Nirmal Kulkarni is a well-known name in Goa, especially in wildlife and photography circles. And now, the herpetologist, wildlife photographer and artist has another feather in his cap.
Kulkarni has received the Outlook Traveller Responsible Tourism Award in the Pathfinder category.
The award was presented during the annual Indian Responsible Tourism Summit and Awards 2024 held at the Shangri La Eros, New Delhi, on February 24, 2024.
The theme of this year’s awards was ‘Growing Together Growing Responsibly’.
The award was presented by CEO of The Outlook Group, Indranil Roy; Project Editor of Outlook Responsible Tourism, Soity Banerjee; actor Adil Hussain and Vice Chair, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, C B Ramkumar.
Expressing his happiness on receiving the award, Kulkarni said, “It is an honour to be recognised at the national level by peers and stalwarts from the Responsible Tourism sector."
"It comes at a time when our own state, Goa, is moving towards regenerative tourism. I see this as a responsibility, as well as an opportunity, and hope to contribute more towards responsible tourism in the state," he added.
Kulkarni is a Goan ecologist and researcher, associated with Wildernest Nature Resort, Chorla Ghat, Goa, as Director Ecology for the past 22 years.
His work with communities in the hinterlands of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka have resulted in many individuals and grassroots organisations taking the path towards sustainable and eco-conscious tourism across wild landscapes in India.
Kulkarni is a Goan ecologist and researcher, associated with Wildernest Nature Resort, Chorla Ghat, Goa, as Director Ecology for the past 22 years.
Kulkarni’s work in North East India, especially in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, was also acknowledged – he has been leading regular conservation expedition tours for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers for the past 2 decades.
His work in the North Western Ghats is unique as he combines wildlife research with responsible tourism in areas like the Chorla Ghats, the Kali Tiger Reserve and the Sirsi Malnad region.
Through this, he aims to bridge the gap between various stakeholders for the purpose of conservation.
Nirmal Kulkarni also serves as an expert member of the Goa State Biodiversity Board, Director of the Mhadei Research Centre, Senior Consultant at the Wildlife Conservation Society India (WCS India), and member of the Viper Specialist Group IUCN.