Photo : Lakshitha Karunarathna
Sanctuary Asia began its journey one quiet evening in 1980. Sitting around Fateh Singh Rathore’s campfire under the banyan tree outside Jogi Mahal, Ranthambhore, Bittu Sahgal made an impulsive promise to his mentor that on his return to Mumbai he would start a wildlife magazine and galvanise urban Indians in support of the country’s wilds.
The first issue rolled out in October 1981, with no business plan, no editorial experience and no capital. Since then, Sanctuary has been chronicling India’s natural history and shaping conservation discourse without having missed a single issue despite wars, social strife and economic meltdowns. It is published monthly, with every alternate month’s publication dedicated to young readers.
In 2015, the foundation was established to manipulate the magazine’s wide network of conservationists, naturalists, photographers, writers and editors who run the several projects, campaigns and events that thrive under the Sanctuary brand. The foundation’s reach spans policy, advocacy, science, on-ground support for field workers and environmental education.
At the heart of our purpose lies the conviction that the economies of nations sit on a foundation of stable ecosystems. Sanctuary envisions a world with abundant biodiversity, a sustainable climate and an equitable future for one and all.
Read the latest issue.
Nikit Surve writes about the first-ever study of golden jackals by him and his team in the challenging habitat of Mumbai's mangroves. Chetan Misher and Vijayant Khatri showcase Rajasthan’s unique ensemble of dryland blooms. The Green Literature Festival comes to Mumbai this October. Enter the shadowy interiors of Myristica swamps with Priya Ranganathan, and journey through wild encounters in Ladakh with Shivaram Subramaniam.
Encouraged by the support it received, three years after the first edition of Sanctuary Asia came out, a second magazine was launched in 1984. Sanctuary Cub is the first and still the only children’s nature magazine in India. With an aim to instill respect and concern for the environment and wildlife in young children, for many young Indians, Cub continues to be their first introduction to the wild and wonderful world of nature.
Currently edited by Tara Sahgal, Sanctuary Cub aims to inculcate in children an urgency to take action and the need to create a positive change in a society that gives little thought to its rapidly depleting biodiversity.
Read the latest issue.
The May 2025 issue is an ode to the Rhythms of Nature that help organisms on Earth communicate, reproduce, thrive in their habitat, and, for us humans, also add immeasurable beauty to our lives. Rapper Sahir Doshi writes about his Musical Muse – Nature! Pavithra Sundar describes the use of acoustics to understand animals. Meet Pooja Choksi, who uses acoustics to study forest restoration. The issue is packed with the music of the wild and the rhythms of the universe, which also hums with energy!
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