Prof Taej Mundkur

I am a nature conservationist and an independent consultant, based in the Netherlands. I hold a doctorate in Waterbird Ecology from Saurashtra University, Rajkot and a master’s degree in microbiology from Pune University, India. Now as Science & Policy Advisor of the CACN, I am keen to work with people and organisations across the Central Asian Flyway to promote research and conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. For over three decades, I have been working for waterbird and wetland conservation with Wetlands International, across the Asia-Pacific and Europe and collaborated with conventions, governments, NGOs, and business. I currently serve as Senior Advisor to Wetlands International and coordinate the International Waterbird Census and the Asian Waterbird Census and development of the globally recognized Waterbird Population Estimates. I have been closely involved in development and led major flyway programmes across the Central Asian Flyway and East Asian-Australasian Flyway and beyond. With the Eco Foundation Global, I assist facilitation of development of the World Coastal Forum, a global partnership initiative to promote synergy amongst government and private sectors for conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems worldwide. As Chair of the Flyways Working Group of the Convention on Migratory Species, I had the pleasure to work with experts to oversee development of a multiyear Programme of Work for Migratory Birds worldwide. And to serve on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership Technical Sub-Committee that advises on conservation of migratory birds and their habitats across the flyway. Currently, I as serve as Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Environment Education and Research, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.