Sahana Ramdas was a recipient of our International Advocates Animal Law LLM Scholarship and the first student from India. After completing her degree, Sahana received scholarships to continue her studies and is attending Pace University to obtain her Environmental Law LLM.
Before joining the LLM program, Sahana practiced law for over three years after receiving her LLB from the University Law College, Bangalore University. Her practice began in her hometown, Bangalore, and after almost a year, she left behind a lucrative commercial litigation practice and moved to Delhi to serve as the head legal counsel for India’s two leading nonprofits, Wildlife SOS & Friendicoes SECA. Both of these organizations are known for working arduously towards wildlife conservation and domestic animal protection. During her time there, she worked on various wildlife crime cases including prosecuting poachers, wildlife traffickers, and animal offenders. She also worked with forest departments to combat wildlife trade, which included assisting forest officers in surveillance, search & seizure operations, conducting wildlife crime enforcement workshops etc. To this end, she also revised and co-authored the Wildlife Crime Enforcement Manual along with the founders of the two organizations.
Sahana sought to pursue post-graduate education in animal laws to further augment her practice with a more comprehensive understanding of worldwide animal welfare legislation and gain a better perspective on global issues affecting animal welfare. Ultimately, she hopes to bring about paradigm shifts regarding how Indians perceive and treat animals. With her LLM degree, she wants to impart legal education on animal law issues and increase its visibility within her country and beyond.