Wild At Heart

What started with experimenting with his father’s camera turned into a passionate career in wildlife photography. Parag Bhatt shares his views on the wild and how budding photographers can test their strengths.

Wildlife conservationist Sharvan Patel is using a WhatsApp group of 1,000 members, each contributing Rs 365 annually, to restore habitats, protect endangered species, and improve farming practices in Rajasthan.

Padmaja Rathore leads Bagheera's Camp in Rajasthan's Godwar, championing wildlife protection and ecosystem restoration. Inspired by her parents, she founded a sustainable community reserve focusing on education and collaboration. Her initiatives, like Rewilding Jawai, empower locals and safeguard endangered species, fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and humanity.

Medini Homestay in Bokakhat, Assam, is a sustainable retreat created by couple Champak Deka and Anna-Louise Meynell. Over six years, they have transformed a barren patch of land into a thriving green oasis, promoting cruelty-free silk production and eco-friendly practices.

Nabam Bapu and Likha Nana started Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments to protect wildlife in northeast India. They use 3D printing to preserve the traditional practice of using animal hide and teeth in garments and gear, by creating realistic, eco-friendly replicas of tiger and leopard jaws, hornbill beaks, and more.

Conservationist Shatrunjay Pratap Singh abandoned a lucrative career in wine-making to fight mining activities endangering leopard habitats in Rajasthan’s Jawai region. Through his efforts, he founded the Bera Safari Lodge, transforming the area into a safe haven for both wildlife and tourists alike.

Naturalist Imran Khan’s ‘The Ranger’s Lodge’ offers an immersive wilderness experience in Corbett Tiger Reserve, attracting global adventurers seeking a unique blend of tourism and wildlife conservation. Amidst lush surroundings, guests here can enjoy safaris, birdwatching, and their local cuisine.

Valiance is championing data and AI to find a solution to human-wildlife conflicts that have been plaguing India's villages for decades, especially around tiger reserves. Their 'Wildlife Eye' is a novel innovation that is helping the villagers of Chandrapur in Maharashtra.

On 4 October, 2023, India mourned the loss of Anne Wright, a pioneering conservationist who dedicated over five decades to protecting the nation’s wildlife. Wildlife historian Raza Kazmi highlights Anne’s significant contributions — including the Wildlife Protection Act, Project Tiger, and the establishment of the Palamau Tiger Reserve.

A renowned heart surgeon at the Asian Heart Institute, Dr Ramakanta Panda spends his free time in various national parks of the country and the wilderness worldwide, capturing the essence of animals in their natural habitat.