TC Web Desk
Dr Kamal Bawa, the chief of Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), has been elected to the US’ National Academy of Sciences, says a statement by ATREE.
The election to the 170-year-old academy is a recognition of the significant contributions to science by its members, said the statement issued by ATREE on the occasion.
“The election is the reaffirmation of our important work on the ecology, conservation, and management of tropical forests that are declining all over the world but are critical to humanity’s well-being,” said Dr Bawa. Biodiversity in tropical forests and other natural habitats is an important source of many ecosystem services and for the mitigation of climate change.
Dr Bawa is also an elected fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the American Philosophical Society.
ATREE is known for its work on assessing and managing biodiversity, climate change and water. According to the statement issued, a few years ago, Dr Bawa brought together scientists from India’s leading institutions to develop the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing under the banner of the Biodiversity Collaborative. The effort was supported by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and is currently funded by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
“Biodiversity is an integral part of our lives and the ways we can enhance and use it to secure food and nutrition, fight climate change, and restore our degraded landscapes are some of the important goals of the Mission in making,” said Rohini Nilekani.
“Kamal Bawa’s election underscores the importance of our biodiversity and ATREE’s important work in this crucial area that is so important for our future,” remarked Professor P. Balaram, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science, and Co-Chair of ATREE’s Board of Trustees.
