WASI - Wildlife Association of South India

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WASI - Wildlife Association of South India

An NGO dedicated to conserving the Mahseer and riverine habitat in the Cauvery river basin.

15/06/2026

The voice behind the WASI office.

Meet Roopa Santosh, the friendly face behind many of the calls, emails, and day-to-day operations that keep WASI running smoothly.

If you've ever contacted our office, chances are you've already spoken to Roopa. Since joining WASI a little over a year ago, she has become an indispensable part of the team. What began as a role focused on office administration quickly grew into much more, thanks to her enthusiasm, reliability, and willingness to take on new challenges.

Always smiling and always ready to help, Roopa brings a warmth and energy that brightens the workplace. Whether she's coordinating office affairs, supporting workshops and camps, or helping field teams stay connected with our Bengaluru office, she approaches every task with positivity and dedication.

Outside of work, Roopa enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and trying out new recipes for her family. She loves travelling to quiet coastal destinations, where she can unwind by the water, enjoy the local cuisine, and recharge for the next adventure.

Thank you for everything you do, Roopa. We're fortunate to have you as part of the WASI family.

Drop a 👍 and a 🔥 for Roopa and thank her for helping keep the WASI wheels turning every single day!

14/06/2026

Nothing to see here. Just a watersnake doing watersnake things among some water lettuce doing water lettuce things.

10/06/2026

As Spider-Man's uncle once reminded us, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Damming rivers may offer us temporary relief from our water challenges, but it alters ecology that has evolved over millions of years. Just last month, a herd of elephants attempted to cross the river upstream of Harobale Dam. Two of them died after becoming trapped in accumulated silt.

We need dams, but we rarely stop to ask an important question: how many dams can a river system truly sustain?

08/06/2026

Meet Ramachandra, the youngest member of the WASI field team.

Ramachandra joined WASI in 2023 as a trainee under the Mahseer Radio Telemetry Programme. A quick learner with a keen interest in the outdoors, he rapidly picked up field survey techniques and has since assisted interns, researchers, and volunteers during field excursions across the Cauvery landscape.

Born and raised in a small village on the banks of the Cauvery, Ramachandra's connection to rivers runs deep. His father, Krishna, is a traditional fisherman with a wealth of knowledge about reading rivers and catching fish for a livelihood. It was through him that Ramachandra first developed an interest in river-based work and life along the water.

Conservation runs in the family. His uncle, a respected member of the local community, works closely with the Forest Department in protecting the Sangam Range of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Surrounded by people deeply connected to nature, Ramachandra has grown into a promising young conservationist, showing great potential as both a steward of the environment and an effective communicator.

Beyond his work in the field, Ramachandra enjoys riding and repairing motorcycles, watching wildlife, and spending time by the river. With his enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn, he represents an exciting part of WASI's future.

Drop Ramachandra a 👍🏾 in the comments or share a memory that you might have with him. We are proud of his efforts!

05/06/2026

Join us tomorrow for our second talk this week!

Our President, G. Susheel, will take you on a journey through Karnataka's agro-forest landscapes, sharing firsthand experiences and insights into one of the most pressing conservation challenges of our time: human–wildlife conflict.

From man-eating tigers and crop-raiding elephants to illegal poaching for bushmeat, this talk will explore the root causes of conflict and the complex relationship between people and wildlife.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from someone who has spent more than five decades traversing Karnataka's forests on foot, gaining a rare and intimate understanding of the state's wildlife and the communities that live alongside it.

Date: Tomorrow 6:30 pm
Venue: @ Bangalore International centre

We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP at the link below.

https://bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/conservation-and-conflict/

03/06/2026

Join our conservation Biologist tomorrow evening at BIC for a conversation on freshwater ecology

RSPV on the BIC website.

31/05/2026

Jesu Das, a fisherman turned conservationist, is one of the most recognised members of the WASI field team. An expert cast netter, Jesu possesses a rare traditional skillset sought across the Cauvery basin for both fisheries and scientific fish surveys. He is among the few who can custom-build and repair cast nets for targeting specific fish species — a craft that is becoming increasingly rare today.

Over the years, Jesu has developed an exceptional understanding of freshwater fish ecology and identification. His local knowledge has even contributed to the rediscovery of rare species such as the Silund Catfish in the Cauvery. In 2025, he co-authored his first scientific note documenting the nesting behaviour of a large freshwater turtle.

Jesu currently leads WASI’s Mahseer Radiotelemetry Programme in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, where he has helped tag and track over 16 adult mahseer while mentoring dozens of young interns in field techniques.

His dedication has earned national recognition, including Sanctuary Asia’s prestigious “Mud on Boots” Fellowship — awarded to him twice.

Today, Jesu lives along the Cauvery at Mahalli (Sangama) with his wife and daughter, Priyadarshi. Whether assisting the Forest Department during emergencies, supporting wildlife monitoring efforts, or simply sharing his deep knowledge of the river, Jesu remains an invaluable part of WASI and freshwater conservation in India.

Send Jesu an acknowledgement in comments to show your support for his dedication to river conservation. Your encouragement means a lot!

30/05/2026

How do you know your conservation efforts are making a difference?

At WASI, one of the most rewarding indicators comes from our members themselves. Through their photographs and wildlife observations, we get a glimpse of the incredible biodiversity that continues to thrive in and around our aquatic habitats.

From thriving colonies of Streaked Weavers and elusive Pangolins to large mammals and an astonishing diversity of freshwater fishes, these sightings remind us why protecting freshwater ecosystems matters. Healthy rivers, lakes, and wetlands don't just support fish—they provide refuge for an entire community of wildlife.

Every photograph shared by our members is more than just a record; it's a testament to the value of conservation and a source of motivation for our board, staff, and field teams.

A special thank you to Sandeep Arun for capturing and sharing these wonderful moments from the wild.

27/05/2026

WASI is one of Bangalore's oldest wildlife societies and always throw up welcomed surprises from the archives. Here's a picture of our Bangalore office board from the early 1900's.

17/05/2026

Rooted in the Cauvery landscape.

Meet Haneef, a dedicated member of the WASI family for the past four years.

Having grown up along the waters of the Cauvery at a village named Bluff (Shivanasamudram), fishing has been a part of Haneef’s life since childhood. His deep connection with the river and surrounding forests has given him an intimate understanding of the wilderness around the area.

Haneef lives with his mother, Rukiyabi, his wife, Mumtaz, and their two daughters, Alia and Amra, who are currently pursuing their studies. Alongside his responsibilities at WASI, he is a land owner and practices agriculture, balancing family life with hard work and commitment—reflecting his close bond with nature and the land. Hannef is also an automobile enthusiast, his prize possession, a 1984 Mahindra MM540 which Haneef cares for and services himself.

Friendly and knowledgeable, Haneef enjoys encouraging our members to explore the outdoors through trekking, birdwatching, and river fishing around the Shivanasamudram waterfalls and forested river stretches nearby. His passion for the Cauvery landscape shines through in every interaction, helping visitors feel connected to the beauty of the region. Hannef also actively encourages students and scientists alike to explore and document wildlife, some of which are endemic to the Shivanasamudram area.

A lover of fish dishes and biryani, Haneef’s simple and grounded nature reflects the spirit of the riverside life he has always known.

Drop a 👋 for Haneef and share your favourite memory from the Cauvery or the outdoors in the comments!

Address

Bangalore

Website

https://wasiindia.com/, https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iRYsq45H8JKWPfCVVo1McqYnI_51JcD&si=dIRWndRrS1grZtjv

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