Sidhartha Salagrama

Served as a Teaching Assistant for multiple environmental and GIS courses, supporting students, coordinating with professors, designing assignments, and grading coursework.

• Supported the conservation efforts of Olive Ridley Turtles by facilitating the Arribada (mass nesting) along the Ganjam shoreline. Led field implementation of project interventions in Ganjam and South Andaman, India. Developed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for community outreach. Acted as a liaison between government agencies and local fishing communities to advocate for social justice, ensuring equitable access to resources and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

• Supervised transshipment of cargo, overseeing both loading and unloading operations. Facilitated customs procedures, immigration, and clearance processes onboard vessels. Assisted with export-related tasks to ensure efficient and compliant port operations. Collaborated with various stakeholders to streamline logistics and maintain smooth cargo movement.

• Assisted in designing and implementing data collection formats to assess project impacts in Odisha, India. Collected and analyzed primary and secondary data on fishing communities, compiling reports. Contributed to report writing, editing, and Dakshin’s blogs and social media. Supported field implementation of the SeaChange project in the Bay of Bengal region.

• Conducted a study on coastal erosion and its impact on communities in Uppada, India. Engaged with diverse stakeholders to gather multiple perspectives for a comprehensive and equitable report. Traveled along India’s east coast to document varied experiences and challenges. Analyzed findings and submitted a final report to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with policy recommendations for effective mitigation measures.

• Researched COVID-19’s impact on migrant fishers, their livelihoods, coping strategies, and the effectiveness of support systems, with a focus on long-term socio-economic and fisheries-based effects.

• Conducted field research at Paradeep Port, Odisha, analyzing industrial pollution in the Mahanadi River. Collected primary data through on-site sampling, assessing algae count, pollutant discharge, and environmental impacts. Assisted in research to support policy recommendations for pollution mitigation.