CONTRIBUTOR:

Priya Davidar

AFFILIATION:

TITLE:

DEPARTMENT:

INSTITUTION:

Sigur Nature Trust

BIOGRAPHY:

Priya Davidar grewp up in the Nilgiris where her parents, particularly her father E. R. C. Davidar introduced her to wilderness and wildlife. Her involvement with the natural world became more academic under the guidance of the distinguished ornithologist, the late Dr. Salim Ali, for her doctoral degree, and with post doctoral research experience in the United States. She is currently a Professor at Pondicherry University where her research interests lie in the fields of biogeography, macro-ecology and landscape analysis for wildlife conservation. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is actively involved in advocacy for conservation and environmental management. Priya’s family helped to establish the Sigur Nature Trust, which is involved in protection, education, research and advocacy, the 12 hectares of land donated by the family is for the conservation of an important elephant corridor in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of the Western Ghats. She has recently co-edited a popular coffee table book on elephants called "Giant Hearts: Travels in the World of Elephants" published by Rupa Publications, India.