Meet Our Team
Led by Co-Founders Poonam and Harshawardhan Dhanwatey, our team comprises of motivated youth from the local villages and the urban landscape, working together for protecting the wildlife and the forests. Since 2001, TRACT has given employment to a number of youth, creating local leadership within the communities for wildlife conservation. Interested youth from villages adjoining the forests have been trained to work on our projects.
All members of our team are sensitised towards the need for conservation of all wildlife and the natural resources. They are insured through their tenure with us and equipped for all the field work through all seasons.
We encourage our team members to use the learnings from the time spent with us as a stepping stone to move forward and join the the main stream governance. This ensures permanent employment for them; and facilitates presence of motivated young local people within the system.
We are proud of Mr. Vinod Jambhule and Mr. Rundan Katkar who were part of TRACT family and now work for the State Forest Department.
All members of our team are sensitised towards the need for conservation of all wildlife and the natural resources. They are insured through their tenure with us and equipped for all the field work through all seasons.
We encourage our team members to use the learnings from the time spent with us as a stepping stone to move forward and join the the main stream governance. This ensures permanent employment for them; and facilitates presence of motivated young local people within the system.
We are proud of Mr. Vinod Jambhule and Mr. Rundan Katkar who were part of TRACT family and now work for the State Forest Department.
ABHILASHA WAKDOT - PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR:
Born and brought up in the forests of Kanha, Abhilasha has the wild engrained in her. Wilderness as her second home, she came to TRACT 9 years ago, with a passion to work for wildlife. Armed with a Masters in business administration with a double specialisation in financial marketing and administrative work, she's high on energy and keeps the office together. Handling all administrative challenges for TRACT, she's the go-to for all information and data. She has an aptitude to learn new languages and is an avid reader.
Born and brought up in the forests of Kanha, Abhilasha has the wild engrained in her. Wilderness as her second home, she came to TRACT 9 years ago, with a passion to work for wildlife. Armed with a Masters in business administration with a double specialisation in financial marketing and administrative work, she's high on energy and keeps the office together. Handling all administrative challenges for TRACT, she's the go-to for all information and data. She has an aptitude to learn new languages and is an avid reader.
NAMITA MANE - CONSERVATION OFFICER
Namita comes across an energetic wildlife enthusiast, eager to assist all. She leads the teams at Nawegaon Nagzhira and Ghodajhari. She manages co-ordination between the field team and other agencies, watching timelines and reaching the field as soon as there is a crisis. With her command over the local language and handholding our local teams Namita is an asset to TRACT.
Namita comes across an energetic wildlife enthusiast, eager to assist all. She leads the teams at Nawegaon Nagzhira and Ghodajhari. She manages co-ordination between the field team and other agencies, watching timelines and reaching the field as soon as there is a crisis. With her command over the local language and handholding our local teams Namita is an asset to TRACT.
HIVRAJ RAUT - PROJECT FIELD CO-ORDINATOR
With a passion to work with the local communities and in the forest landscape, Hivraj has been with TRACT since 2016. In his initial years, he led our field team on the Village Social Transformation Mission in the buffer villages of the Pench Tiger Reserve. He now works closely with the local communities of Nawegaon Nagzhira Tiger Reserve, building trust and awareness among the communities of more than 75 villages situated in the buffer forest. He leads our Tiger Ambassador program at Nawegaon Nagzhira, creating capacity among the locals to lead their community for mitigating human - large carnivore conflict.
With a passion to work with the local communities and in the forest landscape, Hivraj has been with TRACT since 2016. In his initial years, he led our field team on the Village Social Transformation Mission in the buffer villages of the Pench Tiger Reserve. He now works closely with the local communities of Nawegaon Nagzhira Tiger Reserve, building trust and awareness among the communities of more than 75 villages situated in the buffer forest. He leads our Tiger Ambassador program at Nawegaon Nagzhira, creating capacity among the locals to lead their community for mitigating human - large carnivore conflict.
SURYABHAN SURPAM - CONSERVATION LEADER
Suryabhan, originating from the Kolara village in the Tadoba buffer, has been an integral part of the TRACT team since the last 14 years. He joined TRACT as a junior field personnel, assisting with the patrols in the buffer. But soon, his field tracking skills and an understanding of the conditions of the locals living withe core boundaries, he commenced his work for assisting these families through their voluntary rehabilitation.
Suryabhan has worked with them, addressing their documentation to ensure a sure and just package to them.
With his understanding of human - large carnivore conflict, Suryabhan has also assisted in addressing mitigation at all levels.
Suryabhan, originating from the Kolara village in the Tadoba buffer, has been an integral part of the TRACT team since the last 14 years. He joined TRACT as a junior field personnel, assisting with the patrols in the buffer. But soon, his field tracking skills and an understanding of the conditions of the locals living withe core boundaries, he commenced his work for assisting these families through their voluntary rehabilitation.
Suryabhan has worked with them, addressing their documentation to ensure a sure and just package to them.
With his understanding of human - large carnivore conflict, Suryabhan has also assisted in addressing mitigation at all levels.