On the Book Launch of "Scent of the Game" by Raghav Chandra || A Book About Our Precious Biodiversity

Recently Photo Journey participated actively in #SaveOurTigers campaign and gradually we have come closer to the community around Tiger conservation in India. For the same, we participated in Book launch at India Habitat Center, which happened few weeks back. It was launch of 'SCENT OF A GAME' by Raghav Chandra who is Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor at Ministry of Agriculture. This Photo Journey shares more about the book and the launch event.

Book was launched by former Chief Election Commitioner, Dr S. Y. Quraishi. One of the most interesting part of this Book launch event was address by chief guest Dr Quraishi. There was subtle humor & sarcasm in his speech. He talked about IAS community in India and added some humor to his thoughts that he shared. 

Other interesting part was Panel discussion on 'Tigers & Environment'.  This Panel discussion was moderated by Gargi Rawat from NDTV 24*7 and Panelists were - 

Ms. Brinda Malhotra, Head CSR, Aircel

Dr Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority

Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF India

& the Author himself, Mr Raghav Chandra

I loved the passion that Mr Ravi Singh and Rajesh Gopal showed for Tiger & Enviornment conservation.  Mr Ravi shared lots of facts about various species becoming extinct in our country and shared his concerns about environment conservation. At the same time, he talked about Tigers. It seems that actual number if 1706 in India and unofficial the count is around 2000. Mr Ravi repeated multiple times that media needs to be educated and they need to understand what are the topics to be raised as negative alarms and what should be broadcasted on positive note. What we have achieved in Tiger conservation project is worth sharing on positive note while there are many other issues which should be raised and government needs to be sensitive about the same. Mr Ravi singh shared his frank thoughts with full passion. I loved listening to him and hope to meet him sometime to know more about wildlife initiatives in India. 

Here are some of the key topics covered in the book 'SCENT OF THE GAME' -

# Wildlife hunting in India through the ages... How wildlife hunting was a sport that attracted Europeans to India. 

# The killing of the last cheetahs in the Indian sub-continent

# The level of business that taxidermy was in India

# The complexities involved in dealing with hunting tribes like Pardhus

# The problems in governing a wildlife park, and the role of conservation bodies

SCENT OF A GAME is set in 2006, the time when Mr Chandra was posted in the heart of Central India and quite shockingly, the reported death-toll was practically, 'a tiger a day'. That was the time when wildlife Institute of India first reported that previous estimates of tiger numbers in India may be hugely exaggerated and that perhaps there were only about 1400 tigers left. In fact, it soon became gruesomely evident, much against protestations from state Forst Departments, the Sariska and Panna were actually bereft of Tigers. There was considerable public outcry about startling disclosure in the media, government and parliament...

Panel discussion was quite engaging and there were lot of folks from relevant fields present in the hall. Most of the accomplished conservationists and wildlife professionals were present at the book launch. 

We are going through the book these days and will try to share a quick review.