Founders Note

Hermis Haridas & Nisha Purushothaman

We complete the first two years of our existence. It was on 1st October 2016 that PT Explorers magazine, one of our tool for conservation through photography, went online for the first time. This is our 13th edition. It has been one exciting journey for us. Yes, we faced many challenges and continue to do so, but our commitment to mother earth keeps us going. The flock of PT explorers are a bunch of ardent nature lovers, who has managed to keep the flame alight in the face of all challenges. In the last two years we have hosted 14 international wildlife photography exhibitions in Dubai. Our outreach programs has seen us conduct 50 plus conservation talks and photography workshops across the world and lectures in educational institutions to create awareness among the students. We published a coffee table book and associated with 200 plus passionate photographers from across the world. We have 40 active and passionate volunteers of different nationalities working for us.

Now to herald our third year, we have got big plans. Announcing the Paws Trails International Wildlife Festival, out first full-fledged wildlife festival. Come November, UAE will see its most prestigious event of its kind open the doors to the public and the next three days will see internationally acclaimed photographers, conservationists and scientists coming down to share their experience and knowledge. These will be luminaries in their filed and will be a rare and unique opportunity in Dubai to have them under the same roof. We are launching an all new coffee table book on species of the Arabian peninsula. There will be an area specific photography exhibition, showcasing 25 species from this part of the world. There will be another exhibition on international collection showcasing 25 images of animals in their habitat from around the world proclaiming the importance of habitat conservation. Our aim is to be the region’s premier voice of conservation and we hope and pray to the citizens of Dubai to make heartily participate and make this festival an important event of the city’s calendar. To our readers from around the world, Welcome to Dubai if you can make it. Mark your calendars for the first three days of November and visit our website or social media pages for more information.

Let us hold our hands together for this journey!

www.pawstrails.com

Hermis Haridas & Nisha Purushothaman
Founders – PT Explorers