About Us                              

Pugmarks, established in 1999 by passionate conservationists, is a leading name in adventure travel and ecotourism. Driven by the mission, “To sensitise the youth to the joy of the outdoors and nature conservation while enhancing their personal development,” we bring over two decades of field experience and expertise to government-sponsored initiatives.

Our commitment to excellence is recognised by accolades, including the National Award from ATOAI for excellence in “Community-based adventure.” By capacity building for nature guiding, we empowered individuals within these communities to become ambassadors of their local biodiversity, while also creating better livelihood opportunities. In Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, we conducted a nature guide course for seven villages, further nurturing a passion for conservation and sustainable tourism.

we aimed to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge required to become professional nature guides, further enhancing their employability and fostering a deeper understanding of the wilderness around us.

Our Team

Our team consists of passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds, all united by a love for the outdoors and a commitment to educating the next generation. Our camps are led by trained adventure experts, skilled mountaineers and naturalists who ensure the safety and enrichment of every participant.

Chinmay Divekar

Director, Pugmarks ecotour PVT. LTD.
He is an avid reader and a traveller himself. he has over 2 decades of experience in camping, adventure and travel. he is a nature and adventure enthusiast. He is a history buff and loves to organize expeditions. He has done his MBA from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai and used to work with Colgate Palmolive in Marketing before quitting his job and getting into business.

Bhavin Majethiya

CEO Pugmarks Ecotour PVT.LTD.
His experience of large-scale operations and School excursions on the table. He has been part of the travel industry for over 20 plus years. He has completed his MBA in Travel and Tourism. Also, a published author and an avid trekker with passion for Wildlife and adventure sports are some of his keen interests.

Kapil Jain

GM Pugmarks Ecotour PVT. LTD.
He also Heads Vacation Camps, Volunteer Training Program and Admin, he is operating from the Vashi – Navi Mumbai Office. He closely monitors all work of Category Managers for the Vacation camp, and its operations plus critiques and troubleshoots problems as and when needed. He has been part of Pugmarks for over 14 years now and has experience in the travel industry for over 18+ years

Rupesh Majethiya

CM Himalayan Treks & Head VTP
Rupesh has been exploring the outdoors for more than 20 years. He has been leading people of all age groups to different parts of the Country. He finds equal joy be it conducting a Team Building Simulation for a corporate group or dancing around on Music with a bunch of energetic campers or sharing valuable knowledge and information about the outdoors with Young Volunteers or simply sitting

Rithik Awate

CM Wildlife Camp and Camps in Maharashtra
Brings experience working across government and non-government organizations, specializing in environmental education, ecotourism development, and capacity building. Skilled in designing and implementing nature-based learning programs, developing community engagement initiatives, and training diverse groups including students, educators, and frontline staff.

Specialised Naturalist and Guide Training Program

A comprehensive, destination-based training program specifically tailored for local guides and naturalists across India. The curriculum is designed to significantly enhance the visitor experience by focusing on:

  • In-depth Ecology and Biodiversity: Plants, animals, birdlife, and the overall ecosystem of the specific tourism destination.

  • Interpretation Skills: Techniques for effective and engaging communication of natural history and conservation concepts.

  • Responsible Ecotourism Practices: Promoting sustainable visitor behaviour and minimising environmental impact.

  • Safety and Compliance: Includes a crucial First Aid Training program, aligning with ATOAI and relevant Government Regulations (GR).

Capacity Development and Leadership Training

Programs designed for frontline staff, community members, and volunteers to professionalise their roles in the ecotourism and conservation sector.

  • Frontline Staff Upskilling: Enhancing operational efficiency, guest handling, and crisis management.

  • Leadership Development: Focused on communication, team motivation, and decision-making for managing large groups and conservation projects.

  • Volunteer Training Program (VTP): Our flagship program that develops participants into capable outdoor leaders, providing exposure to the travel industry and essential skills in wildlife, adventure, and soft skills.

Event Management for Ecotourism

Leveraging our operational expertise to effectively plan, execute, and manage large-scale nature, adventure and community-based events.

  • Logistics and Safety Planning: Managing all aspects of outdoor events with a paramount focus on safety protocols.

  • Stakeholder Coordination: Expertise in working with local communities, forest departments, and tourists to ensure a seamless and impactful event.

  • Thematic Content Development: Creating engaging and informative content to promote ecotourism destinations responsibly.

Professional Certification Programs

1. Advanced Wildlife Course: Monitoring, Tracking and Technology

This certification program focuses on the practical and technological skills necessary for wildlife research, conservation monitoring, and ecological management. It prepares participants to contribute to professional fieldwork.

Ecological Monitoring and Technology:

  • Deploying Camera Traps: Hands-on training in selecting optimal locations, setting up, maintaining, and retrieving data from remote sensing devices for species inventory and population studies.

  • Ecological Monitoring Techniques: Mastering various field methods, including transects, quadrat sampling, scat analysis, and indirect sign surveys for assessing biodiversity and habitat health.

Geospatial and Tracking Skills:

  • Use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Introduction to mapping and analysing spatial data in conservation, including habitat mapping, home range estimation, and overlaying ecological data.

  • Animal Tracking: Practical experience with GPS telemetry (collars and tags), radio tracking (VHF receivers), and utilizing spoor and signs for following animal movements.

3. Certification in E-Birding

Designed for intermediate to advanced birders, this course elevates birdwatching into a systematic study of ornithology and avian ecology.

Advanced Field Identification:

  • Moving beyond basic features, focusing on subtle field marks, jizz (the overall impression or characteristic look of a species), flight patterns, and seasonal/age-related plumage variations.

  • Mastery of sound identification (songs and calls) using sonograms and field recordings.

Avian Ecology and Conservation:

  • Detailed understanding of bird migration strategies, breeding biology, and foraging ecology.

  • Techniques for conducting quantitative bird surveys (e.g., point counts and line transects) for monitoring population trends and conservation status.

eBird and Data Management:

  • Certification in the proficient use of eBird and other citizen science platforms for collecting and submitting high-quality ornithological data for scientific use.

2. Herpetology Course

From Identification to Ethical Rescue

This comprehensive course, developed in collaboration with the Kalinga Rainforest Ecology Centre, is designed for those seeking deep, certified expertise in the study of amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna).

Core Knowledge and Identification:

  • Detailed instruction on the identification of herpetofauna (snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, frogs, and caecilians) found across various biomes, focusing on morphology, distribution, and taxonomy.

  • Understanding the scientific phenomena related to herpetology, including thermoregulation, hibernation/ aestivation, venom composition, and ecological roles.

Practical Skills and Ethics:

  • Techniques for the ethical capture and handling of various species, ensuring the safety of both the handler and the animal.

  • Specific protocols for the ethical rescue and rehabilitation of herpetofauna from human-dominated landscapes, emphasizing release site selection and animal welfare.

Volunteer training program

The training program covers a wide range of subjects, from first aid to environment and team building to learning about Adventure. It is hands-on practical training under the guidance of experts in various fields.

Successful candidates receive Pugmarks certification. However, let us be clear on one point ‐ it is a tough life for volunteers. They are required to work hard and put in substantial hours in addition to normal obligations of their colleges. Sure enough, the rewards are worth all the hard work put in.

Corporate Team Building Programs

Goal is to unite employees under shared goals by building trust. community, and cooperation. Team building helps employees develop skills like leadership, confidence, and creativity. It also improves communication, morale, and productivity

Trained IAYP Programmers

The IAYP (International Award for Young People) empowers young individuals aged 14 to 24 to explore their potential through adventure and community service. Pugmarks is a certified provider of this program, offering experiential learning aligned with IAYP’s objectives.

Proven Experience in Sensitising Future Citizens

Pugmarks has a distinguished history of successful collaborations, demonstrating our ability to engage diverse groups and deliver high-impact programs.

Our training methodologies are consistently proven through our work with:

  • Leading Educational Institutions

  • School Excursions & Camps

  • Volunteer and Youth Programs

About School Excursion

  • Programs designed and conducted by domain experts with in-depth knowledge of the ecology – plants, animals, birds, reptiles and the overall biodiversity.

  • Provide critical lessons in a fun and enjoyable way. Activities include nature trails, bird watching sessions, jungle safaris, nature games, basic conservation lessons etc.

  • The learning is deeply connected to our everyday lives and encourages students to become more aware and eco-friendly citizens.

  • Providing in-depth information about birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, conducting nature trails and informative slideshows, our team strives to deliver a complete and enriching program tailor-made for inquisitive minds.

  • 20 years of experience in field of Wildlife and Adventure Tourism.

  • Pugmarks has an able team of more than 700+ instructors, volunteers and experts ranging from wildlife, adventure and trekking with a vast experience in conducting offbeat tours and nature camps.

  • All trips and excursions are covered under mandatory Travel and Activity Insurance policy.

Schools for whom we have conducted Camps

Mumbai and Thane:

  • Hiranandani Foundation School – Thane

  • Veer Bhagat Singh School – Malad (Mumbai)

  • Jamnabai Narsee School – Juhu (Mumbai)

  • DR. S. Radhakrishnan International School – Borivali (Mumbai)

  • Bombay Cambridge School – Andheri East (Mumbai)

  • National Institute of Fashion Technology – Kharghar (Navi Mumbai)

Pune and Nashik:

  • Symbiosis International School – Pune

  • Vidya Valley School – Pune

  • D. Y. Patil International School – Pune

  • Vishwasanti Gurukul – Pune

  • Vikhe Patil School – Pune

  • Wisdom International School – Nashik

Outstation:

  • Little Angle School – Malegaon

  • Riverdale High School – Aurangabad

  • American School of Chennai – Chennai