Zeeshan Mirza

Young Naturalist Awards (2010)

Zeeshan Mirza, Naturalist, reptile enthusiast, spider and scorpion expert and researcher, at 22 years, Zeeshan Mirza has probably gathered as much natural history field experience as someone twice his age. He also meticulously documents his findings and has over 20 published papers under his belt already. When people need a snake rescued in Mumbai, they call Zeeshan. And he has already discovered two new species of scorpions, one from our own backyard, the Aarey Milk Colony. His greatest pleasure, he says, is to share his love and knowledge of nature with young children who he routinely escorts on forays into the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Milk Colony, which he works to defend.