Nishant Kumar

I deal with life-worlds in South Asia like kites, dogs, monkeys and livestock that interact with people. By studying their variable distribution and abundance, I explain how people can sustainably share living spaces with animals. My group is using experimental approaches to understand how species-specific behavioural strategies enable successful urban colonization by animals.

Previously, by using black kites as models, I established how human socio-cultural factors have subtle and direct impacts on demography, movement and behaviour of urban animals. My research group, PAWS Web (www.PAWS-Web.site) explores how animal responses mediated by human factors have adaptive benefits, but also generate conflicts.

 

Institution:
Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
Department:
Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology
Designation type:
Faculty/ PI/ Scientist at a University, Institute or NGO
Designation/Position:
DBT/Wellcome Trust UK-India Alliance Early Career Fellow
State/Union Territory:
Uttarakhand
City/Town:
Dehradun
Primary focus:
Theory/Computation, Lab, Field
Primary area of study:
Behaviour--General, Ecology--General, Others
Other primary area of study:
urban ecosystems
Primary field sites:

Delhi and National Capital Region.

Opportunities:
Volunteers, Interns, Masters students seeking a thesis guide, Project assistants, Independent researchers
Futher information on opportunities:

Duration: a minimum commitment for 3 months, although we welcome the UG/PG students who are willing to join us on the weekends and holidays.

Stipend: We offer competitive stipend, based on the probationary period of one month. The volunteers are paid for travel and the interns/research assistants are paid anywhere between Rs. 10,000 to 20,000 per month.

Last date for application: rolling deadline. We usually welcome people who wish to gain field based experience.