OUR TEAM

GOVERNANCE TEAM

Mr. Shreedev Hulikere
Managing Trustee, WildCAT-C

Shreedev Hulikere is a fourth-generation coffee farmer, who manages his family-owned coffee plantation in Chikkamagaluru. As the Managing Trustee of WildCAT-C, Shreedev has played a significant role in the conservation efforts of Chikkamagaluru in the last 20 years. Also, he has served as the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Chikkamagaluru District between 2012 and 2014, which has aided him in his steadfast resolve to conserve what he terms as a ‘Paradise’. Additionally, he is a champion of wildlife friendly coffee cultivation and has received, ‘Best Practitioner Award for Biodiversity Conservation in Plantations’ in 2020, from the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Government of India, and United Nations Development Programme.

Ms. Kshama Vasudevan
Trustee, WildCAT-C

Kshama Vasudevan is a computer engineer, working as an information security manager at Bengaluru. Her marriage with a native of Chikkamagaluru, brought her close to the wilderness areas of our district. The association then onwards gave her cognizance of the need to conserve this beautiful land. Since then, she has taken part in field research surveys and organizing nature education programs for children. These programs eventually helped her develop a passion towards wildlife conservation. She participates in all our activities and contributes to our conservation accomplishment.

Mr. Akarsha B M
Trustee, WildCAT-C

Akarsha is a coffee grower from Chikkamagaluru and works as a Data Science professional. He holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture Economics and Rural Development from Humboldt University of Berlin. As a conservationist, he successfully led conservation and voluntary relocation efforts of Wildlife Conservation Society India in Bhadra-Kudremukh landscape for over five years. With keen interest in nature and wildlife since his school days, he took part in several nature education programs, conservation activities and research programs on a voluntary basis. He has been sassociated with WildCAT – C for over 20 years.

ADVISORY TEAM

Mr. Girish D V
Founder, WildCAT-C

Girish is a wildlife conservationist and a coffee farmer from Chikkamagaluru. He has been extensively involved in various wildlife conservation activities in the Bhadra-Kudremukh landscape for over 30 years. He was instrumental in the successful implementation of government funded voluntary resettlement of over 450 families from Bhadra Tiger Reserve, closure of iron-ore mines in Kemmangundi and Kudremukh, and led actions against more such activities, which were detrimental to wildlife. In recognition of his voluntary services towards wildlife conservation, he has been awarded District Rajyothsava award by Government of Karnataka, Protect the Tiger award by Royal Bank of Scotland, Tiger Gold Award, Carl Zeiss wildlife conservation award and Wildlife Conservation Society’s certificate of recognition. In addition, he is a joint recipient of the WWF-PATA award with the Karnataka Forest Department, for the success of voluntary resettlement in Bhadra Tiger Reserve. He has served as Honorary Wildlife Warden in Chikkamagaluru multiple times.

A Prophet Of The Jungle
Chickmagalur’s Captain Planet
A Trailer of D.V Girish’s Documentary on his Wildlife Conservation Work

Mr. Girijashankar
Advisor, WildCAT-C

Girijashankar is a senior journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has served as the editor of Janamithra daily, a local newspaper in Chikkamagaluru. He was appointed as a member of the State Wildlife Advisory Board between 2011 and 2014. Besides, he is an active advocate of wildlife and nature conservation in the Western Ghats and a participant in environmental education programs. He has been honored with the State Academy Award and Environment Journalism award by the Government of Karnataka. He has also received an Award of Excellence for his achievements in journalism by Rotary News Trust.

WildCAT-C MEMBERS

The group has over 100 voluntary members who are from Chikmagalur, having a common interest in conserving wild landscapes of Chikmagalur. The members are in the age group between 10 and 70 years practicing various professions such as agriculture, engineering, medicine, business etc. Some of the members are still students and some dedicate their full time for wildlife conservation in the district. Members of the group are scientifically trained on various aspects of wildlife science and conservation. Many of them have special interests in subjects such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, conservation photography etc. The members regularly participate as volunteers in scientific field surveys of wildlife across the country.