Dr. Kulkarni has been working in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands since 1998. His efforts started with drafting Management Plans for the M. G. Marine National Park, one of the most diverse and healthy marine parks in India. He started monitoring the status of reefs in the park, and then extended the study to the entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He now has data on pre and post tsunami status on coral reefs in the region.

He has been working hand in hand with the A & N Administration throughout, and has trained more than 50 Officers of the Forest Dept. in scuba diving and coral reef conservation and management. In addition, he has led extensive education & awareness campaigns amongst local communities and tribes in the Nicobar Islands on conservation and sustainable utilization of coral reefs.