About Me

I am Kulesh Bhandari, a postgraduate researcher in Zoology and a Biodiversity Researcher based in Jharkhand, India. The forested uplands and tribal heartlands of Santhal Pargana have shaped not only my roots but also my scientific vision—one that blends rigorous ecological research with the lived realities of the communities who share these landscapes.

My expertise spans wildlife behavior, biodiversity documentation, geospatial ecology, and tribal public health, with a strong focus on field-based, community-led conservation. I work beyond the laboratory, conducting immersive studies in forests, agroforestry systems, and human–wildlife interfaces. By integrating indigenous ecological knowledge with modern tools such as QGIS, Google Earth Pro, iNaturalist, and global environmental data platforms, I aim to bridge traditional wisdom with international conservation frameworks.

I am a Student Member of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and a Member of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM, 2021–2025). In 2025, I also became a Signatory to the UN Ocean Decade & Mercator Ocean International’s International Call for Action on Ocean Prediction, marking my engagement with global environmental commitments.

My research portfolio includes GIS-based biodiversity gradient mapping, ethological documentation of semi-wild langurs, and traditional agroforestry studies in tribal farmlands. These works have been presented at leading national and international conferences, including platforms in Egypt, Kerala, and Turkey, advancing the representation of underdocumented Indian landscapes in global ecological discourse.

Education

M.Sc. Zoology
PG Department of Zoology, Godda College
Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU), Dumka, Jharkhand

• Specialized in Wildlife Ecology, Biogeography, Conservation Genetics, and Ecological Mapping.

• Actively engaged in real-time biodiversity gradient studies across tribal upland zones of Santhal Pargana.

• Designing and developing research projects that integrate satellite-based datasets, GIS tools, and indigenous ecological knowledge to strengthen community-led conservation.

B.Sc. Zoology (Honours) (2020–2023)
Santhal Pargana College, SKMU, Dumka

• Built strong foundations in animal physiology, ethology, ecology, and field research methodologies.

• Conducted structured fieldwork in diverse ecosystems, documenting local biodiversity and ecological interactions.

• Actively contributed to National Service Scheme (NSS) special camps, leading biodiversity awareness drives, community health programs, and youth-led conservation initiatives in rural Jharkhand.

Research Projects

1. Ant Foraging Behavior Across Contrasting Landscapes

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15714261

This ethological study observes how ant species adjust their foraging patterns in cultivated versus semi-natural habitats. Visual data (bar and line graphs) was used to decode trail formation, foraging time, and food resource preferences. The study contributes to microecological understanding of fragmented landscapes.

2. Pollinator Diversity in Agro-Wild Flower Zones

Documented and compared the pollinator community composition in cultivated gardens and uncultivated floral patches. Explored the role of traditional agro-ecological practices in sustaining native pollinator populations 

3. Langur Ethogram in Human-Modified Landscapes

Developed a visual ethogram of Hanuman langurs in the fragmented forests of Kathikund. Categorized behaviors such as resting, vigilance, grooming, and feeding. Contributed a semi-quantitative model to primate behavior studies in Eastern India 

4. Geo-Ecological Zonation and Biodiversity Gradient Mapping

Used QGIS, Google Earth Pro, and iNaturalist to map species diversity across altitudinal and environmental gradients in Santhal Pargana. Visualized ecological corridors and hotspots, aiding in grassroots conservation planning.

5. Tribal Malaria Case Studies

Conducted health and ecology-linked surveys in remote villages. Investigated how environmental and vector conditions intersect with tribal health outcomes, particularly malaria prevalence and awareness gaps.

6. Barefoot in the Monsoon: Farming and Ecological Hardship in Tribal Jharkhand DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16078806 A narrative field report capturing the lived experiences of barefoot farming in monsoon-struck upland villages. Blends ethnographic storytelling with ecological vulnerability assessment to highlight the challenges of marginal farmers during peak rains.

7.Reflection Note: ICRISAT–RIS Conference 2025

Focus Area: Tribal Agroecology & Food Systems

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16684814

Summary:

Documented real-time field insights from tribal farmlands in Dumka during the monsoon, highlighting barefoot farming, agroecological resilience, and traditional knowledge systems. Submitted as a reflective note for the ICRISAT–RIS International Conference on Agricultural Resilience.

8.Biodiversity Assessment of Sal (Shorea robusta) in Tribal Forest Landscapes of Jharkhand, India

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16852304

This field-based ecological study documents the biodiversity associated with Shorea robusta (Sal) forests in the Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand, integrating species richness data, ecological indicators, and traditional ecological knowledge from tribal communities. The research assesses floristic diversity, habitat conditions, and conservation challenges while highlighting the cultural and livelihood significance of Sal in rural forest-edge economies.

Keywords: Sal forests, Shorea robusta, tribal ecology, biodiversity assessment, Jharkhand, Santhal Pargana, community-led conservation, ethnobotany, forest management

9.Traditional Agroforestry and Farming Practices in Tribal Landscapes of Dumka, Jharkhand: Ecological Insights and Community Perspectives

DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/N6F2T

An in-depth ethnobiological study exploring traditional farming systems and agroforestry practices in Santhal Pargana’s tribal landscapes. The work integrates ecological observations with oral histories, mapping how indigenous farming methods sustain biodiversity, soil fertility, and climate resilience. It highlights the symbiotic relationship between culture and ecology, offering a community-led model for sustainable rural development.

Keywords: agroforestry, traditional farming, tribal knowledge, Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand, ethnobiology, sustainable agriculture, indigenous conservation

Publications

1. Freshwater fish diversity and market dynamics in Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand: Ecological insights from Mayurakshi, Basloi, and Ganga-linked fisheries

2. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies (Vol. 13, Issue 4, pp. 417–422, 2025).

3. DOI: 10.22271/j.ento.2025.v13.i4e.9579

4. Barefoot in the Monsoon: Field Reflections on Tribal Farming and Ecological Hardship in Jharkhand, India
   DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16078806
   
   

5. Jharkhand Biodiversity Field Report: The Forest Remembers (Santhal Pargana, Dumka & Godda, India)
   DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16889476
   
   

6. Field Observation Note: Amplexus and Post-Mating Vocalization in Common Toads during Monsoon in Rural Jharkhand
   DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16281012

International Conferences & Presentations

1. 9th International Congress on Zoology and Technology (ICZAT 2025) – Ankara, Turkey

Oral Presentation – Geo-Ecological Zonation and Biodiversity Gradient Mapping

Analyzed species richness transitions in upland tribal belts. Applied GIS-based tools to demonstrate ecological fragmentation and highlighted community-supported conservation strategies.

2. Institute of Advanced Virology, Kerala (2025) – International Conference on Nipah and Other Zoonotic Spillovers

Young Scientist Trophy | Oral Presentation – Zoonotic Spillovers: Lessons from Kathikund Tribal Forests, India

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15872028

Presented original field findings integrating primate behavior, pollinator patterns, and forest exposure data to highlight spillover risks in Dumka.

Awarded travell grant for the Young Scientist category.

3. International Conference on Vector-Borne and Parasitic Diseases for Public Health Research (ICVBDPHR-25) – Alexandria, Egypt

Poster Presentation – Fighting Malaria from the Ground Up

Shared field insights on tribal epidemiology, malaria prevalence, and under-documented disease landscapes in Jharkhand’s forest–village interface.

4. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata – NCAF 2025

Poster Presentation – Invasive Alien Fauna and Their Impact on Native Ecosystems

Highlighted ecological threats in Santhal Pargana through local narratives, photographic evidence, and case studies, emphasizing national-level conservation concerns.

5. Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU), Dumka – National Seminar on Biosemiotics and Conservation Ethos (2025)

Research Paper Presentation – Biosemiotics and Conservation Ethos in Jharkhand

Explored symbolic ecological behavior and cultural meanings embedded in tribal worldviews and conservation practices.

6. ICRISAT–RIS International Conference on Agricultural Resilience (2025)

Registered Participant | Active Q&A Engagement

Participated in global sessions on digital agriculture, climate resilience, and traditional knowledge systems (Virtual, 31 July 2025).

Raised a field-based question on integrating tribal agroecological practices from Eastern India into global policy frameworks.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16684814

7. 5th International Workshop on Convective Organization (WCO5) – Fortaleza, Brazil (2025)

Contributed Talk

Atmospheric–Ecological Interfaces: Biodiversity Gradients and Climate Systems in Tribal Uplands of Jharkhand

Presented cross-disciplinary insights connecting

convective climate dynamics with biodiversity zonation research

from Santhal Pargana. Shared field-based evidence on how upland ecosystems and community landscapes interact with large-scale climatic processes.

International contributed talk

positioning tribal-zone biodiversity within global atmospheric science dialogues.

8. ICRISAT–ISSCA Webinar on Scalable Solutions for Crop Improvement & Production Technologies for the Global South

Virtual, 12 September 2025

Participated in UN Day for South–South Cooperation webinar, engaging with scientists and policymakers on scalable crop solutions, agricultural resilience, and Global South cooperation frameworks.

Awards & Grants 

Pollination Project Seed Grant (2025) – Awarded for the project Wild Food Forests in Tribal Jharkhand, supporting biodiversity conservation and revival of wild edible plants with tribal communities.

Young Scientist Travel Grant (IAV Kerala 2025) – For presenting a podium talk on zoonotic spillovers.

Oral Presentation Selection (ICZAT 2025) – Recognized for biodiversity mapping research.

Membership Achievements:

• Student Member – Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

• Member – IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (2021–2025)

• Endorser – International Call for Action on Ocean Prediction (UN Ocean Decade & Mercator Ocean International, 2025)

• Member Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN )

Workshops & Specialized Training

• Scientific Scholar Editorial Workshop 2025 (New Delhi, India | Sept 2025)
  
  Participated in a full-day workshop on Editorial Integrity and Innovation in the Indian Context. Sessions covered editorial ethics, author misconduct, indexing models, policy and practice, and innovations in publishing workflows
  
  

• Copernicus Hubs Essentials: WEkEO 4 Ice Monitoring 2025 (Virtual)
  
  Training on satellite Earth Observation platforms for climate and ice monitoring, with applications in biodiversity mapping and ecological gradient studies.
  
  

• Thermo Fisher Scientific – Digital PCR Applications (2025) (Virtual/Guide-based)
  
  Learned applications of digital PCR (dPCR) in biodiversity and eco-health: absolute quantification, environmental DNA monitoring, gene expression analysis, and zoonotic surveillance.
  
  

• MarineData4Asia Workshop (Copernicus Marine Service, 2025) (Virtual)
  
  Sessions on marine data, climate change applications, and biodiversity monitoring; active engagement with experts.
  
  

• WEkEO Online Workshop on Climate Change Applications (2025) (Virtual)
  
  Explored satellite-based biodiversity and climate modeling. Participated in live Q&A with global scientists.
  
  

• RCMRD (Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, 2025) (Virtual)
  
  Engagement with African–Asian geospatial mapping frameworks, linking tribal landscape studies in Eastern India with Global South initiatives.
  
  

Technical Skills

• GIS & Remote Sensing: QGIS, Google Earth Pro, basic WEkEO climate data platforms

• Data & Documentation: iNaturalist species records, basic Zenodo & ORCID metadata curation

• Academic Writing & Visualization: MS Office, Overleaf (LaTeX basics) for professional papers and charts

• Geospatial Tools & Mapping ArcGIS Online (RCMRD Training Organization Member – Aug 2025 – Present), QGIS, Google Earth Pro, iNaturalist mapping & biodiversity datasets.

• Field Research & Survey Tools GPS  -based species mapping, ArcGIS Survey123, biodiversity transect & quadrat methods, ecological sampling techniques.

• Data Analysis & Visualization Microsoft Excel (advanced), R (basic ecological analysis), GraphPad Prism, Tableau (basic).

• Molecular Tools: Knowledge of Digital PCR (dPCR) workflows for eDNA biodiversity monitoring, mutation detection, and ecological genomics (based on Thermo Fisher Scientific training material 

Links to Explore My Work

• Zenodo Publications

• Google Scholar Profile

• ORCID

• OSF https://osf.io/profile/

• GitHub https://github.com/Kuleshbhandari

• Mendeley https://www.mendeley.com/