Pavithra Ganesh
What employment sector do you work in?
Academia Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
5 years
Please describe the work that you do.
I am a biodiversity conservation professional working at the intersection of corporate sustainability and biodiversity for the last 2 years. Previously I have led endangered species assessment and wetland conservation projects. Through taking up challenging roles, I commit myself to advancing conservation at every level possible.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
It is not a desk job, and even at the desk, I get to work and play with data. Mapping and analysis (I am not a data analyst, just an ecologist who loves data analysis on a small scale). To work with birds and all the fellow inhabitants is the greatest treasure of this job.
What inspired you into this career?
Spot-billed Pelicans inspired me into this career. I am an ecologist who skews towards birds, mostly towards wetland birds. I was a perfect urban kid, growing up with not more than 2 or 3 birds around my concrete jungle of streets. Not knowing that beautiful things, beautiful nature, can be found closer to my home and not just in National Geographic. One nature walk event that I took in my city changed my life forever. The first sight of ginormous Pelicans that flew over me inspired me to work for them and do anything that I can to protect them. I had never seen anything close to it outside zoos.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
Undermining my competency because of my appearances or gender and people straight up disregarding my capabilities without even giving me an opportunity. This was the biggest challenge that I faced. I have proven myself capable in every situation that was given to me.
Fields were challenging, the harsh Indian Deccan peninsula and language barriers were there. But I am proud of myself to have navigated the challenges and came out good.
What education/training did you have?
Led Pan India assessment project single-handedly, including all field components, mapping, data analysis, budgets, and reporting.
Completed a 45 day certification course training in ‘Wildlife Management using Geospatial Techniques’.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
We cannot afford to be mediocre. We can get into jobs, but in order to thrive, we have to have the passion and be very serious about it. It is not purely passion; one should know how to pitch themselves. It is a very competitive area, does not have a mass employment drives, the higher we go, the stronger our passion should be and the better our capabilities should be.
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Tags: International, Academia sector, Ecologist, Researcher, Data and mapping roles, Conservation worker
Date profile submitted: 08/06/2026
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