The book is not strictly non-fiction. What is your reason behind this treatment?
The idea was to use both science and humour. So while each chapter has facts, it is laced with anecdotes and then to drive the point home, little fictional stories where the creatures take centre stage by using their superpowers. I do not read a lot of nonfiction, and I never read science literature for leisure. My attention wanders too quickly and I lose interest if there aren’t stories and characters to keep me engrossed. I thought there must be more readers like me—who love knowing about the wild, but might not be equipped to take on research in the traditional way it is written. I wrote the book I would like to read.
Does school curriculum make us inquisitive about marine ecology? What piqued your interest?
It does whet our appetites. Now, I would love to see science as a subject, not just marine biology, taught by using a lot from what is around us, even references from pop culture, or relatable tools. Not to take away from the current methods, but perhaps an inclusion in the form of humour, storytelling.
Many of your walks were in urban spaces, such as the Juhu beach—places where even nature enthusiasts admitted to have never looked closely for marine life. How do you think this lack of awareness may have impacted research and conservation?
Denne historien er fra July 16, 2022-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Denne historien er fra July 16, 2022-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.