THE CUSTODIAN OF THE FOREST
Travellers' World|December 2022 - January 2023
Anirban Dasgupta in conversation with Arijit Banerjee - the man with a heart of a wildlife lover photographer and also, known for his uncompromising dedication and achievements as senior IFS in the area of forest and conservation.
THE CUSTODIAN OF THE FOREST

Share with us about your journey so far - being a wildlife lover and a wildlife photographer as well as holding such a senior position as Chief Conservator of Forest - a combination not many people can boast about-

It has been actually easy for me as I could actually do what I always love. There are not many jobs in this country where one would get paid for traveling - spending time in the midst of trees, forests, animals and birds, talking to the local people. In the course of these journeys, you get to do your work. Photography and other things came much later. When we joined our services all I had were an old pair of binoculars and a field guide. And these two things actually, saw me through for most of my career.

What is the recent status of conservation in the country, in your opinion?

Things have been better than they were in the seventies - the period between 1947 to 1970s, approximately, was perhaps the worst period for conservation. Large-scale forest land was diverted to infrastructure which was highly required at that point in time. Then, there was also large-scale hunting (which was then permitted). It was only after the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act in 1970 and other legislations thereafter, the approach gradually changed towards managing forest resources - from the original perspective of a commercial proposition to no more diversion of forest land for commercial use.

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