A New Dawn...

This year, when we raise the toast for a ‘Happy New Year’, I would like to spare a thought for…

*Our wildlife who must battle all odds for survival. May 2012 be an easier year for them. Lord, protect them, and their home.

*Those who protect our wilds. Who will ring in the New Year, away from their family in the remotest of forests, without electricity and other basic comforts that we take for granted--for the sake of the tiger..

*To all those dogs-unwanted,unloved,neglected- residing in homes, but not in hearts. And those who must wander outside, without the security and warmth of home.

I work for wildlife, battle to save the tiger and other animals..it maybe said that there is much i 'do' for them. Maybe, i am not to judge, all I can say, as i ring in the New Year, is what the tiger, the wilds 'do' for me. I am what I am today, thanks to them: My work, and all the goodwill that I am fortunate to have, I owe them.

And as we ring in 2012, a new dawn..I want to thank all of you-who made this year--and my life-special. My family, my friends..and other animals :-)

My mantra...

My mantra (thanks Dr Schaller): "I learned long ago that conservation has no victories, that one must retain connections and remian involved with animals and places that have captured the heart, to prevent their destruction. I am sometimes asked why, given a world that is more wounded and scarred, I do not simply give up, burdenned by pessimism. But conservation is my life, I must retain hope..."

Nature...

"Protected Areas obstruct development. Forests are liabilities. Sanctuaries and National Parks...no, no, we don't want those. They are best not declared.
They will stop 'development.'
Stop mines and super expressways and malls and multiplexes from coming up."
You know, Shining India.
But my friends, India won't shine when the sanctuaries are silent and empty, when the forest vanishes, when the last tree falls.
Our soils nourished by the forests and streams will cease to produce.
The poisoned, sterile land will fail to feed us.
And the rivers, born of the forests, will wither and die.
The foundation of not just development, but life is Nature.
Each one of us should know this truth.
Know and respect Nature, for she nurtures us.
Especially those in whose hands we have entrusted this trust.