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When my childhood friends were busy reading
Comics of Superman , Batman ,Richie Rich , I was spending
my time reading Phantom and Tarzan comics. They grew up and started
reading Enid Blytons , Hardy Boys , Secret Seven , Nancy Drew, Mills and
Boon etc.. I also read these books but enjoyed more reading the books
written by Edgar Rice Boroughs ( Tarzan ) , The legendary Jim Corbett and
Kenneth Anderson , hence when the time came for dating and going out ,
Not that I did not go out for dates and had fun , but I enjoyed more
going out for watching the Tigers and the Elephants in the Jim Corbett
National Park .
Over
the years we have wondered if we would be able to contribute towards
preservation of the forest and its animals . In order to
equip ourselves we have been indulging various other activities concerning
this such as reading about forest and animals , visiting other nature
parks , becoming members of NGO's giving donations to concerned organizations ,
helping increase awareness in friends and relations and photographing and
conducting slide shows .
Our
regular visits to the Corbett National Park has helped us in making a good and
respectful relationship with the staff and helped in becoming a wild life
lover . In march 1997 we were instrumental in saving the life of a elephant
calf which was stuck in quicksand . We helped in rescuing the calf but
were forced to abandon him since mother arrived. Nothing could be done hence
we left the mother and baby together for nature to take its own course. Next
day the director on his rounds found the elephant calves body half eaten by the
tiger . The news of the rescue had spread and subsequently we had an
opportunity to meet the director Mr. R.C Gautam and the Deputy Director Mr.
Rajiv Bhartari
The meetings with the director and his deputy was very interesting and
educative and gave us hope that the tiger is not doomed to extinction if such
dedicated people are there to lay the foundations of tiger safety. We were
informed about the tiger census in may that year in which the government
intended to invite NGO's and volunteers to bring transparency to the census .
We were invited to participate in the tiger census
1997 .
This
census was just the beginning of our official association with Corbett National
Park . Seeing our enthusiasm and our keenness to do something for the cause of
preservation , the Deputy Director Mr. Rajiv Bhartari gave us tremendous
encouragement and direction . During off season and in monsoons , we organized free
medical camps for the wild life
officials and villagers on the periphery of the park , to show
them that we cared for them , indirectly conveying to them that look you care
for the nature and we take care of you , and while camping we conveyed to them
that in the preservation of animals and forests , it is in turn
preservation of mankind. During the season that is from November to
June , we organized slide shows in the park and taught the officials to organize
such shows so that they can guide the tourists on other things to see besides
the
tiger.
Now
coming to the toughest part , acknowledging the people who have helped me
achieve all this , firstly I'd like to thank the staff and management of
the Corbett National Park for giving me an opportunity to serve them and helping
and encouraging me all the time , special thanks to the Deputy Director Mr. Rajiv
Bhartari . I 'd like to thank my dear friend Ajay Pal who has been a faithful and regular companion
during my regular visits to the majority of the destinations and with whom
there are lots of memorable moments and memories connected which
I can never ever forget ( like being chased by a wild elephants or during
census nearly stepping on a tiger ) , and also would like to thank my dear
friend from the United States Sir Guy Crain , who has been a real
inspiration and guiding force , at times coming all the way from the U.S.
to visit the interesting places I have been too, living with me in the
park without electricity and other posh facilities that he is used to, and
lastly my family , my parents and specially my wife Mona for never ever
cribbing about the cause I am into and also never complaining that invariably
for holidays I pick the Jungles as the best spot to be in. Special thanks for my
office staff for taking care of my business really well during my absence
and not letting my clients feel any
difference. There are many many more people , who have given me
encouragement and hope that our dear friend Tiger may not be doomed to
extinction and keeping my faith alive , I'd like to thank everyone of them .
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