Samad Kottur is a leading Conservationist from Karnataka. He has done his M.A. in English & Population Studies and M.Sc. in Environmental Science. He has worked as the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Bellary District of Karnataka in 1997-2000 and 2002-2005. He has written books like Daroji – An ecological destination and Birds of Hampi. He initiated a campaign against ritual hunting from 2000 AD in Hampi vicinity. Thus, thousands of animals were saved from this malpractice. He also initiated the hobby of bird watching in Bellary District, identified migratory birds around the backwaters of Tungabhadra dam and also nesting colonies of rare birds. He has rescued more than 10 bear cubs from poachers.