Most recognised conservationists come from a strictly scientific and westernised background. Not so Dr. Sam ʻOhu Gon III. He was born and raised in Nuʻuanu, on the island of Oʻahu, in Hawai’i and even gained his first scientific qualifications using the Hawai‘i language.
Elissa Keenan—Ecotourism Australia CEO
Elissa Keenan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Ecotourism Australia.
Abishek Pradhan: Zero Waste Ideas into Action
Robert Pennicott: Regenerating Journeys
Purnima Devi Barman: Stork Deliverer
Claire Ellis on Strengthening Ecotourism in Australia
After three decades, Ecotourism Australia keeps reinventing itself to be relevant to the changing needs of the ecotourism industry. Chairperson Claire Ellis spoke to Mallika Naguran on why Australia’s new sustainable destination certification is very much needed and on working with WWF to advance the interests of Australian ecotourism operators while rebuilding disaster affected areas.
Forest Man Jadav Payeng: The Power of One
Jadav Payeng of India created a forest singlehandedly on a sandbar in Majuli to restore ecology and biodiversity in barren land. The reforestation efforts starting with bamboo plants brought back tigers, elephants, reptiles and birds. The conservation effort in Molai Forest sadly creates human-wildlife conflict.
Masaru Takayama: Ecotourism After Coronavirus
With COVID-19 putting a pause or stop to tourism and travel globally, can ecotourism survive if not spring back stronger than before? Masaru Takayama, Chair and Founder of the Asian Ecotourism Network, shares with Mallika Naguran his thoughts on the positive and negative impacts of the coronavirus on tourism, and how ecotourism players should adapt to “the new normal”.
Obituary: Paulinho Paiakan, 65
Victor Steffenson: Country Fireman
Irina Fedorenko: Reforestation with Drones
Subaraj Rajathurai: A Tribute to Singapore's Nature Warrior
The Story Behind Lewis Pugh’s Activism To Protect Antarctica
Extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh is planning his next conquest, to lobby for a massive marine protected area surrounding Antarctica. Facing enormous threats from melting sea ice and industrial fishing, the region is under severe threat. Mallika Naguran speaks to the ocean advocate on his activism, advocacy and next mission—Antarctica2020.
Albert Teo: How to Sustain Community Building in Ecotourism
John Roberts: On Sustainability and Tourism
Cecilie Benjamin: Mahonia Na Dari (Guardian of the Sea)
When some people learn to dive, they want to travel and dive as many places as they can. But Cecilie Benjamin was so taken with her first dive site she decided this was a place where her passion for the marine environment could flourish. She was so enthused, she helped establish a thriving future environmental education centre.
Jeff Goodell on Climate Change: The Water Will Come
Elephant Knowledge: Anna Songhurst and Ecoexist
Andrew Sebastian: On Malaysia Ecotourism & Ecology
No stranger to bird lovers and forest trekkers in Malaysia, guide Andrew Sebastian has more tricks up his sleeves in promoting ecotourism and habitat conservation than anyone can imagine. Gaia Discovery’s Mallika Naguran catches up with the bird expert to find out more about the Wallace Project through Sebastian’s own NGO - Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia, and about his views on how tourism can help raise ecological awareness.