OUR CORE TEAM
Ms. Hema Ramani
Ms. Hema Ramani has a Master of Laws (LLM) with a specialization in Environmental Law. Previously she has been at BEAG for 18 years spearheading various projects and litigations in the field of Environmental and Heritage Conservation. Prior to joining the Non-Profit sector, Ms. Hema was working in the corporate sector. She has served on the Monitoring Committee of Matheran constituted by the MoEF&CC and been a Member of the Maharashtra State Mangrove Protection and Conservation Committee.
She has a deep interest in Indian Classical Art forms and passionately volunteers at a Yoga centre.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hema-ramani
Dr. Manisha Badoni Nawani
Dr. Manisha Badoni Nawani has a Doctorate in Environmental Justice in India. As an environmental lawyer she has represented clients before the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, showcasing her expertise in high-stakes environmental litigation.
She teaches professional and postgraduate environmental courses and has supervised Master's dissertations at the TERI School of Advanced Studies. An accomplished author, she has authored several significant publications, including a co-authored handbook on rural electrification in India. Currently, she is on the editorial team of our Flagship Environmental Law Quarterly publication – Paryavidhi.
She is a passionate mother and unwinds through gardening.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-manisha-badoni-nawani-phd-30357722
Ms. Fizza Zaidi
Ms. Fizza Zaidi graduated from the Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia University. After practicing as an environmental lawyer in India, she earned her LL.M. in Environmental Law degree from Vermont Law and Graduate School (with Distinction). She has worked with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on climate finance. Her areas of interest include laws relating to wildlife, protected areas, forests, oceans, coasts, climate change, energy, water resources, and biodiversity.
She enjoys spending time with her two dogs, reading fiction, playing badminton, and exploring new restaurants.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fizza-jamal-zaidi-06a0b589
Mr. A.V.O Anivarth
Mr. A.V.O Anivarth graduated from Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam. He founded the Centre for Environmental Law and Climate Justice in his University in his fourth year and conducted field visits.
His has done his Field Work on Forest Rights in Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary where he worked under Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). His interest areas in the field of Environmental Law are Forest Rights, Mining and Renewable Energy.
He likes reading and attempts Bouldering.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avo-anivarth-46551622b/
ADVISORS
Dr B.P. Nilaratna IAS (Retd.)
Dr B.P. Nilaratna is a former Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC, with 34 years of administrative & scientific experience. He holds a Masters in Physics from I.I.T Kanpur and a Doctorate in Physics from University of Leeds, UK, and a D.Litt. in Economics. He also holds a law graduate from University of Delhi.
He has been the National Focal Point for Ozone and Montreal Protocol and for Mangroves and Coral Reefs in India. He was also the National Project Director for UNDP-GEF Project on Medicinal Plants. He has to his credit numerous publications on a variety of subjects including Mangroves & Coral Reefs in India and several research papers on energy, ozone & chemicals management.
He enjoys travelling and reading books.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-b-p-nilaratna-ias-rtd-12878393/
Dr. Arvind Jha
Dr. Arvind Jha is an Indian Forest Service officer (Rtd.) with over 35 years in various capacities in the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India. He holds a PhD on his research on the implication of Wildlife Act of India on the livelihood systems of the erstwhile criminal and hunting tribes called 'Pardhi'.
He worked as Commissioner in the Tribal Development Department of Maharashtra State Government and also as the CITES Management Authority for the Western Zone of India at Mumbai airport. He is a member of various prestigious organisations including CEM (Commission on Ecosystem Management), IUCN; among others. He is also the Chairman, Techno Legal Advisory Committee, Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.
He is an avid lover of wildlife with special interest in intersectoral issues pertaining to conservation of natural resources.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvind-kumar-jha-08a4bb5/
OUR MEDIA
Mr. Ananda Banerjee
Mr. Ananda Banerjee is an award-winning journalist, author, graphic artist and communications specialist with 26 years of professional experience. He co-founded our flagship Environment Law Quaterly- Paryavidhi.
He has been a Communications Consultant for the MoEF&CC, Government of India; World Bank; project planning process; and Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP).
In 2022, he was part of the Executive Management Team as Director (Communications & Campaign) at the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). As Consulting Editor Special Projects at Outlook Magazine Group, he conceptualised and created the environmental platform 'Planet Outlook' in 2020-21.
He has been instrumental in the editorial/design/production of two periodicals on tiger conservation –'Tiger Link' (WWF-India), 'Stripes' (National Tiger Conservation Authority) and 'GTF News' (Global Tiger Forum) amongst other publications for the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE
Mr. Prashant Upadhyay
Mr. Prashant Upadhyay holds a Masters in Accounting. He has strong skills in accounting, bookkeeping and financial reporting.
In his free time, he likes singing and travelling.