Sunita Dhairyam

Social Activist, Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur and Tiger Conservationist

Having grown up in Zambia, studied in India, and lived in the USA, Sunita Dhairyam chose to settle down in her current home, Bandipur, making friends with the creatures of the wild, the villagers and the tribals. She has many feathers in her cap as a social activist, painter, designer, entrepreneur and tiger conservationist. She has not only used her art to bring awareness about wildlife conservation but also alleviate the lives of the impoverished villagers of Chamarajanagar. She carries out initiatives like vaccination of local dogs against rabies, promoting tiger welfare and an NGO – Mariamma Charitable Trust. The proceeds of her brand, Temple Tree Designs, artistic merchandise of clothes, caps, key chains and like fund the trust. She works to decrease the human – animal conflict and provide relief to villagers whose cattle are killed by the big cats. She has made life easier for the people around her by setting up a clinic in Mangala village. It’s very easy to complain but takes a lot of courage and determination to do something about it. Sunita Dhairyam represents those few sparks who walk the talk.