Heroes
Showcasing voices that speak up for the wild
69 Heroes
Van Majdoors: Unsung Heroes of the Indian Conservation Regime
Thousands of forest labourers form the true backbone of the Indian forest and protected area management system and yet, their contributions go largely unnoticed
Mahi Miri: The Forgotten Hero Behind Kaziranga
In the 1930s, Mahi Chandra Miri of the Mising community started some of the earliest measures to stop elephant and rhino poaching. His early conservation initiatives paved the way for the success story that is today’s Kaziranga National Park
Asir Jawahar Thomas Johnsingh (1945-2024): Farewell Friend, Guide, and Compatriot
Eminent wildlife biologist, field researcher, and pragmatic conservationist AJT Johnsingh was a passionate educator and a good friend to this author and all things wild
A Day in the Life of Wildlife Veterinarian Sanath Muliya
On capturing and collaring wolves in the challenging, high-altitude trans-Himalayan landscape of Spiti
Birdman and boatman of Nal Sarovar
Gani Sama has his eye on migratory birds that stop at this large lake near his home near Viramgam, Gujarat
India’s Young Naturalists and Their Inspiring Stories
Four bright young conservationists instil hope for the country and planet
The Inner Workings of Resilience in the Sundarbans
A journey through the circuitous paths of the Indian Sundarbans reveals the struggles of communities on the frontline of climate change and human-wildlife conflict
In the Nilgiris: Bokkapuram’s birdman
B. Siddan has his sights firmly fixed on avian life in this part of the Western Ghats
The Basket Weavers of Dang
The Kotwalias are one of the most marginalised communities in South Gujarat’s Dang district. They are skilled bamboo artisans who rely on the forest for their lives and livelihoods
Ruth DeFries: Buoyed by a ‘Geographer’s Heart’
Environmental geographer Ruth DeFries says understanding of local drivers and context of deforestation is crucial to contributing to reducing deforestation
Aurobindo Samal: Protecting Species with Community Participation
In Odisha’s coastal region, a young man’s holistic approach to conservation which includes the community participation, makes a difference to humans, otters, hyenas and a range of other wildlife
Amir Kumar Chettri: Panijhora’s Multifaceted Conservationist
Extensive knowledge about Gorumara National Park and exceptional wildlife spotting skills are just a few talents of this ethnobotanist from northern West Bengal. He also acts as a tourist guide, assists researchers, is a community leader and spearheads conservation projects
Dhruv Prajapati: India’s Very Own Spiderman
When spider taxonomist Dhruv Prajapati discovers new spider species and names them after famous Indians
Poornasmrithi Rumdali Rai: Saving the Chinese Pangolin
From launching the ‘Save the Pangolin’ campaign to sensitising the local community and penning a book on the critically endangered species, this former school principal, relentlessly works for the conservation of the animal in the Darjeeling Hills
Ramki Sreenivasan: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape
Wildlife photographer turned conservation campaigner and fundraiser for children suffering from cancer, Ramki Sreenivasan firmly believed in giving back
Shivaji Kutikela: “To Protect Animals, I Must Think Like a Hunter”
What does it take to protect wild animals from snare traps? Good observation skills, knowledge of wild animals, and the ability to think like a hunter. A day in the life of an anti-snaring field assistant
Sudarshan Shaw: Finding Divinity in Nature
This artist from Odisha takes a unique angle on conservation. He would like us to look at nature with all our senses and see the divinity in all creatures, large and small
Vasanth Bosco: Choosing the Promise of the Present
Leaving behind a career in alternative energy, he has chosen to dedicate his life to rewilding the depleted shola grasslands in the Nilgiris with native trees, shrubs and grasses
Mohammed Dilawar: A Superhero for the House Sparrow
The humble house sparrow’s population was seeing a steep decline for decades, until an ecologist decided to do something about it
Aaliya Mir: The Woman Who Rescues Wildlife in Kashmir
The role of wildlife conservationists and rescuers, such as Aaliya Mir, is increasingly becoming important in the wake of frequent human-wildlife conflicts in Kashmir
N Badusha: Crusader for Wayanad’s Wilds
For more than four decades, this committed environmental activist has forged a path to protect the fragile communities and ecosystems of Kerala
Kole’s waterman: Protecting a wetland through paddy cultivation
Agriculturist Kochu Muhammed who coordinates over 130 clusters of farmers is a living encyclopaedia on these wetlands
The Butterfly Effect: Peter Smetacek and his Hill Cocoon
Peter Smetacek could identify butterflies before he could read. Today, the expert has turned his home into a butterfly museum and research centre for those who wish to soak in their wonder
Painting a Canvas: Vijay Dhasmana, The Rewilder
Conservator of degraded landscapes, this self-taught ecologist is at the forefront of reviving wrecked habitats in north India
Coast Guards: How Women are Protecting Sindhudurg’s Mangroves
A ten-member, all-female group has been raising awareness about mangroves through boat safaris in Mandavi creek since 2017
Puja Mitra: Changing the Tide for Goa’s Marine Life
From highlighting biodiversity and redefining dolphin tourism in Goa, to marine rescue and community-based collaborations, this conservationist wears many hats to protect Goa’s marine life
Anish Andheria: A Scientific Temper and a Wild Heart
From rescuing snakes as a school kid to influencing government policies, Anish Andheria has had a long, and illustrious life in the wild
Man on a Mission to Revive Noida’s Wetlands
Ramveer Tanwar gave up his job as an engineer to restore at least 20 ponds and lakes in his home region
Musa Khan: Birding Star of Desert National Park
A few years ago, Musa Khan could barely identify five birds. Today, renowned wildlife photographers and ornithologists depend on his expertise
Asad Rahmani and his Five-decade Long ‘Vacation’ in Conservation
From writing letters to Salim Ali as a young boy, to heading one of Asia’s most important conservation organisations, Asad Rahmani says his career in wildlife protection has been nothing short of an extended holiday
Kartik Shanker: Researcher, Ecologist, Storyteller
Kartik Shanker juggles many roles — ecologist, children’s writer, founder of Dakshin Foundation, editor of a conservation magazine — all rooted firmly in decades of field research
Nandini Velho: Community and Conservation
Nandini Velho’s extensive work with local communities makes her an unusual conservationist — one who stands up for humans as much as animals
The Wild World of Krithi Karanth
Multi award-winning conservation scientist Krithi Karanth has moved beyond a focus on science, and engages in conservation interventions that reduce human-animal conflict and bring about change
Rohan Chakravarty: Saving the World, One Cartoon at a Time
Humour and drawing help take the message about our amazing natural world and wildlife conservation, beyond scientific communities to a wider audience
Prerna Singh Bindra: One with the Wild
More at home in the wilderness than in the city, this conservationist and writer has dedicated her life to the protection of forests and wildlife
Abhinav Bharti: Guardian Angel of Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
It takes a lot of passion and determination to be a forest officer with limited resources patrolling and protecting a wide tract of forest
In Purulia, Villagers Plant Forests to Restore Lives
Villagers from Purulia in West Bengal were suffering from a groundwater crisis coupled with hot and humid weather conditions for two decades, until they realised that the solution lies growing forests around them
When Women Take Charge: The Grassroots Story of Pramila Bisoyi
Newly-elected Member of Parliament from Odisha, Pramila Bisoyi, is known for her grassroots conservation efforts, particularly protection of the peacocks around Pakidi hills
Tulasi Gowda: How She Brings Forests to Life
In the last 50 years, 83-year-old Gowda has worked at the forest department’s nursery in Honnalli village in Karnataka, where she has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and helped regenerate many indigenous varieties
Allahrakha Khan: The Living Legend of Velavadar’s Last Grassland
More than 2OO years ago, his forefathers first started protecting the Velavadar grasslands. Over the course of his life, he has not only continued their legacy, but also turned into an unlikely guardian of the park’s endangered, sprightly, lesser florican
Insuring Frontline Forest Staff: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Deep in colonial-era archives, multiple strands of information emerge to piece together a fascinating story of The Canning Fund. That ninety-year-old insurance policy is surely something we need today
The Ever-Changing Lives of the Soligas in BR Hills
In southeastern Karnataka, indigenous communities like the Soliga renegotiate their relationship with their forest home
Anant Shankar: Saving the Mangroves of the Godavari Delta
Once Anant Shankar understood the dangers the mangrove forests of Andhra Pradesh face he started a slew of measures to remedy the situation
Marina Juliet: A Conservationist in the Making
Marina Juliet defies gender stereotypes as she trains to become a grassroots conservationist in rural Karnataka
Anil Mistry: The Ex-Poacher Who Rescues Tigers
How a poacher turned conservationist, and became one of the leading voices fighting for the survival of the maligned Sundarbans tiger
Life and Livelihoods along Coringa’s Mangrove Forest
How Coringa and its mangroves are the lifeline of over 4O villages that thrive on its banks
Sunil Harsana, the Pied Piper of Mangar Bani Forest
An environmental activist fights for one of the last remaining green lungs that sustains the choking capital city of India
Going with the Flow: Exploring India’s River Systems, One Step at a Time
Siddharth Agarwal has walked the entire length of the Ganga and Ken rivers collecting local stories—and this is just the beginning of his drive to build a repository of knowledge
A Night When Lesser-known Stars of the Wilderness Shone
On 14th November 2O19, The Habitats Trust awarded grants amounting to up to 84 lakhs to four initiatives working towards protecting lesser-known species and habitats in India
Kedar Bhide: The Nature Entrepreneur
Snake conservationist and wildlife photographer are just two of the many hats Kedar Bhide wears
Binod ‘Dulu’ Bora: Assam’s Elephant Man
Engaging local communities Bora rescues animals, revives old traditions, and plants fruit trees for elephants to feed on in areas most affected by human-elephant conflict in Assam
A Man, a Myth, and the Greater Adjutant in Bihar
Under the leadership of a bird enthusiast, a village in Bihar has come together to protect the nests and restore the future of the endangered greater adjutant
Gowri Shankar: Snake Man Under the Spell of the King Cobra
In the heart of the rainforests of Agumbe there’s a man on a mission — to share his knowledge of the wild with students, and contribute to the preservation of reptiles
The Greater Adjutant’s All-Woman Army
The greater adjutant has been called many things — ugly, filthy, a bone-swallowing bad omen — until Purnima Devi Barman, and her army of 2OO women, decided to adopt the endangered bird
Prakash Bhoir is Fighting for the Forest
An activist’s struggle to save Aarey’s forest and the way of life of its Adivasi population
The Snake and I: Decoding the Work of Gerry Martin
Addressing snake-human conflict is just one aspect of herpetologist Gerry Martin’s goal of making conservation a way of life
Manoj Gogoi: Kaziranga’s Guardian Angel
This naturalist and conservationist rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and injured wild animals in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park
Nirmal Kulkarni: Wild Child of the Western Ghats
As herpetologist, conservationist, eco resort partner, and more, Nirmal Kulkarni wears many hats. But it is his fascination for reptiles and jungles that defines his life and career
Dhritiman Mukherjee: Wild Encounters in India
Award-winning wildlife and nature photographer and Roundglass ambassador Dhritiman Mukherjee talks about his philosophy, his travels and his craft.
Hunter to Conservationist: An Ace Birder on the Cauvery
Nature camp guide Thomraj is a fount of knowledge about the forest and all its inhabitants
Nishant Srinivasaiah: On First-Name Terms with Wild Elephants
A wildlife biologist examines how elephants survive and adapt in South India’s human dominated landscapes
Edwin Joseph, The Sparrow Whisperer
Bengaluru’s Sparrow Man is passionate about saving the little birds from extinction
The Harmony of Birdsong with A. J. Mithra the Bird DJ
Combining a passion for music and the natural world, A.J. Mithra, India’s first zoomusicologist, hoped to get people to listen more closely to nature
Born to the Wild: Naturalist Dhiraj Bhaisare
Venomous king cobras, yellow-wattled lapwings, frogs, lizards, and skinks—they’re all friends and family to this researcher and naturalist working and living in the jungle
The Ripple Effect: Leo Saldanha on Bengaluru’s Lakes
Environmental activist Leo Saldanha on the city’s birds, bees, and pesky humans
Depth and Detail in the Artwork of Nirupa Rao
Botanical illustrator Nirupa Rao’s paintings highlight the minutiae of plant life in all its intricate beauty
All That is Green with Siddarth Machado
Here’s a botanist who believes that research and conservation go hand in hand
Ashish Kushwaha on Painting the Urban Jungle
What happens if you put a rhino in a construction site?
Meet Shaaz Jung, the Leopard Man of India
The jungles offer a wealth of experience, for those quiet enough to listen.