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?
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 dramatic return to the magical wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, heralded by the birds and wildlife that call this landscape home.
Documenting days of watching birds in the rain in Bengaluru....with a kitten on my shoulder for company!
Cloaked in sleek night and windy stripes, Slinking, barely rustling, an arrow taut in the string of a bow, A heady scent on the breeze, old blood and rotting flesh, Cheetal bark, tails flashing, legs leaping, Fangs flash silver, hunting knives, Rounded pugmarks pressed into the moist earth, a promise. Whiplash! A snake-like tail flashes…
Finding yourself bored at home during the lockdown? Check out my series of reading lists based on books I love. My first reading list includes books on nature and wildlife, with links to purchase books on Amazon.in and Amazon.com!
"And I knew that as long as I responded, in both a physical and mystical way, to the natural world-sea, sun, earth, moon and stars – I would never feel lonely upon this planet."Ruskin Bond As an ecologist, I adore the natural world. Fieldwork – true back-breaking, exhausting fieldwork – fuels me and pushes me…
When people look at me, they can't seem to accept that a city girl like me is passionate about ecology fieldwork and wanders about in forests and wetlands for a living. Well, here are my thoughts on this unique and always-interesting lifestyle that I have chosen!
The rights of forest dwelling communities have long been disputed and discussed by the conservation community in India. Here's my take on this nuanced issue on World Wildlife Day 2021...
On Life and Wildlife 