gINKgo I RARE Newsletter | Vol 32 | The Western Ghats | April 2021
“Simply going on vacation to protected areas and photographing charismatic wildlife does not contribute to the cause of conservation. Appreciation of wildlife and environmental threats – combined with certain ethical practises in wildlife watching makes all the difference. Put into action, this awareness contributes to the overall experiences in the jungle, the comfort levels of the wildlife and the health of the habitat. When practised consistently over a period of time this may even go on to conserving the ecosystem in various subtle and invisible ways.”
- Surya Ramachandran & David Raju, Photographic Field Guide I Wildlife of South India (Notion Press)
Drives through Anamallai and Sathyamangalam and several stretches of unfamiliar ‘ghat’ sections (as my father would often describe the hilly areas that our many train journeys would traverse) or ‘ghat’ roads, were a part of the long drives I took on a 5 day journey in the south. While my friends fretted over the 11-12 hour long drives, I marvelled at the scope and beauty of India’s unsung road journeys.
Five days in and out of the Western Ghats is barely enough even to skim the surface of what this region often described as the ‘Great Escarpment’ has in store for intrepid travellers especially those who love nature. But it re-opened my senses to the richness of the bio-diversity, the culture and the gentle people who call this region their home. The people particularly amazed me, I read some books which introduced me to the Kadars, Malayars and Muthuvars , discovered some local magazines full of unimaginable insights, spent time walking and talking to them, and being pampered by their simple generosity.
Shoba Mohan (March 2021)
RARE India’s collection in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will take you there and help you discover parts of what is today counted among the world’s top bio-diversity hotspots and also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
