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Journalism of Courage
Stories and well-meaning adults warn people about spiders, for deceit lurks in every web they weave. In almost everybody—including the magic boys Harry Potter and Ron Weasley—there lies a fear of creepy crawlies. Spiders fall in this category. Scientists have called out this myth but are rarely heard. In Pune, a group of experts is confronting the aversion to spiders by appealing to the imagination.
Shreyas Pattanshetty and Swara Bakshi have never been afraid of spiders, but they are aware that they are unusual in this respect. The two of them, who are a part of Capparis Eco Solutions, an organisation that specialises in biodiversity assessments and helping people understand and protect their natural ecosystems, are dedicating November to spiders. There will be two programmes on the importance of spiders, their webs, hunting styles, and hidden habitats. The aim is to do the impossible—make spiders appear fun and interesting to humans. Social media outreach has already begun.
The Spider Talk will be held at Indradhanyushya Hall, Navi Peth, Dattawadi, on November 7, Friday. Entry will be free. The Spider Walk will be at Taljai Hills on November 9, Sunday, charged at Rs 150 per person.
“A spider’s web in a house is seen as a bad omen. Actually, the spiders are present because they need food and, usually, build their webs in the corners or near a tube light,” says Bakshi. She adds, “Spiders are pretty cute. Jumping spiders are really nice, but most of us have never noticed them. We have only seen the long-legged spiders in our houses, and they can seem a bit spooky.”
Nisargotsav, a fresh way to look at one’s surroundings
The initiative is a part of a campaign, Nisargotsav, which attempts to encourage a fresh way to look at one’s surroundings. “There’s so much happening around us, new roads and new buildings, but how often do we notice that corner tree where a koel sings every morning or the tiny mushroom that pops up in your garden after rain? These small moments remind us that nature is very much alive in our cities,” says Bakshi.
Pattanshetty says that Nisargotsav would be celebrated every month with a new theme, “because every living being deserves to be noticed and celebrated”.
“We would like people to see a whole new world in the one we live in and to encourage young researchers to share their amazing work. When we talk about biodiversity or wildlife, everyone thinks about national parks, jungles, or a natural habitat. But we are talking about urban wildlife. People should start noticing biodiversity around them from their balconies, parking, and streets as well,” he adds.
November is the breeding season for spiders, hence the theme of the month. “You will see many beautiful spiders around your homes,” says Pattanshetty. Firstly, spiders are not insects. “They are arachnids, a separate group of organisms,” he says. Secondly, they can be beautiful and full of colours if we only look closer. He displays photographs of the signature spider, which makes patterned webs, and the rainbow jumping spider, whose name hints at how attractive they are.
Even many gardeners are unaware of the integral part of spiders in an ecosystem. “When they prune and cut trees, they remove webs because they think these are dirty. We try to spread awareness among them,” says Pattanshetty.
