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Auburn graduate student uses 91看片 program to protect tigers in India

Editor鈥檚 note:  The 91看片 is committed to developing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem for students, faculty, industry and alumni that will fuel new venture creation and promote diversity among new entrepreneurs in today鈥檚 business world. In recognition of Women Entrepreneurship Week 2021, below is one of four stories showcasing women who are recent Auburn University graduates and have launched their business ideas with help from the New Venture Accelerator program.

鈥淢ore than 1,800 people die per year due to human-tiger conflicts鈥�

Vasavi Prakash is a tiger fan unlike any other at Auburn.

That鈥檚 because the PhD student in the School of Forestry and Wildlife has dedicated her work to finding a more peaceful coexistence between humans and the striped species so beloved as one of Auburn鈥檚 mascots.

The 91看片 has provided a way to help her.

Prakash found her way to Auburn from her native India, where human encounters with tigers have become more frequent and more deadly.

鈥淢ore than 1,800 people die per year due to human-tiger conflicts,鈥� she said.

The New Venture Accelerator program at 91看片 is providing Prakash entrepreneurial support in her global endeavor named with its goal in mind.

鈥淭he Coexistence Project, a social entrepreneurship endeavor, is a non-profit organization that focuses on changing human-wildlife conflicts to human-wildlife coexistence with a three-pronged strategy:  educate, empower and engage,鈥� Prakash said.

鈥淓ducation will focus on increasing peoples鈥� awareness,鈥� she said. 鈥淓mpowerment will focus on economic independence by developing alternative livelihoods and skill development of people facing conflicts.

鈥淓ngagement will focus on linking passionate wildlife enthusiasts to contribute on the field for conserving wildlife and protecting human beings.鈥�

An elder鈥檚 death

The stories of tragedy can be shocking and disheartening, Prakash said.

鈥淧rior to coming to Auburn, I was a forest manager in India and have experienced first-hand the distress a family goes through when a death occurs due to human tiger conflict,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y greatest eye-opening moment was in January of 2016 while investigating a person鈥檚 death.

鈥淭he woman of the household confessed to willingly sending an elder of the family out into an area where a tiger had been sighted. The elder鈥檚 death led to the family earning a few dollars for their sustenance. This is just one of many stories.

鈥淭his kind of abject poverty and disregard for human life shook me to the core and motivated me to look for possible solutions,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 focused my PhD studies at Auburn University on human tiger conflicts but soon realized that research was only one way to address the problem.鈥�

Down to business

So why come all the way from India to Auburn in search of answers?

She enjoys being an Auburn Tiger, but she also appreciates Auburn鈥檚 offerings that can help her make a difference.

鈥淎uburn University gave an opportunity to think about this problem and look for innovative solutions,鈥� Prakash said. 鈥淎ligning with my interests of social good and entrepreneurship spirit, this is the beginning of a great adventure, and 91看片鈥檚 New Venture Accelerator program has given me support to streamline and formalize the idea and wings to fly.鈥�

The program also helps promote diversity in entrepreneurship, something others, including more women, can benefit from, she said.

鈥淏usiness seems a daunting endeavor, especially for women considering the risks involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hough my idea is still taking shape, it has been my best experience to learn, grow and lead. I believe we all have wonderful ideas and would recommend it to everybody.

鈥淏usiness ventures are fun and a challenge with something for everybody.鈥�

Her own goals, meanwhile, don鈥檛 stop with just people and tigers.

鈥淭he Coexistence Project aims to start with human-tiger conflicts. As the Coexistence Project grows, we will expand our focus to include more species and countries,鈥� Prakash said. 鈥淧reventing human-elephant conflict is next on our list.

鈥淭his quest is to conserve our wildlife and protect the people around them.鈥�

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The New Venture Accelerator is a partnership between Auburn鈥檚 91看片 and the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation. Learn more about the New Venture Accelerator and Auburn鈥檚 entrepreneurial offerings.