Meet Aneeshwar Kunchala!

Eleven-year-old Aneeshwar Kunchala has been on a mission to protect the planet since he was just five years old – and now he’ll appear in Nat Geo Kids mag every issue, with a column on our Junior Explorers’ Club pages!

Each month, he’ll suggest top tips for how YOU can help local wildlife, seasonal events to watch out for, or citizen science projects you can get involved with.

Let’s get to know our new kid columnist…

Who is Aneeshwar Kunchala?

Name: Aneeshwar Kunchala

Age: 11

Job: TV presenter and young conservationist

From: Warrington, UK

Favourite UK animals: Foxes and tawny owls

Wildlife heroes: Sir David Attenborough and Steve Backshall

Read our interview with Aneeshwar…

NGK: Hi Aneeshwar! Welcome to Nat Geo Kids! How did you first become interested in conservation?

Aneeshwar: When I was four, my teacher showed us a whale that had died because of plastic pollution. Its tummy was full of plastic. I remember feeling really upset and shocked that something humans threw away could kill such a huge and beautiful animal. That moment stayed with me and made me want to help wildlife and protect nature.

What have been the most exciting moments of your career so far?

Reaching the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 by reading my nature poems; visiting NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in the USA, to make a documentary about how space-based technologies can help Earth, and receiving my Blue Peter gold badge – they were all unforgettable moments that made me feel proud and grateful.

But the most exciting moment of all was when the BBC contacted my parents to say I would be working on TV show called Go Wild with Steve Backshall for CBeebies!

What was it like working with Steve?

During the filming of Go Wild, Steve always made sure I felt comfortable and confident. He taught me so much about animals, conservation and filmmaking. Working with him was such an amazing experience because he is kind, supportive and passionate about wildlife.

Do you ever get nervous about presenting or performing?

Not at all. The stage is my happy place! I enjoy sharing my passion with others and encouraging people to care more about our natural world. Plus, I love the adrenaline rush of being on stage!

What is your favourite place to see nature in the UK?

I have been visiting RSPB Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire since I was three. I’ve had many amazing seabird encounters there and it’s also the place where I filmed my very first seabirds wildlife video. I also love my local nature reserve, Sankey Canal, because it gives me the chance to learn about nature close to home.

What about elsewhere in the world?

I love visiting Andhra Pradesh in South India. I have seen so much incredible wildlife there, including pelicans and bee-eaters! The region is rich in biodiversity, but what makes the place even more special to me is that my grandparents live there!

You started out making nature videos in your garden. What’s a great way to encourage nature into gardens?

You can plant wildflower meadows to attract bees and butterflies, and add bird feeders and baths to encourage more birds to visit your garden. Most importantly, placing one or two bird boxes can give you the chance to watch birds nesting and raising their chicks.

A few years ago, we had a robin’s nest in our garden, and we named one of the babies ‘Reggie the Robin‘. Watching them grow taught me so much about nature and helped me feel more connected to wildlife around me.

Sweet! Your new column in Nat Geo Kids will share more tips like this. Can you give us another example?

Well, one simple action you can take is to walk or ride a bike to school whenever possible, instead of travelling by car. This helps reduce pollution and lowers carbon emissions, which is better for the environment. Small changes in our daily lives can make a big difference when many people work together.

What are your hopes for the future?

My hope is that animals and humans can live together in peaceful coexistence and harmony. I believe if people learn to respect and understand nature more, we can protect habitats and reduce damage to the environment. My dream is a future where wildlife is safe, valued and able to thrive alongside humans.

Check out Nat Geo Kids magazine to read Aneeshwar’s column!

Image credit: All images supplied by Aneeshwar Kunchala.