Board & advisors

The people behind NiViM: a board of 8 directors, guided by 4 advisors from law, development and agriculture.

Founder

Dr. Vijay L. Ghugey

Founder & Director · Honorary managing trustee

Dr. Vijay Laxmanrao Ghugey is a retired Professor of Physics and a nature educator. His life’s work is protecting nature outside protected forests, and preventing conflict between people and wild animals, through science and community participation.

Through NiViM and NETRAVAN he has inspired students, youth, women, tribal families and small farmers to take care of nature. His long effort led to the government declaring the Muniya Conservation Reserve in 2021. He has received the National Teacher Award (Rashtrapati Puraskar, 2007), and his work was mentioned in Mann Ki Baat.

At NiViMLeads NiViM’s vision and long-term direction, with nature education and community-led conservation at its heart.

Board of directors

People from industry, public service, social work, health, education and technology, who together run NiViM.

Mr. Jeevan Khelkar
Director & Treasurer
Looks after NiViM’s finances and accounts, so every rupee is used well and reported openly.
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Mr. Jeevan Mahadeorao Khelkar worked for over 32 years at Manas Agro Industries Ltd. He holds a Diploma in Fitter and a Master of Arts degree.
He is known for his discipline, honesty and careful handling of money, and brings years of hands-on experience in running operations and administration.
Mr. Deepak Sahu
Director & Joint Secretary
Leads field work and community mobilisation, so village participation stays at the centre of every programme.
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Mr. Deepak Kishorilal Sahu has worked in rural development for over 20 years. He holds a postgraduate degree in Social Work and has worked closely with tribal communities, women and poor families.
His work covers village planning, People’s Biodiversity Registers (records of local plants and animals made by villagers), village action plans, and the care of water, forests and wildlife.
Mr. Sunil Akhade
Director & Secretary
Helps with coordination, administration and running programmes on the ground.
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Mr. Sunil S. Akhade retired from Western Coalfields Limited (Coal India), where he worked for many years as an EP Fitter. He is ITI-trained in mechanical work.
He has played volleyball for over 40 years, and brings the same team spirit and discipline to NiViM.
Mr. Rupkishor Kanojiya
Director
Special Executive Officer, Government of Maharashtra
Builds links with government offices and helps NiViM reach more communities.
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Mr. Rupkishor Lallu Kanojiya is a senior government officer with long experience in public administration and working with communities.
His honours include the Gunwant Kamgar Puraskar (Gold Medal), the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award and the National Kala Bhushan Award. He has represented India abroad, and several record books have recognised his cultural and public work.
Dr. Rucha Sanap-Changale
Director
Guides NiViM’s work on women’s health, preventive care and health awareness in villages.
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Dr. Rucha Sanap-Changale is a gynaecologist with over 10 years of experience in women’s health and laparoscopic surgery. She is Director and Consultant at Niramay Hospital, and Honorary Consultant at Shree Ayurved College.
In her practice she focuses on preventing illness, reaching rural patients, and caring for the whole person.
Mr. Omkar Deshpande
Director-Technical
Leads NiViM’s digital work: the website, technology and automation that take nature education to more people.
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Mr. Omkar Deshpande is a systems architect and digital strategist with over 10 years of experience building automation and digital platforms for social enterprises.
He believes technology should help more people learn about nature and feel connected to it.
Mr. Vasudeo Mohadikar
Director
Makes science simple and hands-on for students and young people.
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Mr. Vasudeo Mohadikar is a senior science teacher with several degrees in science and education and many years in the classroom. He has shown science experiments in over 500 schools, written learning material for Balbharati, and worked as a state and national resource person.
He has organised science exhibitions, teacher trainings and learning-by-doing programmes across Maharashtra.

Advisory committee

Senior people from law, development and agriculture who guide the board.

Adv. Ramanuj Asawa
Advisor
Advises on legal matters, governance and compliance.
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Adv. Ramanuj Asawa is a lawyer with degrees in Commerce and Law. He is also a Fellow Company Secretary (FCS) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
His work covers company law, tax, finance, governance and compliance.
Justice Ambadas H. Joshi (Retd.)
Advisor
Former Judge, Bombay High Court
Advises on ethics, good governance and justice, and on NiViM’s duty to the environment.
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Justice Ambadas Haribhau Joshi is a former Judge of the Bombay High Court and former Lokayukta of Goa, with over 50 years of service in law, governance and legal education.
He has taught at judicial academies and wrote a practical workbook on mediation for the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority.
Mr. Shirish Kulkarni
Advisor
Advises on programme strategy, partnerships and strong internal systems.
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Mr. Shirish Kulkarni has over 35 years of experience in development work with village groups, Indian and international NGOs, and donor agencies. His work covers social impact studies, policy, building strong organisations, managing grants and reviewing programmes.
He has worked with Oxfam (GB, Australia and India), UNDP, DFID and World Bank-aided projects, and has taken part in global meetings on climate change, gender, human rights and disasters.
Dr. Adhikrao Jadhao
Advisor
Principal, Loknete Mohanrao Kadam College of Agriculture & Horticulture, Sangli
Advises on natural farming and biodiversity, and helps bring research into village practice.
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Dr. Adhikrao Jadhao is an expert in agriculture, silk farming (sericulture) and biodiversity, known in India and abroad.
He has advised the Government of Cuba and served on several national and state committees on silk development and biodiversity.