Almitra Patel is an environmental policy advocate and anti-pollution activist. Her Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court against the open dumping of municipal solid waste was instrumental in the drafting of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rule in India. Her clean up Indian campaign started 20+ long years long before it hit our billboards. Listen to her fascinating story. Show notes coming soon on earthymatters.blog. You can listen and read to other episodes on my blog.

Heart of Conservation

Almitra Patel:The Garbologist who Gave India Solid Waste Management Rules Ep#13

SEASON TWO. For the first time, I'm interviewing an interesting young researcher-couple who are both experts in their fields. Pritha did her Ph.D. on the diversity patterns of the Geometridae family. Her doctoral work included the study of insect biodiversity loss due to anthropogenic disturbances in the western Indian Himalaya. My second guest is Pritha’s husband Rohit Chakravarty. He is a bat biologist currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin. Listen to some amazing facts and stories. Truly inspiring. For more info on bats write to rohit.chakravarty77@gmail.com. For more on moths, write to dey.pritha126@gmail.com Show notes coming soon on earthymatters.blog. #listennow

Rohit Chakravarty & Pritha Dey: BatMan and MothLady Ep#12

For a person who would normally rather communicate through his photographs, in his first podcast-recording, Dhritiman Mukherjee, one of India’s most sought after wildlife photographers, opens up and speaks at length about his own perspectives and the process of his photography. Always lobbying for wildlife, he helps us understand several issues based on his experiences and personal knowledge of over 20 years. Talking of tourism, he explains how it helps wildlife rather than harms. He tells us about some of his conservation efforts including the Narcondam hornbill, which is exclusive to the Narcondam island and other projects documenting the Bengal florican, the Himalayan snow-leopard, brown bears, western tragopan, etc. and why he is never 100% satisfied with his efforts. He speaks about his travels on the iconic 2018 Abhor expedition (last conducted 160 years ago) with five WII (Wildlife Institute of India) scientists into parts unknown in Arunachal Pradesh, where they discovered recorded and discovered several species. Briefly, we discuss equipment; he tells us why he isn’t fussy about equipment and what ‘ethics and responsibility’ means for him. He tells us why he has a problem with words like “favourite-species”, ‘proud”, “good” and “bad”, “success and failure” Dhritiman also share a word that he thinks is important to conservation. Listen now. Let me know what you think. Write to me at earthymatters013@gmail.com You can read the Show notes soon on my blog. Check out other episode show notes there in the meanwhile.

EP#11 Dhritiman Mukherjee: The Philosophy of Photography

Otters are kept as pets. Can you imagine? They are a huge part of the illegal wildlife trade. I found out this and more at Wild Otters an otter-research based organization, tucked away in a corner of Chorao island in Goa. Listen to Ecologist and Director, Dr. Katrina Fernandez and Director and Chief of Communications, Kshitij Garg; Katrine Burford-Bradshaw and Shiri Lev and find out what they're doing to conserve the Smooth-coated otter, in its habitat. Listen on Spotify, apple podcasts, google podcast and android. Show notes for this episode on earthymatters.blog https://earthymatters.blog/2019/06/05/wild-otters-pvt-ltd-a-business-model-for-conservation-ep10/ Photo and otters sounds courtesy: WildOtters.

Ep#10 Wild Otters Pvt. Ltd: A Business Model for Conservation.

In episode # 9 of Heart ofConservation, I'm speaking with the young, talented Cara Tejpal. She describes herself as conservation generalist, who lends her skills to help confront the gamut of conservation challenges in India. She writes, fundraises, works on policy documents and develops campaigns under the umbrella of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, while also heading their unique Mud on Boots Project. As an independent writer, her articles on wildlife have appeared in several publications. We speak of various conservation issues and concerns including saving the Great Indian Bustard. You can read the transcripts for all podcast episodes on https://earthymatters.blog/ Cover photo courtesy Cara Tejpal.

Cara Tejpal Eco-Warrior Ep # 9

Sanjay Sondhi is responsible for discovering a new species - the Bompu Litter Frog. This frog discovered by Sanjay was previously unknown to science. Sanjay is as well known for his expertise on moths and butterflies and conducts workshops for the same. His nature column, Doon watch, in Hindustan Times and a column called Urban Nature Watch published in TERI's monthly magazine are both very popular reads. He has researched and authored an impressive number of field guides on butterflies, lizards, and amphibians, and is involved in conservation and livelihood projects in the western and eastern Himalaya.

Sanjay Sondhi: Nature Conservation & Livelihoods Ep#8

Award-winning Ajay Rastogi, (Co-founder & Director of the Vrikshalaya Himalayan Centre, Uttarakhand, India) is an applied ethics practitioner, philosopher, and a yoga instructor. He tells why not just energy saving appliances but an almost 180-degree turnaround in attitude is crucial for saving the planet. He explains the science behind nature contemplation and why you don’t go into the forest with a checklist if you want to contemplate on nature. He tells us why he thinks the three principles of ‘dignity of physical work’, ‘interdependence’ and ‘interconnectivity’ are imperative for a smart, harmonious planet. He shows us by example us how village homestays are bringing out positive change both culturally and monetarily in a small corner of the Himalaya. Also, why the ‘Science of Happiness’ and the merging of the East with the latest neuroscience of the west are so popular. Ajay is a recipient of the South Asia Youth Leaders Award, European Union Erasmus Mundus Fellowship in Applied Ethics, and the Nehru-Fulbright Environmental Leadership Award for Contemplative Education.

Ajay Rastogi: Pursuit of Consumerism & Science of Happiness Ep#7

Read Show Notes on earthymatters.blog Suniti is a consultant wildlife biologist, nature educator and author with multiple skills. He lives in Dehra Dun. I asked him why so many elephants are killed on the tracks in India. He tells us what it was like working under the legendary Papa John, Also, why it's crucial to create nature awareness and empathy among children. He speaks of his love for cycling and how he connects it with conservation. Suniti also speaks about the birding book he co-authored and throws some light on the famed Himalayan quail that was last spotted in the 1800s.

Suniti Bhushan: Reconnecting Children to Nature Ep#6

Read show notes on earthymatters.blog. Dr. Sejal Wohra recounts her journey as a woman conservationist through the years. She speaks frankly of the state of conservation in India, the fragility and challenges in the Himalayas and provides valuable insights on human-wildlife conflicts and other issues. She also shares some of her most unforgettable experiences around the world and of her pet project - the Jaberkhet Nature Reserve - that is changing lives.

Dr Sejal Wohra: Intrepid Woman Leader Ep#5

You can read the whole show notes on earthymatters.blog. Dr. Dinesh speaks about the importance of treating injured adult turtles, the artificial flipper he created to enable physiotherapy to turtles and the impacts of pollution on sea life. He also tells us about the sea turtle species that get washed ashore, the dedication of volunteers, how creating awareness changed a community- where once they ran to kill wildlife they are now running to save.

Dr. Dinesh Vineherkar The Turtle Healer Ep# 4

Vijay Dhasmana, well-known rewilder of ‘IAmGurgaon’ fame, has been hugely instrumental and successful in rewilding around 400 acres of wasteland ravaged by mining. This site is part of the Aravalli range on the edge of a millennium city, Gurgaon, near New Delhi. Vijay explains what rewilding is all about. He speaks about the challenges his team faced over 9 years, the strategies they used, the use of native species, sourcing seeds, getting the community involved, the transformation and biodiversity of the park now and more.

Vijay Dhasmana: Rewilder of Urban India Ep # 3

Salvador Lyngdoh, Scientist-Wildlife Institute of India speaks about his work which focuses on conservation of large carnivores in the Indian Himalayas. He tells us why the two wolf species in India: the Himalayan wolf and the Indian/Plains wolf are unique in the wolf world. He delves into his experiences of radio-collaring wolves, the benefits of technology and explains in depth the conservation status of wolves in India, He shares his thoughts on the conservation of species in the environment of the Himalayan context and tells us why we should take our cues from wildlife ...and then more. You'll hear things about wolves you may never have heard before on this episode. Listen now.

Salvador Lyngdoh: Wolf Biologist from the Himalayas. Ep # 2

Dr. Pasang Sherpa speaks about her work, her love and concern for her people, how Sherpas are stereotyped, climate change in the Everest region(which is home for her) and on being a woman researcher and her future plans.

Dr. Pasang Sherpa: the only Sherpa Ph.D. Anthropologist Studying the Sherpas #1

Stay tuned for exciting interviews and inspiring stories. I'm speaking with people from all walks of life to bring you personal stories that keep you connected with our natural world. Keep listening for news, views and, updates from the world of conservation. Read show notes on earthymatters.blog

hubhopper

Heart of Conservation

hubhopper