A fabled multi-biodiverse nation that it is, India has been a prominent hub for endemic as well as exotic species of plants and animals. However, the advent of urbanization and acceleration of industrialization has made humans to coexist with species a very difficult task. With objective planning to tackle this issue being the need of the hour, ‘Saving wild India: A Blueprint for change’ by Valmik Thapar pans out real-solutions to conserve the Indian biodiversity.

WHAT IS THE CRUX OF THE BOOK?

Expressing a picture of what the book is all about through its title, ‘Saving wild India: A Blueprint for change’ has primarily raised concerns over protection of the dwindling forest and wildlife of India. The author, Valmik Thapar has traversed through a logical blueprint on how to protect and preserve the Indian flora and fauna. With objectivity and hope of triggering likeminded people, the author carves out a plan to restore the biodiversity of India from its poignant state. He condemns the sheer ignorance of locals and the actions of influential politicians and bureaucrats who fulfil their pecuniary goals at the cost of ruining the biota. The umbrella themes under the book includes sharp focuses on the myriad problems harming the natural environment and a large focus on the solutions that can be used to imbue the government and individuals to save the biodiversity. Prominently argued topics in the book include reorganisation of the administration specifically the Indian Forest Services, an urgent need to the upsurge wildlife tourism and strengthening of the legal framework to curb the corrupt administrators and politicians from meddling into the system for personal gains. 

WHAT IS THE BLUEPRINT OF CHANGE?

The author has also drawn out a  Van Dhan Yojana (Forest Wealth Plan), which particularly is specific to Rajasthan as he worked with local officials of the state to draft the plan. The framework of this policy indicates a focus on livelihoods that can reduce the dependency on wildlife  and in return restore ecological health of lands around protected forest lands of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and Desert National Park in Rajasthan. The framework of the policy strategizes on involving natural regeneration of forests and making local communities the beneficiary of it. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- VALMIK THAPAR

An Indian naturalist and writer by profession, Valmik Thapar has earned the reputation of a notable conservationist of India, with an experience of four decades in the field. He has taken part in documentaries for BBC, Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic in his field of work. Additionally, he also works for the Rajasthan Board for Wildlife and has helped the state government scheme out the Van Dhan Yojana.

He has worked deeply for the tiger conservation scenario in Indiaand has founded a non-governmental organization Ranthambhore foundation for the same. In the author’s note of the book, Thapar mentioned how big an influence his time at Ranthambhore has been to understand the nuances of the tiger population. He has shown deep compassion to conserve the environment over the years and his intuitiveness has been inspirational for field of environment conservation. 

Link to buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Wild-India-Blueprint-Change/dp/9382277463