Redefining Wild Spaces With Suyash Keshari Of 'Ameliya Safaris'
As a child, Suyash Keshari realised his passion for wildlife tourism while traversing India's diverse landscapes with his grandfather. The two would go on trails, treks and safaris, eventually making Keshari curious about the wild spaces. However, it wasn't until his encounter with a resilient tigress named "Solo" in 2012 that his affection for animals and particularly big cats ignited an urge in him to protect the natural heritage of these creatures. In his words, "Solo taught me more about life than books," as this tigress, like any protective mother, did everything she could to save her cubs from predators.
In 2019, Keshari quit his full-time career in the US to become a full-time wildlife expert as he set out to educate people about the significance of wildlife, especially the role of tigers, through his series 'India’s Big Cats,' which the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) later publicised under the banner ‘Safari With Suyash.’
From what started as a project central to poaching with a focus on Bandhavgarh National Park's anti-poaching camps, has now transformed into an immersive wildlife experience, 'Ameliya Safaris,' taking nature and animal lovers beyond the realm of a material experience, venturing into wildlife conservation efforts such as building self-sustaining waterholes, generating jobs for the local communities and furnishing the anti-poaching units with essential amenities.
Today, as a wildlife conservationist, Keshari wants visitors to be more considerate towards the wildlife population. In a conversation with Outlook Traveller, he takes us through his journey, his take on balancing tourism and wildlife protection and much more.
What inspired you to start Ameliya Safaris? What does it stand for, and how does it combine conservation and wildlife tourism?
Ameliya Safaris was born from my lifelong passion for creating a brand that blends wildlife experiences and conservation. Growing up in India, I was captivated by the beauty and diversity of our ecosystems, but I also witnessed the challenges they face. It’s about creating awareness, fostering respect for wildlife, and showing people that tourism can be a powerful tool for conservation. Every safari we conduct supports local communities, funds anti-poaching initiatives, and helps us build waterholes and reforest landscapes. I have always said and believed, “What we can see, we can love. And what we can love, we will fight to protect.”
Did your travel experiences also shape your interest in wildlife tourism?
Absolutely. Spending over 250 days a year travelling, often to remote locations, has profoundly shaped my interest in wildlife tourism. Experiencing the raw beauty of nature firsthand and understanding the delicate balance between tourism and conservation has driven me to create meaningful safari experiences. It’s not just about showcasing wildlife—it’s about connecting people to these ecosystems in a way that fosters appreciation, supports conservation efforts, and highlights the actual value of wildlife tourism.
Solo’s story highlights the challenges tigers face today. What can the government and society do to balance nature and wildlife better?
Solo’s story is a poignant reminder of tigers' complex challenges, from habitat loss to human-wildlife conflict. The government and society must prioritize creating and maintaining wildlife corridors that connect fragmented habitats to strike a balance. This allows tigers and other species to roam freely and avoid conflict with humans.
On the other hand, society can play a role in actively funding conservation efforts, adopting sustainable practices, supporting eco-friendly businesses, and reducing their footprints on natural resources. Education is key—when people understand the intrinsic value of wildlife, they are more likely to support conservation initiatives.
How do you balance tourism with preserving animal habitats?
The key to balancing tourism with conservation is responsible tourism. At Ameliya Safaris, we strictly follow ethical guidelines that minimise habitat disruption. This includes educating guests on the importance of respecting wildlife, introducing them to communities, partnering with camps and lodges that are in harmony with nature, not using plastic and actively playing a role in creating new wildlife habitats rather than destroying them for commercial purposes.
We also reinvest some of our revenue into conservation projects, such as building waterholes, rescuing animals, habitat restoration and anti-poaching efforts, ensuring that tourism directly benefits the ecosystems we depend on. Our organisation lives by the age-old motto ‘take nothing but memories, and leave nothing but footprints.'
Does wildlife tourism benefit local communities? How do you involve them in your work?
When done responsibly, wildlife tourism can be a powerful tool for community upliftment. At Ameliya Safaris, we actively involve local communities by hiring and training them as naturalists, guides, and hospitality staff. We also collaborate with local artisans to showcase their crafts, ensuring they benefit financially. Giving communities a stake in wildlife tourism creates a sense of shared responsibility for conservation and reduces the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict.
Much of the local population is otherwise dependent on farming or forest produce; however, tourism serves as an alternative for them.
India has diverse ecosystems. What are the biggest challenges in wildlife conservation, and how do you decide where to focus your efforts?
India’s vast biodiversity faces multiple challenges, including habitat fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Climate change adds another layer of complexity by altering ecosystems.
Two key factors determine our focus areas: ecological urgency and potential impact. For example, we prioritise regions with endangered species or critical habitats. We also partner with organisations with deep local knowledge to ensure our efforts are practical.
Overtourism is also a big issue, and we are actively lobbying for high-quality, low-impact tourism, ensuring a limited number of vehicles in a larger park area rather than many vehicles in a small park area — as is the case currently.
Human-wildlife conflict is a significant issue. Can you share any strategies that have worked to reduce such conflicts?
Reducing human-wildlife conflict requires a combination of preventive and remedial measures. For example, establishing wildlife corridors can significantly reduce encounters between animals and humans.
Another effective strategy is working with local communities to adopt livestock protection measures, like predator-proof enclosures, which reduce retaliatory killings of big cats. Education also plays a critical role—when people see wildlife as an asset rather than a threat, they’re more willing to coexist.
With urbanisation and climate change, what is the future of endangered species in India, and how can the government and local communities help protect them?
Urbanisation and climate change are reshaping ecosystems, often to the detriment of wildlife. The future of endangered species depends on proactive conservation policies, such as expanding protected areas and restoring degraded habitats. The government must ban single-use plastic, promote green infrastructure, and protect the last remaining swathes of wildlife habitats.
Local communities can play a crucial role by adopting sustainable practices and avoiding crop burning, tree felling and slash-and-burn agriculture. Empowering them through education and economic incentives is key, and government and private companies must collaborate. Ecotourism offers a way to create jobs while conserving nature. India needs to move towards the African model, where communities benefit directly from tourism fees and are not kept entirely separate from wildlife tourism, as is the case in India.
How is technology like drones and AI helping conservation efforts in India? Are you working on any tech-driven projects?
Technology has revolutionised conservation in India. Drones are being used to monitor large swathes of forest, track animal movements, and deter poachers. AI is helping analyse vast amounts of data, from camera trap images to satellite imagery, providing previously unimaginable insights.
While we are not a technology company, we are exploring partnerships to integrate technology into our conservation efforts. For instance, we are considering ways of funding organisations and government bodies for AI-powered tools to study animals and identify potential conflict zones.
About Ameliya Safaris
Through Ameliya Safaris, visitors are offered an opportunity to absorb the quiet of the wilderness through a thoughtfully curated safari experience, which is all about "conservation-focused hospitality."
Guests are acquainted with the fragile ecosystems through various options, from privately guided tours and signature safaris to group rides across 10 countries, including India. Check out their website https://ameliyasafaris.com/ for more details.
