Krithi Karanth, CEO of the Centre for Wildlife Studies in India, described how her early love of nature evolved into a career in conservation.

Karanth's journey highlights the critical role of early education and familial influence in creating the next generation of scientists dedicated to biodiversity. Her work focuses on fostering coexistence between human populations and the natural world to prevent species loss.

In an interview with France 24 on Friday, Karanth said her childhood passion is now a lifetime commitment. She detailed how her father nurtured her love of nature over 17 years [1]. This immersion began almost immediately, as she started accompanying her father into the jungle at the age of one [2].

These early experiences formed the foundation for her current role as a conservation biologist. Based in Bangalore, Karanth now leads efforts to protect a diverse array of species. Her work specifically targets the preservation of Asian elephants, tigers, and honey bees [1].

Karanth said that her primary goal is to share her personal journey to highlight the importance of protecting wildlife. By emphasizing the bond between people and nature, she aims to create sustainable models for conservation in India and beyond [1].

The Centre for Wildlife Studies continues to operate as a hub for research and protection strategies. Through her leadership, Karanth advocates for a science-based approach to managing habitats and reducing human-wildlife conflict [1].

“My childhood passion is now a lifetime commitment.”

Karanth's trajectory illustrates a shift in conservation toward long-term, lifelong commitment rather than short-term interventions. By focusing on a spectrum of species—from apex predators like tigers to essential pollinators like honey bees—her work emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the necessity of human-wildlife coexistence for ecological stability.