India's Snake Man: Snakebites, Tigers & Saving the Western Ghats | Nirmal Kulkarni | EP-24

India's Snake Man: Snakebites, Tigers & Saving the Western Ghats | Nirmal Kulkarni | EP-24

Today, I am talking to Nirmal Kulkarni who at 12 years old, carried a snake to school in a steel compass box.That childhood fascination grew into a lifetime dedicated to understanding and protecting the wildlife of the Western Ghats.Nirmal is one of India's most respected herpetologists and conservationists, the Director of the Mhadei Research Centre.Nirmal shares incredible stories from more than two decades in the field including the snakebite that nearly killed him, the tiger that charged him during his first forest census, and the countless lessons he's learned from studying snakes, forests, rivers, and wildlife across Goa and the Western Ghats.We discuss:• The snakebite that changed his life forever• What to do and what NOT to do, if a snake bites you• Why thousands of Indians still die from snakebites every year• His first encounter with the tiger• The importance of the Mhadei River and Goa's forests• Dams, development, and the future of the Western Ghats• Why conservation gives him hopeWhether you're passionate about wildlife, conservation, nature, or simply love extraordinary stories from the field, this conversation is packed with insights and unforgettable experiences.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about India's natural heritage.

Can India Become Rich And Green At The Same Time? | Chandra Bhushan-iFOREST | Moving Forests | EP-23

Today I am talking to Mr. Chandra Bhushan, founder of iFOREST, and we discuss: What does “environment” really mean? Most people think it’s only about forests, wildlife, and conservation. But in this conversation, environmental policy expert Chandra Bhushan expands the definition far beyond nature alone. We explore how the real environmental challenge is deeply connected to: * How we build our economy * How jobs are created in a changing world * How we manage natural resources * How prepared we are for the future We talk about climate change, air pollution, governance, renewable energy, AI, mining, agriculture, and sustainable development. With over two decades of experience, Chandra Bhushan shares deep insights from shaping national environmental policies, influencing sustainability frameworks, and working on food safety and development systems in India. If we want to understand where India and the world are heading, we need to rethink what “environment” actually means. If you like what you hear, please follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share this episode with someone who will find value in it.

A Conversation About Wildlife, Communities & Storytelling W/ Munmun Dhalaria | Moving Forests, EP-22

Munmun Dhalaria is a wildlife filmmaker and storyteller from Himachal Pradesh, India. She shares how she went from studying Coyotes in the United States to filming rare wildlife and human stories across Asia.We talk about:• Wildlife filmmaking in India• Her first big project which was also her entry to National Geographic Explorers' Grants program• Conservation storytelling• Filming rare wild life species and challenges associated with it• The ethical dilemmas she faces in documentary filmmaking• AI and the future of factual storytelling• Working with indigenous communities• How wildlife films are really made and much much more.Munmun also explains why many nature documentaries ignore local people, why conservation is deeply connected to communities, and why truth matters more than viral content. The conversation with Munmun just flowed and the fact is, after watching the edit, I have so many more questions; for example, she very briefly mentions being on the neurodivergent spectrum, I don't know how I missed to further ask her more about it, but I guess some questions must remain unanswered for the conversation to continue..This episode is for filmmakers, wildlife lovers, photographers, conservationists, and anyone curious about storytelling and nature. If you like what you see, please share it with someone who will find value. and leave your reviews. Thank you :)Also, use the comments section to tell me ways in which I can make the show better, do share your recommendations of future quests with links to their work. Looking forward..

The Dark Side of Wildlife Conservation | Dr. Kartik Shanker | Moving Forests | EP- 21

Founder Trustee, Dakshin Foundation, Evolutionary Ecologist, Indian Institute of Science, Marine biologist and writer Dr. Kartik Shanker has spent decades studying sea turtles, coral reefs, coastal ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them. Today, he explains why conservation is far more complicated than simply protecting charismatic animals like tigers and turtles. We discuss: • How one sea turtle changed his life • Why conservation efforts can sometimes harm local communities • What scientists got wrong about turtle populations • Why ecosystems matter more than individual species • How coastal communities can lead conservation • His journey as a scientist, writer, and teacher. This conversation goes beyond wildlife photography and social media narratives to explore the deeper realities of ecology, science, and conservation in India. If you care about wildlife, marine ecosystems, indigenous knowledge, climate, or the future of conservation, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more long-form conversations on wildlife, ecology, conservation, movement, and storytelling. If you like what you see, please follow the journey, review us and share the episode with someone who will find value in the same.

The Hidden World of Tiger Conservation Nobody Sees | Amy Van Gelder | Moving Forests | EP-20

Most people think wildlife conservation is only about scientists and animals in the forest. But behind every rescued animal, protected tiger, and conservation success story, there are people working tirelessly to make it happen. Today, I am speaking with Amy van Gelder, Communications Specialist at WildCats Conservation Alliance. Amy shares how storytelling, local communities, conservation teams, and digital communication all play a huge role in protecting wild Tigers and Amur leopards. In this episode, you will learn: • How wildlife conservation really works • Why local communities are essential for protecting animals • How storytelling can inspire real-world action and funding • What happens behind the scenes in tiger conservation • Why communication is just as important as fieldwork Amy also shares a powerful story about rescuing a slow loris and how one small act changed her life's trajectory. This episode is for anyone who loves wildlife, conservation, storytelling, and understanding how real change happens in nature. If you like what you see, please subscribe, follow, like, review and share it with someone who will find value.