The exhibition, held as part of the state’s Wildlife Week activities, commemorated 50 years of Project Tiger and celebrated global biodiversity
Bengaluru, 8 October 2023: Wildlife Week 2023 draws to an end, and with it, comes the final day of ‘Encounters in the Wild 2.0’, the highly anticipated wildlife photography exhibition by Mr. MN Jayakumar IFS (Retd), FRPS, MFIAP, that saw thousands of visitors of all ages walk through the gallery halls of Chitrakala Parishath from Sept 28-Oct 8.
As part of the valedictory function, Mr. MN Jayakumar felicitated eight Green Warriors from within the Karnataka Forest Department. These eight forest officers were nominated by the department for exemplary service – a fitting tribute to their relentless dedication to protecting and conserving our state’s wildlife and natural habitats.
Mr M.R. Jaishankar (Executive Chairman, Brigade Group), Mr. Shekar Rao (Executive Director, Karnataka Bank), Mr. Venkateswaran Ramanan (Founder and MD, Pygmalion Wealth, Mr. B.K. Dikshit IFS, PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Mr. Subhash Malkhede IFS, PCCF (Wildlife), and Mr. Ajai Mishra IFS(Retd), PCCF joined Mr. M.N. Jayakumar in felicitating the Green Warriors.
The eight Green Warriors are:
- Sri Chandrashekara Gowda C Patil Asst. Conservator of Forests, Bagalkot Sub Division
- Sri Pramod B. Range Forest Officer, Karwar Division
- Smt. Vidhya Bharathi B.P. Range Forest Officer, Hoskote, Bangalore
- Sri Faizoor Rehman Dy. Range Forest Officer cum Surveyor, Kudremukh Wildlife Division
- Sri H.R. Chidananda Dy. Range Forest Officer cum Surveyor, Aranya Bhavan, Bangalore
- Smt. Vidhya Dy. Range Forest Officer cum Surveyor, Anshi Division
- Smt. Ranjitha B.K. Dy. Range Forest Officer cum Surveyor, Mysore Division
- Sri Guranna H Madagi Beat Forester, Muddebihala
According to Mr. MN Jayakumar, “This exhibition was not just a celebration; it was a call to action. It was wonderful to see young children and senior citizens alike being fascinated by the natural wealth that Earth possesses. We urge everyone to become stewards of our planet’s biodiversity and to stand up for the protection and conservation of nature- whether it is a jungle, a grassland, a desert, a waterbody, or even in your own backyard.”
“Being a retired forest officer from Karnataka myself, recognising the efforts of these eight Green Warriors was important to me. These unsung heroes work tirelessly to protect and preserve our state’s rich biodiversity despite many challenges. I request the public to work alongside the forest department in any conservation effort. Together, we can make a difference.”, he said.
Encounters in the Wild 2.0 stands as a testament to the paramount importance of wildlife conservation and the resounding success of Project Tiger in India. In addition to the photo exhibition featuring 231 photos, visitors attended free talks and presentations every evening by experts in the fields of wildlife conservation, photography, and filmmaking. These evening sessions, held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., provided a unique opportunity for visitors to gain insights into the world of conservation and hear firsthand accounts of the challenges and triumphs faced by those working tirelessly to protect our precious natural heritage. The Karnataka Forest Department also organised quizzes, debates, games, and workshops during the day. Many schools and colleges sent their students to participate, engage, and learn.
Encounters in the Wild 2.0 was a collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department and was sponsored by Pygmalion Wealth, Brigade Group, Karnataka Bank, and Discovery Village.
Encounters in the Wild 2.0 has not only been a celebration of our planet’s incredible wildlife but also a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. As the exhibition comes to a close, we thank all our visitors, partners, and supporters for being part of this remarkable journey.
