Dr. Iqbal Bhalla is an ecologist who works at the intersection where nature conservation meets sustainable agriculture. His research explores the question: How do we balance ecological health with economic realities and community needs on working landscapes? Iqbal focuses on using high-quality biodiversity data to unlock funding for agricultural systems that are both ecologically conscious and economically viable for the people who manage them. Iqbal holds a PhD from the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford and has extensive experience monitoring biodiversity in India, Canada, and the UK. Specializing in birds, bats, and insects, he uses tools such as passive acoustic monitoring, drones, and camera traps to collect comprehensive, auditable biodiversity datasets that he hopes will bridge the gap between hard science and community-led conservation.