Tiasa Adhya is an Indian conservationist dedicated to protecting the fishing cat and its vital wetland habitat. She believes in building constructive and collaborative conservation networks involving multiple stakeholders to create voice for a socio-ecologically sensitive future. She says that in all this, the Fishing Cat has been her guiding light.
Background
Tiasa is leading crucial efforts to protect one of the few wild cat species that defies the common belief that cats dislike water — the elusive fishing cat. Entirely dependent on Asia’s wetland ecosystems, the fishing cat’s diet primarily consists of fish. However, these same wetlands along Asia’s deltas and floodplains, are also being degraded very rapidly for intensive resource extraction such as intensive agriculture, aquaculture and urbanisation. Secondly, shrinking natural habitat also erodes the spirit of co-existence leading to an escalation in fishing cat killings in these heavily human populated regions. The fishing cat is classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
Tiasa’s work focuses on linking fishing cat conservation to healthy functional wetland ecosystems. Her strength lies in creating alliances and bringing together stakeholders with the goal of nature conservation and creating a sustainable future for wetlands and human societies that depend on them for their livelihoods. This gripping short documentary created by Tiasa and her team in 2017, portrays that community centred conservation alone is not enough in today’s world, how the fishing cat’s fate is tied to society at large and why, therefore, conservation should be a societal decision.
Tiasa co-founded The Fishing Cat Project in 2010, which is the longest running research and conservation project on the fishing cat. With her team, she started an initiative called ‘Know Thy Neighbours’, a community-based programme where local residents are trained to monitor fishing cats, collect ecological data, and even name individual cats. This unique approach fosters a personal connection between people and wildlife.
After the great success of this campaign, Tiasa created a short film almost entirely composed of camera trap footage of individual fishing cats, in particular a mother cat named ‘Choti’ and her cubs: The Fishing Cat story. The animals are being monitored by members of the local fishermen community who are part of the ‘Know Thy Neighbours’ programme.
Further, in collaboration with government agencies, Tiasa started a joint patrolling and monitoring programme in Chilika, India, to help mitigate threats to the fishing cat and its wetland habitat. Her work not only resulted in the fishing cat to be appointed the official ambassador of Chilika but also brought attention to other animal species in the ecosystem and led to the first ever recording of the Eurasian Otter on India’s east coast.
Vision and approach
Tiasa considers the fishing cat as a symbol that shows wetland health and the balance between nature and humans. Using a socio-ecological approach, she connects and activates local and national stakeholders to support the conservation of the fishing cats and its wetland home. Through passion, perseverance and patience, Tiasa is putting the fishing cat in the spotlight in India.
Set up multiple education programmes for different levels, including a programme focused on school children from indigenous fishing communities to create local stewards for nature in Chilika.
Continued and expanded activities to monitor the fishing cat and its habitat by creating employment opportunities for youth and locals as well as by buying new equipment. Also see the short film created by The Fishing Cat Project.
Started two pilot programmes to link habitat enrichment or ‘wise use of wetlands’ with sustainable livelihoods.
Continued advocacy activities to create a Fishing Cat Action Plan in Chilika with enforcement agencies.
Trained and mentored researchers and conservationists in wetland ecology and conservation practice.
Additionally, with funding of the Future For Nature Family Funding scheme, Tiasa was able to collaborate with Olivier Nsengimana (FFN Award winner 2019, working on the Grey Crowned Crane in Rwanda) and Gabriel Massocato (Award winner 2022, working on the Giant Armadillo in Brazil). They joined forces to create a manual for guiding flagship species-based conservation approaches by highlighting the strengths and opportunities in order to navigate roadblocks.
In 2020, fishing cat scientists, researchers and conservationists from around the world came together to form the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance. The nonprofit has declared the month of February Fishing Cat February to raise awareness of this elusive and unique mammal and support conservation efforts. This has proved to be a useful vehicle for educational and fundraising activities.
A major milestone followed on 30th November 2024, when the Odisha government signed a 3-year agreement for the implementation of the Fishing Cat Action Plan for the Chilika lagoon in collaboration with Tiasa’s Fishing Cat Project. The fishing cat population will be actively monitored through counts and GPS transmitters. Tiasa’s organisation, is actively participating by carrying out education and awareness campaigns.
"A young woman developing a globally significant conservation initiative, starting in the outskirts of Kolkata City, sounds very improbably, and yet this is what Tiasa has achieved. She is multi-talented, and her programme covers community engagement, campaigning, law enforcement, collaborating with government agencies, scientific research and rigorous monitoring. "
Simon Stuart, member of the International Selection Committee
