By Joao Sousa M

A K Sahay, a senior banker by profession who is also a prolific writer and leading wildlife photographer with 25 years of experience in the field recently released his second book, ‘Glimpses from India’s natural world’ at Carmel College for Women,

Nuvem as part of the popular lecture series to celebrate the year of biodiversity and partnership between the Centre for environment education and bio-diversity research cell of Carmel College. ‘The Navhind Times’ caught up with him to get an insight of his book and work.

Tell us something about the book

The concept of the book was conceptualised in 2008 during my conversation with Mr Rob Hume of Royal Society for Protection of Birds and other experts in the field. I realised that world experts have great admiration for Indian wildlife and decided to go ahead with the book.

As a matter of fact I found that many of my countrymen are ignorant about the magnificent wildlife in the country. India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world along with Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru Mexico Madagascar, Zaire, Australia, China, Indonesia and Malaysia which contribute to nearly 60 per cent of the world’s species.

Hence it was important for me to do something to bring awareness and sensitise the people of the country towards conservation of Indian wildlife and that is how I decided to compile a book that would contain glimpses of some magnificent, birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

The book is the best of my experiences at wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and other bio-diversity hotspots in the country. I have travelled extensively through Karnataka, Goa, West Bengal, Kerala etc with the focus on forest protection, habitat protection and tiger protection.

How do you balance your photography and your professional life?

I am a senior banker working with the state bank of Mysore, Chennai, an associate of the state bank of India. Balancing my professional life and photography took a lot of sacrifice during my last 28 years of service. I have exhausted all my leave and dedicated all my weekends to photography. In fact, wet lands are the best places for honing your skills in wildlife photography as a minimum of 15 species of birds are found at any given time near wet lands.

How did you get into photography?

I have not taken any formal training in photography. I have done a lot of reading on the subject and tried experimenting and eventually involved as an effective photographer. As a child I was fascinated by birds and animals and started visiting wildlife sanctuaries. I have some fabulous experiences of the splendour of Indian wildlife.

what about your experiences in Goa?

I was in Goa for three years from 2000-2003. goa has a rich and diverse bio-diversity for a small state. The book also contains some images which I had clicked in Goa during this period.

what about your family?

My wife Sangeeta noticed very early in her married life that her husband was quite fascinated with Indian wildlife. Once she realised the importance of this, she has always been a great support.

What do you have to say about the modern generation and wildlife awareness, or the lack of it?

the present generation is not exposed to nature and wildlife at all. However, the government needs to include subjects of wildlife as part of the school curriculum, besides organising talks, field trips etc. In fact I worked out a special discount with the publisher for school children and teachers by providing a 20 per cent discount on the cover price so that this book may reach every household, school and across the country.