While in Jungle: Thumb Rules for The Wildlife Enthusiast

[Ranbir Mahapatra]

IndiaWilds "showcase the beauty of India’s wilds through Nature and Wildlife Photography, with the focus on wild tigers,to convey the importance of preserving this fast vanishing wilderness."

IndiaWilds members appreciate nature in her pristine form and are concerned about the way things are progressing (or regressing) now.

In the past, IndiaWilds members have raised issues regarding how certain "Eco-tourism operators" conduct "business", about ill-planned industrialization affecting delicate ecosystem and other pertinent issues. Members have gone on field to confront challenges head-on, we have sent mail to Field Directors and PM to act. I cannot speak about others, but today I am more responsible than I was before.

Kudos to one and all!

Now, let me ask you a question: As people become more affluent and enterprising can we really prevent the phenomenon of overcrowding of our jungles? Who should go in to the jungle and who should not? Many members would suggest that only "responsible" wildlife enthusiasts should be allowed. Does "super telephoto" wielding, camouflage attired and jungle jargon spewing tourists be classified as responsible? What about the quintessential middle class Indian family (Mr & Mrs. Sudhakar with their kids Chintu and Pinky) who saved up for last 6 months and have come to assuage their curiosity of "sighting a tiger or an elephant"? Reality is, at the end of the day, the cause of conservation is strengthened when more people (from all walks of life) experience our beautiful wild heritage and decide to become vocal stakeholders of it.

Now lets talk about rules.

People have religions and values, countries have Constitutions, organizations have Policies. Rules help in instilling a sense of order to this absolute chaotic phenomenon called life. Friends, how about collectively framing best practices that are most suitable for the Indian wildlife safari? Imagine a IndiaWilds member going to a Tadoba or Kaziranga and abiding by these rules and more importantly acting as an evangelist amongst his fellow eco-tourists about best practices?

Wouldn't it make our wildlife a bit more safer and better? If nothing, I am sure it would allow Rahul Parekh to again return to his beloved forests! Incidentally he is protesting by boycotting the jungles...

Folks, I will be regularly updating this thread to incorporate more ideas that YOU put forth (hopefully after a healthy debate over it).

IndiaWilds Thumb Rules for The Wildlife Enthusiast when in Jungle:

1. Encouraging safari driver to drive well within speed limit.
2. Encourage safari driver to keep a 40-50 feet distance between the animal and the vehicle.
3. Expectation setting: Before start of safari, the naturalist and a volunteer (from IndiaWilds perhaps) should talk to fellow photographers and tourists about the secrets of bountiful forest apart from the big cats.
4. Not carrying picnic food into the jungle or plastic water bottles.
5. Rules of driving: No overtaking because a "deep pocket" tourist offer extra cash. Such incidents should be raked up with full impunity at the highest level.
6. Discouraging drivers to be egged by tourists to drive off path.
7. Be watchful: IndiaWilds members should document instances of wrongdoing: bribe, crossing the line by tour operators.
8. IndiaWilds members should practice watching nature in silence. Communication to be best limited to whispers. They should also encourage other members in their safari jeeps to do the same.
9. Buy a binocular or t-shirt, shoes or good caps while going on safari. Tell safari driver what's your expectations are for responsible eco-tourism. If the driver shows responsibility during the safari gift these apart from appropriate emoluments.

These are a few I could think of now. I will be constantly adding more.

Please comment and add more best practices.