About Tiger Watch · Ranthambhore · Est. 1997

A thorough gentleman who firmly believes in giving back to the planet and humanity. Fondly referred to as Isky Sir, he is the main financial supporter of the organization and has played a pivotal role in shaping the Mogya Education Programme. He is based out of Gurugram but keenly monitors operations on the ground.

An artist by heart, a medical practitioner by training and a conservationist by passion, he is the founder of the largest non-government organization of the district called the Prakartik Society, which employs 200 people. A state of art hospital and school are two examples of his exemplary work. He is a leading philanthropist in the area, who has received several international and national level awards while he also successfully runs a boutique hotel – Khemvillas at Ranthambore.

He is the main founder of Tiger Watch, Fateh ji used to say that he actually made Tiger Watch materialise and created a board for this organisation. He is a businessman based in Mumbai, but his heart is always in Ranthambhore. He single handedly raises funds, supports and manages the administrative work for the organisation.

Ishan Dhar became associated with Tiger Watch when Tiger Watch’s tiger monitoring team first expanded in 2015 and has actively participated in Tiger Watch interventions ever since. Since April 2021, he has looked after the organisation's research, development and communications. He has also served on Tiger Watch’s Board of Directors since 2017. The youngest individual to do so. He has co-authored two books and multiple research articles in journals and the electronic and print media. Ishan is also a Net Zero fellow, an exclusive program for 100 emerging Indian political and public leaders curated by the School of Policy & Governance.

Retired from the British Council Library, Soonoo Taraporewala is a regular visitor to Ranthambhore for the last 30 years. She has written a biography on the life of Fateh Singh Rathore and followed his passion as a disciple of the wild. Her bond with Ranthambore continues to blossom and she has always stood by Tiger Watch's side, both in times of strength and crisis.

One of the finest photographers in the country. Sachin Rai is engaged in the business of travel. Also a multimedia expert, he has tuned in with his expertise several times be it for making films, our website, and documents.

Rishad Naoroji was not only a friend and supporter of Fateh Singhji, but also a guide to propagate and support species other than Tigers, especially raptors.

Ajay is a surgeon of fine repute. Based in Jaipur, he advocates for Tiger Watch in the political and bureaucratic corridors of Rajasthan, thus ensuring positive manoeuvring and image building for Tiger Watch.

Former Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank and mother of two, Anjali Patel Mehta began her creative journey in 2012 when she founded her ready-to-wear label, Studio Verandah. A chance encounter with the tiger T-91 in the Ranthambhore National Park inspired her to start a collection themed around this most interesting of tigers. The collection was the first of its kind and brought the nuances surrounding tigers in Ranthambhore and the new realities of wildlife conservation to a whole new audience. Anjali has founded and consistently supported Baagh Pari, a pioneering and a first of its kind specialised initiative to empower Mogya girls.

Executive Director of Arvind ltd., Punit is no stranger to Ranthambhore nor wildlife conservation. As a young prodigious lad of 17, and with the encouragement of our late founder Fateh Singh Rathore, Punit participated in Ranthambhore's first ever camera trap based tiger census in 1999 under the supervision of Dr. Ullas Karanth. Punit spearheads initiatives in sustainability and strongly supports Tiger Watch's initiatives in community based conservation.

Abhimanyu Golcha has been the Director of the Golcha Group since 1994. In this capacity, he leads a group of Industries engaged in mining, cosmetics, cinemas and banking. A wildlife and nature lover and outdoor enthusiast with a soft spot for wildlife photography art, and local indigenous cultures, his love for Ranthambhore and his support for Tiger Watch led initiatives, came about very naturally. Abhimanyu has founded and consistently supported Rajasthan Biodiversity, an online portal focusing on pan-Rajasthan conservation issues, allowing for the development of a consolidated approach to wildlife conservation in the state for the very first time.

Dr Dharmendra Khandal has been a conservation biologist with Tiger Watch since 2003 and has led the organisation as executive director since 2011. His work with Tiger Watch has involved proactive anti-poaching, wildlife monitoring and groundbreaking conservation research. He has forged new frontiers in community-based conservation through his interventions in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and beyond. Dr Khandal is also the editor-in-chief of Rajasthan Biodiversity

Seema Mohanchandran has had a long professional career of close to 30 years in hospitality, across operations, sales & marketing and PR. Passionate about all life forms, she has in recent years been directly involved in the rescue of urban wildlife – owls, civets, kites and more. She hopes to contribute to Tiger Watch through her time, skills and advocacy, while supporting enterprises that benefit communities living near tiger reserves.

Dr Dharmendra Khandal serves as Executive Director and Conservation Biologist at Tiger Watch, therefore defining and leading our field and executive teams towards fulfilling our conservation objectives. Furthermore, Dr Khandal is the editor-in-chief of Rajasthan Biodiversity.

Ishan Dhar looks after fulfilling the organisation’s research, development, and communications objectives.

Praveen has an MSc in Life Sciences and has worked as an assistant field biologist with Tiger Watch since 2023. Praveen compiles much of the extensive data transmitted by our field teams and manages all ongoing programs. Praveen also serves as the managing editor of Rajasthan Biodiversity

Ms. Richa Gupta, a postgraduate in Business Management, plays a pivotal role in coordinating the teacher training program for our Mogya Education Program. She excels in strategic planning and developing impactful programs tailored to empower marginalised communities.

Dr. Dhirendra Devarshi, a doctorate in Avian Diversity of Rajasthan, is the former principal of a government college and currently oversees training programs for Tiger Watch.