Expertise
Gardening,EcologyDetailed Experience
Freelance Science Writer Career
As a freelancer, Vijayalaxmi has written about sustainability, organic agriculture, climate change, geography, and alternative energy. Earlier she covered forests, bio-architecture, and green living for reports and grant proposals as part of her management duties in the non-profit sector.
Vijayalaxmi uses her writing to bring information generated by scientific studies to the public sphere.
Organic Science Background
Vijayalaxmi studied Agriculture (B.Sc.), and Ecology and Environment Sciences (M.S.), looking for a way to engage and work with nature. During the latter, she got her first introduction to permaculture through talks and a farm demonstration by Masanobu Fukuoka, the founder of natural farming.
Concentrated on Organic Cultivation and Trade
In the light of Vijayalaxmi's interest in patterns of organization of plants, she realized that natural farming seems to be an economic system of cultivation that is closest to natural ecosystems. This led her to take up organic cultivation and trade. She has also promoted organic farming through consultancy and her writing.
Doctorate in Forest Ecology
Vijayalaxmi also holds a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and did her doctoral work in a south Indian state where she:
- Documented biodiversity
- Traced regeneration of tropical dry forests and land use
- Validating traditional ecological knowledge
Last year, Vijayalaxmi conducted a short study that applies GIS techniques to help in locating regenerating forest patches on the southeast coast of India. She is currently working on another scientific article for publication.
Non-Profit Work
Post-graduation, Vijayalaxmi worked for five years restoring land and coordinating a women's empowerment program. She was a member of the team that won a national (Indian) award for managing the afforestation project covering a few hundred acres spread over three villages. As part of a trust, for nine years she focused on promoting:
- Environment protection
- Organic farming
- Alternative building
- Waste management techniques
Hobbies
Vijayalaxmi spends her free time appreciating her new surroundings in a small and organic valley among forested hills in central Germany. She goes for walks in the woods that are part of a large natural broadleaved forest. Her little garden also keeps her busy and her family supplied with fresh vegetables.
Connect With Vijayalaxmi Kinhal
Vijayalaxmi Kinhal maintains an online presence at vkinhal.com.