Alexander Amirtham

Alexander is currently the founder and Executive Director of the GREENS Biodiversity Sanctuary, a proposed modern botanical garden to be based in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, a hitherto overlooked area for biodiversity and conservation activity. The main aim of the Sanctuary is to educate people on issues related to biodiversity conservation and climate change using innovative methods of communication.

Alexander has worked in conservation and related areas for the last 19 years. His main contribution has been the development of the Eco-Club concept, which educates, inspires and motivates children from the poorer communities to be more aware of their environment. In turn, the children educate and motivate parents and communities. So far more than 75 Eco-Clubs are operational in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

In addition, Alex has developed a genetic garden from scratch, conserving more than 300 species; has established education programmes; has built networks amongst teachers and traditional healers; and has published his experiences at various national and international congresses.

He has a postgraduate degree in Botany from St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli following a Bachelor of Education from Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. He successfully completed an International Diploma in Plant Conservation Techniques in 1999 and an International Diploma in Botanic Garden Management in 2006, both at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London.