Summer Internship Program of AIWC

ADVANCED INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION,

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

FOREST DEPARTMENT

VANDALUR, CHENNAI 600048

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is a premier Institute under Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, in the field of wildlife research, education, and training.

In order to attract motivated and talented students to work in the field of wildlife conservation, the Institute has initiated an Internship Programme (IP).

The objectives of the internship programme are

1. To provide a framework by which graduate and post-graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds may conduct research at AIWC for a short periodof 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks durations to enhance their educational experience through practical work assignments.

2. The Institute also consider taking interns for longer duration of 6 months on a project of significance to provide deeper experience of working on wildlife issues.

3. To provide the Institute's faculty assistance of highly motivated and talented students to research in key thematic areas in wildlife conservation in TamilNadu.

Essential requirement

Under IP, interns with good analytical and research aptitude and capable of delivering hard and diligent work under the guidance of Institute's faculty lone will be selected.

Subject/Thematic Areas/Project

1. Wildlife Ecology

   • • Ecology of Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Slender Loris, Pangolin and other lesser known mammals in Tamil Nadu

     • Ecology of marine specie of Gulf of Mannar and related conservation issues

     • Plant-Animal interactions and importance of vegetation sampling in ecology

2. Morphometric & Molecular Forensics

• Sample collection methods and basic molecular techniques used in wildlife forensics

• Species identification from faeces, blood and other body parts for population estimation in protected areas of Tamil Nadu

• Identification of mammal species based on hair morphometry

3. Wildlife Law & Policies

• • Wildlife criminology and case investigation protocols

4. Human Dimension of Wildlife

• • Human-animal conflict in and around protected areas of Tamil Nadu

  • Involvement of communities living around tiger reserves in ecotourism/ interpretive activities and their attitude thereof, and profiling visitors to the tiger reserve

• Environment Impact Assessment programme of Tiger/ Elephant Reserves of Tamil Nadu

5. Captive Animal Care & Breeding

• • • Wildlife health management and managing wild animals in captivity (health, behaviour and enrichment)

    • Ethno-veterinary practices in wildlife medicine.

6. Climate change and its impact on wildlife

   • • Impact of climate change on wetlands/waterbodies and their mitigation methods

   • Surveys and assessment of species and their habitats affected by anthropogenic effects

7. Coastal Ecology

• Ecological services arising from coastal ecosystems

• Environmental Impact Assessment in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu

Research Methodology

1. Survey methods and lab-based activities related to all the above topics

2. Literature surveys and referencing in science and conservation

3. Data analysis and paper writing

(Research methodology is a common part in all 7 topics)

Duration: The summer internship will be of 8 weeks duration (May 2019 to July 2019). For other internships programmes, the duration could vary from minimum of 4 weeks up to 6 months.

Essential Qualification (EQ):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences/Wildlife biology/Forestry /Ecology/Environment/Social Science/Biotech/Engineering/Veterinary science

• Should have good command over English and good writing skills

Desired Qualification (DQ):

• Masters degree in Life Sciences/ Wildlife biology/Forestry /Ecology/Environment/Social Science/Biotech/Engineering

• Knowledge/understanding of wildlife, environment, landscape and ecology of TamilNadu.

• Good communication and inter-personal skills.

• Should have good working knowledge of the internet, social media etc.

• Editing experience, and articles in popular media and/or journals.

• Ability to work under tight time deadlines.

• Ability to travel to field conducting surveys and data collection in arduous field conditions

• Willingness to take on tasks required (for example admin, research)

Age Limit: Not exceeding 30 years.

Stipend/Scholarships

The students are encouraged to come with their ownfellowship. The Institute may also provide stipend/scholarship in limited instances on merit basis.

Documents needed from the applicants

1. Curriculum Vitae of the applicant

2. Letter of Intent from the applicant (Not exceeding 1000 words)

3. No objection Certificate from the College

4. Minimum qualification certificate, degree certificate copies

5. Letter of recommendation from faculty/Professors

6. Copy of College ID card

How to apply: The application form and other information can be downloaded from Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation website http://www.aiwc-tn.org.

All original documents will be verified in case of accepted applications for authenticity.

Director and Addl. PCCF

Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation