Why am I doing, what I do and what got me started?
I feel like Nature chose me. The connect to nature as far as my memory goes. Playing with soil, getting amazed by birds visiting our home, growing with trees and feeling sad when trees were cut down are some of the memories of early childhood that still not only persists but have internalised so much that they drive the zeal to continue to explore the nature. The connection with nature feels real and make it worth experiencing. Wild teaches so many things which change you as a person forever. While growing up as I moved to school, the trees in the backyard, in the farms, in the school all became familiar as if humans. The realisation that every other being, the trees, the birds, the insects, the butterflies are special and have stories in their own. This is what I try to observe, record and capture during my field visits. Every photo is a experience and a story to narrate. The joy of native trees, creating gardens and nurseries with native species seeds and contributing to biodiversity are unparalleled for me. Spreading awareness about the local natural flora like Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Jaal (Salvadora oleoides) etc. were part of activities I took in my native place in Haryana. Organised several programs and awareness camps linking the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign with tree plantation of native species on the birth of a girl child. After moving to Andhra Pradesh, I visited several rich forest areas of eastern ghats. I worked with tribals and explored the natural forests of Nallamala hills. I could record more than 230 species of birds during my field visits. I organised several nature programs also. Today I have a rich repository of the flora and fauna of Haryana and Andhra Pradesh of the places I have visited and this remains as a forever treasure with me.
What challenges did you face when you started out?
I feel the journey all along itself made me more motivated every day to explore forests and wildlife. Sometime even if I am not able to go to forests I can still observe lot of biodiversity in the backyard which I create for them to visit our home wherever we go. This keeps me connected to the nature and the wonder it brings.
What message do you want to put out here for the next generation of women of the wild?
Nature and women combined are the most powerful forces. Connecting to the wild helps both personally and professionally. It can be taken as a career choice also as many opportunities are there nowadays. The experience of connecting with nature, flora and fauna is unmatchable and will remain with you as a treasure trove in all phases of life even whenever you feel low. It can be taken as a hobby and even the start can be from the backyard. Women of the wild will go long way in teaching next generations to be more inclined to nature.
Rupak Yadav-Renewable Energy Professional
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