Dr Tejdeep Kaur Kler has been appointed as Head, Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana. Dr Tejdeep Kaur Kler obtained her B Sc. (Medical) from Govt. College of Women, Ludhiana; M Sc. (Zoology) and Ph.D. (Zoology) from PAU, Ludhiana. She joined as Assistant Ornithologist in All India Project on Agricultural Ornithology in Department of Zoology PAU, Ludhiana in June 1996. She has worked as Principal Investigator of All India Network Project on Agricultural Ornithology (2011 to 2014) and All India Network Project on Vertebrate Pest Management (Section: Agricultural Ornithology) from 17.11.2014 till date. She was PI of interdisciplinary project “Restoration of Ecology of River Beas in the wake of spillage of molasses in River Beas” funded by Punjab Pollution Control Board for a period of five years (December 2018- March 2023) and was PI of UGC major research project on ‘Monitoring of house sparrow population and breeding ecology in rural and urban areas of Punjab’ from 2013-2017. At present, working as Co-PI in project entitled “Study on the Ecology, Behavior and Management of Nilgai & Wild boar at Mattewara Forest & Surrounding Villages and at Rail Coach Factory, Punjab: A Pilot Project” in collaboration with different institutions and Department of Wildlife & Forest Preservation, Govt. of Punjab. Her field of specialization is Vertebrate Pest Management and Agricultural Ornithology. She has published 110 research papers, 2 review papers, two book chapters, one book (entitled “Agriculturally Important Birds of Punjab”), 57 abstracts in conferences, 122 extension articles, three technical bulletins, co-authored two teaching manuals, more than 115 extension lectures, 38 Radio/TV talks, 10 extension pamphlets and organized trainings/field days on vertebrate pest management for farmers in villages/cooperative societies. More than 100 of her publications (research and extension) were included in the ‘Bibliography on Agricultural Ornithology’ compiled by AINP on Agricultural Ornithology. ‘Bibliography of South-Asian Ornithology’ has listed 37 of her research publications. She and her advisee’s have been participating in Asian Waterbird Census conducted by Department of Wildlife and Forest Preservation, Government of Punjab regularly. She was nominated as expert member on Punjab State committee for Conservation of House Sparrow. Her recommendation on reflective ribbons as eco-friendly bird management techniques for Rabi and Kharif crops has been widely adopted by farmers. She has worked in Special Team to suggest measures to control Wildlife and Bird hazard management for different Indian Air Force Stations. She has been involved in the development of teaching and extension training courses from time to time. She has been recognized as lead speaker at number of colleges, conferences and ICAR webinars. She has performed her duty as hostel warden “All Girl’s University Hostel 11& 12” from 2013-16. She has been an expert member on Airfield Environment Management Committee of Civil Airport, Sahnewal, Ludhiana. Her advisee’s have won poster, oral and best thesis awards in different conferences/seminars.

Professional Accomplishments:

Research Projects completed

• Principal Investigator of Project awarded to Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana entitled “Conservation and Restoration of Ecology of River Beas in the wake of spillage of molasses in River Beas” funded by Punjab Pollution Control Board with budget amount of Rs 31.41 Lakhs for a period of three years ( December 2018- November 2021).
• PI of UGC major research project on ‘Monitoring of house sparrow population and breeding ecology in rural and urban areas of Punjab’ from 2013-2017. 

Research Publications:

1. Kaur J, Kler T K, Kang J S and Kumar M (2017) Impact of zero tillage agriculture on the avian fauna in Ludhiana, Punjab. J Environ Biol38(4):689-95.
2. Sidhu S K, Sekhon G S, Aulakh R K and Kler T K (2021) Prioritizing sustenance of village ponds for avian conservation: A case study from Punjab, India. Pak J Zool 53(2): 555-62.
3. Sidhu, S K and Kler, T K (2021) Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Excreta of Baya Weaver Bird (Ploceus philippinus) from Three Districts of Different Zones of Punjab. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 106: 799-804.
4. Grewal H K, Kler T K and Sidhu S K (2023) Exploring cattle sheds as complementary avifaunal habitat niches in rice dominated agricultural areas in Punjab, India. Emir J Food Agric 35 (5): 408-416. doi: 10.9755/ejfa.2023.v35.i5.3093
5. Arora S, Kler T K, Kaur G and Kaur N (2023) Depredatory bird damage assessment and its management techniques in guava. Erwerbs-Obstbau3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-023-00870-3

Awards/ Honors / Distinctions:

University Merit Fellowship in M.Sc., P.A.U., Ludhiana (1991-1993) University Merit Certificate in M.Sc., P.A.U., Ludhiana (1994)
– University Merit Fellowship in Ph.D., P.A.U., Ludhiana (1994-1995)