M. Firoz Ahmed completed M.Sc. in Zoology with specialization in Animal Ecology and Wildlife Biology from the Gauhati University in 1999. Involved with dedication in the field of wildlife conservation and research through Aaranyak, an NGO and various other forums since 1994.

Has been conducting research and inventory on amphibians and reptiles since 1997. He has already submitted his Ph.D. Thesis on the Taxonomy of the Tree Frogs of North Eastern India. During his on-going research on amphibians and reptiles since 1997, he has found several new species in northeast India of which three have been described as Kalophrynus orangensis (Orang Sticky Frog), Kaloula assamensis (Assamese Baloon Frog) and Amolops assamensis (Assamese Cascade Frog). Further, as many as a dozen new species are in the process of scientific description.

Involved in community based conservation activities in North Eastern India and coordinated a number of projects related to that aspect. Has done several projects on ornithological inventory and monitoring. Invited to USA in 2002 and 2005 to conduct higher studies/training in research and conservation of turtles and amphibians. Visited British Museum, London to study amphibians collected from India hundreds of years before to help current studies. Visited Senegal, South Africa, Thailand and Nepal in connection with Herpetofauna research and presenting research findings in international seminars.

Currently a Wildlife Biologist and Conservation Educator of Aaranyak, he also conducts many environmental education programs. Presently also leading tiger monitoring and conservation work and at the same time involved in planning and preparation of tiger conservation initiative involving the communities from around the tiger inhabiting forest areas in Assam.

How did it begin?

Invited to join Aaranyak (a society for biodiversity conservation) by his friend Bibhuti Lahkar in 1994 followed by a join a trip to Orang Sanctuary. Subsequent meeting with Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General of Aaranyak inspired him with his ideas and experiences how one can work for the society by involving himself contributing through conservation and protection of environment.

Started doing research on amphibians and reptiles in 1997 and since then visited forest areas in the nooks and corners of the northeast India.

Email: firoz@aaranyak.org

Here is an example of what can be community-based conservation -- A Day With Indian Army (PDF). By taking a potentially bad situation and making it a good one, Firoz expanded the community of people in northeast India that are a little better aware of wildlife conservation.