Why ‘Wild Navigator’?

Wild Navigator is Abhishek Behl’s brainchild which blogs about wilderness; the problems communities, species and habitats face on a daily basis; and how the wilderness travel industry can act as a tool for wildlife conservation and be a part in mitigating these impacts through a sustainable medium of participation, interaction and travel.

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Introducing Wild Navigator ”Wilderness Focused Traveller”

Wildlife / Wilderness conservation has many dimensions and it is possible to get involved in a number of different ways. Some approach this area from a scientific perspective.  Others feel it is better to view or experience it as a journey that allows them to learn as they go.

Wildlife Tourism as an industry involves the wilderness tourism supply chain (be it international wilderness travel operators, country-based ground handling agents and finally accommodation lodges/providers in the final destinations).  They all have important roles to play in specialised tourism products.  As ‘Wildlife’ is the travel trades main ‘Product’ - the industry needs to start working on sustaining its product so that they can use it for years. The products have limited life and are open to many impacts / conflicts for their own survival. These wildlife products need to be carefully used - not misused (unlike what is happening in many parts of the world).

This sector has been portrayed throughout the world as a tool that can and should sustain wildlife conservation practices. This can only occur if and when impacts are analysed / mitigated to sustain the very sustainability of this wildlife product.

This is the very reason, after much studying / analysing the wilderness tourism industry, Wild Navigator was launched in the beginning of 2011 under the banner of Conservation Footprints. It summarises Wilderness focused Travel through sustainable initiatives of tourism and social enterprises. Currently it is a blog and we are working on a membership basis for the future (which we have plans to upload in the coming months).

We welcome articles from various wildlife regions of the world. If you are a travel company participating in wildlife experiences / not for profit organisation explaining their campaign to our viewers to participate or even a local community initiative which feels its important to keep your traditions / culture and values alive for visitors to participate in.

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Our very own Navigator - Abhishek Behl 

Hi, I am Abhishek Behl - Founder & Chief Consulting Officer at Conservation Footprints Ltd (United Kingdom), a consultancy that harmonizes the needs of business enterprise/travel operators with sustainable wildlife conservation practices.

Since 1999, I have been actively researching India’s national parks. I was a consultant for UK charity Global Tiger Patrol and headed the Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) India Wildlife Association as their Executive Director for five years. Working with wilderness tour suppliers, international tour operators, India’s travel operators and wilderness lodges, I initiate conservation tourism strategies for sustainable development.

In 2008, I was invited by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to inaugurate the Amur Tiger enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park (Aviemore, Scotland). In 2009, The Telegraph highlighted my work and named me as one of India’s ‘Green Warriors.’

I have been part of many research teams worldwide and assisted various universities in the UK / US and others with their protected area management research.

I helped in establishing and launching India’s first wilderness certification programme (PUG - Practices under Guidelines Wilderness Tourism Certification Program) for wildlife lodges adjoining Indian national parks / tiger reserves.

This achievement, along with my continued involvement in wildlife tourism and conservation has been recognized worldwide and in 2007 earned me a Sanctuary-ABN AMRO Wildlife Award.

Currently, I sit on numerous committees for India’s tourism and conservation policies and am actively involved with tourism and scientific communities worldwide to improve standards for the future of wildlife tourism and conservation.

I am also a qualified Travelife Tourism Certification Auditor, under ABTA - The Travel Foundation and the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), assuring the environmental and community commitment of accommodations in the Travelife group.

With an MSc in Wildlife Conservation & Tourism from the Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology (DICE - University of Kent, Canterbury) in 2004;  I provide on-going eco-consulting and wildlife promotions to various wilderness business in the wilderness travel industry and not for profit charity organisations.

I am currently based in Edinburgh (United Kingdom), with frequent travels world-wide.

Mail me  - abhishek@wildnavigator.com

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