Serving The Wild

At 26, Pawan Sharma has rescued over 10,000 animals from life-threatening situations. Hemchhaya De speaks to the wildlife crusader.

- Hemchhaya De

The year was 2015. Amidst incessant downpour in Mumbai, Pawan Sharma, founder and president, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), an NGO, and his team had set out on a risky mission. An 11-feet-long crocodile had washed ashore, thanks to an overflowing lake, and ended up near an adivasi neighbourhood. When Sharma’s team reached the spot, they found over 200 people assembled, ready to kill the reptile with sticks and stones. Taking score of the situation, the team deftly handled the mob, keeping the safety of both the animal and people in mind. “It was one of the most challenging operations I had conducted along with my team,” recalls Sharma, who is also an Honorary Wildlife Warden with the Maharashtra Forest Department.