Mr. Girigan Gopi has secured Post Graduate Degree in Analytical Economics in 1996 and M Phil in 1998 from University of Kerala. He started his career as a Research Fellow at CAbC in the year 1998. During the initial phase of his career he had opportunity to work with tribal communities for facilitating them to prepare biodiversity registers, interacted with farmers and acquired immense experience in the areas of biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization, gender roles in conservation and development. In 2001, he has been promoted as a Research Associate with a responsibility of developing and implementing Natural Resource Management programmes for poverty reduction. During this period a team under his leadership promoted System of Rice Intensification (first ever experience in Kerala), solved drinking water crisis of a tribal hamlet (project site), established a Village Knowledge Centre. He also has been involved in the preparation of a study report on the possibilities of Agri Export Zone, which gained appreciation from the District Administrative authorities. He coordinated the project on Alleviating Poverty and Malnutrition in Kerala, which funded by IDRC and collaborated with University of Alberta in implementation.