The interview with Kishor Rithe, India published in the Sanctuary Asia Magazine in August 2001.


Kishore Rithe

Defender of Satpura's tigers

Kishor Dnyaneshwar Rithe gave up his secure lecturer's job at an engineering college to work full-time on the one mission that drives his purpose - wildlife conservation. His story proves conclusively that individuals can make a difference and that the tiger benefits directly when people with missionary zeal step in to protect it. After a decade of working on the ground, mobilizing students, lobbying officials and fighting poachers, Rithe, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Amravati, Maharashtra, says, "It is the children who will ultimately save the tiger, not only in India but around the world.

Name: Kishor Rithe
Email:rithekishore@gmail.com, kishor.rithe@conted.ox.ac.uk
Website: www.satpuda.org

Educational Qualification:

• PG Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice, University of OXFORD,UK;

• Completed Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in “Computer Science and Engineering (July 1993)

Trainings:
Completed trainings/courses in Estimating wild animal populations; Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management; Preparing Campaign Video's; Applied Environmental Education; Climate change mitigation.

Employment Record (India):
Executive Director, Nature Conservation Society (Since 2000)

Associated organizations (India):
Founder: Nature Conservation Society, Amravati; Founder: Satpuda Foundation ; Served as Executive Member of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Former Chairman of Conservation Sub-Committee of BNHS; Working as a Trustee of Conservation Action Trust, Mumbai. Working on state committees for Preparing Tiger Conservation Plan, NTCA steering committee to execute the Resettlement and Ecotourism agenda/ recommendations of Tiger Task Force Report, Committee to assess the impacts of mines/ thermal power projects on tiger reserves , National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of India, Standing committee of NBWL under the chairmanship of Minister for state (Environment and Forest) , Committee for Continuing education of SGB Amravati University, Amravati, India.

Experience of Wildlife Protection, Documentation, Environment Education work:
Twenty years experience of working with communities, Government agencies on conservation issues, academicians on environment education, social studies, biological research.

Organised International Courses in ”Education as a tool for species Conservation with a focus on Tigers in India” and Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management with a focus on Tigers in India

Experience to lead important Research and conservation projects:
Monitoring Black Storks population in Amravati district, Tiger distribution outside the PA's in Maharashtra, Tiger Kishor Rithe (39), a computer engineer by profession has spent more than 20 years in the forests of central India on saving Tigers, forests and wildlife. He worked with the local communities, academicians, field biologists, media, politicians and administrators for conservation of Satpuda Landscape. He is presently working on committees of states and Federal Government in India on policy matters. Habitat Continuity Study in Satpura, Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme (SLTP), Biodiversity Eco-restoration project near Melghat, Preparing Tiger conservation plan for the wildlife habitat between Navegaon NP and Nagzira WLS in Maharashtra, Biodiversity documentation of 3 vacated villages in Melghat Tiger Reserve and studying socio-economic development of 3 resettled villages.

Rediscovered / Recorded Species:
Forest Owlet (Athene Blewitti) in Melghat (1998) and Yawal sanctuary (2005), Wild Buffalos (Bubalus arnee) in Kopela-Kolamarka area of Maharashtra (2004), Green Munias, Fat tailed Gecko and Mouse Deer in Melghat, Giant Tree Gecko in Yawal sanctuary (2005)

Attended Conferences on
Tiger Conservation, Wildlife Trade, Millennium Tiger Conference, Critical Tiger Habitats and Critical Wildlife Habitats, underground water management, planning, Role of Information Technology in Agriculture in Vidarbha, Climate Change, Forestry Administration in Leftwing Extremism Affected Areas-Ministry of Environment & Forests, Ecosystem Services in Protected Areas and National Parks contribute to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change adaptation.

PUBLISHED
two books, three scientific papers in journals like JBNHS, Ecologist and Journal of ecological Society, around 50 popular articles in various Magazines like Sanctuary Asia (www.sanctuaryasia.com) and around 500 articles in regional/ National newspapers like The Hindu Business Line, Times of India.

Environmental awareness through All India Radio, TV shows,TV serials and Telefilms.

Received National and International awards like Tiger Link Award ; Fellowship of Ashoka Washington, Conde Nast Traveler’s Magazine Environmental Award 2003, Conservation empowerment Bursary by Born Free Foundation UK and Vasundhara Award at Vasundhara Film Festival.

District Associates

Do you want to join us?

Just email to satpuda@gmail.com or call at Nagpur- 91-712-2557320 or Amravati- 91-721-2511966