About the Role
Key Responsibilities:
For Interns in Chhattisgarh:
· Community Engagement:
o Build rapport with local communities by facilitating meetings and focus group discussions (FGDs).
o Design and conduct community awareness sessions on sustainable forest management practices.
o Assist in building capacity among residents to support community-driven conservation efforts.
o Lead Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) activities to gather insights on community needs, forest resource use, and local livelihoods.
· Social Science Research & Surveys:
o Conduct socio-economic surveys to understand the impact of conservation efforts on local communities.
o Research and document the role of gender, caste, and indigenous knowledge in forest management.
o Assist in designing and conducting social impact and biodiversity assessments for ongoing projects.
o Facilitate participatory workshops with community members to co-create conservation strategies.
· CFR (Community Forest Rights) Management Plan Development:
o Collaborate with local communities to draft Community Forest Rights Management Plans, ensuring they reflect both conservation goals and local needs.
o Assist in mapping forest resources and customary boundaries using GPS systems as part of the CFR management plan development process.
o Support the documentation of traditional ecological knowledge held by local communities.
· Forest Surveys, Camera Trapping & Conservation Activities:
o Conduct forest surveys, document biodiversity, and assess forest health.
o Assist in setting up and monitoring camera traps to record wildlife activity, ensuring data is collected and analyzed to inform conservation efforts.
o Support plantation drives, forest restoration efforts, and other activities focused on forest management.
o Use GPS systems to map and monitor forest resources, trail networks, and wildlife corridors.
o Monitor and record changes in forest cover, wildlife sightings, and ecosystem services.
For Interns in Maharashtra:
· Biodiversity Surveys, Camera Trapping & Conservation:
o Conduct detailed biodiversity surveys, identifying flora, fauna, and other critical elements of the forest ecosystem.
o Use camera traps to monitor wildlife activity, gathering data on animal movement and behavior.
o Map biodiversity hotspots and key conservation areas using GPS technology.
o Collect and analyze data on species diversity, habitat conditions, and ecosystem health.
· Community Engagement & Livelihoods:
o Organize community engagement activities to promote sustainable use of forest resources.
o Conduct Energy Profile Surveys to understand the resource collection and consumption patterns of the local communities
· Gold Standard Certification Documentation:
o Assist in preparing documentation for Gold Standard carbon projects, which aim to reduce carbon emissions while generating social and environmental benefits for local communities.
o Support data collection, report writing, and monitoring activities related to carbon credits and sustainable land use practices.
o Engage with stakeholders to ensure the certification process meets both global standards and community expectations.
Requirements
Skills & Qualifications We’re Looking For:
· For All Interns:
o Passion for environmental conservation and community development.
o Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
o Willingness to work and stay in rural and remote locations, often in challenging field conditions.
o Ability to work independently and as part of a team in cross-disciplinary settings.
o Proficiency in conducting surveys, interviews, and other forms of data collection.
o Experience or interest in using camera traps and GPS technology for data collection.
o A keen interest in social research, community dynamics, and sustainable development.
· Desirable (but not mandatory):
o Prior experience with participatory rural development methodologies (PRA).
o Familiarity with forest laws, CFR processes, or community-based conservation models.
o Fluency in local languages (e.g., Hindi, Marathi) is an added advantage.
About the Company
At Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) we are commited in conserving India's unique forest ecosystems while empowering the communities that live within them. As a leading NGO in the conservation sector, AERF focuses on sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and restoration and climate action through community-based projects in critical forest landscapes across India. We believe in a holistic approach to forest conservation, where the participation and well-being of local communities are central to long term sustainability.
