The Founder


“Understand me. I’m not like an ordinary world. I have my madness, I live in another dimension and I do not have time for things that have no soul.”

– Charles Bukowski


Mulshi Aug 2008 (34)

Conscious Living Coach • Conservation Biologist • Spiritual Ecologist

FOUNDING & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Protecterra Ecological Foundation (PEF), Pune, India

  • Dedicated to creating a global society that respects nature, practices sustainability and comes together in solidarity to protect Terra.

The Farm, Pune, India

  • A physical space for leadership, compassion, conscious living and sustainability with the core vision of love, awareness and learning.

FOUNDING PARTNER & PROPRIETOR (December 2012 – May 2015)

…Journeys: Explore the Road Less Taken, Pune, India

VISITING FACULTY PROFESSOR, MENTOR, PANELIST & COACH

  • 2019 – 2020: FLAME – Introduction to Environmental Studies (Undergraduate)
  • 2020: School for Change Makers UK Panelist (IoFC UK and IoFC India Partnership)
  • 2019 – 2020: MUWCI – Lead Facilitator for Youth in Environment and Sustainability
  • 2014 – 2020: Symbiosis College of Commerce – Dissolve your Boundaries, Cutting Edge Communication & Value Education (Undergraduate)
  • 2018 – PVP College of Architecture: Dissolving Boundaries One Earth (PGLA)
  • 2016 – 2018: SCMC – Global Environmental Challenges (Undergraduate)
  • 2017 – 2018: Asia Pacific Youth Conference Panelist
  • 2016 – 2018: Global Citizen Year – Student Mentor and Panelist
  • 2010 – 2017: MIT-ISBJ – Environmental Journalism (Undergraduate & PG Diploma)
  • 2016 – 2017: Seed InfoTech – Life Skills
  • 2016 – 2017: KRIXI Solutions and Ideas – Life Skills and Untraining
  • 2013: Alliance for Global Education – Environmental Perspectives in India
  • 2011– 2014: Vidyanchal High School – Environmental Sciences (Grades 5 to 9)
  • 2012: Banyan Tree International School – Environmental Sciences (Grades 1 to 6)
  • 2011: University of Pune – Environmental Sciences (MSc)

March 2011 – April 2011: Student Placement by invitation (sponsored)

Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

March 2008 – July 2009: CONSERVATION OFFICER

Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), Delhi, India.

September 2004 – August 2005: JUNIOR RESEARCHER

Sanctuary-Asia Wildlife Magazine India and Maharashtra State Forest Department at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai.

June 2003 – July 2003: ASSISTANT TEACHER

Langdon High School on University of East London Higher Education Programme, London, UK

VOLUNTARY WORK

Pune Snake Park (Animal orphanage & rescue centre run by Indian Herpetological Society)

Elephant Family, Trunks meet Trunks Event, London, UK

QUALIFICATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS

  • MSc Conservation, University College London, UK (2006 – 2008)
  • BSc (Honours) Animal Biology and Conservation with Sandwich Placement, University of East London, UK (2002 – 2006)
  • Award of Appreciation: One Step Foundation Pune (2018)
  • Certification: National Federations Neuro Linguistic Programming (2015 – 2016)
  • Award Nominee: British Alumni Awards: Social Impact (2015)
  • Certification: Telepathic Animal Communication (2015)
  • Certification: Executive Leadership for Young Adults (2014)
  • Certification: South Africa Travel Expert ‘Fundie’ (2014)
  • Certification: Level II Reiki (2011 – 2012)
  • Certification: Level 1 Basketball Coach, England Basketball (2004)

INDEPENDENT WORK, STUDY AND RESEARCH

  • 2019 – 2020 Committee Member Rugby India (IRFU)
  • 2015 – 2020 Resource Person for State Forest Department
  • 2011 – 2020 Visiting Member and Associate Scholar for several organisations and colleges across India
  • 2008 – 2020 Vice President of the PCMC Shuttlers’ Badminton Association
  • 2008 – 2009 Assistant to UK PhD student on a socio-economic study of Kela Devi National Park, Rajasthan, India
  • 2001 – 2003 Independently designed and executed study on behaviour of selected tigers and gathered ecological/behavioural data in relation to tigers at the Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • 1998 – 2008 Coached basketball in the UK and India

PERSONAL INTERESTS

  • Meditation, Spirituality, Meta Physics & Esoterics
  • Sustainable, Holistic & Conscious Living Concepts
  • Offbeat Travelling
  • Represented Maharashtra Rugby, Basketball, Skating & Athletics, District Badminton

Pooja is undoubtedly one of the most wild and free souls you will meet, she is real and walks her talk. Hear her story at The Farm Speaks.