K Ramnath Chandrashekar
{{ infobox person | name = K Ramnath Chandrasekhar | alt = K Ramnath Chandrasekhar | image = | caption = K.Ramnath Chandrasekhar, Wildlife Photographer and Executive Director, Youth For Conservation | birth_date = | birth_place = Chennai, India | occupation = Nature photographer and conservation educator | nationality = Indian | website = www.ramnathshekar.com }}
K. Ramnath Chandrasekhar (born 21 May 1989) is a Indian naturalist, nature photographer and a Conservation Educator He is currently the Executive Director of Youth For Conservation (YFC), a non-profit environmental and conservation education initiative that he co-founded along with his guide and mentor, acclaimed wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Shekar Dattatri.
Early life
Ramnath got into photography when he was 13. Upon his father's suggestion, he joined a nature camp within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady and sighted his very first tiger there. He met the wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Shekar Dattatri who went on to become his mentor.
Career
Nature photography
Ramnath started documenting natural history at the age of 13, and went on becoming one of India's accomplished young nature photographers. Exhibits of his work were displayed in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi and Ahmedabad. He undertook a month long project in 2012 to document drought in Tamilnadu. His photographs from Chilika Lake were published in the book 'Ira The Little Dolphin', a children's book by Shekar Dattatri.
Environmental awareness and education
He co-founded Youth For Conservation (YFC) along with his mentor Shekar Dattatri. In 2010, he was short-listed as one of the 13 candidates from the Asia-Pacific for the prestigious Rolex Young Laureates Programme. He conducted the awareness programs 'Truth AbOUT Tigers Outreach Marathon' and 'Save Our Sholas Outreach Marathon' to highlight the importance of tiger conservation to 50,000 students in various states across Tamil Nadu. He conducted a three-day Young Naturalist Camp at Periyar Tiger Reserve for 23 students selected from Tiruchirapalli outreach programs. He works to inform thousands of school and college students on the finer aspects of tiger conservation through screenings and discussions based on the film 'The Truth About Tigers'. He later designed and conducted 'The Planet and You', a six-month program along with a team, to take nature and conservation education to 3500 students in 21 schools across Tamil Nadu using the medium of documentary films, games, activities, and audiovisuals. Ramnath writes a monthly column titled 'Inside my green book' in The Hindu, Metro Plus, Tiruchirapalli about nature photography and conservation.
Key achievements
- Addressed the importance of wildlife conservation to 50,000 students in various schools across Tamilnadu.
- He initiated and conducted a six-month conservation education program for 3500 students in 21 schools in Tamil Nadu.
- Part of the film crew that made 'Secrets of the King Cobra' in 2008, which was broadcast on the National Geographic channel.
- Exhibits of his work were displayed in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
Recognition
- Awarded 'Sutru suzhal Sudaroli' (Torchbearer of environment) by the Government of Tamil Nadu during the Environmental Awards 2013.
- Sanctuary Young Naturalist Award 2011.
- Shortlisted for the Rolex Young Laureates Programme in 2010.
- Selected as one of the six photographers from India for their 'Fuji Super Six' 2008 exhibition.
- Semi-finalist at the BBC wildlife photographer of the year in 2006.
See also
- Nature photography
- Wildlife photography
- Conservation in India
- Environmental education