With improved technology and a much greater appetite among the young for books to remind them of the wonderful biosphere in which they live, it is heartening to see how many new, high-quality publications are emerging from within India. Here are four books that Sanctuary believes should be in every public library and in the homes of all those whose hearts beat to nature’s drum.
Kabini On My Mind: Musings Of A Naturalist
By Vikram Nanjappa
Published by Notion Press
Softcover, 196 pages,
Price: Rs. 275/-
A note of caution is in order – Kabini can be highly addictive. With this sweet warning in the opening few pages of the book, author Vikram Nanjappa takes the reader on a lush journey through Kabini, introducing its wildlife and people, and sharing his musings about the wonders of nature. The book is a result of the author’s decade spent in Kabini as a naturalist at the wildlife resort Evolve Back, drawing on his countless daily observations in the forest.
Kabini, a popular destination for wildlifers, is a part of the Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka. It is home to a rich array of animals – tigers, elephants, leopards, and birds.
While descrbing the idiosyncrasies of life and interactions in the forest, the author also weaves in reflections on his life, from parenting to gardening, showing how seamless one’s existence can be – we are after all just another animal in the wild! The book is a lovely example and inspiration for natural history documentation and journaling.
Throughout the book, Nanjappa shares tips and information about Kabini. For instance he shares that: “During the summer, when the water levels recede, it turns into a vast grassland and wildlife viewing at that time is more akin to Africa than India. This grassland plays host to one of the largest congregations of Asiatic elephants in the world. In my opinion the best way to view wildlife in Kabini, especially during the dry season, is by boat.” This makes Kabini on My Mind a must read before visiting.
Kabini is famous for its elephants, and so his delightful encounter with an embracing pair of elephant friends is a sweet nugget, and understandably among his most cherished experiences in Kabini. It is not just the mega fauna that enchants him, and neither should it be the only wildlife we seek out in a jungle. Birds such as the dapper Pied Bushchat equally win his attention.
Nanjappa’s writing showcases how unpredictable the wild can be – for instance, he watches in bewilderment as a leopard is chased by a female gaur, and impresses upon the reader that watching nature’s stories unfold before you is far more rewarding than taking photographs. One of my favourite chapters is on animal expressions – he recounts how seeing a wild pig look surprised is one his fondest wildlife moments!
Beyond musings and natural history information, an important feature of the book is that the author does not mince his words while discussing conservation issues.
He raises difficult questions about interactions with the wild as a tourist, or even a professional: “What do you make of a wildlife photographer who drives along forest roads in the night with a spotlight and uses a flash to take photographs? Is there any difference between him and the unethical hunter of the old days? True, the end result is only an image and not the death of the animal, but is it not intrusive? In this day and age, and taking into consideration the background given above, can it be considered ethical?”
The short brisk chapters give a peek into Kabini, revealing animal behaviour and the turn of seasons. The essays are just the right length for a brief break from the daily grind, and certainly a much better choice than doom scrolling on the Internet. But the best decision, without doubt, would be to finish the book, pack your bags (including Kabini on My Mind), and head off to the wilds of Kabini!
Reviewed by Shatakshi Gawade