Young Nirmal Kulkarni has been nominated for Padma Shri award which is the fourth highest civilian award in the country conferred by the President. Last time around Goa’s renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodrigues while Goa’s famed scientist Raghunath Mashelkar had bagged the Padma Vibhusan.
But instead of celebrating his nomination, Nirmal prefers to be on the ground in the light rainfall and continue his work of being a foot soldier of the environment even at 10pm.
Nirmal Ulhas Kulkarni earlier this year was felicitated with prestigious Karmaveer Puraskaar for his role in conserving the northern Western Ghats (which led to the creation of the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary) and the proposal to upgrade the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary to a tiger reserve.
Another renowned foot soldier and wildlife photographer Anish Andheria speaking to us stated that Nirmal’s strive to increase the forest cover and save the forest is a great initiative and I am happy for him.
Dr. Anish Andheria is the President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), a not-for-profit, set up to preserve, protect and conserve wildlife and fight climate change. Currently, WCT works in and around 130 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries spread across 23 states of India and catalyses path-breaking conservation action.
In the last decade, around 50 new amphibian species have been discovered in the Western Ghats. Three of these—Goan caecilian (Gegeneophis goaensis), Mahdei caecilian (Gegeneophis mhadeiensis), and the Chorla Giant striped Ichthyophis (Ichthyophis davidi)—were discovered by Kulkarni.
At the age of 18, Kulkarni became Goa’s youngest Honorary Wildlife Warden as well as a member of the State Wildlife Advisory Board, where he continues to serve. Kulkarni’s publication, The Goan Jungle Book, has helped create interest about the state’s lesser known wildlife
However, the threat of mining still looms large in Goa’s Western Ghats. The series of large dam projects that have been planned in Karnataka and Maharashtra will destroy large tracts of pristine forests. According to Kulkarni, people are aware of the threats to the region, in part due to media coverage, but they haven’t been able to relate these threats to their daily lives. Kulkarni has done a fair bit fighting against the dam from Karnataka on the river Mhadei.
Nirmal Kulkarni, known for his wildlife photography and some serious discoveries of snakes
“It is indeed a proud movement. Being nominated is a great feeling,” Nirmal reacted.
Nirmal, 40-year old herpetologist, is nominated in category called ‘Others’ for his contribution towards sustainable tourism and conservation.
Padma award for the year 2018 will be announced on the eve of the Republic Day next year.
Nirmal has headed and contributed to several research projects like National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area, Indian Herpetological Society, Animal Wildlife Census.
Some of the rare species of caecilian, sub species of pit viper are discovered by him.
