Leadership

Shubham Pramod Banginwar is the Founder and serves as CEO & Curator of Kraken Habitat.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, his real education has been shaped through over 17 years of direct engagement with natural ecosystems. Growing up around rivers, farms, and forests, he developed an early connection with aquatic life, maintaining aquariums from the age of 12 and later expanding into field exploration, independent study, and long-term observation of animal behavior and habitats.

Kraken Habitat was built on a clear premise: India's native aquatic biodiversity remains largely unseen and underappreciated. By bringing these species into focus, the institution aims to build awareness, deepen understanding, and create a stronger connection between people and the ecosystems around them.

As CEO and Curator, he oversees all aspects of the facility—from animal care, habitat design, and environmental regulation to operations, visitor experience, and long-term development. His approach remains hands-on, with a strong emphasis on precision and species-appropriate environments.

The long-term vision is to establish Kraken Habitat as a premier center for research, conservation, and education in native Indian aquatic life, with scope for institutional and governmental collaboration.

“Conservation starts with awareness.”

Ashley Dsouza is Co-Founder and serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO), leading Operations and Communications at Kraken Habitat.

With a multidisciplinary background spanning marketing, digital design, and the automobile sector, he brings a structured and execution-focused approach to daily operations and public-facing systems. His experience reflects a strong emphasis on efficiency, design thinking, and audience engagement.

At Kraken Habitat, he oversees all front-end operations, including visitor experience, primary animal care, coordination, and overall facility management. His responsibilities extend to employee management, HR functions, calendar planning, and ensuring seamless day-to-day functioning of the institution to the standards set by Kraken.

He plays a central role in managing visitor interactions, maintaining operational continuity, and overseeing the facility's primary communication channels. His work ensures that Kraken Habitat remains accessible, organized, and consistently aligned with its standards of presentation and care.