Mohammed Saleem
Mohammed Saleem is an environmental activist, environmental campaigner, National Geographic educator and explorer. He is the co-founder of Environment Conservation Group, a nonprofit NGO based out of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu that works on environmental conservation, advocacy and educational awareness. He has dedicated his entire life to the cause of environmental and wildlife conservation. He is also an ardent birder. Early life and education. Mohammed Saleem was born in Coimbatore and is the youngest son of Rahamathulla and Saina. Saleem did his schooling at Carmel Garden Matriculation Higher Secondary School. He completed his bachelor's in computer science in  RVS college of Arts and Science. He was actively involved in environmental activities right from his college days as student coordinator of Tahr Span Nature club. An avid learner he has attended various courses on environment, wildlife, including Disaster Preparedness from University of Pittsburg, Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University, Health Effect of Climate Change from Harvard University, Ecosystem Services: A Method for sustainable development from University of Geneva to name a few. He is also trained in Basic Life Support from PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research. Wildlife rescue. Saleem has undertaken multiple rescue operations leading to  seizure of hundreds of wild animals from illegal hunters and pet vendors and is also instrumental in eliminating hundreds of snares meant to trap wild animals. He has been recognised by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau among its first batch of volunteers in India. Environment conservation. An environmental activist; Saleem has raised his voice to save trees, animals and wetlands. His work have been covered in various media including All India Radio, ANI, Arunachal Times, BBC News, Ceylon News, Dainik Bhaskar, Deccan Chronicle, Dhaka Courier, Dinamani, Dinakaran, Dinamalar, Dinathanthi, Divya Bhaskar, DT Next, Eastern Mirror Nagaland, Enadu, India Today, Kalaignar TV , Koodu, Kutch Mitra, Makkal TV, Malaimurasu, Malayalam Manorama, Mint Lounge, NDTV, News7, News18, Northeast Today, Puthiyathalaimurai, Radio City, Radio Mirchi, Rajasthan Patrika, Sakshi, Sanctuary Asia, South China Morning Post, Simplicity, Sun TV, Suryan FM, The Hindu, Thejas News, The New Indian Express, The Times of India, United News of Bangladesh and Vikatan. Education and awareness. A National Geographic educator and coordinator of Kids for Tigers he has been very active in spreading awareness to younger generations. He has been invited to various schools from Tribal school in Sundarbans to the prestigious Doon School. He was also invited to talk to  students at Tribhuvan University - Kathmandu, Wild Team- Dhaka to name a few. Saleem has also conducted sessions for Forest officers across the country. He received the Guinness World Record certificate for his role in " The largest Recycling lesson" along with Coimbatore City Municipal Coporation in the year 2015. SEEK expeditions. Saleem led four expeditions across India and neighouring countries Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The team visited various wildlife scantuaries and National parks documenting road Kills, endangered animals and India's rich natural heritage. During the expeditions the team also visited various educational institutions to spread awareness on the importance of  saving wildlife and their natural habitats. The team was also successful in documenting some of India's most threatened animals. Natural disaster relief programs. Saleem has been very active along with his Environment Conservation Group team during time of climate disasters such as 2018 Kerala floods and Tamil Nadu floods of 2015 South India floods. He and his team spent days at Cuddalore proving relief to the people worst affected by the unprecedented floods. His selfless service during the floods earned him the Real Hero Award from Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation in the year 2015. Save racecourse. Mohammed Saleem was  instrumental in highlighting the issue of Coimbatore Race course, he led a mass movement which was successful in persuading the Coimbatore Corporation to give up the building of unwanted sturctures in Race course at the cost of the environment.