Pratiksha Kothule

Pratiksha Kothule is a dedicated wildlife biologist with a rich background in biodiversity and conservation. She holds a BSc in Biotechnology and an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, both from Abasaheb Garware College, University of Pune, where she graduated with first class honours. Her expertise is in avian diversity, having conducted extensive research in the Western Ghats region.

Pratiksha has more than a decade of experience in wildlife conservation, working with various NGOs and institutions. She has been deeply involved in numerous citizen science initiatives and educational outreach programmes. As a project coordinator with the Nature Conservation Society of Nashik, she played a key role in conducting vulture research and raising awareness about their conservation in collaboration with the Forest Department and Bombay Natural History Society. Her efforts extended to enhancing public awareness of keystone species conservation in human-dominated landscapes, particularly focusing on hornbills in the Western Himalayas. Pratiksha also gained valuable experience as an intern at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, where she assisted in research on the mating behaviour of Indian blackbucks. Her dedication to conservation is further evidenced by her participation in the Great Indian Bustard Survey conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India.

Pratiksha is currently an External Consultant at IIHS. Her role involves managing and coordinating projects at the Miyawaki forest established in an industrial warehouse in Nashik as part of the Ignite Life Science Foundation’s initiatives. Pratiksha also works as a freelance naturalist and provides mentorship to EcoClubs in both school and college settings. She also conducts nature walks for the general public and creates wildlife gardens in urban spaces, fostering a greater appreciation for biodiversity among city dwellers.

Her skills encompass wildlife identification, environmental awareness, research, public speaking, and creating educational content for diverse audiences. Pratiksha has been recognised for her contributions to wildlife conservation and education. She was recognised as one of the ’51 Most Influential Women’ from Nashik by the Brijbhoomi Foundation’s Naari Shakti Ko Pranam initiative. She has also presented talks at various national seminars and conferences on topics related to bird conservation and wildlife rehabilitation. In addition to her field work, Pratiksha has contributed to few publications, including a comprehensive study on Borgad’s bird diversity in BNHS’s Hornbill magazine. Her commitment to conservation and education continues to make a significant impact in her community and beyond.