations, where she has gained valuable expertise in managing various office operations. Her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, maintaining office records, coordinating meetings, managing office supplies, and financial documentation. She is also skilled in managing office communication, and providing general administrative support to ensure smooth day-to-day office functioning.

Email: 2023proj017@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 8408995460

Lab: A-307

Nandu V.S.(Research Fellow)

Nandu V.S. holds a Master’s in Geography (Geoinformatics) from Kannur University and a Postgraduate Diploma in GIS from the University of Mysore. Currently, he serves as a Research Fellow for the ISEF project, on "Capacity Building for Modelling India’s Long-Term Land Use Emissions." His professional expertise spans landscape ecology, forest fire dynamics, and hydrological modelling, with contributions across organizations such as the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).

Email: 2024proj021@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel:8943065698

Lab: A-307

Fathima Fltha J(Research Fellow)

Fathima Fitha J, a climate change adaptation postgraduate from the College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University in the year 2023. She completed her MSc dissertation from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. She closely works on climate change and vegetation dynamic models. She joined as a research fellow in the department of Humanities and Social Science, BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. Currently she is working on the project "Capacity building for informing India's climate actions - AFOLU Sector

Email: 2023proj070@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 6282606520

Lab: A- 313/1

Saranya S Deth(Intern)

Saranya S Deth, a student who pursuing her Masters in Disaster Management from the Kerala university of fisheries and ocean studies, kochi, Kerala. She joined as an intern for her MSc Dissetation in the Department of Humanities and Social Science, BITS Pilani, Goa campus. Currently she is working on the project named “Assessing Heat Index trends in the Western ghats and Coastal states: A Long-term Climatic Study with Mitigation Approaches”.

Email : saranyasdeth20@gmail.com

Tel: 8590797574

Lab: A-307

Sona Shine S(Intern)

Completed Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Kerala University. Currently pursuing MSc Disaster Management at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, Kerala. Joined at BITS Pilani KK Birla, Goa Campus for MSc dissertation on the topic “Assessing Wildfire Exposure Zones in the Central Western Ghats of India- An Ensemble Model Approach”.

Tel: 8086222847

Email: sona22on@gmail.com

Lab: A-307

Past Students

Kulkarni Ashutosh Anilbhai

Ashutosh Kulkarni recently (November 2024) obtained his PhD from BITS-Pilani Goa Campus under the guidance of Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi. His thesis title was “Impact of Climate Change on the Glaciers of Indus and Spiti River Basin.” He also holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Nirma University. He has also received a prestigious Nehru-Grimsson award to study advanced courses at University of Iceland in glaciology and remote sensing. He is currently working on applying machine learning models to estimate glacier mass balance in the Himalayas and hydrological modelling of Spiti River basin with a larger aim of developing adaptation solutions for village communities to ensure their water security.

Email: p20190077@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 7760024807

Lab: A-307

Kulkarni Ashutosh Anilbhai

Jyothika Karkala (Project Assistant)

Jyothika Karkala holds a Master's degree in Remote Sensing Applications from Kuvempu University. Her expertise includes 3D mapping with stereo drone and aircraft images, and teaching Geoinformatics to master's students. Currently, she is a Project Assistant at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, working on a MoEFCC Sponsored project titled “LULUCF Sector Studies for India’s First Biennial Transparency Report(BTR-1), Fourth Biennial Update Report(BUR-4), and Fourth National Communication(4NC)". She has co-authored six research articles and one book chapter on precipitation extremes, drought, and hydrometeorological studies.

Email: 2023proj054@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 9845321701

Lab: A-307

Dr. Sanjay Kumar (Postdoctoral Researcher)

Sanjay Kumar has completed his MSc in Remote Sensing and GIS from Kumaun University and then earned an MTech in Geoinformatics from GJU. In February 2023, He obtained his PhD in Geoinformatics from Kuvempu University. His doctoral research focused on analyzing the rainfall and drought scenarios in Tumakuru, a district in Karnataka. Presently he is pursuing Postdoctoral research with an ICSSR fellowship from BITS Pilani, Goa, where he is analyzing the effects of climate change on the Western Ghats.

Email: 2023pdf002@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: 8398085208

Lab: A-307

ALEX M J (Research Fellow)

Alex MJ completed Msc. Oceanography from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 2018. And joined as Project Associate in National Institute of Oceanography, Goa worked on the projects “Role of mixed layer salinity on the physics and biogeochemistry of Bay of Bengal: Subseasonal to interannual timescales” and “Variability of upper layer temperature and salinity fields in the Indian Seas”, published their findings in leading journals. Currently working as Research Fellow in the ISEF Sponsored project entitled “Capacity Building for informing India’s Climate Actions-Agriculture, Forestry and other land uses” at BITS Pilani, KK Birla, Goa Campus since June 2024.

Email: 2023proj072@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

Tel: +91 9605828721

Lab: A-307

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Dr. Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi

Research Group

Current Students

Karun Jose(Ph.D)

Anjitha Devarajan(Ph.D)

Aritra Bandopadhyay(Ph.D)

Bhawani Shankar(Ph.D)

Ferdin Sylvester(Ph.D)

Nasla Najeeb(Ph.D)

Project Staff

Neha Nishan Parsekar(Office Assistant)

Nandu V.S.(Research Fellow)

Fathima Fltha J(Research Fellow)

Saranya S Deth(Intern)

Sona Shine S(Intern)

Past Students

Kulkarni Ashutosh Anilbhai

Jyothika Karkala (Project Assistant)

Dr. Sanjay Kumar (Postdoctoral Researcher)

ALEX M J (Research Fellow)

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