About Us

REEFWATCH MARINE CONSERVATION

ReefWatch has served on the National Board for Wildlife, Government of India. We have had the privilege of working with many dedicated and inspiring individuals in the fields of science, government, filmmaking, photography and the media. Our efforts are targeted towards protecting and nurturing the diversity of life in India’s coastal and marine environments. We currently have projects in Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat and the Andaman Islands.

VISION

To protect the ocean and the life within, so our children (and theirs) will have access to this source of richness and beauty that sustains us today.

OUR OBJECTIVES

RESTORATION & REHABILITATION

To establish scientifically informed, community-driven projects to actively restore damaged marine ecosystems and rehabilitate threatened marine animals:

EDUCATION & <bAWARENESS

Raise awareness about the ocean’s beauty, biodiversity and the essential ecosystem services it provides us with.

MANAGEMENT

Collaborate with government regulatory bodies and local communities to improve our relationship and use of shared marine resources.

Governing Body

 Mitali is considered to be one of the most resourceful ad-film producers in the country. She is deeply passionate about raising awareness about the need for marine conservation. In the conservation space, she is best known for her film “Troubled Waters”. Mitali combines her passions for Scuba Diving and films to inspire younger generations to be ecologically conscious, responsible citizens.

MITALI DUTT KAKAR
CO-FOUNDER

Prahlad is a leading Indian ad-film director. He is the founder and main director for Genesis Film Productions, one of India’s leading production houses, established in 1977. As the founder of India’s oldest dive centre, Prahlad is single-handedly responsible for inspiring generations of divers and marine conservationists across India.

PRAHLAD KAKAR
CO-FOUNDER

Tarak Patel is the Managing Director at GMM Pfaudler. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Rochester, USA and an MBA degree jointly conferred by Columbia Business School, London Business School and University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School. He is passionate about protecting the oceans through sustainable CSR programs and the education of coastal communities.

TARAK PATEL
DIRECTOR

Sumer is an award-winning underwater photographer and documentary film-maker. He’s one of the most experienced scuba divers in India, a CMAS Course Director and a Managing Partner at Lacadives. He uses his images and experiences to educate the world about the ocean.

SUMER VERMA
DIRECTOR

OUR TEAM

MANAGEMENT

Nayantara has an MSc in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from the Scripps University of Oceanography. She is qualified as a PADI Open Water Scuba
Instructor and is passionate about introducing people to the oceans and instilling empathy in them towards the marine environment. Nayantara is particularly adept at rehabilitating coral reefs while educating locals about sustainability.

NAYANTARA JAIN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With a degree in Marine Science from the University of Auckland and a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Pondicherry, Shantanu worked in a diverse range of roles all over India. After 3 years working in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve with a Mobile Wildlife Vet Service, he found himself drawn back to the sea and now works with stranded marine animals along the coast of Karnataka.

Dr SHANTANU KALAMBI
PROJECT MANAGER

Dr. Suranjana Ganguly is a Veterinarian by training from the University of Glasgow. She has worked in the fields of Urban Wildlife and Shelter Medicine & Welfare. She is currently also a senior advisor and vet to the elephants with Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Bangalore.

dr. Suranjana Ganguly
Veterinarian Supervisor

An educationist with over 15 years of experience, Anjili is passionate about the environment and has been designing programs that understand and prioritise community needs. She completed her Master of Education from The University of Sydney, Australia and is a PADI Divemaster

Anjili MATHEW
Operations Manager

The Andaman Islands TEAM

Uday Sangamesh is a Marine Biologist and PADI Rescue Diver from Bangalore. An expert in marine taxonomy, Sangamesh is also working on his PhD thesis in partnership with ReefWatch.

Sangamesh Uday
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Gyan is a skilled boat captain local to the Andaman Islands, and part of the Ranchi community known for their forest foraging skills. His knowledge of the region’s topography, plants, and animals, along with his traditional knowledge of the island makes him a great asset for fieldwork, guiding us through the island’s landscapes and helping us handle the challenges of conservation in such a diverse area.

Gyan Bahadur
Field Assistant

Sanjiv a local to Chidiyatapu and a member of the Ranchi community, he is a master at handling boats and navigating the waters of the Andamans. He is also a skilled carpenter, and mason, all skills that are invaluable to our work in the Andamans. He has a remarkable talent for spotting various marine creatures during our intertidal walks, providing valuable insights into the local marine biodiversity.

Sanjiv Lakra
Field Assistant

The Karnataka TEAM

Venkatesh has been working in the role of Outreach officer for the past 32 years in various NGOs. His knowledge and skills on outreach activities make him an important asset to the team in the development of new projects

Venkatesh Moodkeri
Outreach Officer - Ghost Net Retrieval

A wildlife conservationist interested in the intersection between conservation and education, previously worked in teaching and creating environment education programs in high human-wildlife conflict zones. He is passionate about preserving and documenting coastal Karnataka’s unique traditions and cultures.

Anvay Nayak
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Yashaswini holds a Master’s degree in Zoology from Bangalore University. She is passionate about wildlife conservation. At ReefWatch she actively engages with students and local fisher communities, fostering an understanding of the importance of marine ecosystems and the impacts of ghost nets.

Yashashwini M
Research Officer

Dr Manohar graduated from Nagpur Veterinary College Nagpur, MAFSU. He has over two years of experience working as a wildlife veterinarian in Maharashtra. Apart form his veterinary endevours he is a passionate wildlife photographer and an avid bird watcher. 

Dr. Manohar Nagre
Veterinarian

Nagaraj, a former fisherman, is now a dedicated Ghost Net Collector. Passionate about the ocean, he actively works to protect marine life by collecting the ghost nets that harm marine organisms.

NAGARAJ POOJARY
Ghost Net COLLECTOR

The Goa TEAM

Tanuj has an M.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation and has experience working in diverse landscapes, addressing conservation issues related to large carnivores, threatened freshwater and marine fauna, and community-centric conservation. He aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of conservation issues and share knowledge to support informed decision-making. 

Tanuj Mark
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Jodanne has a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Aquaculture from JCU in Australia and an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Marine Conservation. She has experience working on various conservation efforts, including habitat mapping for cetaceans and guitarfish, fishery policy, and sustainable marine tourism. She is passionate about bioacoustics, community engagement, and innovative approaches to conservation.

Jodanne Pereira
Outreach Officer

Omkar, with a Master’s in Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation, is passionate about taxonomy, human-wildlife interactions, and biodiversity. At ReefWatch, he attends stranding cases, aids in necropsies and live animal treatment, and leads a research project on antibiotic resistance in marine megafauna. His interests span insects and snakes, and he advocates for ethical wildlife photography and citizen science initiatives to democratise science.

Omkar Damle
Research Officer

Dr. Mayank, MVSc-ARGO, is a dedicated veterinarian and a proud alumnus of MAFSU, India. He has a keen focus on marine wildlife and avian medicine. His experience includes managing bird treatment camps during the Uttarayan festival, reflecting his commitment to animal welfare. Outside of his veterinary endeavours, he finds joy in playing badminton and exploring his passion for birdwatching.

Mayank D Barde
Trainee Marine Veterinarian

VOLUNTEER TESTIMONIALS

Our volunteers are an indispensible part of our team & the work we do at ReefWatch. Over the years, we have welcomed students & professionals from various fields including marine biologists & divers, but also law students, designers & management professionals.
Our only criterion for our volunteers is enthusiasm, passion for the ocean & professionalism.

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