Dr. Nirmal Shah is associated for more than 2 decades with conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity initiatives in Seychelles and in the eastern African region. Currently he is Chief Executive of "Nature Seychelles", co-ordinator for management of Cousin Island Special Reserve, the world's first internationally owned nature reserve and the most important nesting site for Hawksbill turtles and chair of LUNGOS, the national umbrella body of NGOs. His earlier contributions in biodiversity issues come from his association with the Government of Seychelles, international organizations such as the World Bank, IUCN, UNESCO, and UNEP and a large number of NGOs. As the agencies with which he was associated are diverse, his contributions also cover a diversity of issues: environmental education, policy and legislation, impact assessments, species rehabilitation, protected areas management, fisheries, eco-tourism, ecosystem restoration, coastal zone management, waste management and climate change. Noteworthy among these are his role in development of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Seychelles and the second Environmental Management Plan of Seychelles (2000-2010).

Dr. Shah's involvement in regional and international programs is also of equal value. He has represented Seychelles in major international fora and events such as the International Whaling Commission, CITES, regional Fisheries Commissions, Small Island Developing States International Meeting, World Summit on Sustainable Development, to name a few. He is a founding member of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), a member of its Board and Chair of the Marine Science for Management (MASMA) program committee which funds regional research. He is also a Member of the Steering Committee of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (USA) and the International Advisory Board of The Ocean Foundation (USA).