Biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh

backontheroad

Beginning in September of 2006, our family of four will be taking a 4-month leave of absence from our positions in New York as Ecology/Earth Science teacher and English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher. I am looking for an opportunity to participate in ecology research and efforts around biodiversity inventorying and/or conservation. This would build upon the 5 years of ecology/agriculture experience I had working in Nepal and Bhutan in 1991-1996 with Save the Children, USA. It would also stimulate ideas for teaching the ecology principles that are part of my high school curriculum in the New York State school where I have taught Ecology and Earth Science for 7 years.

In addition to my wife’s 7 years of international experience in animal husbandry, she has taught English to children (ages 6-19) from other countries for 3 years in New York public schools as well as for one year in Mexico. She would like to contribute her knowledge to a local community either in the capacity of an English teacher/tutor or in community work. Our children, ages 10 and 12 have lived in Mexico and are interested in becoming involved, learning from, and exchanging ideas with a non-American community.


I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has suggestions about opportunities for working in the area of biodiversity and/or environmental conservation. We are particularly interested in Himachal Pradesh or other Himalayan states. Thanks.

GoanCanuck

Hello and welcome to India Mike. Are you planning on carrying out this research on a tourist visa or a research visa?

backontheroad

Our intention was to enter the country on a tourist visa.

GoanCanuck

Legally you are not supposed to be carrying out research on a tourist visa. If you were carrying out this research all by yourself then I would have advised you to ignore the law and continue doing so on a tourist visa. But you have your wife and children with you which changes the equation completely.

-m2-

Hi backontheroad, welcome to Indiamike!

Please do not post duplicate threads in different forums. I realize that your question could fit in different areas but it is better to have replies in one place so as not to confuse things. Since this is the first thread replied to, I'll leave this thread open and delete the other two. Thanks.

backontheroad

The emphasis for our time in India would not be to conduct research. My interest is more along the lines of volunteering to support someone who working in the areas of biodiversity inventorying or conservation. I have no plans to publish research findings or launch an independent effort. Does this alter your view on our entering and doing volunteer work on a tourist visa?

cloudchaser

backontheroad - I am not too clued up on how easy/hard its to get a research or the appropriate visa for yor requirements but following the correct laws of the country would be the proper course of action to avoid unecessary hassles.