Qualifications: Bachelor’s (Hons) in English Literature from Gauhati University, Master’s in Ecology, Environment & Sustainable Development from Tata Institute of Social Sciences
P.G Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy from National Law University
Email: debangini@dakshin.org

Blog: https://falsetrail.wordpress.com

Profile:  
Debangini is an interdisciplinary ecologist from Guwahati, Assam, with a deep-rooted love for the sea and marine biodiversity. She remembers seeing her first turtle as a kid in a beach in Puri- a dead Olive Ridley which went unnoticed by people around, like it didn’t matter. The beauty and serenity that it imbued even in death, cast itself over her in a permanent sort of way, instilling an emotional connection with turtles which continues to this day, and always will.

The Dutch evolutionary biologist Menno Schilthuizen, has inspired her interest in urban ecology, and she has been trying to do her bit to make people care for nature in their backyards since then. Additionally, her passion for writing and storytelling has led to the initiation of The False Trail, a citizen-science network where people share their observations, and interactions with urban wildlife in their cities.

She has worked with Turtle Survival Alliance-India, Greater Adjutant Stork conservation program at Aaranyak, Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program at WCS-India and National Biodiversity Mission at ATREE. She works as a Research Assistant in the Marine Flagships programme at Dakshin Foundation.

Publications:

• Popular Articles
  • Ray, D., The urban jungle saga: the need for citizen science in urban biodiversity conservation, Northeast Development Agency, June 2021.
  • Ray, D., Slow and Steady – Will they win the race? Econe.
  • Ray, D., Into the thick of it – Chasing my dream to be an interdisciplinary urban ecologist, Lonely Conservationists, August 2021.