Team Members
# Founder_ Mangrove Foundation of India (MFI)
# Director_ Agroforestry & Land Development _ Verdax New Energy Pvt. Ltd.
# Project Coordinator_ CReNIEO & Pulicat National Matri. School since 1999
# Project Lead _ SCINDeA - Pulicat - BftW since 2000
# Founder_ Tiruvallur District Fishermen Welfare Association (2007)
# Member _ Govt. Schools Management Committee
# Mangrove Technical Consultant _ Damooga Foundation
# Technical lead _ Project Alaiyathi_ a million mangrove initiatives
Meerasa S
Meerasa, who is a native of Jameelabad near the Pulicat lake, has been involved in its protection and conservation through holistic developmental strategies and action. He has been recognised by the Government of India as ‘National Wetland Champion_2022 & State Green Champion_2023' from Tamil Nadu government for his efforts in the field of mangrove restoration. Member - District Coastal Zone Management Authority, Tiruvallur (2024 - 2027)
In his nearly three decades of experience he has successfully planned and implemented internationally/nationally supported multi-stakeholder initiatives encompassing a wide variety of issues concerning this unique biosphere. His success has largely been driven by his ability to involve and engage the local communities. And formed and managed 450 SHGs in 1000 villages with 17 panchayats including Ponneri Town panchyat through Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation project for CReNIEO - Pulicat since 2000.
Abdul Rahman M
Secretary
Abdul Rahman is an experienced entrepreneur who has plied his trade at a national and international level. He is an active philanthropist who has supported numerous social causes over the years through his association with the Rotary Club.
He is passionate about encouraging and empowering the next generation of Indian youth, who he inspires through his career guidance, public speaking and skill development workshops.
Sheik Abdul Aziz
Treasurer
He is an educationist and linguist, specializing in the Tamil and Arabic languages. He has published several books for children and his community. He has used his linguistic skills to provide commentary on several television and online channels.
He regularly participates in charitable activities concerning his local community, cutting across religious and social barriers.
Dr. T D Babu
Maine Biology Scientist.
As a Marine Scientist & Environmentalist, he has been Involved in eco restoration conservation of indigenous tree species, sensitive urban greening programs, mangrove restoration and coastal zone management. He has worked with various government agencies such as NIOT, Ministry of Earth Science, NBA, Ministry of Forest , MPEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Environment and Climate Change. He is a founder of Spark civiv forum and a Trustee of Nizhal and advisory member of Tamil Nadu Green mission and Chennai District Green Committee. Founder of Spark a civic forum. He has 27 years of total experience in Aquaculture Sector that includes hatchery, feed mill farming , and aquatic animal health management.
Prof. Dr. Inbakandan
Professor (Research) & Head
Dr. Inbakandan Dhinakarasamy is a distinguished marine biologist with over 25 years of experience in coastal and marine research, policy advisory, and sustainable resource management. He currently serves as Professor (Research) and Head of the Centre for Ocean Research at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, where he leads the MoES-supported National Facility for Coastal and Marine Research. His interdisciplinary research focuses on marine biodiversity, blue biotechnology, biofouling control, and the development of climate-resilient coastal solutions. He has significantly contributed to national and international R&D projects aimed at conserving coastal ecosystems, enhancing sustainable aquaculture, and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies. Dr. Inbakandan has worked closely with coastal communities to promote participatory approaches for conservation and livelihood development, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. His leadership in fostering science-policy-industry-community linkages has led to impactful outcomes in areas such as mangrove protection, marine bioresource utilization, and restoration planning. A recipient of national-level recognitions for his contribution to education, guidance, and institutional development, Dr. Inbakandan has also served on multiple scientific and advisory committees. He actively mentors students and young researchers and is committed to building local capacities for marine ecosystem sustainability. With his deep knowledge of coastal ecology, community engagement, and environmental governance, Dr. Inbakandan brings valuable expertise and insight to the Advisory Committee of the Mangrove Foundation of India, supporting its mission to protect, conserve, and restore India's vital mangrove ecosystems.
Professor (Research) & Head
Centre for Ocean Research
MoES Earth Science & Technology Cell (Marine Biotechnological Studies)
National Facility for Coastal & Marine Research
Sathyabama Institute of Science & Technology
Professor (Research)
Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio & Chemical Engineering
Sathyabama Institute of Science & Technology
Co-Chair, Ecosystem-based Aquaculture & Fisheries Group (E-bAG)
IUCN - Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)
https://iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-cem-ecosystem-based-aquaculture-task-force
Prof. Dr. Kapuli Gani Mohamed Thameemul Ansari
Mangrove Restoration Scientific Advisor
Dr. Kapuli Gani Mohamed Thameemul Ansari is an Indian Marine Ecologist concentrating research on benthic ecology in different ecosystems such as estuaries, mangroves, seagrass, coral reef, coastal beaches, lagoon and deep sea. Dr. Ansari completed his Doctoral program (Ph.D.) in Benthic Ecology of Indian EEZ. Followed by he started his research activity with Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in Odisha as Research Scientist. Later, he started as Post-Doctoral Researcher in IISER Kolkata working in the world largest mangrove ecosystem Sundarban mangroves. He also awarded DST-SERB (Govt. of India) National Post-Doctoral Fellow (N-PDF) to continue Sundarban mangroves and Chilika lagoon benthic ecology research. Currently, he working as Assistant Professor in Zoology at C. Abdul Hakeem College (Autonomous), Melvisharam and run his lab Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Monitoring (LEEM) with the strength of eight Ph.D. Scholars and few Masters students along with two colleagues.
Dr. Ansari achieved as an Indian benthic ecology as reported almost 500+ free marine nematodes in and around the Indian coasts including Marine Marginal Ecosystems (MMEs) which was the highest by an Indian researcher. Although under his name three new marine nematode species and a ciliate species has been documented. For his credit, he published almost 35 research articles in both national and international journals along with two identification manuals and books.
.jpeg)
Dr. Aswathy Rajan
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Aswathy is a former scientist and a National level Young Scientist Awardee with an experience of 10+ years in the field of research in zoology. She has published many research papers, review articles, and books in peer-reviewed national and International Journals.
Currently, she is an Instructional Coach and an Education Mentor, with a vision to empower, upskill, and reskill educators to create a progressive and evolving community. She is also been part of various social activities mainly in the area of education. She believes in bringing positive change in society through collaboration and interdisciplinary projects.
Dr. R. Mary Suja, Ph.D. (Botany)
Director, William Research Centre, Nagercoil
Dr. R. Mary Suja, Ph.D. (Botany), is the Director of the William Research Centre, Nagercoil, and an accomplished researcher in phytochemistry, ethnomedicine, orchids, and traditional Siddha pharmacology. With over 18 years of academic and research experience, she is widely recognized for her doctoral work on the antioxidant and anticancer properties of Siddha medicinal formulations from Kanyakumari District.
She has published more than 40 research papers, authored books including Ethnomedicines of Puravilai Hills and Wild Orchids of Kanyakumari, and serves as a reviewer for leading international journals. Dr. Suja has delivered plenary and keynote lectures in China, the USA, Singapore, and Australia, and has organized several international conferences and training programs
Her contributions have earned her prestigious honors such as the Pulathiyar Award (AYUSH), JC Bose Young Scientist Award, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Distinguished Fellow Award, and the Indian Army Excellence Service Award. Dr. Suja continues to advance plant science, biodiversity conservation, and traditional medicine research in India.
Mr. Raghunathan
Socio - Economic Advisor
M. Raghunathan is the Executive Director of SVASS, with over 25 years of experience in the field of social development. His work focuses on empowering rural and underprivileged communities through programs in health, education, sanitation, and environmental awareness.
He has led the evaluation and monitoring of several government-sponsored rural development programs, including initiatives by CAPART and the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. He has also been actively involved in nationwide campaigns such as Open Defecation Free (ODF) monitoring.
A passionate and committed social worker, Mr. Raghunathan has dedicated his life to the service of marginalized communities, aiming to create sustainable and impactful change at the grassroots level.
