Image credit: Project Team
A course to train the youth of Hesaraghatta grasslands into becoming ecopreneurs which will not only generate income for them but also help in conserving the wildlife in those areas. The Responsible Ecotourism project at Hesaraghatta, spearheaded by The Naturalist School in collaboration with Native Jungle and Our Native Village, is an ambitious initiative set in Bengaluru’s last remaining open grassland at Heserghatta, a peri-urban area in the north-west fringes of the city of Bangalore. Encompassing over 5,000 acres, the recently notified Greater Hesaraghatta Conservation Reserve boasts rich biodiversity—including 395 insect species, 285 birds, and 111 butterflies—and serves as a crucial catchment that supports water security for the city. Our multi-month project seeks to combine conservation with community empowerment and climate resilience by training local youth as professional nature guides through certified courses, fostering green livelihoods, and building environmental stewardship. The program will also enhance ecotourism ethics, infrastructure, and urban engagement, positioning Hesaraghatta as a living lab for sustainable development and a scalable model for other vulnerable habitats. By The Naturalist School, Native Jungle and Our Native Village. Project Start Date: September 2025 Contact details:
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- Arvindh Sethuraman (TNS) – 9600162082
- Priya Venkatesh (TNS) – 9886798911
- Swarna Venkataraman (CI) – 9845740848
- Instagram: @thenaturalistschool, @conservationindia, @ournativevillage
- Website: www.naturalist.school | www.conservationindia.org | www.ournativevillage.com
