Meet an Educator is a monthly series by Early Bird that features educators across India who are actively spreading the joy of birds and nature. This month’s featured educator is Shib Shankar Goswami, an educator who uses photography and storytelling to inspire young minds.

Do tell us about yourself, where you are from, and your work
I am currently based in Jhargram, West Bengal, but my journey into the natural world began during a twenty-year teaching career in the vibrant landscapes of Hazaribag, Jharkhand. There, amid diverse terrains and migratory corridors, I discovered a passion for birding and local biodiversity.

What started a decade ago as simple exploration with a Nokia mobile phone evolved into a dedicated photographic pursuit. In 2015, I acquired my first Sony bridge camera, which let me bridge the distance between my lens and the shy wonders of the forest. Though I began as a novice relying on ‘auto mode’, mentorship from fellow enthusiasts helped me master the technical craft of photography. Today, I combine my background in education with a deep love for the environment, documenting the delicate beauty of birds and butterflies to share the ‘scattered treasures’ of our natural heritage.

What excites you about the natural world?
The beauty of nature—from the delicate dew on a blade of grass to the vast expanse of hills and lakes—has always greatly inspired me. For me, photography is more than a hobby; it is a way to immerse myself in the golden sunlight of a winter morning and the vibrant life that thrives in the forests of Hazaribag. I find immense joy in small, fleeting moments: the acrobatic flight of a green bee-eater, the rhythmic dance of a prinia, or the vivid colours of a wildflower. Whether waiting hours for the perfect sunrise hue or wandering along riverbanks, I have dedicated myself to capturing these elements through my lens.

Nature has given back to me in ways I never expected. My deep attachment to the wilderness, and birds in particular, has resonated with others and brought me a wonderful sense of community and recognition. This passion eventually earned me the nickname ‘Birdsbuddy’—a title I wear with great pride. It perfectly reflects my lifelong commitment to being a friend and chronicler of the natural world.

When and how did you get interested in bird/nature education?
My interest in nature education was born in 2015, sparked by the purchase of my first camera. While I had long used my mobile phone to capture the hills and sunrises of Hazaribag, the camera’s high zoom opened a new world. I found myself captivated by the challenge of photographing birds; their tiny, energetic forms tested my patience and eventually became the primary focus of my photography.

A pivotal moment occurred when I photographed a Purple Sunbird. The appreciation it received on social media was heartening, but the true transformation happened through a professional connection. The father of one of my students, a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), introduced me to the then-PCCF of Hazaribag, Mr. Mahendra Prasad.

Mr. Prasad became my guiding star. He recognised the potential in my photography and storytelling, and mentored me to take my work into government schools. Under his guidance, I began sharing the message of bird conservation and environmental stewardship with students, finding a new purpose in bringing young minds closer to the natural world.

What do you hope to achieve through your education work?
My work’s primary objective is to bridge the growing gap between the younger generation and the wonders of the natural world. In an era where children are increasingly disconnected from their environment, I aim to serve as a vital link, using the art of photography and the power of storytelling to foster a deep, lasting connection with Mother Nature.

By sharing my documentation of local biodiversity—from the intricate patterns of a butterfly’s wing to the migratory routes of birds—I hope to spark curiosity and stewardship in young minds. My goal is to transform passive observation into active conservation, encouraging students to recognise the treasures in their own backyards. Ultimately, I strive to cultivate a generation that not only appreciates the aesthetic beauty of our planet but also understands its ecological importance and feels personally responsible for protecting nature.

Why do you believe it is important for children to learn about birds or connect with nature?
Connecting children with nature is essential because it dismantles the anthropocentric view that humans are the sole owners of this planet. Modern lifestyles and nuclear family structures have confined young minds to a narrow, human-centric bubble, making them oblivious to the vibrant life—and the rights—of the creatures living right beside them.

Nature is the ultimate classroom, but without observation there is no empathy. I witnessed this tragedy firsthand at a lake in Hazaribag. I had been documenting a Little Grebe’s nest, marvelling at how the parents carefully camouflaged their eggs with water hyacinth. However, during a brief absence, the lake was ‘cleaned’ until it was as barren as a shopping mall floor. This casual destruction occurred because those responsible saw only ‘weeds’ and ‘dirt’, not a nursery for new life.

If we do not teach children to see the diversity around them, they will continue committing these unintentional acts of environmental erasure. By fostering a connection with nature, we instil the realisation that we are merely one part of a vast ecological tapestry. Only through this knowledge can we replace casual destruction with conscious co-existence.

What tools or resources have helped you in teaching about birds? Can you describe an approach that has worked exceptionally well for you?
My primary resources are my personal collection of photographs and videos, built over a decade of exploring the wilds of Hazaribag and Jharkhand. These visuals are the heartbeat of my school programs, which have reached over 15,500 students across 30 schools, totalling more than 20,000 learning hours.

The approach that works exceptionally well is storytelling through media. Rather than delivering a dry lecture, I weave my photographs and videos into narratives that bring the wilderness into the classroom. To maintain engagement beyond my visits, I use digital tools such as WhatsApp and YouTube for continued sharing, alongside Google Forms for interactive online quizzes.

I also rely heavily on specialised materials from the Nature Conservation Foundation (Early Bird). Their pocket guides to birds of the Indian Peninsula, posters, and flashcards are invaluable for hooking children’s interest. Watching a child’s eyes light up when they receive their own pocket book is my greatest reward. These books are true treasure troves that empower children to become independent observers. This blend of personal storytelling, digital interaction, and high-quality physical resources has proven to be a powerful formula for inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Have you encountered a significant challenge as a bird/nature educator? How did you overcome it?
Every path of purpose has its hurdles, and mine is no exception. In my journey as an educator, I have faced three primary challenges: shifting institutional support, financial sustainability, and technical scaling.

Early on, I enjoyed immense support from the Forest Department and the media. However, after my mentor retired, that institutional help dried up, and my visibility attracted rivalry from those profiting from environmental exploitation. To overcome this, I chose a strategic “hibernation.” For two years, I stepped back from the noise to focus on self-development—mastering better equipment, video editing, and social media algorithms. I returned stronger, with improved storytelling skills that made my message even more resilient.

Financially, relying on a single government source proved risky. When that funding ceased during a period of personal financial strain, my former students acted as my ‘guiding angels’. Their unconditional support allowed the programme to survive and eventually transition into a more sustainable model. Finally, I faced the problem with my digital outreach. My WhatsApp nature quiz became so popular that manual grading became impossible. I adapted by migrating the quiz first to YouTube comments and eventually to Google Forms. This technical evolution transformed a labour-intensive task into an automated, scalable system that continues to engage thousands of students today. Through these trials, I learned that while support may shift, adaptability and a commitment to self-improvement ensure that nature awareness continues.

Do share any memorable moment or experience you have had in teaching kids about birds/nature. Can you recall any insightful instance that shaped your perspective?
Over a decade of interacting with thousands of students, my perspective has shifted: I’ve realised the younger generation is naturally smarter and more empathetic than we often credit them for. They don’t need constant lecturing; they need to be guided onto the right path.

The most insightful moments for me occur after my ‘Kichirmichir’ seminars. I often receive phone calls from students who are bursting with excitement because they recognised a bird in their backyard that we discussed in class. This shift from oblivion to observation is profound. It proves that once a child acknowledges the presence of another living creature, they naturally develop a desire to protect it.

I have seen entire classrooms take a collective pledge to eliminate single-use plastics from their daily lives. These experiences have taught me that education isn’t a one-way street. Watching their thoughts evolve toward a positive, conservation-minded outlook has become my greatest inspiration. It has convinced me that if we provide the spark, children will carry the torch of conservation automatically. Their eagerness to learn and willingness to change their habits have taught me that the future of our environment is safe in their hands, as long as we bridge the gap between them and Mother Nature.

Have you noticed any changes in your learners after they received exposure to birds and nature-based learning? If yes, what are they? If not, why do you think that is?
I have certainly noticed profound changes in my learners. A recent experience involving my annual Vulture Awareness Quiz perfectly illustrates this shift.

During preparations for the contest in November, I called a teacher at a government school in Jharkhand to check on her students’ progress. Her response exceeded my wildest expectations. She shared that for ten consecutive days, the school had effectively turned into a discussion ground for vulture conservation. During their recess and free periods, students independently researched facts online and debated the birds’ ecological importance with one another.

This level of self-motivated engagement is the most significant change I see. Exposure to nature-based learning transforms students from passive listeners into active researchers and advocates. When children spend their leisure time discussing the survival of a misunderstood species like vultures, it shows that the programme has successfully sparked a deep, internal curiosity. These moments motivate me to keep going, knowing the seeds of environmental stewardship have taken root.

What message would you have for your fellow educators, or somebody starting out in their nature education journey?
To my fellow educators: let us join hands to champion the truth that humans are not the owners of this planet, but merely co-dwellers within a vast, beautiful ecosystem. Our mission is to instil this humility in the next generation.

To those just starting this Herculean task of bringing young minds closer to nature: keep going. You will inevitably face challenges, financial hurdles, or moments of doubt, but do not stop. The gifts you receive from nature—the sight of a rare bird, the rustle of the forest, and the glittering eyes of a curious child—are far more rewarding than any earthly appreciation or trophy.

Stay committed to the path. When you spark a child’s connection to the earth, you are ensuring a future where all creatures have the right to thrive. The journey is long, but the impact is eternal.