Whereas it’s heartbreaking to come back throughout tales of wildlife struggling to outlive in a world that appears to be shifting in opposition to them, there are nonetheless unbelievable individuals and organisations, doing their half in making an actual distinction.
From saving the charismatic elephant to defending the elusive snow leopards, listed here are ten inspiring tales that remind us that even within the hardest conditions, proactive motion is rarely gone in useless.
1. Vivek Menon — Championing elephant corridors
Elephants are sociable beings that take a look at us the identical approach we take a look at puppies. However their nature doesn’t assure zero human-wildlife battle. Vivek Menon, co-founder of the Wildlife Belief of India, has been a relentless pressure behind securing important elephant corridors throughout the nation. By linking habitats throughout 11 states, Menon’s work helps elephants transfer safely, decreasing human-wildlife battle.
His efforts guarantee that these magnificent animals can roam freely with out disrupting native communities. This yr, Sigur Plateau was designated as an elephant hall by the Supreme Court docket, due to his intensive analysis.
Know extra about his work, click on right here.
2. Dr Tsewang Namgail — Snow leopards and sustainable livelihoods
Within the evergrowing must seek for methods for wildlife and people to co-exist peacefully, Dr Tsewang Namgail and his Snow Leopard Conservancy India Belief have discovered a solution to do precisely that. By providing revolutionary options like livestock insurance coverage and eco-tourism, Namgail is decreasing conflicts between villagers and the massive cats.
His Himalayan Homestay Programme lets guests expertise Ladakhi tradition whereas funding conservation. This initiative advantages each the snow leopards and the area people, making it a conservation mannequin that goes hand-in-hand with sustainable dwelling.
Know extra about his work, click on right here.
3. Shatrunjay Pratap Singh — Defending Jawai’s leopards
Shatrunjay Pratap Singh swapped a profession in winemaking for one centered on saving Jawai’s leopards. Referred to as the world’s leopard capital, Jawai is a hotspot for the massive cats. Singh has fought to guard their habitat from harmful mining tasks, and developed sustainable tourism to assist fund conservation efforts.
His work has created a secure haven for leopards and different wildlife. Due to his efforts, and the help of the area people, Jawai now thrives as each a leopard sanctuary and a tourism hotspot.
To know extra about his work, click on right here.
4. Padmaja Rathore — Rewilding Jawai
What do you get whenever you mix sustainable tourism, wildlife conservation and group enrichment? Padmaja Rathore’s Rewilding Jawai undertaking, and her homestay Bagheera’s Camp, is a shining instance of how conservation and group empowerment can go hand in hand.
Situated in Rajasthan’s Godwar area, this undertaking focuses on restoring Jawai’s ecosystems and defending endangered species. Past wildlife, Rathore is working with native tribes to assist them interact with conservation, enhancing each their livelihoods and their connection to nature. Her work has revitalised native water methods and helped endangered species like leopards thrive, making a profound affect on the atmosphere and the individuals who name it house.
To know extra about her work, click on right here.
5. Jai Dhar Gupta — India’s first personal biosphere reserve
Jai Dhar Gupta’s imaginative and prescient of a self-sustaining and thriving ecosystem turned a actuality with the creation of the Rajaji Raghati Biosphere. Impressed by the fantastic thing about nature and movies like Avatar, Gupta restored 132 native species in Uttarakhand.
The biosphere is a mannequin of minimal human intervention, the place the main focus is on nurturing nature’s steadiness — no autos, no plastic, simply pure, undisturbed wildlife. Gupta’s rewilding efforts have attracted even leopards and elephants, proving that when people step again, nature has an opportunity to flourish.
To know extra about his work, click on right here.
6. Manoj Gogoi — Lifesaver of Kaziranga
For almost twenty years, Manoj Gogoi has been a lifeline for Kaziranga’s wildlife, particularly throughout the devastating annual floods. He has rescued over 6,000 animals, together with pregnant deer, wild boars, and leopards.
His organisation, Naturalists for Rehabilitation of Snakes and Birds (NRSB), is devoted to rescuing stranded wildlife. His tireless dedication, usually at nice private threat, has saved numerous animals, making certain that Kaziranga’s endangered species proceed to outlive and thrive in one in every of India’s most significant nationwide parks.
To know extra about his work, click on right here.
7. Nabam Bapu & Likha Nana — 3D printing for conservation
In a singular mix of custom and know-how, Nabam Bapu and Likha Nana are altering the best way we take a look at tribal apparel. They’ve used eco-friendly 3D printing to duplicate endangered animal components — like tiger jaws and hornbill beaks — as an alternative of utilizing actual animal components.
Their startup, Arunachal Ivory and Ornaments, has helped defend endangered species like tigers and leopards, whereas additionally preserving cultural practices. By combining innovation with respect for custom, Bapu and Nana are exhibiting how know-how can play a vital function in conservation.
To know extra about their work, click on right here.
8. Valiance Options — AI in wildlife conservation
Valiance Options’ ‘Wildlife Eye’ is bringing in actual change in wildlife conservation with AI. Launched in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur, this platform makes use of good cameras to trace tigers and ship real-time alerts to villagers and forest officers.
The know-how has already prevented quite a few potential conflicts, serving to be sure that each people and tigers can coexist peacefully. With over 650 alerts in simply 9 months and no reported assaults, this cutting-edge answer is proof that built-in AI in dialog efforts could make a major affect.
To know extra about their work, click on right here.
9. Luv Shekhawat — Sustainable jungle retreat
Luv Shekhawat’s Utsav Camp in Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve is a mannequin of sustainable tourism. With steering from his 90-year-old grandfather, a former forest officer, Luv created a retreat that emphasises eco-friendly practices whereas offering a wildlife expertise like no different.
Powered by photo voltaic power, and constructed with native supplies like bamboo and terracotta, Utsav Camp lets company expertise the jungle with out leaving a carbon footprint. This mix of conservation and hospitality is setting the usual for accountable tourism in India.
To know extra about his work, click on right here.
10. Parbati Barua — The queen of elephants
Parbati Barua, often called India’s first feminine mahout, made historical past when she was awarded the Padma Shri for her work with elephants in 2024. Rising up in Assam, Barua developed a deep love for elephants, impressed by her father, an elephant knowledgeable.
In 1972, she turned the primary lady to step into the function of mahout, defying gender norms. Over time, her bond with elephants has grow to be considerably of a legend. She continues to rescue and prepare elephants, and her work has helped handle rogue tuskers throughout a number of states. Parbati’s legacy as a “Queen of Elephants” continues to encourage each ladies and wildlife lovers alike.
To know extra about her work, click on right here.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
