Sacrality is a fascinating concept to explore, and many swamps in my study area of Uttara Kannada are considered sacred by local communities. One of these swamps is Chaare, a lovely, fenced swamp nestled in the crook of wet evergreen forest and (surprise, surprise) an arecanut plantation. Named for the small village that borders it,…
When interviewing locals to learn about their knowledge of swamps, Rohan and I stumbled across the legend of the krishnasarpa. But what is the krishnasarpa?
Deep in the heart of lion-tailed macaque country lie multiple hidden Myristica swamps. Rohan and I spent hours driving the (surprisingly) well-maintained roads, past faded signposts and countless towering arecanut plantations, past colourful houses and dry brown paddy fields, past patches of dry deciduous forest interspersed by cool, wet evergreen forests, until we finally reached…
The landscape of the Sharavathi river valley is unparallelled in its beauty. Lush forests line the tarred roads, descending deep into the valley to where the mighty Sharavathi roars. From the winding road, the wind whipping through my hair, I can smell the river and its rich soil from kilometres away. I close my eyes,…
A morning cycle ride in Whitefield always leads to the lap of nature. Today, my journey took me through countless emerald fields, on bumpy dirt roads, and past a serene temple, right to Kannamangala Kere (lake), a hidden gem in the outskirts of Bengaluru. Kannamangala Lake is not particularly easy to access, nor is it…
A tryst with freshwater swamps....and unfolding projects surrounding these rare systems...keeps me on my toes!
This World Wetlands Day, read about the ecosystem services provided by wetlands and why we must conserve them in this changing world of ours.
The longer version (with pictures!) of my article in the Deccan Spectrum about India's endangered Myristica swamps
Read on to learn about the ecology of three of India's elusive small cats and their struggle for survival as their preferred habitat - wetlands - declines...
In the wake of the first International Day of the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, an initiative by UNESCO, here is a brief introduction into the wonders of the mangrove ecosystem and why we must conserve it.
On Life and Wildlife 