Faculty Dr Bikku R

Dr Bikku R

Assistant Professor & Head of the Department

Department of Liberal Arts, Sociology and Anthropology

Contact Details

bikku.r@srmap.edu.in

Office Location

Education

2021
Post Doc
Research Fellow at University College London
UK
2017
PhD (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2011
MPhil (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2009
Masters (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2006
Bachelors (Economics, Political Science and Public Administration)
Osmania University, Hyderabad
India

Personal Website

Experience

  • Jan 2022 to Present - Assistant Professor (Anthropology), Department of Liberal Arts, Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA), SRM University-AP
  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2021- Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Department of Anthropology, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom

Research Interest

  • Environmental Anthropology, Religion and Ecology, Tribal (Indigenous) Studies, Nomadic Communities, Mobile Pastoralism and Conservation, Political Ecology, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, Multispecies Ethnography, Sustainable Cities, and Global South.

Awards

  • 2019 - Travel Grant for International Conference from French National Research Institute for Development (IRD), Paris, France. (€ 1000)
  • 2017- National Overseas Scholarship for Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Anthropology Abroad (2015-16).
  • 2016 - Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Doctoral Fellow (2015-16).
  • 2010 - National Fellowship Scheme (Govt of India) for MPhil and Doctoral Research (2009-10).

Memberships

  • Member of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Britain and Ireland (RAI)
  • Member of the European Association for South Asian Studies (EASAS)
  • Lifetime Member of Indian Sociological Society

Publications

  • Religion and Ecology: A Study on the Religious Beliefs and Practices in Conserving Ecology and Adapting to Climate Change Among the Bishnois of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India

    Bikku B.

    Article, Religions, 2025, DOI Link

    View abstract ⏷

    Climate change is a global issue with diverse regional impacts threatening the survival of both human and non-human species. While the academic discourse on climate change predominantly focuses on macro-level studies, it often neglects the vital role of local environmental practices and the perspectives of affected communities. This paper presents insights from ethnographic fieldwork conducted among the Bishnoi community in Khejarli Village, Jodhpur, in the Thar Desert of India. This study utilizes participant observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies to explore local environmental knowledge and practices aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change. Findings reveal the Bishnois’ deep-rooted relationship with nature and the pivotal role of religious beliefs in shaping their conservation efforts. Since the 15th century, the Bishnois have been committed to protecting local species, such as plants and animals, which has been crucial for sustaining the desert ecosystem and combating climate change. Moreover, their religious teachings and principles have helped conserve values among younger generations, ensuring a lasting culture of environmental stewardship. This paper supports integrating micro-level ethnographic studies into global climate change dialogues, urging the recognition of local knowledge as an essential resource for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.

Patents

Projects

Scholars

Interests

  • Environmental and Development
  • Religion and Environment
  • Social-Cultural Anthropology

Thought Leaderships

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Education
2006
Bachelors (Economics, Political Science and Public Administration)
Osmania University, Hyderabad
India
2009
Masters (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2011
MPhil (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2017
PhD (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2021
Post Doc
Research Fellow at University College London
UK
Experience
  • Jan 2022 to Present - Assistant Professor (Anthropology), Department of Liberal Arts, Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA), SRM University-AP
  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2021- Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Department of Anthropology, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
Research Interests
  • Environmental Anthropology, Religion and Ecology, Tribal (Indigenous) Studies, Nomadic Communities, Mobile Pastoralism and Conservation, Political Ecology, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, Multispecies Ethnography, Sustainable Cities, and Global South.
Awards & Fellowships
  • 2019 - Travel Grant for International Conference from French National Research Institute for Development (IRD), Paris, France. (€ 1000)
  • 2017- National Overseas Scholarship for Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Anthropology Abroad (2015-16).
  • 2016 - Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Doctoral Fellow (2015-16).
  • 2010 - National Fellowship Scheme (Govt of India) for MPhil and Doctoral Research (2009-10).
Memberships
  • Member of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Britain and Ireland (RAI)
  • Member of the European Association for South Asian Studies (EASAS)
  • Lifetime Member of Indian Sociological Society
Publications
  • Religion and Ecology: A Study on the Religious Beliefs and Practices in Conserving Ecology and Adapting to Climate Change Among the Bishnois of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India

    Bikku B.

    Article, Religions, 2025, DOI Link

    View abstract ⏷

    Climate change is a global issue with diverse regional impacts threatening the survival of both human and non-human species. While the academic discourse on climate change predominantly focuses on macro-level studies, it often neglects the vital role of local environmental practices and the perspectives of affected communities. This paper presents insights from ethnographic fieldwork conducted among the Bishnoi community in Khejarli Village, Jodhpur, in the Thar Desert of India. This study utilizes participant observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies to explore local environmental knowledge and practices aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change. Findings reveal the Bishnois’ deep-rooted relationship with nature and the pivotal role of religious beliefs in shaping their conservation efforts. Since the 15th century, the Bishnois have been committed to protecting local species, such as plants and animals, which has been crucial for sustaining the desert ecosystem and combating climate change. Moreover, their religious teachings and principles have helped conserve values among younger generations, ensuring a lasting culture of environmental stewardship. This paper supports integrating micro-level ethnographic studies into global climate change dialogues, urging the recognition of local knowledge as an essential resource for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Contact Details

bikku.r@srmap.edu.in

Scholars
Interests

  • Environmental and Development
  • Religion and Environment
  • Social-Cultural Anthropology

Education
2006
Bachelors (Economics, Political Science and Public Administration)
Osmania University, Hyderabad
India
2009
Masters (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2011
MPhil (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2017
PhD (Anthropology)
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
India
2021
Post Doc
Research Fellow at University College London
UK
Experience
  • Jan 2022 to Present - Assistant Professor (Anthropology), Department of Liberal Arts, Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA), SRM University-AP
  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2021- Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Department of Anthropology, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
Research Interests
  • Environmental Anthropology, Religion and Ecology, Tribal (Indigenous) Studies, Nomadic Communities, Mobile Pastoralism and Conservation, Political Ecology, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, Multispecies Ethnography, Sustainable Cities, and Global South.
Awards & Fellowships
  • 2019 - Travel Grant for International Conference from French National Research Institute for Development (IRD), Paris, France. (€ 1000)
  • 2017- National Overseas Scholarship for Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Anthropology Abroad (2015-16).
  • 2016 - Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Doctoral Fellow (2015-16).
  • 2010 - National Fellowship Scheme (Govt of India) for MPhil and Doctoral Research (2009-10).
Memberships
  • Member of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Britain and Ireland (RAI)
  • Member of the European Association for South Asian Studies (EASAS)
  • Lifetime Member of Indian Sociological Society
Publications
  • Religion and Ecology: A Study on the Religious Beliefs and Practices in Conserving Ecology and Adapting to Climate Change Among the Bishnois of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India

    Bikku B.

    Article, Religions, 2025, DOI Link

    View abstract ⏷

    Climate change is a global issue with diverse regional impacts threatening the survival of both human and non-human species. While the academic discourse on climate change predominantly focuses on macro-level studies, it often neglects the vital role of local environmental practices and the perspectives of affected communities. This paper presents insights from ethnographic fieldwork conducted among the Bishnoi community in Khejarli Village, Jodhpur, in the Thar Desert of India. This study utilizes participant observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies to explore local environmental knowledge and practices aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change. Findings reveal the Bishnois’ deep-rooted relationship with nature and the pivotal role of religious beliefs in shaping their conservation efforts. Since the 15th century, the Bishnois have been committed to protecting local species, such as plants and animals, which has been crucial for sustaining the desert ecosystem and combating climate change. Moreover, their religious teachings and principles have helped conserve values among younger generations, ensuring a lasting culture of environmental stewardship. This paper supports integrating micro-level ethnographic studies into global climate change dialogues, urging the recognition of local knowledge as an essential resource for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Contact Details

bikku.r@srmap.edu.in

Scholars