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Behind the lens
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Conservationist Shekar Dattatri says there’s still time to save the environment
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Photo K. Ananthan
Spreading awareness Shekar Dattatri
Kudremukh, a place nestled in Karnataka, was famous for its iron ore. Or so we thought, till a tiny group of people showed us otherwise. Little did we realise the place was one of the best rainforest national parks in the country, and that the mining
hit it hard. An 11-minute documentary later, the wealth of Kudremukh came to light, and the mining was stopped in 2005.
Small yet powerful
“Conservation today is possible only because of tiny groups with big conviction. Such groups have won huge battles,” says Shekar Dattatri, who produced the documentary Mindless Mining - the tragedy of Kudremukh. The 45-year-old conservationist and wildlife cinematographer has directed and produced various documentaries, including ones on tigers, snakes, crocodiles and Olive Ridley turtles. While there are plenty of animals out there facing extinction, is the tiger getting undue attention because it is our national animal? “Maybe. But saving the tiger is going to improve a whole chain, including the trees, its habitat, its prey, etc. So, indirectly many stand to benefit. However, a few animals, including the snow leopard and the gharial, and birds such as the great pied hornbill need special attention. Invisible destruction of habitats will have insidious results. What is needed is a landscape-based conservation.
“Saving electricity and water may not look as glamorous as saving the tiger, but that’s what we can do as individuals,” says the recipient of Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
“The forests provide us everything that we have. But, we are driven by greed, and soon nothing will be left.”
He says the country is witnessing unsustainable growth. “We are competing with China. But look at them, their growth has been at the cost of bio-diversity. Such growth will kill the real pleasures of living.”
He says the forest provides everything, but only four per cent of the total forest area in India is protected. “If we do not realise the links, the nation will collapse. Shortage of food and water will cause civil unrest.”
He is all praise for Bhutan, and claims that it is the best country in preserving its resources. ‘They do not look at the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) but at the GNH — Gross National Happiness. They are not looking at unbridled growth, and are slow to adopt any new or outside technology.”
However, he says it is still not late. “We need a non-populist politician to apply the brakes, to study the positives and negatives of the current situation before doing anything. We should ensure the four per cent of the protected land is not encroached upon. We should strive for recovery of resources in the remaining 96 per cent. We can raise a plantation, but never a forest.” He asserts destroying Nature does not affect Nature, it only affects mankind.
“As a kid, I was depressed I may not grow to see tigers roam the forests. However, thanks to conservationists, including NGOs, I see tigers today. I want the kids today to be able to see the majestic animal when they grow up. And, the responsibility is in everyone’s hands: journalists, politicians, NGOs, teachers, students, filmmakers. Just about anyone can inspire and create awareness. That is a sign of hope.”
W. SREELALITHA
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Bangalore
Chennai
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