Mahim Pandhi
Wildlife Foundation
The Foundation was established as a not-for-profit organization to fill a vital gap in crocodile research and conservation.
Our team of crocodile specialists works with the crocodiles of the arid region of Kutch, to understand their uniqueness, their adaptation to the harsh conditions of this biome, and their special, conflict-free existence with their human neighbours.
DesertCrocs
Research and Conservation Project
DesertCrocs project aims to under the Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) in the arid environment of the isolated region of Kutch, India.
We believe these crocodiles may have something unique to show
us.
In 2021, the Foundation worked with the Gujarat Forest Department to conduct the first district-wide crocodile survey in 2 decades, resulting in groundbreaking data that changed the entire outlook for crocodile conservation in the region. This initiative included citizen scientists, from all walks of life, collaborating with crocodile experts and scientists to create a full community driven event.
Status of Crocodylus palustris in Kutch District, Gujarat, India
Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 41(2): 4-8
Education, Training, and Outreach
Education is the key to solving a lot of ecological problems. The Foundation makes it a priority to provide necessary information to the people, and especially to dispel rumors, superstitions and incorrect assumptions.
The Foundation has also helped train Forest Department personnel and citizen volunteers in safe and proper technique for wildlife conservation. This has ranged from crocodile surveys, tracking migrating crocodiles across habitats, and even sea turtle egg collection for safe hatching.
We also hold educational events from time to time for the public at large. For example, on World Crocodile Day, June 17, 2022, working together with AFWWA (Air Force Wives Welfare Association) we created a special program for children from the local Air Force families (who live near crocodiles at the base!) to learn about crocodiles and their importance in the ecosystem.
We took nearly 100 children, several parents, and a small group of officers to the field where they could observe crocodiles in their natural habitat.
In production:
Dragons in the Desert
Our upcoming documentary tells the story of the crocodiles of Kutch. We follow different individuals and show their life over different seasons, the challenges they face, and how they live in almost complete harmony with humans.
Dragons in the Desert is scheduled to be released in 2021. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay informed.
Snapshots from the field
About the Foundation
The Mahim Pandhi Wildlife Foundation was founded to fill the void of conservation and protection of the native crocodiles of Kutch, a unique, isolated part of India. Our small, focused team combines experiences from different fields to approach challenges from new perspectives.
With our flagship project DesertCrocs, we are working towards a better understanding of the unique crocodiles of Kutch. We work with local authorities and communities on educational initiatives to help continue the zero human-crocodile conflict legacy of Kutch, and better understand this fascinating aspect of co-existence.
Self-sufficiency and open exchange
Our prime directive is to study crocodiles while taking the utmost care to preserve their safety, territory, and way of life. We employ cutting edge technologies and inventive methodologies to explore new ways of understanding these animals.
The Foundation is fully self-sufficient and operates on a private budget, without any financial contributions from donors or sponsors, to create a superbly streamlined endeavor that is strictly focused on our work and not administration and fundraising.
To foster open exchange, The Foundation publishes its research and data under the permissive Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 license.
Team
Mahim Pandhi
(1946-2006)
The Foundation was created in memory of Mahim Pandhi, a renowned journalist and renaissance man who loved nature. He spent his life practicing his principles of charity and philanthropy. He was a man of action who believed in doing things himself - especially when it came to helping others. He loved to explore nature and shared his garden with cobras, mongooses, and reptiles.
The Mahim Pandhi Wildlife Foundation was founded by his family.
Join the adventure
Researchers
We are looking for like-minded people in the fields of herpetology, zoology, and paleontology - who are interested in collaborating with the DesertCrocs project, and beyond. You will get to work with a team of specialists with decades of experience under their belt, and have access to cutting edge technologies.
Students
Are you an undergraduate or postgraduate student? You can gain valuable work experience in the field by joining our projects on a short-term basis. Get in touch with us for details.