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
Anand Pendharkar is a Wildlife Biologist, Ecologist, author, trekker, activist, consultant, zoo educator and an alumnus of the reputed Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. He founded SPROUTS (Est. 1995), an Ecotourism and Consulting Company, which for the last 25 years has been documenting and creating awareness about the immense biodiversity of Mumbai, its coastline and the Western Ghats via Mumbai Biodiversity Project (MBP) & the Northern Western Ghats Biodiversity Conservation Project (NWGBCP). He has published over 650 popular and scientific articles in international journals, papers and magazines. In 2018, he co-authored a book, titled ‘The Other Mahabaleshwar’.
Amruta Padgaonkar - Freelance Associate
A guidebook of 100 Common Birds ignited Amruta’s interest in Nature, at the young age of 5years. She found sciences to be fascinating and pursued her undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences. While doing her Bachelors in Science, she volunteered and joined the year-long Eco-Leadership Internship in 2015, at the SPROUTS Environment Trust, an Environment NGO. Five years since then, she has continued to work as a Co-Educator at SPROUTS, an Environment Consulting and Ecotourism Company and volunteering with the NGO too. During this course of time, she has been an integral part of various conservation, research, activism, advocacy and outreach projects of the organisation in planning, managing, facilitating, content planning, and training. She recently completed her Masters in Life Science (Biochemistry).
Siddharth Waradkar - Freelance Associate
Siddharth Waradkar has completed his graduation in Zoology and currently working as a Freelancer. He was a former intern at SPROUTS, and has 5 years of experience with teaching the underprivileged and in NGO sectors. He has lead many Sustainable events for International Clients and even worked for Corporates. He has been a part of research projects and assisted Mr. Anand Pendharkar in various projects. Siddharth has explored the jungles of Western Ghats and his love for nature developed through photography. Starting from his first encounter with a Indian Cobra in his backyard, it's been an endless journey.
Sneha Patel - Freelance Associate
Sneha is fascinated through the patterns found in Nature and loves to combine Nature and Art. She especially loves doing Mandala Art. She is currently pursuing Bachelors in Science. She volunteered and joined the year-long Eco-Leadership Internship in 2018, at the SPROUTS Environment Trust, an Environment NGO. Sneha has conducted Mandala and Nature Art workshops during various SPROUTS events.
Rahul Palekar - Volunteer
Rahul Palekar is an Engineer by profession and has an interest in Nature Education and Sustainability. He completed the yearlong Eco-leadership Internship with SPROUTS Environment Trust in 2020 and has been associated with the Organisation as a Volunteer. He has been a part of Green Audits and Restoration Projects as well as in the making and dissemination of Nature Education material. He is also interested in Dinosaurs, Poetry Writing and watching Cricket.
Aradhya Sardesai - Freelance Associate
Aradhya Sardesai works in the development sector. His academic and professional interests lie at the cross-sections of community engagement, outreach, sustainable development and wildlife conservation. After an Eco-leadership Internship with SPROUTS Environment Trust in 2016, he has been associated as a freelance consultant. He likes to play football.