G. Ravikanth

Dr. G. Ravikanth is a Senior Fellow (Professor) at the SM. Sehgal Foundation Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation and Academy Convenor at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Over the past 25 years, Ravikanth has spearheaded research on tropical forest conservation and species recovery. Focusing on Conservation Genetics and Molecular Ecology, he explores the spatial genetic patterns of economically important species and, along with his colleagues at ATREE, has been developing methods for sustainable harvesting of forest resources. He received his PhD from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and has received several prestigious awards, such as the DST-Young Scientist award, the Erasmus Mundus Action NAMASTE award etc. He has obtained research grants from numerous national and international agencies, including the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Department of Science and Technology (SERB-DST), the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), the Swedish International Development Agency, GIZ, Germany and USAID. He has published over 150 research papers in national and international journals, and his research interests encompass Ecology, Population Genetics, Niche Modelling and Climate Change, Agrobiodiversity, and Bioprospecting. Dr Ravikanth has guided several PhD and Master’s students. In recent years, he broadened his purview to assess ecosystem services and foster biodiversity in Agriculture.

Over the past 25 years, G. Ravikanth have spearheaded research employing molecular tools to address challenges in tropical forest conservation and species recovery. With a primary focus on conservation genetics and molecular ecology, his research has examined spatial patterns of genetic diversity in economically and ecologically important species. G. Ravikanth have investigated the genetic consequences of habitat degradation, resource harvesting, and fragmentation, alongside broader questions in evolution, molecular systematics, and biogeography. Over the years, G. Ravikanth have also focused on the conservation and sustainable utilisation of forest genetic resources. More recently, G. Ravikanth have broadened my research to assess ecosystem services and promote biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. A central objective of his work is to contribute to food and nutritional security through the sustainable harvesting and utilisation of biological resources, reflecting my commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.