Ms. Dalia Ghosh Dastidar
| Grant Category: | Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral and Professional Research Fellow |
| Field of Specialization: | Population Ecology and Conservation |
| Name: | Ms. Dalia Ghosh Dastidar |
| Official Address and Designation: | Ph.D. Scholar
Marine Biology Regional Center Zoological Survey of India 130, Santhome High Road Chennai 600 028 Tamil Nadu |
| Telephone (O): | 91-9444564965 |
| E-mail: | kr.dalia@gmail.com |
| Duration of Grant: | Nine months |
| Project Title: | Population Ecology and Conservation of snakes involving indigenous communities |
| Abstract of Project : | |
| My current research deals with spatial ecology of common venomous snakes found in agricultural fields. During my Fulbright grant, I will learn appropriate methodologies to study population ecology of venomous snakes. This will help to conserve snakes especially those subjected to frequent venom harvest for producing Anti-Snake Venom Serum (ASVS). While snakes are important components of the ecosystem, they are often considered as "conflict animals." Each year, snakebites cause thousands of mortalities, morbidities and disabilities. Sustainable use of snake venom can be advantageous to both the endangered reptiles as well as local tribals. In the U.S., conventional practices of indigenous people have been used in contemporary conservation. I would like to study such practices so that my research on venomous snakes in India involves local communities and protects both the ecological and cultural environment. | |
| Academic Background : | |||
| Ph.D. | Ecology of venomous snakes | University of Madras, Chennai | 2008-till date |
| M.Sc. | Zoology | University of Calcutta, Kolkata | 2003 |
| B.Sc. | Zoology | University of Calcutta, Kolkata | 2001 |
| Professional Background: | |||
| Biologist | Irula Snake Catcher's Industrial Co-operative Society, Tamil Nadu | 2007 – 2008 | |
| Research Scholar | Madras Crocodile Bank /Center for Herpetology, Tamil Nadu | 2007 – 2007 | |
| Research Fellow | Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai | 2006 – 2006 | |
