India's Snake Man: Snakebites, Tigers & Saving the Western Ghats | Nirmal Kulkarni | EP-24

Today I am talking to Nirmal Kulkarni who at 12 years old, carried a snake to school in a steel compass box. That childhood fascination grew into a lifetime dedicated to understanding and protecting the wildlife of the Western Ghats. Nirmal is one of India's most respected herpetologists and conservationists, the Director of the Mhadei Research Centre. Nirmal shares incredible stories from more than two decades in the field including the snakebite that nearly killed him, the tiger that charged him during his first forest census, and the countless lessons he's learned from studying snakes, forests, rivers, and wildlife across Goa and the Western Ghats. We discuss: • The snakebite that changed his life forever • What to do and what NOT to do, if a snake bites you • Why thousands of Indians still die from snakebites every year • His first encounter with the tiger • The importance of the Mhadei River and Goa's forests • Dams, development, and the future of the Western Ghats • Why conservation gives him hope Whether you're passionate about wildlife, conservation, nature, or simply love extraordinary stories from the field, this conversation is packed with insights and unforgettable experiences. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about India's natural heritage.