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 & AWARENESS

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.

BOARD MEMBERS

 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

Joelson is a PADI Rescue Diver from Mayabunder. He is extremely passionate about the environment and brings to the team his knowledge of indigenous medicinal plants, flora & fauna.

SAW JOELSON
FIELD ASSISTANT

The Karnataka TEAM

 Viril is a Wildlife Conservationist with a heart of adventure. His role has been to establish and strengthen our stranding reporters network as well as assisting with stranding animals.

Viril Stephen Serrao
Outreach Officer - Marine Megafauna

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

The Goa TEAM

Manisha has a Masters Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, with a specific interest in marine ecosystems and the way communities utilise these spaces. She also believes in the value of bringing together the worlds of animal welfare and wildlife conservation as a means of safeguarding our natural habitats, resources and species.

Manisha Rao
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Nester holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and a Master's degree in Biomedical Science. Nester is currently working on a project that aims to address antibiotic resistance in marine ecosystems. Nester has collaborated with WWF on cetacean tracking in the past. His ultimate goal is to study and protect marine ecosystems, ensuring sustainable management practices.

Nester Fernandes
Outreach Officer

 Dr. Omkar Vitta is a Veterinary Graduate (BVSc & AH) from Mumbai Veterinary College and is interested in marine and wild megafauna. He has worked at Small animal & Exotic Pets Clinic, Borivali, Mumbai for 3 months.

Dr. Omkar Vitta
Resident Veterinarian

 Richie recently graduated from high school studying commerce. He is interested in understanding how life in the ocean inspires us and how the current environmental crisis and effects such as the extinction of species would affect human populations

Richie D’Silva
FIELD ASSISTANT

Aranya has an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems and also enjoys writing and painting. She is passionate about coastal ecosystems and finding creative ways to build awareness about marine life and ecosystems in India.

Aranya Pathak Broome
Education Officer

Manisha has a Masters Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, with a specific interest in marine ecosystems and the way communities utilise these spaces. She also believes in the value of bringing together the worlds of animal welfare and wildlife conservation as a means of safeguarding our natural habitats, resources and species.

Manisha Rao
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Nester holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and a Master's degree in Biomedical Science. Nester is currently working on a project that aims to address antibiotic resistance in marine ecosystems. Nester has collaborated with WWF on cetacean tracking in the past. His ultimate goal is to study and protect marine ecosystems, ensuring sustainable management practices.

Nester Fernandes
Outreach Officer

 Dr. Omkar Vitta is a Veterinary Graduate (BVSc & AH) from Mumbai Veterinary College and is interested in marine and wild megafauna. He has worked at Small animal & Exotic Pets Clinic, Borivali, Mumbai for 3 months.

Dr. Omkar Vitta
Resident Veterinarian

 Richie recently graduated from high school studying commerce. He is interested in understanding how life in the ocean inspires us and how the current environmental crisis and effects such as the extinction of species would affect human populations

Richie D’Silva
FIELD ASSISTANT

Aranya has an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems and also enjoys writing and painting. She is passionate about coastal ecosystems and finding creative ways to build awareness about marine life and ecosystems in India.

Aranya Pathak Broome
Education Officer

The Gujarat TEAM

 Bhavya holds a Master’s degree in Zoology from the Madras Christian College, Chennai. She has explored the domain of the aquaculture industry having worked at a Shrimp farm in addition to handling a state-of-the-art Seabass farm in Goa. She has joined ReefWatch to pursue her passion of working in the Marine sphere.

Bhavya BAVANIA
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Dr. Shreya Rao holds a Master's degree in Veterinary Science and has volunteered with numerous wildlife NGOs in Maharashtra. She also has an expertise in treating and handling wild birds

Dr. Neelagiri Shreya Rao
Veterinary Ttrainee

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.

"One month at the ReefWatch base in Chidiyatapu was a rich and soulful experience. As an ocean lover and diver myself, I got a deep understanding of marine biodiversity, the symbiotic relationship within the reef as well as conservation of every species. The team consists of experts and is passionate about what they do. ReefWatch involves the entire local community of the coastal village, including education for the children. This created close interaction with the community and a chance to share my creativity with them. "
Kanchi Mehta
Kanchi Mehta
"My time as a volunteer at Reefwatch was simply magical. The days I spent on the islands, learning about the marine ecosystem and participating in protecting it, has definitely changed the way I live my life now and I feel great about it. Be it interacting with the locals or the marine life underwater, everything seemed so interesting while I learned about it from some amazing marine conservationists and fellow volunteers, who really inspired me to think big. Volunteering with Reefwatch still remains the best experience of my life and I'd love to be a part of it again."
Mauravi Jukar
Mauravi Jukar
"I would like to start off by saying ‘Thank You’ so much for a memorable experience! There are no words to explain how profoundly grateful I am to have come here and learn so much about the good humankind is capable of. You guys are really doing some amazing stuff and I would love to continue to be a part of it. As I write this, Karishma is teaching me some more, and I love it! I love learning from you. I am so glad I decided to come to you for my first volunteer program. You’ve given me a beautiful insight to conservation, both in theory and in the field. Thank you so much! There is much more to say, but no words to explain. Much love to you and the lacadives team. I thank the oceans you guys exist!."
Mihika Goyal
Mihika Goyal
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The Sidhartha Lall Trust

OUR PARTNERS

We are an Indian Not For Profit, established in1993 as a Public Charitable Trust, committed to the conservation of marine & coastal biodiversity.

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