"From Attitudes to Actions: Integrating Conservation Planning Framework, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Values for the Conservation of Mahseers"
Speaker : Prantik Das
Ph.D. Student, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU),
Bangalore @ : pdas.hzb@gmail.com
Chairperson : Ayana Krishnan
Ph.D. Student, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, NIAS, Bangalore
@ : ayanak@nias.res.in
Date : 17th June 2026
Time : 9.30 AM
Venue : Lecture Hall
Abstract: Mahseers are a group of charismatic freshwater fishes native to South, East, and South-East Asia holding deep socio-cultural, recreational, livelihood, and ecological significance. Due to their unique position in the complex socio-ecological systems, conservation of these iconic fishes requires more than just ecological interventions. Drawing on a novel framework that integrates Conservation Planning Framework (CPF), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and Social Values (SV), this talk will delve into the human dimensions of mahseer conservation in three environmentally, geographically, and socio-culturally distinct Indian states - Karnataka, Assam, and Uttarakhand. The importance and potential of integrating behavioural drivers and social values of multiple stakeholders into conservation planning to foster inclusive, effective, and sustainable freshwater biodiversity conservation strategies and policies will also be discussed.
About the speaker: Prantik Das is a CSIR Senior Research Fellow pursuing Ph.D. at The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore. Keeping the freshwater megafishes mahseer in focus, he studies attitudes, perceptions, values, behaviours and communication strategies followed by multiple stakeholders to promote conservation of the freshwater biodiversity.