“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." These words by Jane Goodall, quoted by Parveen Sheikh, Inlaks–Ravi Sankaran Grantee 2018, captured the spirit behind the recent gathering of Inlaks alumni working in conservation.

The two-day meet-up brought together individuals who have chosen to dedicate their efforts to strengthening the field of conservation and ecology in India. It was shaped with the guidance of alumni Vena Kapoor and Sabuj Bhattacharya, who helped design a programme that encouraged openness, learning, and connection.

Day 1: Stories, Journeys, and Collaboration

The first half of Day 1 moved away from traditional presentations. Instead, participants shared their work, journeys, and experiences using a “presentation wall,” allowing for informal conversations and deeper storytelling. Alumni reflected on how and why they entered the field, how the Inlaks award supported their growth, and the paths they are currently pursuing.

In the second half, Suhel Qader, one of the individuals responsible for designing the Inlaks–Ravi Sankaran Grants and Internship, led a session on collaboration. He guided the group through discussions on why collaboration matters, what makes it work, and the challenges that often arise in joint efforts.

The day ended with a spider walk led by Vena Kapoor followed by a warm dinner, where conversations continued, and new friendships formed.

Day 2: Ideating and Creating

Day 2 began with an early morning bird-watching activity led by Asiem Sanyal, 2015 Inlaks Scholar, around the campus with fascinating discussions on the different birds spotted in the campus of School of Wisdom, Bengaluru.

The day then continued indoors with an inspiring talk by Kashmira Kakati, Inlaks Scholar 1999, and a wildlife biologist with over 25 years of experience. She spoke about her journey, from her early love for elephants to her research in primate behaviour, and the work she has done to influence conservation policy. Her reflections on persistence, learning, and navigating challenges resonated deeply with the group.

Neha Sinha and Akashdeep facilitated a discussion on publishing together and potential collaborative outputs that could be pursued by the alumni such as popular articles, peer-reviewed papers, edited book volumes, and podcasts.

Inlaks Scholar 2012, Swapnil Chaudhari eloquently summarised the essence of the meet-up. “This meet wasn’t about presentations alone. It was about listening to people who have spent years in landscapes most of us only read about — coastlines shifting under climate pressure, grasslands surviving despite policy blind spots, river systems changing faster than local communities can adapt, species teetering on the edge, and field realities that never make it into reports. What struck me most was the honesty of the conversations. Not the curated success stories — but the doubts, the stalled projects, the ecosystem challenges, and the very real question of how can we continue doing this work sustainably and together. "

We hope that the Inlaks alumni meet will continue into the future and create meaningful spaces for people to stay connected.