Meet Our Walk Leaders
Let’s meet the amazing individuals who lead our Delhi Earth Walks. Each expert brings a wealth of knowledge and a contagious passion for Delhi's unique ecology. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting to explore the wonders of nature, our walk leaders will guide you on an unforgettable journey of discovery. Let's delve into their areas of expertise:
Mahesh Rajput
Mahesh Rajput, hailing from the birding haven of Bharatpur, holds a B.Tech degree but found his true calling in the world of birds. His growing passion for birdwatching led him to become a skilled naturalist, and he now shares his knowledge and love for nature while working with Asian Adventures.
Afshan Husain
I’m Afshan Husain, an educator passionate about sparking curiosity in young minds, especially through nature. Birdwatching for me is more than a hobby—it's a way to slow down, listen, and connect with the world. I believe the best lessons come from paying attention to nature and observing the wonders around us.
Dr. Rajesh Kalra
Dr. Rajesh Kalra is a Delhi-based surgeon with a unique prescription for life: a healthy dose of birdwatching. When not attending to his patients at the Hospital, Dr. Kalra can be found binoculars in hand, exploring Delhi's diverse avifauna. His passion for birding has taken him to varied habitats. Asita East is his backyard patch, which is part of the Yamuna restoration project of DDA.
Rakesh Khatri
Rakesh Khatri is an Indian environmentalist recognized for his contributions to bird conservation, particularly through the creation of bird nests. Khatri's work has focused primarily on increasing awareness and implementing measures to protect bird species, especially the house sparrow.
Pulkit Sharma
Pulkit is a passionate naturalist with experience in ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. They have been part of Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park and led citizen science programs to connect people with nature. Their work focuses on restoring ecosystems and protecting wildlife.
Richa Kedia
Richa Kedia, an artist with a focus on nature and art, has worked on illustration projects for organizations like WWF India, TRAFFIC, and various forest departments. She shares her techniques of using art to observe, record, and engage with nature, offering insights into her creative practice and approach.
Rakesh Ahlawat
Rakesh Ahlawat, a passionate birdwatcher and conservationist from Dighal, Haryana, works to preserve local biodiversity. He engages in birdwatching, documents species, and promotes sustainable practices. His efforts raise awareness about ecosystem conservation, inspiring others in Dighal and beyond.
Akash Gulalia
Prof. Akash Gulalia, a social sciences scholar, has authored six books and numerous articles. A nature enthusiast, he’s involved in climate change activism with BNHS and WWF, specializing in Lepidoptera and ornithology. An avid birder with 1,000 species recorded, he’s also a trained mountaineer.
Mr. Akshit Dua
A passionate bird and wildlife enthusiast, I specialize in avian mapping, behavior, and identification. With two years of extensive fieldwork around Gurugram, I’ve explored grasslands, wetlands, and Aravalli foothills, spotting many rare avian species. I’ve also led bird surveys for the Forest Department in Chambal and Agra.
Mr. K B Singh
Commander K.B. Singh, a retired Indian Navy officer, is a dedicated ornithologist and bird conservationist. He has contributed to mapping bird populations, studying their distribution and habitats, and addressing conservation challenges, playing a crucial role in protecting India’s rich avian diversity.
Ritu Rao
Ritu Rao, a research scholar at TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, focuses on water sustainability with an emphasis on waterbodies. Her current research explores Najafgarh Jheel and its primary water source, the Sahibi River, promoting sustainable water management practices.
Mr. Kavi Nanda
Kavi Nanda, a Delhi-based birdwatcher and wildlife photographer, began birding nearly two decades ago in Nainital. His passion has led him across India, exploring remote regions to observe and photograph diverse bird species, documenting avian life in Delhi’s wetlands.
Mr. Prasanna Gautam
Prasanna Gautam, a wildlife conservationist with over 20 years of experience, has led birding tours across India’s top national parks. He coordinated the Snow Leopard Conservation Project in Ladakh and contributed to wildlife censuses, aiding biodiversity research and protection.
Ashir Kumar
Ashir Kumar, known as ‘1Frameman’, is a nature photographer specializing in macro photography. With over four years of experience, he captures insects and spiders in stunning detail, showcasing the intricate beauty of the tiny world.
Abhishek Gulshan
Abhishek Gulshan, a Delhi-based naturalist and founder of NINOX – Owl About Nature, promotes nature education through experiential learning. A former WWF-India naturalist and eBird reviewer, he authored The Hindu’s “In My Backyard” column and consults for leading conservation groups.
Dr. Sumit Dookia
A wildlife biologist since 1999 with a PhD on Chinkara ecology in the Thar Desert, he has worked with ZSI, WII, BNHS, and academia. His research covers birds, mammals, and landscapes. He helped establish five Conservation Reserves and advocates Great Indian Bustard conservation in Rajasthan.
Sohail Madan
Sohail, an ecologist, author, and educator, is the Director of WildTales. Formerly with BNHS, he developed 85+ butterfly parks, led citizen science programs, and advised government restoration efforts. Awarded the Dr. B Kiowta Lifetime Achievement Award, he champions biodiversity conservation across India.
Rohit Sharma
From conducting bird surveys with the Forest Department to leading student nature walks, Rohit Sharma’s impactful environmental efforts highlight his dedication to conservation, earning him recognition as a true eco-warrior and inspiring many to protect nature.
Sumit Tyagi
As a devoted nature enthusiast with a deep passion for butterflies, I’ve spent years capturing their delicate, ethereal beauty through my lens, aiming to raise awareness and appreciation for these fascinating creatures and their role in our ecosystems.
Ishtiyak Ahamad
Ishtiyak Ahamad, a wildlife and biodiversity expert with over 13 years of experience, serves as Manager of Nature Education and Training at Give Me Trees Trust. Starting with BNHS at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, he has conducted 5,000+ sessions focused on wildlife, biodiversity, and afforestation.
Vijay Dhasmana
Vijay Dhasmana is an eco-restoration and rewilding expert known for transforming the 380-acre Aravali Biodiversity Park with I Am Gurgaon. He previously worked on forest conservation and resource management across India with WTI, ATI, Global Futures Network, and Himalaya Trust.
Jose Louies
Jose Louies, founder of indiansnakes.org and member of the IUCN Snake Specialist Group, is the CEO of Wildlife Trust of India. With 20+ years of experience, he has led nationwide workshops on snakes and snakebite response, aiding forest departments in forming dedicated snake rescue teams.
Piyush Sekhsariya
Peeyush Sekhsaria, a Delhi-based development professional, specializes in natural disasters and resource management. With degrees in architecture and geography, he has authored books, contributed to publications, and co-created educational games on wildlife. His work focuses on conservation and environmental education.
Parul Daga
Parul is an ecological gardener with keen interest in citizen science and women’s rights. She has worked in Neemrana on restoration projects and is now creating ecological gardens in Najafgarh, Delhi and in Karma Lakelands and Golf Course in Manesar Haryana.
Pankaj Gupta
Pankaj Gupta, a passionate birder since 2008, has spent nearly 15 years documenting avian diversity. An eBird reviewer and Regional Coordinator for BirdCount India, he champions bird conservation and habitat protection in Delhi NCR, inspiring community engagement.
Soma Ateesh Tripathi
Soma Ateesh Tripathi, a birder for over 20 years, leads nature walks and runs a colony nature club. An early eBird reviewer in NCR, she writes on urban biodiversity in Samvaad and raises awareness about Aravalli birds, inspiring all ages to connect with the wild.
Sunil Harsana
A homegrown conservationist, Sunil Harsana is renowned as the savior of Mangar Bani for his efforts to protect Delhi NCR's last natural forest. Known as the Pied Piper of Mangar Bani, he spreads awareness and has dedicated over a decade to preserving the Aravallis' biodiversity.
Mr. Alok Kumar
Alok Kumar is an educator and wildlife researcher. An avid cultivator of wildlife education, he has conducted talks, webinars, and training programs and has even helped train forest officers.
Deepak Kumar
Deepak Kumar is a skilled bird guide with expertise in bird identification, habitat interpretation, and wildlife preservation. Growing up in Delhi, he developed a deep passion for avian life. He leads birdwatching tours, conducts workshops, and shares his love for birds through writing and photography.
Nikhil John
Nikhil John, Assistant Manager at WWF India’s Environment Education team, is a naturalist with over seven years of experience. Through the Nature Connect programme, he leads trails and trainings, promoting biodiversity awareness. He also specializes in reptiles and dragonflies.
Haseeb Shaikh
A passionate wildlife and nature enthusiast with extensive experience as a naturalist, wildlife guide, and conservation educator. He has studied leopards for 15 years in Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary and has strong knowledge of mammals, birds, flora, and reptiles. He leads wildlife tours across Gir, Corbett, and Ranthambore, promoting biodiversity and conservation.
Saumya Chandhok
Saumya Chandhok is an experienced organic farming and sustainability specialist with over nine years of expertise in regenerative agriculture. She has worked across landscape design, sustainable sourcing, and organic farming with organisations including Adya Organics, Kyssa Farms, Edible Routes, and Fruit Box, developing practical, ecological, and economically viable food systems.
Esha Munshi
Esha Munshi, an architect and passionate birder from Ahmedabad, combines birdwatching, photography, painting, and sound recording. Since 2014, she has documented bird calls for science and conservation, inspired by NCBS’s Macaulay Library. A member of Team WildArt, she actively contributes to eBird and is driven by her dream to experience birds worldwide.
Kundan Kumar
Kundan is a passionate naturalist with four years of experience in wildlife and hospitality. He specializes in birdwatching, wildlife guiding, nature interpretation, bird identification, guest handling, and nature trails. With a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, he focuses on creating meaningful, engaging, and memorable experiences that connect guests with nature.
Jagjeewan Singh Dhami
Jagjeewan Singh Dhami is a forestry scholar, naturalist, and conservation educator from the Kumaun Himalayas. Trained in forestry, his work explores medicinal plants, ethnobotany, butterflies, birds, and biodiversity. Through research, field surveys, nature education, and community engagement, he connects people with nature while promoting conservation, traditional knowledge, and responsible ecotourism.
Shalaish Baisla
Shalaish Baisla is an archaeologist and PhD researcher exploring Delhi’s ancient history through the Aravallis. With experience working on ASI excavations and documenting forgotten archaeological sites, he is passionate about uncovering stories embedded in the landscape. His work connects ancient heritage, archaeology, and historical narratives, bringing the past to life.
Dr. Robin Suyesh
Dr. Robin Suyesh is a field biologist and herpetofauna researcher specializing in amphibians and reptiles across South and Southeast Asia. His research focuses on species behaviour, ecology, and biodiversity, including co-authoring descriptions of 13 new species. He earned his PhD from Delhi University and currently teaches Environmental Sciences at Sri Venkateswara College.
Dr. Yasser Rafique
Dr. Yasser Rafique is a dentist by profession and a passionate naturalist and conservationist. Since his school days, he has conducted wildlife awareness sessions at schools and institutions including NIFT, Serenity Trust, and Science City. His research and photographs have appeared in BNHS’s Hornbill and wildlife books, inspiring people to connect with urban biodiversity.
Mathew Joseph
Mathew Joseph is an NGO leader with over 25 years of experience across public health, nutrition, education, livelihoods, climate change, and conservation. He founded Birds & Habitats Conservation Alliance (BHCA), a national network promoting community-led bird habitat conservation. He holds an MBA and advanced leadership training from IIM Lucknow.
Nitin Chandra
Nitin Chandra is an IT professional and passionate nature and wildlife photographer. Since 2014, his work has appeared in leading publications and photography platforms. Recognised among Flickr’s Top 50 photographers in 2018 and as Guru of the Year by GuruShots, his photographs are also part of a permanent museum exhibit in Alabama.
Sagar
A botanist by training and explorer by nature, he combines botanical knowledge with satellite imagery to discover unexplored birding habitats across North West Delhi. Inspired by the call of a Coppersmith Barbet, his passion has grown into documenting avian diversity, mapping wetlands and green spaces, and identifying new birding hotspots.
Dev Vikram Upaadhyay
Dev Vikram Upaadhyay is a wildlife photographer, nature storyteller, and bird walk curator passionate about India’s wild spaces. Having explored forests across Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, he captures wildlife behaviour, emotion, and fleeting moments. Through photography and storytelling, he aims to document nature and inspire greater appreciation for India’s wilderness.
Ayaan Sham
Ayaan Sham is a young naturalist, wildlife researcher, and photographer passionate about ecology and conservation. His interests span birds, reptiles, invertebrates, mammals, marine life, and plants, with a particular fascination for animal behaviour and field ecology. Through exploration, documentation, and storytelling, he shares his curiosity and encourages others to appreciate the natural world.
Dhruvam Desai
Dhruvam Desai is a wildlife technologist, conservation entrepreneur, and founder of Pardus. He develops accessible wildlife monitoring tools, including trail cameras and early-warning systems, working with forest departments, researchers, and conservationists. His work focuses on ethical data collection, affordability, and field realities, while promoting conservation-led ecotourism through habitat-focused hospitality consulting.
Renee Vyas
Renee Vyas is a practicing naturalist with a keen interest in plants, insects, birds, and fungi. She conducts nature awareness programmes for diverse audiences, helping people understand and appreciate trees and flora. Her expertise includes selecting and planting native species suited to local conditions, and her popular Tree Appreciation Walks connect Mumbai’s communities with nature.
Dhruvam Desai
A passionate nature and wildlife photographer with seven years of experience, dedicated to capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world. His work has been published in Sanctuary Asia magazine. He has also participated in multiple Nikon School workshops, earning certifications and continually developing his skills in wildlife photography and visual storytelling.
Ramveer
A passionate nature lover and wildlife photographer with 15 years of experience documenting India’s biodiversity. His interests span birds, mammals, butterflies, and dragonflies. Through photography and field exploration, he captures the beauty and diversity of wildlife while deepening his understanding of nature and encouraging greater appreciation for the natural world.
Sandeep Kannan
Sandeep Kannan is a Technology Analyst at Infosys, Bengaluru, with an engineering background and a strong passion for nature and conservation. His interests include biodiversity, wildlife conservation, animal ecology, and ornithology. He has authored publications on amphibians and ecological subjects, bringing together technological expertise and ecological curiosity to support conservation.
Dr. Rajat Bhargava
Rajat Bhargava is an independent ornithologist from Meerut and former Assistant Director at BNHS, where he worked as an ornithologist. His primary interests focus on India’s threatened and endemic bird species, particularly Finn’s Weaver and Green Munia. His work reflects a deep commitment to bird research, conservation, and understanding India’s avian diversity.
Aparajita
Aparajita is a passionate nature educator with a background in forestry, environmental studies, and resource management. She founded Nourishing Nature in 2025 to make nature exploration, education, and conservation accessible to all. Her experience includes ESG consulting, carbon auditing, and nature education with WWF-India, alongside collaborations in citizen science and eco-restoration.
Amit Kumar Ram
Amit Kumar Ram is a naturalist with 10 years of experience in the wildlife industry. He specializes in birdwatching, wildlife guiding, nature interpretation, bird identification, guest handling, and nature trails. He also manages GBL maintenance and leads birding experiences, combining his passion for wildlife conservation with meaningful and memorable guest experiences.
Gaurav Nalkur
Gaurav Nalkur is a wildlife biologist, avid birdwatcher, and nature enthusiast with nearly 15 years of experience in wildlife tourism. He believes responsible tourism can support conservation and raise awareness. Through his work, he shares his passion for wildlife and nature, helping people observe, understand, and appreciate the natural world more deeply.
Sneha Singh
Sneha Singh is pursuing her Master’s in Oceanography and conducting dissertation research under CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute). She leads marine walks to share her passion for coastal life and works as Project Coordinator at Satyasaksh Foundation. Her interests include marine science, conservation, and community engagement.
Ms. Vandana
Ms. Vandana is a Nature Educator and Naturalist with over 25 years of experience in environmental education. At The Serenity Trust, she inspires students through nature walks, workshops, and interactive learning. Passionate about butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, she promotes biodiversity awareness, conservation, and responsible engagement with the natural world.