The Nature Volunteers
An Informal Pressure Group of Environmentlly Restless People
About
The Green Volunteers
The Nature Volunteers (TNV) is a leading conservation movement NGO and a not-for-profit organization functioning from Indore, MP. It celebrated its silver jubilee in 2016-17. TNV is a registered organization with a top track record of variety of works such as wetland conservation, bird habitat protection, save tiger campaign, raising environment and climate issues at national and international fora, publishing books to create awareness in the masses, especially among the student community, organising bird watching camps, participating in bird surveys, vulture counts and so on. Much before the climate change and environment degradation emerged as global challenges, TNV had started its modest field work in these areas.
Our Vision
A well-protected, healthy and beautifully green environment!
Our Mission
To conserve birds and their habitats; secure wetlands and its biodiversity; and constantly work with people and governments to protect wildlife, to improve upon our natural ecology and urban chaos while ensuring the well being of trees, animals and people!
Pug Marks in the media
Feathers in the TNV Cap
Before
After
Trail From the past - Complete conservation of Sirpur Lake, Indore
Indore's famous Sirpur Lake, which is 120 years old, was a natural bird habitat but fell on bad days due to the negligence of its owners, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). TNV, led by its president - an acclaimed environmentalist, Bhalu Mondhe (Padma Shri), took upon itself to conserve the wetland and its flora and fauna. He, along with his young journalist friend Abhilash Khandekar, then working with Free Press Journal as a sports correspondent, set up The Nature Volunteers (TNV) -- "An informal pressure group of environmentally restless people". Their love for the city and its well being was a common point of interest. They teamed up to save Sirpur. It was 5th June 1992. Since then their untiring multi-pronged efforts have resulted in the lake and its biodiversity being protected completely. It took them and their colleagues almost 15 years of sustained efforts which brought back to life this Heritage Lake, the biggest chunk of carbon sink around Indore and ensured it regained its pristine glory. The successful conservation of Sirpur Lake, as an urban water body, is now a well known success story across the country. We refer to it as the Sirpur Bird Sanctuary (SBS) in reverence to the 150 colourful species of resident and migratory birds.
Abhilash Khandekar, vice president, at 6th Asian Cities Summit, New Delhi. He moderated a session on urban biodiversity conservation held on 6 April, 2023. The Summit was organized by the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG).
Initiated an environment award in 2018 Paryavaran Prahari to be awarded to someone doing outstanding work for the environment and nature in the region.
Started celebrating the World Wetlands Day in Indore annually on 2nd February.
He won the coveted Royal Bank of Scotland's Earth Heroes Award in the 'Inspire Category' and was honoured by the Vice President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi in 2018. He has also been a core member of the India Rivers Week--a national level group which is working for the conservation and rejuvenation of Indian rivers.
Awarded the prestigious, civilian honour Padma Shri (2016).
Attended the International Sarus Crane Conference (Saifai, UP, 2016)
Indore declared Sirpur Lake an ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Area’ (IBA, 2015) Sirpur has received international recognition. It has been declared an ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Area’ (IBA) by the International body, Birdlife International, London, on the recommendation of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). It is one of the 19 IBAs in Madhya Pradesh.