about us
SPROUTS (Est. 1995) is a Mumbai-based Environmental Consulting and Eco-tourism company established in 1995 by renowned Wildlife Biologist and Conservationist, Anand Pendharkar. It has been working with people from various parts of the world towards popularizing outdoors and experiencing Nature at its best, while focusing on wildlife conservation. SPROUTS regularly organizes camps, nature trails, treks to various National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, farms, lakes and even zoos, which it considers to be very important centres of ex-situ conservation via captive breeding, research and education. SPROUTS has over the last 25yrs undertaken Biodiversity Research initiatives such as the Northern Western Ghats Conservation Project (NWGCP), Mumbai Biodiversity Project (MBP) and Marine Documentation Project. SPROUTS believes in engaging members of the society in loving, protecting, studying and multiplying the abundant resources the Earth has to offer. We also focus on responsible lifestyle activities, including sustainable eco-tourism, production and promotion of eco-friendly products and volunteer-based actions towards wildlife conservation!
THE TEAM
Anand Pendharkar – Founder & CEO: He is an Ecologist, Social Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker, Certified International Zoo Educator, Professional Teacher Trainer, and Visiting Faculty. He has an M.Sc. in Wildlife Biology and headed the Environmental Sciences (EVS) Department in the prestigious The Doon School (Dehradun). He regularly contributes to newspapers and travel magazines as a columnist, and has published over 650 popular and scientific articles. Way back in 2000 he had designed India’s first Environment Management course for MBAs. In 1995 he established the well-known eco-tourism & consulting company SPROUTS and is its CEO. SPROUTS is conducting different projects like butterfly gardens, terrace farms, documenting biodiversity as well as camps & treks for schools, colleges, housing colonies & villages. He is also the Founder and Director of the associated Conservation NGO – SPROUTS Environment Trust (established in 2002). Anand is also a TEDx Speaker, Trekker, Activist, and explorer. He has travelled the length and breadth of India and documented its immense biodiversity He has also climbed high up on Nandadevi (2nd Highest Indian Peak) and Trishul (3rd highest Indian Peak) besides cycling from Goa to Mumbai or Walking from Manali to Leh and many more adventures. In 2018, he co-authored a travel book, titled ‘The Other Mahabaleshwar and ‘Climate Actioneers’ Primer: A Beginners Toolkit’ in 2023, which is the first book, of the 7 Climate Action Book Series. He has also recently completed the 1st batch of the School of Western Ghats, a train the trainer course to create warriors for the Western Ghats.
Rahul Gaikwad – Director (Projects): He is an accomplished Human Resources (HR) specialist with a robust background in the mechanical and industrial engineering sector. He brings a wealth of expertise in navigating the intricacies of HR functions. He is a dedicated professional committed to driving organisational success through strategic HR management. His foundation in Human Resource and Industrial Relations, cultivated through a Master’s degree, positions him as a strong advocate for effective workforce management, organisational and project development. Rahul is also passionate about nature, fitness, outdoors, and youth empowerment through educational and employment opportunities.
ASSOCIATES AND VOLUNTEERS
Kamini Gopal – Knowledge Associate:, She is an Ecologist and Wildlife Biologist, has extensive experience in conservation, from the Andaman Islands to the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai rainforests. With exceptional writing skills, she ventured into content writing and editing for an early dot com start-up. Later, Kamini left the corporate world to establish her successful home-baking business, 22 Baker Street – Holmemade Cakes, which has thrived for a decade. She still freelances as a writer while passionately leading people of all ages to explore urban wilderness areas. Kamini’s love for Nature and insatiable hunger for words, continue to drive her innumerable pursuits.
Dr. Sharda Kulkarni – Knowledge Associate: Dr Sharda Kulkarni is a senior Gynaecologist and Obstetrician (MD, Univ of Bombay, and F.R.C.O.G. UK) and a certified Embryologist. She has her private clinics, Siddhilife Assisted Reproduction Centre, at Borivli W, and Siddhi Maternity Hospital in Borivli East, Mumbai.
Besides her passion for Fertility medicine, she is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer and avid nature lover.
Sharda has nurtured her love for nature, and she and her family have been joining SPROUTS for their Nature Outings, Treks and Camps for several decades. She has been supporting the work of Sprouts for many years, inspite of her hectic work schedules. She believes that ‘The human body can be healed in many ways. Nature is the best healer of the mind.’ She currently is volunteering her time and skills in the various on-going projects of SPROUTS.