In his presentation to the Fellows, Girish introduced them to the diversity of Indian forests and wildlife.  Girish described different types of forests and detailed wildlife indigenous to India, specifically focusing on habitats and habitats of the various species and their respective roles in the ecosystem.

When addressing the challenges and threats to the forests and wildlife, Girish asserted that only 3 percent of the land in India is protected, creating a huge need for advocacy in favor of continued protection of these spaces.  Threats to forests and wildlife include poaching, encroachment by invasive non-indigenous species and the destruction of habitats due to bamboo and timber extraction, fires and mining.

Girish also detailed his involvement in the Bhadra resettlement program, which successfully relocated hundreds of families whose livelihoods were being threatened due to crop damage by elephants.  The relocation removed this threat while also freeing the forest of damage by humans and restoring its natural beauty.