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In conversation with UNESCO young scientist Brinda Kashyap

In conversation with UNESCO young scientist Brinda Kashyap

Brinda Kashyap (BK) from Guwahati, Assam was recently honoured with the prestigious UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme’s Young Scientist Award. Recognised for her groundbreaking research on rhino conservation and its socio-economic impact in Manas National Park, Kashyap uses cutting-edge geospatial analysis and community engagement in her work. An alumna of St Edmund’s College, Shillong, she is a National Geospatial Research Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay).

Kashyap is the only recipient from India and one of 15 young scientists from 11 countries selected for the award. They will each receive up to US$5,000 to support their research projects. Her research focuses on simulating future habitat suitability and predicting changes due to rapid climate change. The work focuses on whether current habitats will still be suitable for wildlife in the coming decade, a growing concern for animal populations in national parks.

In Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brinda’s work will address the challenges facing the rhino population. Her work uses data from multiple sources, including satellite imagery, and combines technology with existing information. To ensure the feasibility of the finding, socio-economic and climate change impacts will also be considered.

Sunday Shillong got in touch with the young scientist to know more about her journey from a geography graduate to a budding conservationist working with The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), IIT Bombay and now UNESCO. Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

SS: Congratulations on winning the award and the scholarship! How does it feel to be the only one from the country selected for this award?

BK: It feels rewarding that my efforts are being recognized, but this is only the first step. The most important work begins now. I have always tried to balance technology and research with socio-economic analysis, and I believe this grant will help me achieve that goal.

SS: Can you tell us about your research that was recognized and awarded the prize?

BK: I come from a geography background and later ventured into geo-informatics, but my interest has always been in conservation. Since my masters, I have been associated with institutions like IIT Bombay and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which have provided a platform for my work. The current project, for which I received the award, focuses on rhino conservation in Manas National Park and conducting a socio-economic impact assessment. My research integrates three main objectives: habitat suitability modelling, habitat change analysis and climate change assessments. I am also developing a future land simulation model to predict changes in land use patterns in the national park. In addition, I am conducting a socio-economic analysis to understand the relationship between conservation and local communities.

SS: What was your background as a student that made you interested in conservation?

BK: I did my Bachelor of Arts in Geography from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong. After that, I did a Master of Science in Geoinformatics from Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, Pune. In 2022, I participated in the FOSSEE Mapathon at IIT Bombay, where I got third place in the national competition. That was the first step towards academia, which got me interested in this field. During my masters, I was involved in a project in Kaziranga landscape and now I am working on Manas. I am also affiliated with IUCN in the Meghna River Basin Water Futures Programme.

SS: Why are you specifically interested in rhino conservation?

BK: The one-horned rhinoceros found in Assam is a vulnerable species unique to our region. While several studies have been conducted from zoological and environmental perspectives, fewer studies have been done from the geoinformatics field. I want to do valuable work in this area that will be useful for policy and governance. My research attempts to apply technical and socio-economic aspects to conservation efforts at the local level. I have been inspired by my supervisors and seniors to balance these aspects to ensure that my work is practical. I believe that STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and socio-economic fields are interlinked, and my research will serve as a foundation for future studies.

SS: What do GIS and geospatial analysis mean in simple terms?

BK: GIS (Geographic Information System) combines geography with IT (Information Technology). It allows us to apply theoretical knowledge using software, programming languages ​​and coding to create real-life visualizations of scenarios, which is very useful. GIS is crucial for projects such as disaster management, urban planning and forestry. Geospatial analysis provides a bird’s-eye view of a given area through satellite or drone images, allowing for various types of analysis such as mapping and border management.

SS: How will the grant help you and your research?

BK: My research involves extensive fieldwork for data collection and surveys. I will use the funds to acquire software licenses and field equipment, which will greatly facilitate my research.

SS: What does it mean to win the UNESCO Prize for Man and the Biosphere, and what is the significance of this programme?

BK: The program aims to train and connect young researchers in the field of biosphere conservation. It focuses on global conservation efforts for terrestrial and coastal or marine biospheres. I was selected in the terrestrial category for my research on Manas. This award is a significant milestone in my career and provides a platform to enhance and showcase my skills globally.

SS: What are the biggest challenges facing the rhino population in Manas National Park and how does your project address them?

BK: Poaching has previously decimated the rhino population in Manas. The government has reintroduced them with red collars to monitor their movements and health. Changes in the environment have affected their behavior and my research is aimed at understanding these changes. The work is ongoing and we are studying the current situation to develop effective conservation strategies.

SS: Assam is the only state in India with one-horned rhinos. Assam’s anti-poaching efforts have led to Kaziranga National Park exceeding its carrying capacity, leading to the translocation of some rhinos to Manas, Pobitora and Orang. Should Assam translocate some rhinos to neighbouring states with similar habitats?

BK: No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Even though neighboring states may have similar landscapes and climates, a very heterogeneous environment is necessary for rhino survival. Translocating or introducing rhinos into areas where they don’t naturally occur could be detrimental.

SS: Poaching is a major problem. Do you think this problem is a thing of the past, or do you foresee a better future?

BK: Poaching, driven by the high value of rhino horns on the black market, particularly in Southeast Asia, is a major problem. However, poaching has declined and 2022 was a “Zero-Poaching Year” for rhinos in Kaziranga. I think the future looks brighter as there is a downward trend in poaching and the government has imposed stricter norms in Assam’s national parks.

SS: Who were your role models and mentors during your scientific journey, and how have they influenced your work?

BK: My high school geography teacher, Juri Hazarika (Ms.), introduced me to the GIS field and encouraged me to pursue it. I am also grateful to my professors and the mentors and supervisors at my current institution who guided and supported my research. They have played a significant role in shaping my career and helping me focus on impactful research.

SS: Do you have any advice for aspiring environmentalists who want to become scientists?

BK: Conduct thorough research that does not focus on just one aspect. Different perspectives are crucial. Although technical reports and socio-economic studies do not always align, integrating both can lead to more impactful work. My mentors advised me not to rely on recent articles alone, because conservation in practice often differs from theory. Therefore, choose research ideas that can be practically implemented.

Conservation comes with challenges, including implementation issues and concerns about how conservation efforts will impact local people whose livelihoods depend on forests and wildlife, such as those in the tourism sector. In Manas, a transboundary national park bordering Bhutan, humane conservation approaches are essential because they impact many lives.

(Interviewed by Jnanendra Das)