Arpita Dutta

Arpita hails from West Bengal, a state in eastern India on the Bay of Bengal. Her love for nature and lifelong fascination with flora and fauna led her to become the first professional woman naturalist from this region of India. She has worked with wildlife for over a decade and has led travelers, researchers and fellow wildlife enthusiasts throughout India and Nepal as a seasoned guide.

A Nat Hab Expedition Leader since 2018, Arpita has mastered the art of finding nature's hidden treasures. She also actively participates in surveys and projects organized by the forestry departments of West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, along with various nonprofits. Her knowledge of biodiversity runs deep, particularly regarding amphibians, reptiles, mammals and more than 1,000 species of birds. Her observations have been published in scientific journals and wildlife magazines.

Arpita has engaged in many outreach and capacity-building programs, including reaching out to more than 20,000 students and training 1,000 forest department staff on species and habitat conservation. In addition, she has worked with the Turtle Survival Alliance India Program to protect threatened freshwater turtles.

Arpita devotes her free time to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in distress, with firsthand experience working with small wild cats, civets, birds and snakes. An energetic and eloquent guide, Arpita resonates with Nat Hab's motto of Conservation through Exploration and deeply enjoys leading travelers through wilderness realms, with the aim of ensuring they have the experience of a lifetime.

Upcoming Adventures with Arpita:
The Grand India Wildlife Adventure
Wild & Ancient Himalaya: Nepal & Bhutan

Praise from Nat Hab travelers: 

C. McGarry
"Arpita has an infectious spirit regarding her love of all things in nature. She's observant of individuals and is highly motivated to assist others. Arpita was absolutely endearing, helpful, knowledgeable, aware of everyone's safety and well being and made the trip memorable."

J. Bristol
"Arpita and Payal worked together seamlessly. Each Expedition Leader's knowledge was exceptional, and they regrouped effortlessly with new plans if the weather was an issue. Each was special in their own right. Well done to all!"

J. O'Callaghan
"Arpita has amazing knowledge of wildlife—I could ask almost any questions to her, and she would have an answer."

D. Johnson
"Arpita is great, and we all felt lucky to have her. Her energy and excitement were contagious!"

J. Mansfield
"Arpita was an exceptional Expedition Leader. She was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful. Her main goals were to make the trip educational, fun and inclusive for everyone. She spent time with each of us and had a great sense of humor!"  

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