Umang Agnihotri works as a Wetlands Specialist at Wetlands International South Asia.
Being born and raised in the city of Nawabs, which is also famous for its Kebabs, Lucknow is the place where I developed a keen interest in environmental and social causes. In my school days, I was involved with W.I.LD. (Working for Indian Living Diversity) a society we formed in La Martiniere College, Lucknow, where we carried out numerous sparrow rehabilitation programs to combat the dwindling population of house sparrows inside the campus, clean up, plantation drives, and awareness programs. While studying at the University of Lucknow from 2012 to 2015, I worked as a Project Manager for a local NGO called Environment Restoration Association (ERA). Here, I was entrusted with carrying out projects based on nature conservation and awareness among the local communities undertaken by the organization.
My professional journey began after completing my Masters in Forestry from Forest Research Institute (deemed to be) University, Dehradun, with research internships at WII, where I engaged in literature reviews, spatial map designing and data compilation, strengthening my foundational knowledge in environmental sciences. As a Project Fellow at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), specifically in the project “Planning & Management for Aquatic Species Conservation & Maintenance of Ecosystem Services in the Ganga River Basin for a Clean Ganga,” has provided me with invaluable experience and insights into the complexities of river ecosystems. During my tenure, I led river surveys aimed at biodiversity assessment across the lower stretch of the Ganga River and its tributaries in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Utilizing advanced data analytics techniques, I synthesized comprehensive status reports and conducted workshops engaging various stakeholders, including state and central forest departments, village statutory bodies, and local fishermen communities.
Additionally, I contributed to the establishment of alternate livelihood centres in villages along the Ganga River’s banks, aiming to alleviate residents’ dependence on the river and its resources.
My hobbies include trekking, cycling, table tennis, badminton, basketball, dramatics and photography.”