Fighting for survival of state bird Monal

Dehradun, December 31
Ram Babu “Jungli”, environmentalist, is perturbed about the survival of state bird, the endangered Monal. Having barely convalesced from a strong stroke of pneumonia, which rendered his lungs severely affected for life, Ram Babu has not lost much time in embarking upon his campaign to save environment and wild species dependent on it.

Constantly perspiring, the visibly weak Ram Babu presents a demonstration of the sounds of Monal bird and other animals in different situations before mediapersons in the city to send across his message regarding the bird. The name “Junglee” was bestowed upon him by people recognising his passion for jungles and nature at large.

It was after he stirred a campaign to save the Ganges at Srinagar in the state recently and involved people of civil society in fishing out 400 ton of filth out of it, he became critically ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia. His illness was well covered in the dailies and he was visited by people of power galleries and provided with proper medication. But his actual hurt lies somewhere else.

“Principle Forest Conservator RBS Rawat visited me in the hospital and appreciated my efforts in spreading awareness about flora and fauna in villages but neither he nor the state government fulfiled my earnest desire to let me a stay in one of the forest areas, like other forest employees. I can pump in sense among people against causing fire in the forest area. I can also help forest officials in apprehending poachers,” he stated.

He bares his anger against people encroaching upon the territory of wild animals. “It is not elephants but people who are responsible for impinging upon their area and curtailing their sources of food,” he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction in being invited only once in a year by the Forest Department to sensitise people before the forest cover becomes vulnerable to natural and deliberate cause of fire.

After having run from his home in Balaganj village in Kotdwar for penury at the tender age of 6 and staying with Gujjar community in Chilla and the Corbett forest ranges for 18 years, he saw the wildlife from close and learnt the language of birds and animals.

Later he came back to his family, but his love for nature had not diminished even a bit. He had been using his skill to make sounds of animals and birds and earning money by holding such shows at various platforms. But this certainly is not a constant source of livelihood. “I don’t always get shows to perform. I remain worried about the expenses regarding my travels. I would welcome if NGOs related to environment could support me financially. I can also reciprocate the same in their activities,” he added.