Indian conservationist Krithi Karanth has become the first Indian recipient of the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year 2026 award. Through her organisation, the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Karanth has championed grassroots conservation efforts that focus on human-wildlife coexistence, community education, and support systems for families affected by wildlife conflict through initiatives like Wild Seve and Wild Shaale.
The National Geographic has chosen its first Indian Explorer as the recipient of its annual 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer. Krithi K. Karanth, is a conservationist, educator and scientist who is the CEO of Bengaluru based organisation, Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), that focuses on not just conserving our country’s natural habitats but also educating the masses about the importance of this cause. Through extensive field research and outreach programmes, Karanth and her team have studied how communities living near forests navigate encounters with elephants, tigers, leopards, and other wildlife, while also developing systems that support both conservation efforts and local livelihoods.
Two of the most impactful initiatives led by the Centre for Wildlife Studies are Wild Seve and Wild Shaale, both of which approach conservation through community support and education rather than exclusionary environmentalism. Wild Seve is a conservation and legal aid programme that assists rural families affected by human-wildlife conflict by helping them file and access government compensation for crop loss, livestock predation, or property damage caused by wild animals. By reducing the financial burden on communities living near forests, the programme helps build more empathetic and sustainable relationships between people and wildlife.
Meanwhile, Wild Shaale focuses on environmental education for children living in forest-edge communities across India. It introduces environmental learning at a young age in ways that are not only deeply engaging but also accessible and localised.
People like Krithi Karanth remind us that habitat conservation is not solely about protecting endangered animals or preserving forests in isolation; it is equally about creating systems where both people and wildlife can coexist with dignity and safety.
In a country like India, where millions of people live in close proximity to forests and protected areas, conservation cannot function through exclusion alone. Families living near wildlife habitats often face crop damage, livestock loss, financial instability, and even threats to their lives because of encounters with animals. Ignoring these realities creates resentment toward conservation efforts, making long-term ecological protection nearly impossible. Through education, compensation support, and engaging the community, her work demonstrates that coexistence is built through trust and accessibility.
The Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year 2026 award recognises pioneering individuals whose work is expanding the boundaries of exploration, science and conservation across the world.
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