FOR THE
a better legacy
CREATING
NEXT GENERATION
HTNHA challenges traditional structures of society and the art world with the aim of making art more inclusive, and not an exclusive domain of only those with the means or networks.
For HTNHA, the grassroots is the focal point as we believe that they are the future custodians of the environment.
The School of Natural History Art is based on the philosophy that art could be a means to help provide holistic education to children at the grassroots, preparing them mentally and physically to meet the challenges of everyday living, inculcating environmental consciousness, along with skills for livelihood and sustenance in the future. While the children attend regular schools during the day, they visit the art school in the evenings, weekends and every major holiday.
The Natural History Art school serves to bridge the gap between art, science and other disciplines, raise public awareness of our natural heritage and diverse cultures and contribute towards its preservation.
The Trust has been running various hands-on workshops and classes since 2011 with help from visiting tutors and volunteers from different corners of India in the field of Natural History Art.
The HTNHA Board
Himalayan Trust for Natural History Art (HTNHA) is a registered Charitable Trust located in Pudung, a village in the hilly town of Kalimpong, West Bengal, India, founded by Hemlata Pradhan in the year 2003 with the vision of combining natural history art, creative and experiential education, sustainability and conservation at the grassroots, amongst children from rural areas of Kalimpong.
Hemlata Pradhan
President
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Hemlata has been a Botanical Artist for the last 40 years. She is the first Indian to win the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal and the 18th World Orchid Conference Gold Medal in France for her paintings of India’s Wild Orchids.
Udai Chandra Pradhan
Vice –President
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Udai is a world renowned horticulturist, author and a passionate Orchidologist. He is a third generation of nurserymen and has produced Indian Orchids, Guide to Identification and Culture, the first comprehensive work on Indian Orchidaceae.
Tej Kumari Pradhan
Hon. Secretary
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Tej was well known as a sportswoman all through her school days at Suffee Commercial College, Kolkata. Today she manages Primulaceae Books, a self-publishing and distributing house.
Satyam Chandra Pradhan
Hon. Treasurer
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Satyam holds a Diploma in Horticulture from the School of Horticulture, Singapore Botanic Gardens. He is a currently a partner in the plant firm of Himalayan Orchid Exports.
