CV

Indra P. Acharja
Doctoral Candidate · Department of Biology · Texas State University
indra.acharja@txstate.edu · indra.acharja@gmail.com · (+1) 512-667-0645 · Google Scholar · ResearchGate
Education
Ph.D., Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology August 2023–present
Texas State University, College of Science and Engineering, San Marcos, TX
Advisor: Dr. Clay Green. Focus: Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, Ecology and Conservation.
Master of Forest Science (M.F.S.) 2019
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Focus: Ecology, Ornithology, Conservation, and Wildlife Biometrics. Andrew Sabin International Environmental Fellow; Tropical Resources Institute Endowment Fellow.
Master of Forestry Science (M.Sc.), Wildlife Science 2014
Forest Research Institute (Deemed) University, Dehradun, India
Focus: Forestry, Wildlife Management, and Eco-development. Thesis: Ungulate distribution, abundance, and habitat use in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bachelor of Science in Life Science (B.Sc.) 2012
Royal University of Bhutan, Sherubtse College, Trashigang, Bhutan
Focus: Zoology and Botany.
Positions Held
Research and Teaching Assistant September 2023–present
Clay Green's Lab, Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Conduct dissertation research on the ecology and biology of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. Apply AI and remote monitoring technology in the conservation of threatened species. Teach undergraduate organismal biology laboratory.
Chief Conservation Officer, Species Conservation Division September 2019–July 2023
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Thimphu, Bhutan
Established the White-bellied Heron Conservation Breeding Center and the world's first ex-situ population of the species. Secured a US$3 million endowment fund for the Center's long-term operation. Led management and implementation of threatened species conservation projects at RSPN.
Teaching Fellow January–May 2019
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University
Assisted Professor Timothy G. Gregoire in teaching Sampling Methodology and Practice for Natural, Ecological, and Environmental Resource Management; graded coursework and term projects.
Project Officer, White-bellied Heron Recovery Projects July–September 2019
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Thimphu, Bhutan
Implemented White-bellied Heron recovery projects during transition period.
Research Assistant August 2017–May 2018
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University
Assisted Professor Karen C. Seto on a NASA-funded project: "Urban growth, land-use change, and growing vulnerability in the Greater Himalaya Mountain range across India, Nepal, and Bhutan (HKH)."
Project Officer, White-bellied Heron Recovery Projects June 2015–July 2017
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Thimphu, Bhutan
Implemented three three-year White-bellied Heron Recovery Plan projects across Bhutan, including 15 outreach initiatives with 18 researchers from 3 institutions and local communities. Developed White-bellied Heron endowment fund initiative proposal. Assisted in planning and designing the White-bellied Heron Captive Breeding and Research Center.
Young Environmental Scholar Intern March–June 2015
Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICE), Bhutan
Taught principles of natural resource management to field foresters and NRMC field assistants. Assisted the Bhutan Ecological Society in organizing its 3rd Annual Symposium and Environmental Fair.
Research in Progress
Spatiotemporal threat mapping across White-bellied Heron strongholds: a multi-year assessment of anthropogenic disturbance intensity and distribution in Bhutan's major river systems. Manuscript under review.
Anthropogenic habitat degradation as a driver of reproductive failure in the White-bellied Heron: linking landscape-scale disturbance to breeding performance outcomes. Manuscript under review.
Cumulative and compounding anthropogenic pressures on Bhutan's major river systems: long-term trajectories of ecological degradation and implications for critically endangered species. Manuscript under review.
A quantitative ethogram of nesting behavior in the White-bellied Heron: parental investment strategies, chick developmental milestones, and behavioral ontogeny revealed through continuous nest camera surveillance. Manuscript in preparation.
Publications & Articles
Acharja, I. P., Green, M. C., Okahisa, Y., Phuntsho, T., Tobgay, T., Khandu, P., & Shimano, S. (2026). Increasing variability and declining breeding success: A major challenge in the conservation of the critically endangered Ardea insignis (White-bellied Heron). Ornithology, ukag017. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukag017
Acharja, I. P., Okahisa, Y., Green, M. C., Lhendup, T., Tshering, S., Phuntsho, T., Tobgay, T., Lungten, L., Tshering, J., & Leki, S. (2025). Investigation of effective conservation measures for the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis using an integrated population model and Bayesian population viability analysis. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 20(1):19. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02833-200119
Wanner, M., Siemensma, F., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Khandu, P., Lal Gajmer, S., Gyeltshen, C., Dorji, T., Tenzin, K., & Shimano, S. (2024). Testate amoebae from the wetlands of the Phobjikha Valley of Bhutan, the Eastern Himalaya. European Journal of Protistology, 126125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejop.2024.126125
Lungten, L., Acharja, I. P., Tobgay, T., Phuntsho, T., & Lhendup, T. (2023). Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in White-bellied Heron landscape Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu River, Bhutan. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies, 10(4):09–17.
Maheswaran, G., Acharja, I. P., Sharma, L. K., Mondal, H. S., Mukherjee, T., Alam, I., & Majumder, A. (2021). Save the white-bellied heron from extinction. Science, 373(6561):1317. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abl9682
Nishiumi, I., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Yoshikawa, M., Khandu, P., Gajmer, S. L., Tsukasa, W., Tenzin, K., & Shimano, S. (2021). Applying molecular sex identification methods to "Karma", the injured Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) of Phobjikha. Journal of the Bhutan Ecological Society, 4.
Dorji, T., Tshering, S., Wangchuk, N., & Acharja, I. P. (2021). Biomonitoring of health of Chubachu stream using macroinvertebrate diversity. Bhutan Journal of Research and Development, 10(2).
Acharja, I. P., Tshering, S., Lhendup, T., & Phuntsho, T. (2021). First observation of sexual conflict and parental infanticide in the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis. BirdingASIA, 35:38–42.
Acharja, I. P. (2021). White-bellied Heron. In: The Restless Rivers: Yarlung Tsangpo-Siang-Brahmaputra-Jamuna (G. Pangare, B. Nishat, X. Liao, & H. M. Qaddumi, eds.). International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank, Washington. pp. 145–146.
Khandu, P., Gale, G. A., Pradhan, R., Acharja, I. P., & Bumrungsri, S. (2020). First record of successful breeding of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in broadleaved trees. The Journal of Animal and Plant Science, 30(2).
Acharja, I. P. (2019). Evaluation of nest habitat, site preferences, and architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis in Bhutan. Bird Conservation International, 30(4):599–617. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095927091900042X
Acharja, I. P. (2019). The current population, distribution, and conservation status of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in Bhutan. Tropical Resources — Bulletin of the Yale Tropical Resources Institute, 38:1–10.
Acharja, I. P. (2023). Conservation of White-bellied Herons [South Asia]. Rewilding Success — Ecological Citizen. Link
Acharja, I. P. (March 2, 2019). Punatsangchhu, the wintering paradise of migratory birds and birders. Kuensel. Link
Acharja, I. P. (2014). Ungulate distribution, abundance, and habitat use in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (Unpublished master's thesis). Forest Research Institute (Deemed) University, Dehradun, India.
Strategies & Scientific Reports
Tobgay, T., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., & Wangdi, N. (2022). White-bellied Heron Conservation Action Plan (2022–2031). Royal Society for Protection of Nature & Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan.
RSPN (2022). Developing Ecosystem-based Solutions for Managing Biodiversity Landscapes in Bhutan: A rapid biodiversity assessment in White-bellied Heron habitats along Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu basins. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
RSPN (2022). Protocol for Rapid Biodiversity Assessment. Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Thimphu, Bhutan.
RSPN (2022). Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping: A pilot assessment in White-bellied Heron habitats along Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu basins. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Phuntsho, T., Tshering, S., Lhendup, T., & Hetch, D. (2021). White-bellied Heron Conservation Center Establishment and Management Plan, 2021. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Acharja, I. P. (2021). The White-bellied Heron Conservation Center: The center for White-bellied Heron conservation breeding, research, and information. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Acharja, I. P. (2021). The White-bellied Heron Annual Population Survey 2021. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Acharja, I. P. (2020). The White-bellied Heron Annual Population Survey 2020. Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Grants & Awards
Doctoral Research Support Fellowship 2025
Texas State University · $5,000
Zoological Association of America Conservation Grant 2024
Zoological Association of America · $5,000
Run to R1 Academic Scholarship 2023
Texas State University
Andrew Sabin International Environmental Fellowship 2018
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies · $40,000
Explorer Grant 2018
National Geographic Society · $5,000
Tropical Resources Institute Endowment Fellowship 2018
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies · $5,000
OBC-Wildwings Award 2015
Orientalbirdclub / Wildwings, UK · £2,000
Rufford Small Grant 2015
Rufford Foundation, UK · £5,000
Idea Wild Equipment Grant 2012
Idea Wild, USA
SAARC-FRI Scholarship 2012
Government of India
Projects & Funding
Developing Ecosystem-based Solutions for Managing Biodiversity Landscape in Bhutan 2021–2026
Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Germany (BMUV) · Co-PI · $3.8 million
Establishment of White-bellied Heron Conservation Breeding Center 2016–2022
MAVA Foundation ($1.5M, 2016); Hans Wilsdorf Foundation ($1.5M, 2022); Synchronicity Earth ($25K, 2021; $25K, 2022); Zlin Zoo, Czech Republic ($15K, 2022); Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund ($45K, 2022) · ~$3.1 million total
Upscaling White-bellied Heron Recovery Plan 2019–2022
Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation · PI · $150,000
Establishing Ecosystem-based and Incentive-based Approaches to WBH Conservation 2019–2021
Rising Phoenix Philanthropic Group · PI · $50,000
Community Education and Awareness for WBH Conservation 2020–2021
Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust & Global Wildlife Conservation · PI · $30,000
White-bellied Heron Recovery Plan 2015–2018
Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation · PI · $180,000
Conference Presentations & Invited Talks
Paper presentation — "Influence of Breeding Timing on Reproductive Success and Population Dynamics in Ardea insignis White-bellied Heron." 49th Annual Waterbird Conference, Traverse City, MI. September 29–October 3, 2025.
Paper presentation — "Investigation of effective conservation measures for the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis using an integrated population model and Bayesian population viability analysis." Waterbird Society and Pacific Seabird Group Joint Meeting, San José, Costa Rica. January 6–9, 2025.
Attendance — 2024 TXST STEM Conference, Texas State University, San Marcos. April 8–12, 2024.
Organizer and Presenter — International Black-necked Crane Conservation Network Meeting (in collaboration with International Crane Foundation and BMUV, Germany). November 8–11, 2022.
Plenary Speaker — "Saving the critically endangered White-bellied Heron from extinction: two decades of conservation efforts and the way forward." Plenary Lecture, Herons of Worldwide Conservation Concern Symposium. Virtual. November 9–12, 2021.
Speaker — "Conservation and Development," Living Planet Session, World Migratory Bird Day. Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu, Bhutan. May 8, 2021.
Keynote Speaker — "White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis: the indicator of the health of Himalayan freshwater river systems." International e-Symposium on Biodiversity (IeSB-2020-SSC), Virtual. February 3–4, 2021.
Speaker — Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, Bhutan. August 22–25, 2019.
Organizer and Presenter — White-bellied Heron International Workshop, IUCN Species Survival Commission White-bellied Heron Working Group (part of IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group). Punakha, Bhutan. December 2015.
Certifications & Training
Foundations of Project Management. Google / Coursera. April 2024.
Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience. UNEP. August–December 2023.
Initiating and Planning Projects. University of California, Irvine / Coursera. July 2020.
Agile Leadership Training. Institute of Management Studies Ltd. October 15–17, 2019.
Sciencetelling Bootcamp. National Geographic Society, Hong Kong. May 8–10, 2019.
Sciencetelling Bootcamp (Online). National Geographic Society. December 2018.
REDD+ Academy Training. UN-REDD Programme. 2016.
Research Writing — Certificate of Achievement. AuthorAid / INASP. May 2016.
Introductory Remote Sensing, GPS, GIS and GNSS. IIRS, ISRO, India. 2013.
Student Leadership Certificate Course. Sherubtse College. 2011.
Professional Memberships
Student Councilor (2026–27) — Waterbird Society
Member — IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group
Member — White-bellied Heron Working Group
National Geographic Explorer
Media Coverage
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (2022). Saving the White-bellied Heron from extinction.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service (2021). Population of White-bellied Heron is decreasing by the year.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service (2020). White-bellied Heron numbers in the country not increasing as expected.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service (2019). Illegal fishing: a threat to the freshwater ecosystems.
Kuensel (2019). Punatsangchhu, the wintering paradise of migratory birds and birders.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service (2017). Captive breeding centre for globally threatened White-bellied Heron will be established.
Languages
Proficiently reads, writes, and speaks English and Dzongkha; speaks Nepali and Hindi.
Interests
Trekking, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.