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Indian WildLife Experts/Enthusiasts (iWE League)

Below is the list of all members of iWE WhatsApp group (Indian Wildlife Experts) along with their pic and a short bio and the town/city they currently reside.

if you are interested, please drop me a message (What’s app or SMS)  at +919901175444 with a very brief bio please [making sure that the group is really iWE league]

Thank you for showing the interest but please read the guidelines once (at the end of the page) before sending that request

• Dr. Arun SK

Consultant laparoscopic surgeon at Bellary, a wildlife photographer with publications in National and International mags, conservationist, and hon. wildlife warden, Bellary, Karnataka [Bellary]

• Abhinav Ranjan

I’m Abhinav Ranjan Srivastav from Raebareli Uttar Pradesh. I am an Environment Health & Safety Officer at Visaka Industries limited and a Wildlife lover too. I like to visit National parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries. I want to work for saving Tigers & Leopards. [Raebareli Uttar Pradesh]

• Ajay Kumar Sariska

Ajay is a senior Naturalist at Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. Working as a naturalist since march 2013 and has been conferred upon him as the BEST NATURALIST by Shri GV Reddy, Chief Wildlife Warden Of Rajasthan, on  4 January, 2017 [Alwar Rajasthan]

• Akshay

• Anu Marwah

An Ex IT Marketing professional, Anu has worked with leading Organizations like Microsoft and NIIT for over a decade. She gave up the comforts of corporate life to actively pursue her passion for wildlife. Over the years, Anu has traveled extensively across various wilderness domains, documenting some stunning natural history moments.
Her images are regularly published by the top of the line magazines, websites, and Coffee Table books, and have also won her many awards and accolades, most recent being the UNESCO Photography Award.
Anu has gathered a wealth of experience as a Wildlife photographer, frequently writes for magazines & websites & imparts workshops on photography.
She is currently working on the women empowerment through photography initiative with Canon India and is also assisting an American Photographer in his 6th book project covering Indian Wildlife.

[Delhi]

• Arpit Parekh

Arpit is a wildlife enthusiast and works as a freelance naturalist at Tadoba and organizes tours to wildlife destinations. Also works with his family-run business. Wildlife has always fascinated him and likes to travel and document wildlife from various parts of the country. [Tadoba Maharastra]

• Arvind Srinivasan

I am Aravind Srinivasan, an Entrepreneur by profession in the Electronics Embedded Industry. A very Keen and Avid Wildlife Enthusiast. Have been visiting jungles when I was a kid and the passion continues. Myself along with a friend, has started a venture by name KaaPra (Kaadu Prani in Kannada), where we take a  small group of people on Photographic wildlife tours to forests outside Karnataka. We have been quite successful and would like to further expand. I always would like to contribute to my fullest extent would be happy to assist in conserving Nature and Wildlife. [Bangalore]

• Dr. Azam Danish

Dr. Azam (Dr. Mohammed Azam Danish) is a Consultant Anesthesiologist & Critical Care Specialist @ Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital Bangalore. Founder Chairperson of the ‘Bangalore Anesthesia Review Course.  Author of a Book Dr. Azam’s Notes in Anesthesiology (being published by JP! Publications & E -Publish and also a thorough  Wildlife Enthusiast. [Bangalore]

• Basil Llyod

A senior Naturalist works for JLR and is currently taking care of Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka [Nagarhole Coorg]

• Bhardwaj GS. CCF Jodhpur

• Bhargav Srivari

I am Bhargava Srivari, a management consultant (from Hyderabad) by profession and a wildlife photographer by passion. I began my quest of photographing the world’s fauna at a young age of 10, and my love for wildlife and nature has only grown since then. I also enjoy introducing people to wildlife and nature and believe that the more people fall in love with nature, the better chance we have of preserving it for future generations. My work has been published in national and international magazines and newspapers and was recently awarded the distinction of Associate of the Royal Photographic Society Great Britain which is the oldest photography society in the world. I am always willing to help friends plan travels to forests across India such as Kabini, Bandipur, Tadoba, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Ranthambore, Corbett, Kaziranga, Nilgiris, Himalayas, and East African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and South African countries such as South Africa and Namibia. [Hyderabad]

• Dr. Dipesh Rao

   

I am a dually qualified maxillofacial surgeon @ Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bangalore, and have been involved in Wildlife photography for over 4 years now. [Bangalore]

• Col. Pranav Chandra

I am an army officer and interested in wildlife photography. I try my bit wherever possible to pitch in the issues related to conservation. I have worked with WWF in training forest department pers at Dudhwa, Corbet, and Pakke. I have raised from scratch three ETF units at Nameri, kokrajhar, and Himanchal.  I could not achieve the raising of ETF for the protection of tigers due to certain constraints altho the project was accepted. I have delivered talks on man-animal conflict issues for Delhi University.

• Geeta Gouri

Co-Founder of WildTrails India App [Bangalore]

• Giri Cavale

Giri Cavale is a renowned wildlife photographer, photography mentor. His mercurial senses are always in search of an exceptional experience and his seasoned expertise keeps him always ready for a memorable image. Giri’s passion for photography was born out of his love for the wilds, which was instilled in him from a young age.  Armed with this experience, almost unfaltering intuition, a deep connection with his subjects and tremendous skill to make opportunities count, Giri has captured some truly unforgettable moments in the most enchanting wildlife areas. When in the wild, people believe where there’s Giri, a fascinating wild encounter is never far away, and Giri is equally passionate about sharing his treasure of knowledge, as he is about using photography as a powerful tool of communication. Famous for his stunning body of work with the elusive cats and other wildlife, Giri has won the coveted Gold medal at the 17th Nature Biennial World Cup by the FIAP in 2014 and Second prize at the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photography Awards in 2013, and been featured in numerous prestigious publications.  But Giri remains humble, and calls himself merely a nature devotee whose guiding philosophy is ‘too much is never enough!’ [Bangalore]

• Goutham Shankar

• Harendra

• Hari Somashekar

Hari Somashekar is the State Director of WWF for Karnataka. He has been in WWF for the last 5 years and they are currently concentrating on environment education, wetlands, and renewable energy projects in the state. Hari is basically a Hotel Management Graduate with post-graduation in international business operations. He worked in all good star hotels for 8 years and later volunteered with Shri Sanjay Gubbi for two years and implemented education and sensitization programs. In 2010 he became HWW for Bangalore Rural and continued to take up advocacy issues and later in 2012 joined WWF as state director for Karnataka. [Bangalore]

• Imroz Baig

My Name is Imroz Baig, I was born in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and raised in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Completed my Post Graduation in Pune, Maharashtra, and is also working here at Deutsche Bank. However, I can help with anything related to “Tigers of Central India”. [Pune]

• Jignesh Patel

• Kalyan Mukherjee

1.  

   Worked for 39 years with 5 of the State Bank Group banks in India and abroad. Retired in April 2016 from State Bank of Patiala in Patiala. The last assignment was Chief General Manager at SBP. Have always been an amateur photographer but had little time while in service. Trying to do a little more now particularly in wildlife. Other interests are reading and traveling. [Bangalore]

• Kiran Nagendra

Kiran Nagendra is a wildlife photographer based in Bangalore, India. The visual drama and artistry of his photographs are born of a keen eye for the many moods of Nature and a life-long passion for the wilderness. This passion shines throughout Kiran’s work and has attracted a wide audience around the world. His talent for rare captures of amazing light and fleeting atmosphere imbue his portfolio with a sense of the epic, majestic, and bold. His success derives from the patient single-minded pursuit of all the unique moments that generate the magic and energy of the wilderness, often spending weeks or even months immersing himself in the forest he shoots despite the rigors of season and weather.
Kiran’s photographs have been published extensively worldwide in a large variety of media ranging from calendars, books, advertising, and the few well known publications.
A full-time IT professional from the past 23 years, has been well known and recognized as an IT professional and artist, a trendsetter in the modern age of wildlife & nature photography.
Kiran’s favorite wildlife location is Kabini, Kanha, Tadoba & Ranthambhore in India [Bangalore]

• Kiran Sadananda

Kiran Sadananda born in Coorg in a planter’s family developed a keen interest in nature and wildlife at a very early age. Learning animal and bird behavior came naturally to him and later visiting his hometown, he started noticing the man-animal conflict and made him realize the need for conservation. His natural instincts eventually led him towards the world of wildlife and nature photography which has become his passion for life. He is also the founder member of Indian wildlife conservation trust [iwct] whose vision is to aid in preservation, protection, and conservation of wildlife and natural ecosystems. Nature and wildlife being his passion, professionally he heads his company Felidae Consultants – a credit consultancy firm for top NBFCs and Banks in India. A graduate in Journalism, Kiran also been a national level boxer having represented his state of Karnataka for more than a decade and having won several medals during his stint. [Bangalore]

• Prof. Krishna Raj

Associate Professor and Head, Centre for Economic Studies and Policy (CESP)
Environmental Economics, Valuation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Water and Forests
Economic valuation of Ecotourism in Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks
Economic Instruments for Environmental Conservation – Expertise in al of them
He was the author of the deforestation that got published in Deccan Recently

[Bangalore]

• Mahesh Reddy

Two of my great passions in LIFE are Photography & Travel. Though I was graduated to be a computer engineer, my love for travel gave rise to a Photographer in me, which drifted me away from computer languages & instead gave me a new way to see life through my lenses. What fascinates me is The Nature in itself, which is so colorful & vibrant…. My travel has helped me see different species of birds, wildlife, their style of living & to study their behavior [Bangalore]

• Manjunath M Gowda

Serial Entrepreneur. Did BE in Comp Sc in UVCE Bangalore and then MS in Oregon State University, US, worked for few years in the US and came back to India, set up Bristol India (got acquired by HP), then set up S7 Software (got acquired by the BlueCoat US), and then i7 Networks (in Mobile security space) and then now finally working in the area of my passion – WildLife – co-founder & CEO of WildTrails India Mobile App

[Bangalore]

• Mayuresh

• Mohan Kumar

• Mohan

• Mohan Thomas

Mohan Thomas is a civil engineer by profession and the Managing Partner of Canaan Group which is involved in construction work. Photography has been his passion ever since his college days though this passion had to be temporarily kept in abeyance owing to the exigencies of work in his early years. But having put those years behind him, he soon picked up the camera again. By now he had become an avid nature lover and before long he began photographing wildlife. This new found activity soon developed into a serious hobby taking him past the jungles of India to many other parts of the world as well such as Africa, Norway, Finland, South America, and Russia. At present, he can be spotted at various reserves doing what he loves best. His love, dedication, and passion for wildlife are conveyed through each image captured. He also takes an active part in wildlife conservation projects in the hopes of protecting the Indian jungles for future generations. [Bangalore]

• Mohit Jain

My name is Mohit Jain. My day job is in IT program leadership at Dell but heart and soul are in Nature and wildlife photography.

In my wildlife journey since 2012, while I am fascinated by the entire wildlife, I feel that I am most intrigued by the tigers.
I am always ready to provide any help and guidance for wildlife trips around Bangalore, Ranthambore, and Sunderbans.

[Bangalore]

• Mohit Rao

Mohit M. Rao has been a reporter with The Hindu for nearly six years now – three of which have been primarily covering the environment and forests in Karnataka.
He studied print journalism course at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, and after working for a year in the concrete jungles of Bengaluru, he asked for some “rural experience” for which he was given a posting in Mangaluru. In the 2.5 years there, he covered communal conflict, caste equations, and agrarian crisis in the coastal district. He is a fellow of the Young Connectors of the Future program – 2014, as well as India-Germany Media Ambassador – 2016 where he worked in the German paper, Die Tageszeitung, for two months.

[Bangalore]

• Nadeem Khan

He is from Bhandara district in Maharashtra. A teacher by profession and a hardcore wildlifer. He has been instrumental in the Creation of Koka wildlife sanctuary which is now part of Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve
He is a former district correspondent of Bhandara for The Hitavada newspaper.
Co-founder of Wild Watch Foundation that has adopted Dudhara, Pitezari, and Mandwi villages of NNTR.

[Bhandara, Maharastra]

• Nagendra

A senior Naturalist works for JLR and is currently taking care of Bandipur National Park, Karnataka [Bandipur Karnataka]

• Naresh Reddy Aerra

Naresh is an entrepreneur (technocrat), professional Table Tennis player, and wildlife enthusiast. Naresh got his B. Tech from JNTU and MS in embedded systems from Penn State, he has always enjoyed starting and running businesses, 2005 Rational Labs Pvt. Ltd, 2010 Aditya Scientific, and 2013 Intonation Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. Represented Andhra Pradesh in 5 national games and twice state champion. Active wildlife photographer traveled to most of the Indian forest and Masai Mara. [Hyderabad]

• Niharika

• Omiveer Choudhary (Omi)

Senior Naturalist at Tuli resorts in Pench [Pench, Madhya Pradesh]

• Omkar Umesh

Ex-Journalist and now runs his own homestay in Dandeli (Kali) Tiger reserve.

• Pramod Kumar P Laxmin

Pramod Kumar P Laxmin is an avid Wildlife Enthusiast, Photography was a hobby acquired lately. Involved in the construction and Manufacture and export of Beverages, wildlife has been my passion since childhood, there was never a single holiday I missed being in the wilderness of Bandipur and Nagarhole. As a social exercise a group of like-minded friends visited a small school ( they preferred it to be called so) dominated by tribal students from the forest fringes, we visited and spent time with them, we were astonished by their anger when we uttered Tiger, Elephant with them quite in contrary to what our urban children react to. We realized this anguish of losing livestock or farm produce to wild animals had etched hatred towards wildlife in their young minds.That’s when all of us joined hands to form a Trust in the name and Style of Indian Wildlife Conservation Trust (IWCT) to help mitigate the man-animal conflict and try to return something back to the Forests from which we derive so much pleasure. We are a group of 8 members of which am also one of the founding members and have been designated as the president. We have done a few programs for kids in the forest fringes called Kana Darshana and a plethora of allied Wildlife conservation activities from the trust. [Bangalore]

• Pranad Patil

I am a naturalist currently working in Tadoba, but soon shifting to  Kanha. I frequently write natural history-related articles and blogs for various magazines and websites and am passionate about photography. Especially interested in the smaller groups of animals, I love to observe animal behavior in the natural environment. [Tadoba]

• Prasanna Gowda

Senior Naturalist at Kabini River Lodges by Jungle Lodges and Resorts at Kabini, Nagarhole [Kabini Forest, Karnataka]

• Raghu

• Rahul Taranath

This is Rahul Taranath. By profession working in Amazon apart from that I am a wildlife lover since childhood and into wildlife photography since 2012 and into wildlife conservation since 2016 and helping Urban wildlife conservation in Bangalore apart from this hobbies are Collection of Antiques have built a home museum with help of my father and also interested in Freshwater and marine fisheries.

[Bangalore]

• RK

Rachit Singh [RK] has been working as a Sr.Naturalist & Tour Leader for the last 10-11 years. He is passionate about Wildlife and Conservation and his endeavor is to inspire people to respect, admire & conserve Nature and it’s myriad creations. [Kanha, Madhya Pradesh]

Rajesh Ramakrishnan

Rajesh a Wildlife Enthusiast and a Photographer since 7 to 8 years; he runs Wolfpack (there is a store in Koramangala)  which deals with apparel and merchandise based on outdoor activities like wildlife, photography, etc

[Bangalore]

• Sachin Patil Sir

Civil Engineer by profession. Hon. Wildlife warden from Belagavi. Real Unsung hero !!  He is a person who prefers to work from the sidelines! The only a person who knows every inch of the tiger reserves of Karnataka. Fantastic photographer and has a collection of best pics of tigers from Karnataka, conservationist, and hon. wildlife warden since 6 yrs [Belagavi]

• Sanjay Ranade

I am Sanjay Ranade. I am with Lokmat Group and based in Nagpur. I am in journalism since 2001. I am covering the forest department since February  2013 with Lokmat Group. Since childhood, I have loved wildlife. My first rendezvous with wildlife was way back in 1983 in Nagzira sanctuary. I prefer to bring forth positive news which is in the interest of wildlife lovers. I don’t believe in negativity. I always try to maintain balance. [Nagpur]

• Sanket Reddy

Sanket Reddy – A hobbyist photographer, globe trotter and actively looking to make a difference to the world through my many programs that we identify to better the lives of people connected with nature. [Bangalore]

• Santosh Narayan S

An advocate by profession. My interest in wildlife developed since 2014 and has been active in wildlife ever since.

After being into wildlife for about 3 years now, I feel the need to do a lot more for the wild, then mere photographing them

[Bangalore]

• Sarosh Lodhi

  

Sarosh Lodhi – is a self-taught, environment-conscious photographer, based out of Central India. A wildlife aficionado, he has an oeuvre of two decades. His works have been published in national and international media. He is also the founder member of a largely popular wildlife conservation group called CLaW. CLaW – Conservation Lenses and Wildlife  [Nagpur]

• Sashidhar Vempala

Based out of Gurgaon, a passionate wildlifer, in love with nature and wildlife, have traveled extensively through India and Africa with a sense of wildlife purpose. Founder of “The Guardbook”, an organization, which is dedicated to supporting the forest guards of India. Due to which I work closely with certain tiger reserves supporting the guards in their conservation duties. Through my work, aim to drive a sense of conservation about nature and its precious resources.
Post on Instagram as @sashidhar_vempala [Gurgaon]

• Satheesh Sarakki

Added Satheesh Sarakki – A keen Nature and Birder Lover and an expert in Indian birds. He owns birds hide on KANAKPURA Road Bangalore and also in Shivamogqa (Karnataka) where you can get to see amazing birds.

He is an expert in setting Birds Hide. He has set up at Daroji JLR Hampe, at OMH JLR Ganeshgudi, Forest hills in Masinagudi, in Uttarakhand, and one in Masai Mara. [Bangalore]

• KD Sathya Narayana

I have been interested in photography since my childhood. Wildlife photography in particular, but could not afford a Tele. Started my serious photography in 2000. I co-ordinated the first African Safari in 2001 covering Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. I did this until 2003. Participants included many well-known Photographers like BK Sinha, Ex-President FIP, CR Sathyanarayana, B Srinivasa, etc. From 2004 to 2010, due to work compulsions could not pursue photography. Again started pursuing since 2010 with digital media. I often visit the African parks and take interested photographers. My name is KD SATHYA NARAYANAN. I am 57 years old. Used to work for MANIPAL Group of Hospitals as GM Materials until 2016, AUGUST.
I have visited almost all Major Parks in India, except Dudhwa.

• Shabnam Siddiqui

Shabnam Siddiqui is Director (CEGET) at United Nations Global Compact Network India. She an academic-practitioner with 20yrs of experience in gender, peace, and governance work, of which ​12 yrs have exclusively focused on governance, ethics, and transparency initiatives and interventions. Shabnam specializes in developing and executing strategic intervention through multi-stakeholder networks, is skilled at training and research, and has several national and international publications to her credit. Shabnam excels at resource mobilization, a key to putting any dynamic vision into action. Work station and academic learning have been primarily gained in India, with short-term and long-term stints in Pakistan, Italy France, United States, and Singapore. [New Delhi]

• Suresh Basavaraju

Suresh has been photographing the living world for close to 26 years. He is a member of BNHS and a life member of Photographic Soc. Of India since 1991. He has been a participant in Photography salons for a number of years, winner of landscape trophy in 1995, and has had his images published in magazines, periodicals, calendars, books. He has mentored many enthusiasts in photography and is a founder member of Indian Wildlife Conservation Trust. With a full-time career in Information Technology, wildlife and nature photography remains a top priority and passion. [Bangalore]

• Tulika Kedia

   

  A graduate in literature from Delhi University, Tulika Kedia is a passionate collector of indigenous art from various states of India. As a philanthropist, Tulika Kedia supported a large group of artists, collecting their work for more than a decade. She also owns and operates Singinawa Jungle Lodge at Kanha. Her foundation, Singinawa Conservation Foundation is committed to the protection of various wildlife species and their habitats and also organizes various medical camps in and around the villages of the Kanha region. Winner of 2016 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence, Winner of the prestigious TOFTigers award – “The John Wakefield Memorial Award” for The Most Inspirational Eco-Lodge of the Year in 2016 and Runner-up in 2012 [Delhi]

• Vikas

Vikas Rumale is a wildlife photography enthusiast and a true nature lover. With over a decade of experience in wildlife travel and exploration, he is a person who appreciates nature at its best. Vikas is pursuing his career as the VP Sales at Hubbler in Bangalore. He is also a voluntary naturalist at Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini. Apart from wildlife and photography, he’s a passionate traveler, foodie, and a biker. [Bangalore]

• Zhayynn James

• DR. Umesh Krishna

Dr. Umesh Krishna has worked in many areas related to wildlife from perspective of a naturalist to a wildlife researcher, constantly working in a small way to improve day to day life of foresters by providing support and education. Wildlife has always fascinated him and he has traveled across many countries. He is curious about nature and natural phenomenon happening around, enjoys being active, and involved in outdoor activities, with a strong interest to study and observe flora and fauna of the Indian subcontinent. [Bangalore]

• Vandana Shruthi

• Dr. Vindhya Kumar C

I’m Dr. Vindhya kumar.C
Settled in Bangalore, Indiranagar.
I’m a Consultant Anaesthesiologist working in Manipal hospital, Whitefield.
Passionate about wildlife.
Involved in wildlife photography since 2007. Since one of my Uncle was in FD I have had the opportunity to see the life of foot soldiers in AP camps in Nagarhole and Bandipur range.

• Amitabh Sharma

I am Amitabh Sharma, recently based at JABALPUR coz of illness but have spent more than two decades of life at Kanha as a naturalist and later as general manager in a few resorts at both Kanha and Bandhavgarh. [Jabalpur MP]

• Sulabha Chakravathy

Sulabha is from Nagpur and working as a freelance environmental travel writer and takes up offers from all publications, national and international journals. She is also helping the Forest Departments and leading NGOs in their mission of transforming “Poachers to Protectors” with the intent to save the Tigers in Central India and thus conserve the forests. She is also the Chief Advisor of SAMPDA (Samagra Adivasi Medicinal Plant Development Association) an NGO established at Kondagaon, CG, to promote the activities of the tribals in Central India. Awarded and honoured by the State Forest Department, Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, for conducting various programmes, workshops, and environmental awareness campaigns in and around the city. She had been recently nominated with the honour of “Nagpur Heroes” an event of Times of India, wherein best five dedicated workers in the environmental are chosen every year. She is also the Chairperson of the Kids for Tigers, Sanctuary Asia Tiger Programme, Nagpur Committee. She has received national acclaim for conducting innovative Bird Day, Tree-plantation, and various interactive-sessions with the Kids For Tigers group Nagpur. She has been recently awarded one of the best environment and wildlife conservationist of the city by the Maharashtra Forest Department on 21 st March 2016 for her contribution in the field. [Nagpur]

• Sangram Rao

If you want to be part of this WhatsApp group, drop us an email to [email protected] with a short bio of yours including your achievements in the forest world, any awards, and a pic of yours

POLICY & GUIDELINES

1. Include only those who are really passionate into Wildlife with no commercial interests [or will not promote their commercial interests but participate for purely in love with Wildlife]
2. Don’t ever do anything that gets related to Money (organizing travels, selling merchandise, etc.) – have seen & experienced it – the group and its dynamics gets Real Ugly
3. Healthy discussions related to anything that is Wildlife, Exchange of information
4. Any articles, news, forward related to Wildlife
5. Whatever we can do wrt Wildlife Conservation
6. Conduct Classes from Experts to others (be it conservation, wildlife photography, etc) (I can get free room in Koramangala/Bangalore for the same)
7. making members write a trip report on their latest visit to any wildlife sanctuary
8. of course TOTAL ban on the usual jokes, forwards, wishes, non-wildlife chat, etc