In a new book, a young naturalist writes about helping clear an invasive weed from Bandipur forest

Bandipur Tiger Reserve is smack dab in the middle of Karnataka’s southern stretch of forests, part of the world’s largest bastion of tigers and elephants. It is an important part of India’s wild spaces.

Deciduous trees cover its hills, with water holes and patches of scrub jungle scattered about. All the characters from Kipling’s Jungle Book dwell here. If you want to see big animals, this is where you go.

Bandipur was where I had my early “awakening”, my wild initiation of sorts. It was deep in this forest as a child that I stared into the eyes of a tiger and realised my interest in the natural world. A memory blazingly vivid in my head, it's the butterfly wingbeat that set off my passion for the wild. In every sense, Bandipur is a spiritual home for me.

In May 2022, after my first year at university, I flew back to Bangalore, where I quickly packed my bags and set off for the tiger reserve.

I caught the first bus leaving for Mysore, trusting that I’d figure out the rest of the journey. It was a trip I’d done countless times with my family. I hopped from bus to bus as the scenery changed from coconut trees and sunflower fields...

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