Meet an Educator: Uma Shunmuganathan
Uma Shunmuganathan is an engineer-turned-educator who integrates nature into learning through explorations, nature journaling, farming, and active forest restoration.
Uma Shunmuganathan is an engineer-turned-educator who integrates nature into learning through explorations, nature journaling, farming, and active forest restoration.
Based in Jhargram, West Bengal, Shib Shankar Goswami spent two decades teaching in Hazaribag, Jharkhand, where his passion for birding began. He combines photography with storytelling to document local biodiversity for thousands of students. By bridging the gap between young minds and nature, he inspires a new generation of environmental stewards.
ಗೋಷಿಯಾ ತಾಜ್ ರವರು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ The Fig Tree Learning Centreನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣತಜ್ಞರಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಪಾಠಗಳನ್ನು ಬೋಧಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಬಾಲ್ಯದಿಂದಲೇ ಅವರು ಮರಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬೆಳೆಸಿಕೊಂಡ ನಂಟಿನಿಂದ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ ಪಡೆದು ಪ್ರಾಯೋಗಿಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಸಂವಾದಾತ್ಮಕ ಆಟಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಮಕ್ಕಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುತೂಹಲ, ಕಾಳಜಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಗೌರವವನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
Gousia Taj is a Bengaluru-based educator at The Fig Tree Learning Centre who teaches Kannada and nature studies across three local government schools. Inspired by her childhood bond with trees, she uses hands-on observation and interactive games to spark curiosity, kindness, and respect in young learners.
Thanigaivel Annamalai, an environmental researcher with ATREE, aims to bridge the gap between science and people. Through experiential learning, he inspires them to look beyond species identification and discover the beautiful, interconnected stories of nature.
Curious about birds from a very young age, Keerthika G is a PhD scholar and a passionate nature educator based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Her aim is to inspire diverse urban communities to observe, love, and protect local biodiversity.
Bhavya Sharma is a postgraduate student from Rajasthan who uses creative “question-first” methods and sensory activities to reconnect urbanites with local biodiversity.
A botanist and educator, Sweedle aims to bridge the gap between science and outreach through her venture, ‘The Leafy Walks.’ In Mumbai’s urban landscape, she blends storytelling, art, and “show-and-tell” with natural elements, nurturing ecological literacy and empathy across generations.
Ramde Bhatiya is an Assistant Teacher at Chorbedi Primary School in Gujarat, where he blends academic teaching with a passion for nature. As a dedicated birder, he transforms outdoors into a ‘living classroom’, nurturing environmental awareness and empathy in his students through immersive, experiential learning.
Wasima Begum is a nature educator from Assam dedicated to wildlife conservation and community engagement. Since 2022, with her background in ecological restoration, she has been working towards encouraging environment stewardship. By blending fieldwork with hands-on education, Wasima helps youth across Northeast India discover a deep, personal connection to nature.