In the heart of Odisha’s Rayagada district was born a man whose life would bridge two worlds – Public Relations and Wildlife Conservation.
Meet K. Shiva Kumar, a professional wildlife storyteller, photographer, and conservationist whose camera doesn’t just capture images – it captures hope. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Shiva’s journey began in the Public Relations Department and Forensic Division under Rayagada Police Station.
His professional life changed course when he worked under Smt. Nara Bhuvaneswari, Managing Trustee of NTR Memorial Trust and CMD of Heritage Foods, and K. Rajendra Kumar, IPS (Retd), former DGP of Jammu & Kashmir.
At last, he reflects on his academic roots: “During my Master’s, I was deeply connected with the biodiversity department of Central University of Odisha, Koraput. They inspired my passion for wildlife. Knowledge is divine – and a powerful weapon when used at the right time.”
Over the years, Shiva has worked with the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation, Rusty-Spotted Cat Working Group, and Wildlife Trust of India, leading awareness and field programs across various states in India. He has documented over 1,000+ species of birds and other species in wildlife for Wikimedia Commons, helping make India’s biodiversity accessible and open-source to the world.
🌿 Why this journey is different
Many people have travelled India as backpackers, bikers or vloggers…
But very few-almost none-have travelled the entire country SOLO, only for wildlife documentation, wildlife research and conservation storytelling as a full-time mission.
This journey isn’t leisure.
This is documentation…
For the world, for science, and for the future.
Why Wikimedia Commons?
Because knowledge must be FREE and open.
Every photo of the species he contributed becomes available for:
✔ researchers
✔ biologists
✔ conservationists
✔ students
✔ NGOs
✔Scientists
✔ the entire world
Millions of people and institutions can access verified wildlife images and information-without copyright restrictions.
That is real conservation impact.
🐾 His message to India
I’m not just travelling…
I’m creating the first open-source wildlife archive of India-state by state.
To all young nature lovers:
📣 this is YOUR time
📣 YOUR chance
📣 YOUR contribution to conservation
Wiki Commons of the Wild: A Mission to Document India’s Biodiversity
Wildlife photographer and conservationist K. Shiva Kumar shared the inspiring journey behind his ongoing mission, “Wiki Commons of the Wild,” a nationwide initiative dedicated to documenting India’s rich biodiversity and making it freely accessible through Wikimedia Commons.
Shiva explained that the idea was born from his desire to create a permanent, open-access visual archive of India’s wildlife for students, researchers, educators, and conservationists worldwide. To bring this vision to life, he approached Mr. Praveen Das, Lead Partnerships Manager – South Asia, Wikimedia Foundation, and presented his concept. After understanding the project’s long-term conservation value, Praveen Das extended his guidance and support, becoming one of the key pillars behind the initiative’s success.
The project began with Shiva’s first expedition in Jammu & Kashmir and has since expanded across diverse landscapes and seasons in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Kerala, Sikkim, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Through these expeditions, he has documented numerous rare, endemic, and endangered species, significantly enriching freely available biodiversity resources on Wikimedia Commons.
Shiva emphasised that the mission is far from complete. He plans to continue exploring India’s biodiversity hotspots to document many more species that remain underrepresented. He also invited wildlife photographers, researchers, and nature enthusiasts to collaborate by contributing high-quality photographs and verified information to Wikimedia Commons, ensuring that knowledge about India’s extraordinary wildlife remains freely accessible to everyone.
Kumar inviting all to Join. Learn. Contribute. Share your photographs on Wikimedia Commons and be part of something bigger than all of us.
