The Liana Trust was conceived from four cumulative decades of work in education and conservation in India. Over the years, we have brought nature education to rural schools, trained forest department staff on managing human-snake conflict, led herpetological studies and expeditions, developed capacity for various conservation institutions, and set new standards in wild animal husbandry in the country.
Today The Liana Trust focuses on conservation, education, research, and community upliftment, based on systems of inclusion and scientific best practice. The Liana Trust continues to guide projects and initiatives in various parts of the country, but is focused on creating long-term impact within the local community in its home district of Mysuru, Karnataka.
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Who We Are
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Chandini Chhabra
Founder Trustee
Chandini Chhabra, a Montessori teacher and Co-founding Trustee of The Liana Trust, has developed experiential learning curricula in rural schools across India. She established libraries and learning systems in various schools, including two in Rathnapuri village, where the Trust is located.
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Lisa Gonsalves
Curator of Reptiles
Lisa specializes in reptile husbandry, behavior, and captive well-being. Through hands-on experience, she develops and designs improved spaces and practices for reptiles in captivity. Her focus is on studying reptile behavior and creating tested systems for optimal reptile husbandry and care.
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Gerard Martin
Founder Trustee
Gerard Martin, a Co-founding Trustee with 25 years of reptile conservation and research experience, is a renowned global expert in herpetological research and conservation. He specializes in snakebite management and spearheads pioneering efforts in human-snake conflict mitigation in the country.
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Sandhya Rani
Community Education
Sandhya, supported by Sanctuary Nature Foundation's 'Mud on Boots Project' in 2018, focuses on snakebite mitigation through community outreach. She engages with local schools, fostering children's curiosity and promoting sustainable practices within the rural agricultural landscape. She also enjoys crafts, gardening, and other creative pursuits.
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Karan Ahuja
Trustee
Karan is a Bangalore-based technology investor specializing in supporting growth-stage startups. With a strong educational background, he holds a BA in Economics from Delhi University and an MBA from Columbia Business School, equipping him with a diverse skill set to identify and nurture promising ventures.