Qualifications:

M.Sc. Biodiversity Conservation and Management, University of Mumbai (2021-23)

B.Sc. Life Sciences, University of Delhi (2016-19)

Email: samar@dakshin.org

Profile: Hailing from the mountains of Nainital, Uttarakhand, Samar’s journey into the fascinating world of marine ecosystems began with the simple joy of shore walks along the bustling beaches of Mumbai during her master’s programme. Before venturing into the field of marine ecology, Samar actively participated in State and National level swimming championships throughout her school years. However, she chose to channel her passion for the water into ecological research. Witnessing the vibrant marine life and breath-taking corals during her open water SCUBA diving course was a pivotal experience which solidified her commitment to pursuing a path in marine ecology. For her master’s dissertation, Samar studied the relationship between coral fish abundance and the structural composition of coral reefs in Goa. Samar has previously worked on projects such as the nesting behaviour of barn swallows in Nainital, migration studies of common cranes and flamingos in Kachchh, and the movement and in-breeding patterns of tigers in Ranthambore. Samar is an outdoor enthusiast and loves mountain biking, trekking, bird-watching and exploring new cuisines in different places.

At Dakshin Foundation, Samar is a part of the Marine Flagships Programme, contributing to the ReefLog initiative, a citizen science program engaging SCUBA divers in monitoring marine biodiversity across India.

Publications:

Mangrove Kayaking – Anjarle Ecotourism (Sonneratia – Vol 3, Issue 1, pgs 22-23; January 2023)