A short film: Ranganathittu
In a collaboration with Rahul Aravind, aspiring filmmaker, I worked on a script for a short film on Ranganathittu. It was a lot of fun doing this project and I’m really impressed by how spot-on Rahul has been, on his first wildlife project, with blending the footages into the narrative. Do leave an encouraging feedback, if you like the video and subscribe to his YouTube Channel for more travel videos.
Blog post: Who grows the forest?
Malabar Pied Hornbill
Is it true that the wild simply grows itself? Who grows the forest? What does it take to grow a forest?
I explore these questions in a blog post for Evolve Back Resorts, Kabini, musing on the role of the Malabar Pied Hornbill, a fascinatingly unique bird commonly found in evergreen and deciduous forests of Karnataka.
Wildlife around Hampi
Hampi Virupaksha Temple
Hampi is a popular destination for travellers interested in history, culture and architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that takes at least a week to fully explore and appreciate its splendour in the past and its quiet dignity in the present.
Pillars in the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi
About 15 km from this iconic site is a protected wildlife sanctuary that very few have heard of. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary was declared a protected forest reserve in the ‘90s to conserve the habitat of the sloth bears in the region. The rocky terrain and the arid habitat highlights the habits of the bears that roam the hills every evening.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
A jeep safari in the afternoon through the reserve and a couple of hours at the watchtower overseeing the hills offer a good chance at watching bear families foraging for food from a safe distance.
Sloth bears at Daroji
Daroji, with its unique habitat is also a delight for birdwatchers. I write about two common bird species - the Grey Francolin and the Painted Sandgrouse, observed in the area in a blog post for Evolve Back Resorts. While the Grey Francolin is a well-known bird to anyone familiar with the Indian rural countryside, the Painted Sandgrouse is an elusive bird with an air of mystery around it.
Painted Sandgrouse at Daroji
If you’re like me, you would not want to miss the early morning chatter in the wilderness. A drive around Hampi, close to the river or simply on the main road away from human activity will reveal some surprises.
Indian Eagle-Owl
Woolly-necked Storks
The wildlife around Hampi are not crowd-pullers like the Stone Chariot or the Virupaksha Temple (perhaps a good thing!) but it certainly enriches the travel experience through a wholesome understanding of the place.