She chose a posting with an anti-poaching camp (APC) in Bandipur tiger reserve. In fact, Nethravati was one of the first women to be put in charge of jobs like going on rounds into deep jungles checking for animal deaths, and poaching. Many a times her job requires her to spend nights in APC, keeping a watch on the happenings in the wild.

Today, the 23-year-old is an inspiration for forest guards whose numbers total up to 3,106 in the state, of which only 31 are women. Even in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which has 13 units, there are only two women guards out of 258 in that cadre.

So what made Nethravati venture into the dark and deep woods? "I always loved nature. I also knew that an opportunity to work with the anti-poaching camp would take me close to the forests. Every profession comes with its own set of risks; you have to live with them," she tells TOI.

And risks she comes across aplenty. Nethravati recalls her encounter with jumbos on the very first day of her field visit in Bandipur . "While on a field visit we found some elephants blocking the path. Asking me to stay inside the jeep, my male colleagues stepped out to chase the herd. However, the frantic elephants began to rush towards the jeep. Thankfully, they soon changed direction and I breathed safe," she reminisces.

Nethravati, who's from Uttara Kannada district, says she has had many such wild encounters

. "I have realized understanding animal behaviour is the key. Whether you are a forest staff or a visitor, understanding nature matters the most," he said.

On crucial assignments such as tiger census, Nethravati makes it a point to be in ground zero and assist staff in tackling situations. "Poaching isn't a major problem in our reserve. But every animal death needs to be recorded and analyzed as conservation rules in tiger reserves are more stringent," she explains.

And what does her family think about her adventures in the wild? "I get regular calls from my family as they are concerned about my safety. Through my life, I never ventured out alone. My father would accompany me everywhere. I never talk about my wild encounters over phone, for I know my family will panic. Only when I am home, I sit with my mother to share forest stories," she adds.

Visibly happy about the recognition she gets from her seniors and the department for the good work she does, Nethravati says, "A few months ago, a senior officer gifted me a bicycle as a token of appreciation."

HC Kantharaj, director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve says the department takes pride in forest guards like Nethravati. "She opted for a challenging post voluntarily. Inspired by her, few more women candidates have taken up jobs of watchers in the forest," he adds.

A senior official in the forest department says around 73 women candidates who have passed department exam are undergoing training now. "We hope to see more Nethravatis among them," he says.