Mr. Sankar Ananthanarayanan

RVRC Alumnus, NUS Class of 2019

RVRC is proud to highlight the most recent achievement of its alumnus Sankar Ananthanarayanan as a sustainability trendsetter in the field of ecological and nature conservation.

Sankar, who is the co-founder of the Herpetological Society of Singapore, has been helming the Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan - a book that maps the state of biodiversity in Singapore and consolidates the aspirations of the nature community, launched on April 28 at the Central Public Library by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee. The book contents include suggestions on studying the protection of Mandai and Tagore forests as nature parks, improving an island wide ecological profiling exercise to map how Singapore’s land-based habitats are linked to one another, and ensuring that environmental impact assessments are mandated by law. The 171-page book, co-helmed by primatologist Andie Ang, took about three years to compile. It is based on discussions with nature advocates including academics from the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.

Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/govt-to-study-suggestions-from-scientists-conservationists-desmond-lee

Ministry of National Development: https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/speeches/view/speech-by-minister-desmond-lee-at-the-launch-of-the-singapore-terrestrial-conservation-plan

Among his many other accolades and achievements, Sankar was awarded the HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Award in the Merit category while he was still a student at RVRC. Sankar's passion for conservation and nature education has resulted in him co-founding the Herpetological Society of Singapore and Campus Creatures. The HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Awards are presented to recognise youths between the ages of 14 and 25 years for their commitment and contributions to environment and nature conservation in Singapore. The Award is a collaboration between the National Youth Achievement Award Council (NYAA) and HSBC to motivate and empower youths to take interest and ownership in caring for the environment and community. The Award is presented by HSBC as part of its Youth Excellence Initiative which is designed to nurture and enable young talents and leaders to serve and contribute towards building a more sustainable community.