Tracking monsoon

“The monsoon is a time of transformation. How can one afford to laze around in the midst of such frenetic activity? I use my camera to record some of this dynamic change,” he says.

Rare flowers blooming,new seeds sprouting,and butterflies taking wing; Adesh witnesses the birth of new lives in myriad forms. “There are thousands of such instances. What I have,is a mere representation of the quantum of magic the forest experiences.”

A former marketing manager at Ranbaxy,he quit his job for the love of the greens. “I’m interested in the mysteries of nature since childhood. I kept going back to the forests whenever I found time after my job. But I realised after a point that I was getting suffocated.”

That’s when he took a “bold step” and started a company— Nature India— two years ago. Since then,Adesh has been organising regular walks around the year. “Every season has its own charm,but the rains are bubbling with change. In fact you don’t even have to go to forests. You can witness this change in your own backyard,any garden or local park.”

His latest collection of pictures is the culmination of a series of visits to various parks across the city. These include Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Powai,Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai and various parks in RA colony in Goregaon.

Despite all the fun he has,Shivkar identifies his walks as serious academic activities. “My trips are nature trails,and not treks. It’s important that I come back with the feeling of having accomplished something new.”

Shivkar feels that nature walks should not be strictly commercial ventures. “I run an unorganised bird watchers’ club that has become hugely popular over the years. Every time I go for a walk,I simply post an invite online on various e-groups. The response is tremendous. We get at least 100-120 people every time.” The Mumbai tree watchers’ club is another such venture he has started. Patience,he says is the only requisite for this treat. “Nature never disappoints. Walkers should not be in a hurry and they should bid their time,” quips Shivkar.

While such walks are organised in plenty in the city,Shivkar expects “a little cooperation from authorities” which can encourage more walkers. “At Sanjay Gandhi Park,a walker needs to apply weeks in advance for securing permission to take pictures. They also demand a hefty fee. Many people give up in exasperation. They are far more willing to give the forest area for celebrity grossers like film shoots.”

“The irony is they give the forest so easily to people who kill it and create so much trouble for those who want to celebrate its diversity.”