25/07/2026
When many people saw wetlands as empty land, Jayshree Vencatesan saw something worth protecting. That simple belief changed the course of wetland conservation in India.
In 2026, she became the first Indian to receive the Ramsar Award for "Wetland Wise Use." The Ramsar Secretariat in Geneva also recognised her among 12 women changemakers in wetlands worldwide.
Growing up in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, by the banks of the Godavari River, Jayshree learnt to observe nature long before she became a conservationist. With a PhD exploring the intersection of gender and biodiversity in the Kolli Hills, she chose conservation over global career opportunities.
In 2000, she co-founded Chennai based Care Earth Trust with ecologist R. J. Ranjit Daniels. A year later, at the age of 35, she stood before the neglected Pallikaranai Marsh. While many saw a garbage filled wasteland ready for development, she saw a living ecosystem worth saving.
With a modest grant of ₹32,000, Jayshree spent years carrying out field surveys, species documentation, water studies, and endless paperwork to prove the ecological value of the marsh.
Her research and engagement with government agencies supported conservation efforts that led the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to declare part of Pallikaranai a Reserve Forest in 2007. Today, more than 700 hectares are protected.
She repeatedly warned that destroying wetlands would bring both floods and droughts. After the devastating Chennai floods, she was among the first scientists to clearly link the disaster to the destruction of Pallikaranai and other wetlands.
Jayshreeb leads an all women research team, mentors young conservationists, and advocates for greater technical and leadership roles for women in wetland management.
She dedicated the Ramsar Award to her late father, whose love for nature inspired her journey.
As she said, "Change isn't about quick wins. It's about persistence, often measured in decades, to ensure a lasting impact."