1.6 Into the Wild
Writer: Kiran Purandare
Kiran Purandare is a well-known wildlife activist from Maharashtra. He is known for his books like 'Sakha Nagzira'. He is a recipient of the ‘Sahitya Puraskar’. Pune’s Bhai Madhav Bagal Award and Best Literature Award given by the Cultural Department of Maharashtra State for his ‘Sakha Nagzira’.
He spent 400 days inside Nagzira and nearby forest areas and wrote this award winning book. This extract has been taken from the same book. He is a wild-life expert, a bird watcher, a writer and honorary wildlife warden in Maharashtra. He is also the founder of Nisarg Wedh Organisation, which works for nature conservation and community work around Nagzira, Navegaon, a Tiger Reserve in Bhandara and Gondia districts. He also founded Kika’s Bird Club in order to spread bird farming which is very popular among school-going children of Maharashtra. The project, which is based on active participation of the local tribes to protect the wildlife, is serving as a model to enhance coexistence of humans and wildlife in and around protected areas.
About the topic: Into the wild:
There are two parts in this topic.
(Part I) It is an amazing experience of the writer Kiran Purandare, the solitary traveller, who is completely lost in the jungles of Umbarzara. He narrates how he lost his way at the fall of the dusk and the terrifying turmoil he underwent thereafter. He also gives a detailed description of how he found his way towards the Pitezari.
(Part II) The second part is about Shaaz Jung, known for his wild life photography. It tells us about his entry into this world of wild life photography, the insight that he received during this journey regarding the loss of the habitat of wild animals and the genuine efforts that he took by establishing BCRTI, for the conservation of forests by educating the local rural folks and providing them with a sound reliable source of income.
Ice Breakers:
1) Narrate in your class any of the incidents of your life when you were extremely terrified or awestruck.
Answer:-
Once I was walking on the road and a fast moving car came towards me. It was a break down car and it wasn’t controlled by the driver. I realised the danger. I started running leaving the road and within a margin of seconds I was able to miss the car. Though I saved myself from hitting, I was extremely terrified at that moment and shivered for a long time.
2) Complete the given table regarding the factors/situations/reasons - why you sometimes get scared and the factors that add to it. Give possible solutions.
Answer:-
3) Given below are various activities which you can pursue as your hobby, passion, or profession. Complete the table accordingly.
Answer:-
4) Match the following ‘Wild-Life Sanctuaries’ with their locations.
Answer:-
.
Chapter 1.6: Into the Wild
Narrate in your class any of the incidents of your life when you were extremely terrified or awestruck.
SOLUTION:
I used to reside in the town of Mahad for a few years of my childhood. I was in 6th standard when this terrifying incident took place. The nearby Savitri River was flooded due to incessant rains and floodwater had entered into our town. By sunset that evening, the water level was at the 1 st floor of my building where my flat was on the 2nd floor. It was turning dark and the water level was threatening to rise even further. We were hoping that the water does not enter our homes. Fortunately by midnight the water started to recede and our home was saved. The floods of that year had wreaked havoc in the town of Mahad. For me the entire experience was an unsettling one as if it were a bad dream.
Complete the given table regarding the factors/situations/reasons – why you sometimes get scared and the factors that add to it. Give possible solutions.
Reasons | Factors which add to it | Solutions |
While discussing about strange creatures | At midnight/In the absence of parents | Avoid such discussions/ stories as they are baseless |
SOLUTION:
Reasons | Factors which add to it | Solutions |
While discussing about strange creatures | At midnight/In the absence of parents | Avoid such discussions/ stories as they are baseless |
The thought of drowning in water. | While travelling in a ferry/boat in turbulent seas | Learn swimming under correct supervision |
Travelling alone | At night | Avoid secluded areas/Always keep someone informed of your whereabouts |
Given below are various activities which your can pursue as your hobby, passion, or profession. Complete the table accordingly.
Sr.no | Activities | Hobby | Passion | Profession | Reason/Challenge/Both |
1 | Painting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (R) I can express myself well through the strokes of brush |
2 | Travelling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (R) In tourism, there is great demand for professional tourist |
3 | Wild life photography | (C) In the age of computers limited professional scope | |||
4 | Conserving environment | ||||
5 | Bird watching |
SOLUTION:
Sr.no | Activities | Hobby | Passion | Profession | Reason/Challenge/Both |
1 | Painting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (R) I can express myself well through the strokes of brush |
2 | Travelling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (R) In tourism, there is great demand for professional tourist |
3 | Wild life photography | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (C) In the age of computers limited professional scope |
4 | Conserving environment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (R) Conserving environment is the need of the hour when climate change is critically affecting our planet |
5 | Bird watching | ✓ | ✓ | × | (R) Birdwatching is a soothing and satisfying activity (C) Some of the unique species of birds are found only in dense and untrodden forests |
Match the following ‘Wild-Life Sanctuaries’ with their locations.
Wild life sanctuary | Location |
1. Bandipur National Park | (a) Uttarakhand |
2. Kaziranga National Park | (b) Madhya Pradesh |
3. Jim Corbet National Park | (c) Karnataka |
4. Ranthambore National Park | (d) Assam |
5. Kanha National Park | (e) Rajasthan |
SOLUTION:
Wild life sanctuary | Location |
1. Bandipur National Park | (c) Karnataka |
2. Kaziranga National Park | (d) Assam |
3. Jim Corbet National Park | (a) Uttarakhand |
4. Ranthambore National Park | (e) Rajasthan |
5. Kanha National Park | (b) Madhya Pradesh |
In pairs, discuss the professions and challenges one can take happily if one is really passionate about the job.
SOLUTION:
Do it yourself.
In groups, organise a role-play activity associated with ‘Wild Life Expert’/ ‘Wild Life Photographer’/‘Wild Life Conservator’, explaining the differences and similarities involved in their profession.
SOLUTION:
The characters in the role-play activity can take the help of the following pointers to interact amongst themselves.
What is the nature of their jobs?
Why did they choose their respective professions?
What is the most satisfying thing about their profession?
How can they contribute to each other in their professions?
What are the risks involved in their respective professions?
Which persons/organisations do they often come in contact with?
Arrange the following incidents in proper sequential order as they have occurred in Part-I:
(a) Writer realised that he was lost in the woods.
(b) The Langurs saw the leopard.
(c) The author was moving from the jungle as quietly as possible, finding his way through the thicket.
(d) The author met a villager.
SOLUTION:
The following incidents in proper sequential order as they have occurred in Part-I are:
(a) The author was moving from the jungle as quietly as possible, finding his way through the thicket.
(b) The Langurs saw the leopard.
(c) The author met a villager.
(d) Writer realized that he was lost in the woods
Correct the false statement.
Earlier Shaaz was in the field of finance.
SOLUTION:
Shaaz chose career dedicated to wildlife over that in finance.
BCRTI was founded out of the genuine urge to conserve the habitat of the wild life.
SOLUTION:
BCRTI was founded out of the genuine urge to educate the villagers who live on the fringe of the forest on the importance of wildlife conservation.
Shaaz failed to utilize the finance incurred out of tourism.
SOLUTION:
Shaaz has been successful in putting the finance incurred out of tourism to good use.
According to the local agriculturist seeing is more essential than listening.
SOLUTION:
According to the local agriculturist listening is more essential than seeing.
Complete the given web.
SOLUTION:
Signs of the vicinity of the village:
droppings of the blue bulls nearby
sight of lantern of Rajiram Bhalavi’s farm and loudspeakers installed for Keshav Bhalavi’s marriage.
sounds of people talking on the loudspeaker.
spotting the village lake and the familiar ‘Suihudaki’ hillock.
Complete the following.
SOLUTION:
Following are the responsibilities handled by Shaaz:
1. Shaaz created BRCTI to educate villagers who live on fringe of the forest on the importance of conservation.
2. Shaaz ensures that the tourist currency is put to good use, under the BRCTI umbrella.
3. Shaaz provides locals with vocational training so that they can benefit from the tourist currency.
4. Shaaz enables locals to acquire skills from the visitors to his resort.
Complete the flow-chart stating the reactions of the petrified Langurs due to the presence of the leopard.
SOLUTION:
Complete the web, describing each step taken by the writer as a solitary traveller while moving in the jungle with great precaution:
SOLUTION:
Complete the table explaining the qualities that you would like to imbibe from Nature within yourself and provide the reasons for the same:
From | Quality | Reasons |
Trees | ||
Streams |
SOLUTION:
Trees | The quality of selfless service | Trees often give back more to the environment than they take from it. They do so without expecting anything in return. I would like to imbibe such selfless character of the tree |
The quality of shedding leaves annually | I would like to imbibe the quality of trees of giving up anything that does not serve any purpose and thereby not holding on to the past | |
Streams | The quality to change course if required | I would like to be flexible like a stream and adapt to any situation. I should be able to explore other options than giving up on an obstacle. |
The quality to selfpurify from contamination during its own course. | Similar to a stream, I would like to analyse my mistakes and correct them on my own through the course of my life. |
Choose appropriate phrases/expressions from the extract given in the options and fill in the blank appropriately.
I was on diet for some days but today I am going to eat _______.
time and again
to my heart’s content
frantic speed
in a jiffy
Every mother scolds her children _______ for the overuse of the mobile phone.
time and again
to my heart’s content
frantic speed
in a jiffy
All their educational problems were sorted out _______ because of the funds given by an NGO.
time and again
to my heart’s content
in a jiffy
frantic speed
Raj ran at a _______ to catch the train.
time and again
to my heart’s content
in a jiffy
frantic speed
Begin the following sentence with the word given in the bracket.
I can guide visitors. (Visitors)
SOLUTION:
Visitors can be guided by me.
Animals are paying me back. (I)
SOLUTION:
I am being paid back by the animals.
The behaviour of the Black Panther is being documented. (They)
SOLUTION:
They are documenting the behaviour of the Black Panther.
Begin the following sentence with the word given in the bracket.
All the research on the animal has been done through camera traps. (They)
SOLUTION:
They have done all the research on the animal through camera traps.
Madegowda is employed by The Bison. (The Bison)
SOLUTION:
The Bison has employed Madegowda.
The surroundings were reminding me. (I)
SOLUTION:
I was being reminded by the surroundings.
Raju was amazed at my solitary visits to Umbarzara. (My solitary)
SOLUTION:
My solitary visits to Umbarzara amazed Raju.
I found a bright red soil trail. (A)
SOLUTION:
A bright red soil trail was founded by me.
Older leopards like Pardus carry away livestock from villages. (Livestock)
SOLUTION:
Livestock from villages is carried away by older leopards like Pardus.
I have lost almost 80 percent of a season’s yield of sugarcane. (80 percent)
SOLUTION:
80 percent of a season’s yield of sugarcane has been lost by me.
Tracking an animal also teaches you life lessons. (Life lessons)
SOLUTION:
Life lessons are also taught by tracking an animal.
Many things have been taught to me by the forests. (The forests)
SOLUTION:
The forests have taught me many things.
Resentment among locals towards the animals is created by this. (This)
SOLUTION:
This creates resentment among locals towards the animals.
Rewrite the sentence by using 'not only ..... but also’:
The petrified Langurs speeded to the trees near and far and secured their places on the tree tops.
SOLUTION:
The petrified Langurs not only speeded to the trees near and far but also secured their places on the tree tops.
Rewrite the sentence by using 'not only ..... but also':
Umbarzara is the haven for Tigers, Leopards and Sloth Bears.
SOLUTION:
Umbarzara is the haven not only for Tigers and Leopards but also for Sloth Bears.
Rewrite the sentence by using 'not only ..... but also’:
I crossed the cement pillar and stones stacked by the Forest Development Corporation.
SOLUTION:
I crossed not only the cement pillar but also the stones stacked by the Forest Development Corporation.
Your college has decided to celebrate the World Environment Day. Mr Kiran Purandare has been invited as the ‘Chief Guest’ for the event. Imagine you are the Secretary of the ‘Nature Club’ of your college and you have to conduct an interview of Mr Kiran Purandare. Frame 8/10 questions for the same.
SOLUTION:
Below is the list of questions I would ask Mr. Kiran Purandare in an interview.
i. What inspired you to become a wildlife activist?
ii. What are the problems that you face as an environmentalist?
iii. Can you narrate a few memorable incidents from your days in Nagzira?
iv. What is the biggest lesson that you have learned from nature?
v. What do you consider as your greatest achievement to date?
vi. How big a role can social media play in wildlife conservation?
vii. What is the biggest threat to wildlife today?
viii. Do you think the government is taking enough measures to conserve wildlife habitat? If not, what can it do differently?
ix. What is the vision and mission of Nisarg Wedh Organisation that you have founded?
x. What message would you like to give to students like us?
Imagine you have visited the jungles of Nagarhole. Write a report, to be published in your college magazine / in a local newspaper.
SOLUTION:
Jungles of Nagarhole
11th January 2020.
Komal Mehta
(Student Reporter)
As a part of their annual study tour, students of SYJC, Science, Division I, visited the Nagarhole National park of Karnataka, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. The three-day visit that started on 1th January was supervised by Sawant Sir of Physics department and accompanied by the support staff. 71 students from the division had enrolled for the tour and were accommodated in ‘the Bison’ resort situated within the wildlife reserve. On day one, the students attended a workshop on wildlife of Nagarhole that was conducted by the Head Warden of the National Park. The students were also briefed about the precautions to be taken during their safari on the following day.
On the second day of the visit, students were divided into 4 groups to proceed for Jungle safari, each group headed by a local tour guide. They were successful in spotting big cats as well as other wild animals. Students were asked to take photographs and note their observations of the wildlife of Nagarhole. Day three of the tour was solely allotted to fun and recreational activities. Upon returning every student was expected to prepare a presentation about their visit.
Students learnt a great deal about the rich wildlife reserve of our country and returned with a pledge to sincerely devote to the cause of its conservation. All in all, the visit to the jungles of Nagarhole was a huge success.
Shaaz has contributed towards conserving the wild animals and their habitat. Your college has decided to spread the message in society and arrange a rally. Prepare an ‘Appeal’ to ensure maximum participation informing about the day, date, and other relevant details.
SOLUTION:
WILDLIFE CALLING!
Wildlife is mother nature’s greatest treasure. Together we can and we should save it from becoming history.
We, at Shree Dayanand College of Commerce, have arranged a rally to create awareness for wildlife conservation.
The rally shall be flagged off by none other than our beloved, Shaaz Jung!
Come one, come all!
Let us make this initiative a huge success
Time and date: 9.00 am, 15th August 2020
Rally start point: Dayanand Trust Gymkhana
Rally end point: Amphitheatre, Shree Dayanand College of Commerce
Nature is a great teacher and a guide. Complete the mind map as instructed as per the titled concept:
SOLUTION:
Surf the net and obtain more information about the conservation work done by Shaaz. Prepare posters to inspire others and display them on your college noticeboard.
SOLUTION:
Do it yourself.
Find out the information about the qualification and eligibility required in the profession related to wild life such as:
Forest officer / Ranger
SOLUTION:
To become a forest officer/ ranger, one needs to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, medical or science, preferably in forestry or agriculture. In India, it is mandatory for the candidates to clear the relevant Civil Services Examination for the post of Forest Officer.
Wildlife photographer
SOLUTION:
To become a wildlife photographer one needs to clear the 10+2 equivalent examination and pursue a diploma/certificate course in wildlife photography. A person having a degree in photography along with relevant field experience can also aspire to become a wildlife photographer.
Environmentalist
SOLUTION:
To become an environmentalist, one must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental sciences or equivalent.
Geologist
SOLUTION:
To become a geologist, one must have at least a bachelor’s degree in Geology. MSC or PhD in geology can serve as an additional qualification.
Tour Manager
SOLUTION:
To become a tour manager, one must have a diploma or degree in Travel and Tourism management.
