Our Team
Board of Directors
Miss Pooja Rajiv Bhale - Conservation Biologist:
With an MSc Conservation from UCL, London and a BSc (Hons) Animal Biology & Conservation, UEL, London, Pooja R. Bhale has always had a single focus, the natural world! The founding director of Protecterra Ecological Foundation, she has previously worked as the Conservation Officer for WPSI under renowned conservationist Belinda Wright. On a one year degree placement in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, she worked under the guidance of Bittu Sahgal, Sanctuary-Asia for the Maharashtra State Forest Department researching the leopard human conflict. Pooja volunteered at the Pune Snake Park, Animal Orphanage and Rescue Centre run by the Indian Herpetological Society for over four years. She independently studied behaviour of selected tigers and gathered ecological/behavioural data in relation to tigers at the Bandhavgarh National Park, India and has volunteered for several other international organisations while in London. A state level basketball player and a national level skater, through PEF and away from it, Pooja is dedicated to raising the bar of civic, environmental and wildlife conservation awareness and education and believes in walking her talk. Mrs Vandana R Bhale – Entrepreneur and Businesswoman:
Qualified as a Lawyer from ILS, Pune, Vandana R. Bhale is dynamic and self-motivated. A pioneer in establishing a video studio undertaking broadcast quality work, she has won the Woman Entrepreneur Award, 1994 from the Rotary Club Pune and is a veteran world class table tennis player having represented India several times. Vandana has more than 25 years of experience in publishing and media and is a founder member of the Aashay Film Club Pune, a club of film enthusiasts and an organization dedicated to showcasing international and regional short films, documentaries and hosting film festivals. She is the Chairperson of the Manus Pratisthan Pune, a charity trust that works towards excellence in journalism and is key member of several voluntary/welfare organizations. By her continual unbiased guidance, faith and confidence, PEF has become a reality. Mrs Mansi Karra – Marketing & Advertising Executive:
Mansi Karra has a wide array of experience in various different corporate settings. Currently working as a Senior Brand Executive for Bates 141 in Chennai, she has previously worked for JWT, Fab India & HDFC to mention a few. Mansi has equally impressive qualifications with a Graduate Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communication from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia and an Executive PG Diploma in International Business LIBA, Chennai. She also represented Tamil Nadu in the Junior National Rowing Championship and won the silver medal in the 59th ARAE, Chennai. She is involved in various environmental awareness activities in Chennai. Honorary Board
Mr Rajiv Y Bhale – Entrepreneur and Businessman:
An entrepreneur par excellence, a visionary, a philanthropist and a great motivator, Rajiv Y. Bhale is the Founder and Chairman Pratham Group, Pune. He has played a pivotal role in creating a strong brand name for the Pratham Group through a singular commitment to excellence and is instrumental in diversifying the Group’s Interests. Having established automobile dealerships of motorcycles & passenger cars, Rajiv is a National Champion for Motocross and a record holding Himalayan Rally Winner. He has always been a passionate animal lover and has assisted in rescuing circus lions and tigers. Without his support, PEF would have been a difficult prospect. Individually and through the Pratham Group he actively supports conservation efforts of several conservation organisations. Mr Ishan R Bhale:
An entrepreneur in the making at the young age of 22, Ishan Bhale has a degree in Business Management and a Masters in International Business management from Royal Holloway University, UK. A national level snooker player, he loves travelling and adventure sports. Ishan has an acute business perception, is sharp and always hungry to know more. A very quick learner, he is ambitious, determined and a realist. He candidly and without bias advises PEF’s work and helps with networking. Mr Sur Jhaveri – Engineer:
Sur Jhaveri is a BEng in Automotive & Motorsport Engineering from City University, London. He previously worked as a regional manager, EU for Pratham Design Innovation, UK and the Assistant Manager for Coral Racing Pvt Ltd, London. During this time he gained valuable experience in PR, customer relationship and crisis management and travelled extensively through the US and Europe. A passionate sportsman himself, he avidly follows many sports. Sur is compassionate towards the natural world and firmly believes in not destroying what he cannot create. Sur actively supports and advises the working of PEF. Advisory Board
Mrs Naina Shah – Environmentalist, Entrepreneur & Businesswoman:
Presently director of E’Arth Vision, CEO of MHS Enterprises, Vice President of Exnora International, Advisor for IYCN and Managing Trustee of Sarvodaya International Trust, Naina Shah has been an environmentalist since long before the word became fashionable. An expert in solid waste management (SWM), eco sanitation and various other eco friendly measures, Naina is on various international as well as national panels and committees. Additional to having been keynote speaker and resource person on several occasions, she has made a presentation the President of India, His Excellency A P J Abdul Kalam, on Exnora’s contribution on decentralized SWM. Naina is also the secretary and president elect of Soroptomists International, Chennai Down Town and is part of several women’s organisations. The list is long and Naina’s CV impressive, but in a sentence, she is enterprising, mindful and sensitive to the current ecological needs. Dr. Megha Nivsarkar – Geneticist & Lecturer:
Megha Nivsarkar has always been a keen student of biology. She identified her academic interests and pursued them with excellence in zoology and genetics. Having completed doctoral studies in Gene Therapy from Imperial College London, Megha has honed her ability to research and assess biological systems in natural and abnormal environments. This is an invaluable quality in the quest for ecological conservation. Megha is a contributory lecturer at the University of Pune as well as Garware College Pune, where she coaches students for the Masters course in Biotechnology. She loves travelling, trekking and is an ardent reader. A believer of outreach to the grassroots level, she has helped extensively in the creation of PEF and is an active contributor to PEF’s Book and Activity Club. Mrs Devayani Mandloi – Educator:
An excellent educator, tutor and mentor for numerous students, Devayani Mandloi has been in the field of education since 1976. With a BSc in Microbiology and an MSc by research from UDCT, she has formally taught in educational institutions in Kasauli, Jabalpur and Pune. Devayani has been assisting students of all age groups with study techniques outside of the conventional schooling system for more than 30 years. She is an innovative, thoughtful and meticulous teacher and alongside assisting in curriculum based study techniques she also enhances natural biological learning within her students. Many of her past students still consult her on a regular basis for guidance and assistance. Mrs Neha Thakker – Gemmologist, Wildlife Photographer & Businesswoman:
Neha Thakker, qualified as a graduate gemmologist from GIA, California is a jewellery designer and the proprietor of NV Jewels, Pune. She is an excellent wildlife photographer and travels to various parts of India frequently. In the past, Neha has worked as a medic nurse at the Pune Snake Park, Animal Orphanage and Rescue Centre run by the Indian Herpetological Society. She actively supports several animal rights and conservation organisations across India and is also involved in several animal welfare activities. With having raised many dogs and cats herself there is never a helpless animal with Neha around. Mr. Shriram Shinde – Journalist:
A journalist by profession, Shriram Shinde is presently the assistant editor of city-based newspaper, Sakaal Times. An expert in snakes, he has been the curator of the famous Pune Snake Park for about five years. Having served as faculty for the Wildlife Institute of India (Dehradun) and the Central Zoo Authority of India (New Delhi), he has been involved in various educational activities related to wildlife. An effective orator, Shriram has a great convincing capacity backed with deep scientific knowledge. In addition to his profession as a journalist and his passion for wildlife he is also a successful master-of-ceremonies and has anchored about eight international, 12 national and several state level sports tournaments held in Pune, Mumbai and Delhi including the Pune International Marathon, the Asian Track and Field Meet, the Asian Grand Prix, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the All Indian Revenue Sports Meet, the All Indian Police Games and other state level competitions. Design Team:
Miss Shipra Mundkur – Graphic Designer:
A creative, imaginative and original designer, Shipra Mundkur is a Graphic Designer from NID, Ahmedabad. She has interned at world renowned Research Studios, London and worked as senior graphic designer, project head and communication designer at several leading firms in Pune. A passionate artist, Shipra regularly paints, writes poetry and is actively into meditation. She volunteered with the Animal Help Foundation while in Ahmedabad. She believes design is a very natural human ability; almost everyone is designing most of the time, whether they are conscious of it, or not and could be pertaining to actions, thoughts and beliefs. Mrs Poonam Majgaonkar – Commercial Artist:
A commercial artist by profession, Poonam Majgaonkar is gifted when it comes to creativity. Presently into fabric and dress designing, she also freelances. Poonam is responsible for the name ‘Protecterra’ and is actively involved in coming up with innovative ideas. She has always felt that the human race owes a lot to the nature. She believes that every child should be taught about protecting the environment since childhood, so that everyone grows up to be responsible, loving human beings. Always doing her bit for the environment, Poonam loves visiting different places to enjoy the diversity of nature. Mr Dhananjay Nakhate – I T Guru:
Interns & Support:
Miss Ketaki Joshi – PEF Project Support Coordinator:
Ketaki Joshi, a 19 year old B.Com student at Symbiosis College Pune is a cheerful, enthusiastic girl. She is a state level gymnast and loves sports, outdoors and nature. An avid trekker, she has marshalled for the National Education Foundation, loves dogs and plays the guitar. Ketaki is extremely fond of animals and aspires to do a Masters in the field of wildlife. With some experience in marketing every time she is asked to complete a task her answer is a chirpy OK. She is the project support for PEF and assists in field trips, workshops, office work, Book Club and all else that comes her way. Miss Shoma Advani – PEF AU Coordinator:
Shoma Advani was born in East Africa, and spent 10 years of her childhood on the African continent. She has had a rich and varied education and upbringing in Indonesia, India and London. Shoma moved to Australia in 1990 and worked for a merchant bank and then a law firm for 16 years. Her love for travel and nature raised concern about sustainability and she decided to return to University to focus on sustainable travel, Australian wildlife protection and marine environmental studies. Shoma is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Ecotourism at the James Cook University, Cairns Australia. Her passion and urge to help and better the current scenario shines through. Shoma supports PEF through a series of networking programmes and fund raising functions in Australia. Shoma also assists in writing articles for PEF as well contributing significantly in forms of ideas for furthering PEF’s work. Mr Gautam Raddi – PEF Project Co-ordinator:
Gautam Raddi, only 22 years old is a born networker. His passion lies in the field of drama and he has been part of award winning plays, some of which have won National and International accolades. He has been a part of inter collegiate, national and international drama competitions. A state level basketball player, Gautam has right since his schooling days been excellent in managing public relations. At PEF, he is in charge of the ‘No Plastic’ project and handles all the orders, networking and marketing. His sincerity towards making a difference through raising awareness shines through. Miss Ritika Shetty – Microbiologist:
A microbiologist from Fergusson College, Pune, Ritika Shetty is a young and aspiring entrant always willing to learn. She has interned with Femina, Pune and is presently preparing to join an MBA. She enjoys writing fact based and fictional articles and is an avid reader. Ritika joined Protecterra because she wants to learn more about the natural world and apply the knowledge she has gained through her education. As and when time allows, she helps PEF with administrative support. The credit for PEF’s Book Club cataloguing is entirely hers. Miss Iravati Majgaonkar – Life Sciences Student:
A first year BSc student at St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Iravati Majgaonkar took the bold decision of opting for life sciences as a career choice rather than the more conventional engineering and business studies. She has a keen interest in environmental and wildlife studies as well as national environmental policy formulation. Iravati often indulges in conservation related activities through the college and volunteers with other NGOs. She is an amateur birder and regularly attends nature trails. Having the knowledge that human beings are one of the major causes of environment destruction she believes we are responsible for the planets restoration and protection. She considers working with Protecterra as a step towards this duty. 
