Hunters to Guardians: The Extraordinary Story of Panna’s Pardhis
For nearly five centuries, the nomadic Pardhi community has lived in Panna's forests. Traditionally, they were hired by Maharajas to track big game. Today, the former hunters use the same skills to protect its wildlife
A RoundGlass Sustain filmDirected by Mandakini Malla
Updated July 29, 2025
A RoundGlass Sustain filmDirected by Mandakini Malla
Updated July 29, 2025
4 min watch
For nearly five centuries, the nomadic Pardhi community has lived in Panna's forests. Traditionally, they were hired by Maharajas to track big game. Today, the former hunters use the same skills to protect its wildlife
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Mandakini Malla is a director, producer, and cinematographer with over 20 years of industry experience. She has traveled the world, creating travel and wildlife content for television and digital platforms. She returned to her hometown of Dehradun to find a better synergy between her deep concern for the environment and wildlife in her work. When not filming, she's stomping through sal forests observing birds and wildflowers.