About Indica School of Field Ecology and Conservation

We are living in a time of massive global change. The effects of climate change, habitat degradation and invasive species are being felt more acutely than before. The resulting impacts threaten our societies in myriad ways such as reduced absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide, lack of clean water and healthy soils, reduced pollination and pest-control to name a few. More than ever before, we need a new generation of ecologists and conservation leaders capable of addressing today’s complex environmental challenges.

Unsurprisingly, there is now a growing interest in the field of ecology, wildlife biology, and conservation in India, as a response to the burgeoning threats. To meet this moment, Indica School was conceived to offer scholars immersive, field-based programmes taught by leading experts in the field from around the country. In doing so we draw upon two decades of experience running a Master’s programme in Wildlife Biology and Conservation anchored at NCBS and taught in partnership with a network of collaborating institutions.

The Indica School will offer several short field courses through the year. The field courses are designed with an emphasis on enhancing research skills and will focus on critical thinking, robust scientific principles, and hands-on learning of field methods and techniques. By combining rigorous science with exposure to India’s rich ecological landscapes, the Indica School aims to nurture interdisciplinary thinking and deep engagement with pressing conservation issues.

Courses will be taught at NCBS’s field stations in Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh), and Coorg (Karnataka), and at field facilities in partnership with other institutions. The courses offered will be relevant to PhD students planning their research. The courses will also be relevant to early-career researchers who have recently finished their doctoral research.

Murty Trust brought this idea to life by funding this initiative. Indica School of Field Ecology and Conservation is now more than a year old. We hope to continue providing training for the next generation of ecologists and conservation biologists in India.

To get updates on our courses, please follow our social media accounts listed below or sign up here to receive alerts.

This initiative is generously funded by