ATREE announces Dr. Balaram, Former Director of IISc as it’s new Chairperson

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) announced the appointment of  Dr. Balaram, current Co-chair of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of ATREE, as Chairperson of the BoT effective April 2023. The current Chairperson, Dr. Kamal Bawa, will be stepping down from the BoT on 31 March 2023. 

Dr. Bawa has been the Chairperson of ATREE’s BoT since its inception in 1996 and has played a critical role in shaping the organisation's research and conservation agenda. His leadership has enabled ATREE to become a globally recognised institution that contributes significantly to the understanding of environmental issues in India and beyond.

Dr. Bawa's successor, Dr. Balaram, is a distinguished scientist and former Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc). He is among India’s leading biochemists and has received the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri for his contributions to the field. Dr. Balaram has been associated with ATREE’s BoT since 2020. He has played a significant role in steering the organisation during the pandemic and building strong academic governance structures.

Commenting on the transition, Dr. Bawa said, "It has been an incredible journey leading ATREE over the last 27 years. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I am confident that the organisation will continue to grow and flourish under Dr. Balaram's leadership. He is an exceptional scientist, a visionary leader and an excellent colleague. I wish him all the best in his new role."

Dr. Balaram expressing his gratitude to Dr. Bawa and the ATREE team said, "I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of ATREE. It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of scientists, researchers, and staff who are dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. I look forward to building on Dr. Bawa's legacy and leading ATREE to new heights."

ATREE is a leading research institution in the field of ecology and environment. The organisation's mission is to generate rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources and the development of just and equitable societies.