I am an Assistant Professor at the Bhopal campus of Azim Premji University, a role I began in December 2023. My focus is on teaching Undergraduate courses, with my subjects being Quantitative Biology and Conservation Biology. I find great fulfillment in teaching and am dedicated to contributing to my students’ academic journey.
Courses
Political Ecology
A critical look at how power, gender, and capitalism shape conservation practice, through Indian and global case studies.
Semester VI · Taught January 2026
Units covered
- Introduction to political ecology
- Themes and threads in political ecology
- Capitalism and conservation
- Critiques of political ecology and the way forward
The Measure of India
Explores India’s development, inequality, health, and environment through public data and quantitative reasoning.
Semester III · Taught August 2025
Units covered
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Introduction to the vision of development in India
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Employment, poverty, and inequality
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Health and nutrition
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Environment and sustainability
Introduction to Biodiversity
An introduction to biodiversity conservation in India for the scientific foundations for restoration and conservation practice.
Semester III · Taught August 2024, 2025
Units covered
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What biodiversity is
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Components of biodiversity
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Biodiversity loss and conservation
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Present and future of biodiversity conservation
Quantitative Thinking for Biologists
Builds foundational quantitative and analytical skills in R for students who need stronger tools to engage with biology.
Semester II · Taught January 2024, 2025
Units covered
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Introduction to R
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Probability and probability distributions
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Applications and practice in R
Basic Quantitative Reasoning & Methods
Rebuilds core school-level math skills — numerical reasoning, algebra, and statistics — to support other courses and tracks.
Semester I · Taught July 2024, 2025
Units covered
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Numerical reasoning
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Geometric and spatial thinking
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Algebra and coordinate geometry
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Statistical and data skills
Events
Conferences
- Bridging Nature with Data Science || 2024, 2026 || The workshop aims to build technical competence in the participants and foster a sense of belonging in today’s rapidly changing data landscape || Click here for more details: Chapter 1, Chapter 2
- Biological Invasion and Stakeholder Engagement in India || 2025 || The forum brings together various stakeholders on a single platform to discuss the pressing issues related to the impacts, knowledge, and management of the IAS in India. || Click here for more details
- Student Project Conclave || 2025, 2026 || Students from across disciplines and undergraduate and postgraduate programs presented their findings from field studies and laboratory experiments through oral and poster presentations. || Click here for more details: 2025, 2026
- Nature and People: Challenges, Coexistence and Conservation || 2025 || The interdisciplinary, two-day annual conference explored the continuing dichotomy between conservation and socioeconomic development. || Click here for more details
- Nurturing Nature in Urban India || 2026 || A two-day conference to explore how Indian cities can be transformed into inclusive, just, life-affirming habitats. || Click here for more details
Field trips and Exhibitions
- Exhibition on the projects of the Measure of India || 2025 || The undergraduate students of The Measure of India course did projects on the country’s economy, health and environment. ||
- Exhibition on campus biodiversity|| 2024, 2025 || Exhibition on campus biodiversity by the undergraduate students of the Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation course || Click here for my LinkedIn post
- Field trip || 2024 || Field trip to the Satpura Tiger Reserve with 20 undergraduate students of the Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation course || Click here for my LinkedIn post
- Nature Walk || 2024 || Nature walk organized at Van Vihar National Park for students of schools and colleges in Bhopal ||
Training programs
- Invasive species ecology and management || 2026 || An elective course as part of the training for Indian Forest Service probationers (Forest Research Institute, Dehradun) || Teaching materials
- Workshop on Species Distribution Modelling with MaxEnt and R || 2026, 2018, 2017 || A hands-on introduction to species distribution modelling using MaxEnt and R, covering the theory, assumptions, and best practices behind mapping species and habitats for conservation and research (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata). || Lecture, Tutorial || Workshop website || Tutorial 2017, Tutorial 2018
- Workshop on Economic and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Alien Species || 2018 || A workshop assessing the economic, ecological, and social impacts of invasive alien species in the Asia-Pacific region, covering risk analysis, invasion pathways, and management strategies (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata). || Teaching material || Workshop website
What are my students saying?
Achyut sir explained statistical concepts and R programming in a very clear and step-by-step way, which made it easier to understand even the tough parts. His calm and encouraging teaching style made the course feel less intimidating.
Quantitative Thinking for Biologists, 2025
He is always available to help us anytime and anywhere. The way he organized the slides, reading, and YouTube video sections is remarkable and helped me to go through every study material without any problem.
Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation, 2025
I have a good professor in the world. He helped me with the course and my other problems.
Basic Quantitative Reasoning and Methods, 2025