Romulus Whitaker - 2008 Associate Laureate

Romulus Whitaker has spent over three decades creating organisations in India to study and protect amphibians and reptiles. Whitaker, dwarfed by a towering tree, hopes his network and research stations will extend beyond science to advocate the sustainable use of rainforest resources. Whitaker wants to create an Indian rainforest network to protect biodiversity as a sustainable resource from which populations can benefit. With new confidence fostered by Whitaker's education programme, a young volunteer at the Agumbe research station overcomes his fears and touches a vine snake. A high number of endemic species, such as the flying lizard, Oraco dussumeri, find a haven in the Western Ghats. Whitaker (in white) introduces the work of the Agumbe Research Station to volunteers. These future conservationists come from all parts of India. Whitaker is protecting the rainforest of the Western Ghats, where all the rivers providing water to southern India, such as the Sita Nadi (pictured), originate. A world-respected herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker has long been at the forefront of grassroots conservation in India. Whitaker founded the Agumbe research station between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary to carry out research, conservation and education. The Western Ghats can receive over 10 metres of rain a year. They provide the water supply to 350 million inhabitants in southern India. Mittal Gala, education officer of the Agumbe research station, and a volunteer measure a termite mound, collecting data for the rainforest biodiversity database set up by Whitaker. Amphibians, 80 per cent of them endemic species, are part of the Indian rainforest's invaluable biodiversity that Whitaker's project aims to preserve. In Romulus Whitaker's hands, snakes become educational tools for children and icons of nature conservation. Whitaker (left) and Gowri Shankar study data collected at the Agumbe research station. The institution has become a clearing house for conservation research in the Western Ghats. India Research Stations: locations.
Romulus Whitaker has spent over three decades creating organisations in India to study and protect amphibians and reptiles.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Romulus Whitaker has spent over three decades creating organisations in India to study and protect amphibians and reptiles.

Whitaker, dwarfed by a towering tree, hopes his network and research stations will extend beyond science to advocate the sustainable use of rainforest resources.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker, dwarfed by a towering tree, hopes his network and research stations will extend beyond science to advocate the sustainable use of rainforest resources.

Whitaker wants to create an Indian rainforest network to protect biodiversity as a sustainable resource from which populations can benefit.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker wants to create an Indian rainforest network to protect biodiversity as a sustainable resource from which populations can benefit.

With new confidence fostered by Whitaker's education programme, a young volunteer at the Agumbe research station overcomes his fears and touches a vine snake.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
With new confidence fostered by Whitaker's education programme, a young volunteer at the Agumbe research station overcomes his fears and touches a vine snake.

A high number of endemic species, such as the flying lizard, Oraco dussumeri, find a haven in the Western Ghats.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
A high number of endemic species, such as the flying lizard, Oraco dussumeri, find a haven in the Western Ghats.

Whitaker (in white) introduces the work of the Agumbe Research Station to volunteers. These future conservationists come from all parts of India.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker (in white) introduces the work of the Agumbe Research Station to volunteers. These future conservationists come from all parts of India.

Whitaker is protecting the rainforest of the Western Ghats, where all the rivers providing water to southern India, such as the Sita Nadi (pictured), originate.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker is protecting the rainforest of the Western Ghats, where all the rivers providing water to southern India, such as the Sita Nadi (pictured), originate.

A world-respected herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker has long been at the forefront of grassroots conservation in India.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
A world-respected herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker has long been at the forefront of grassroots conservation in India.

Whitaker founded the Agumbe research station between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary to carry out research, conservation and education.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker founded the Agumbe research station between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary to carry out research, conservation and education.

The Western Ghats can receive over 10 metres of rain a year. They provide the water supply to 350 million inhabitants in southern India.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
The Western Ghats can receive over 10 metres of rain a year. They provide the water supply to 350 million inhabitants in southern India.

Mittal Gala, education officer of the Agumbe research station, and a volunteer measure a termite mound, collecting data for the rainforest biodiversity database set up by Whitaker.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Mittal Gala, education officer of the Agumbe research station, and a volunteer measure a termite mound, collecting data for the rainforest biodiversity database set up by Whitaker.

Amphibians, 80 per cent of them endemic species, are part of the Indian rainforest's invaluable biodiversity that Whitaker's project aims to preserve.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Amphibians, 80 per cent of them endemic species, are part of the Indian rainforest's invaluable biodiversity that Whitaker's project aims to preserve.

In Romulus Whitaker's hands, snakes become educational tools for children and icons of nature conservation.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
In Romulus Whitaker's hands, snakes become educational tools for children and icons of nature conservation.

Whitaker (left) and Gowri Shankar study data collected at the Agumbe research station. The institution has become a clearing house for conservation research in the Western Ghats.

©Rolex Awards/Cedric Bregnard

Agumbe, India, 2006
Whitaker (left) and Gowri Shankar study data collected at the Agumbe research station. The institution has become a clearing house for conservation research in the Western Ghats.

India Research Stations: locations.

©Thames & Hudson/Rolex Awards


India Research Stations: locations.