Soham Vedak: The Botanist on a Lifelong Treasure Hunt

Field Associate · Expert Specialty: Flora · Tree Ecosystems · Botanical Conservation

Soham Vedak’s favourite wildlife encounter wasn’t an animal at all — it was a tree. After years of online research, he tracked down a centuries-old wild specimen of the rare, vulnerable Vateria indica, hidden deep inside the sacred Sateri Devi grove in Amboli. Finding that ancient, fruiting giant standing there after a lifelong search was, in his words, a moment of pure, unforgettable joy.

## How Soham Vedak Restores Native Forests

Flora is his core. A Botany major (with a Zoology minor) from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, now pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Science, Soham has explored the unique Shola forest ecosystems of Kodaikanal — collecting plant specimens, preparing herbarium sheets and surveying Elaeocarpus trees for viable seeds. His field kit is purpose-built for the work: a macro lens, paper bags for collecting seeds, and a small camera.


His spirit animal is the squirrel — nature’s most prolific tree planter, shaping whole ecosystems simply by collecting, burying and nurturing seeds. It mirrors his own hands-on dedication: every year he cultivates and plants dozens of native, endemic saplings like Vateria indica to help restore India’s forests. Being a naturalist, he says, isn’t just about documenting what’s disappearing; it’s about actively stepping in to restore and safeguard fragile habitats.

> “The natural world is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living. — David Attenborough”