Time to Change the Views - Support Wildlife Art

Dear Friends,

Serious Thought: I really don't understand why people purchasing ugly and sometimes thoughtless paintings at huge amount in the name of modern art / contemporary art / master artist / Investment etc. !!!??? It feels like Art Market is in hands of few Old & Famous Artists and Galleries in India!!!!

Please purchase Paintings & Photographs that are pleasing to your eyes & mind, thought provocative, gives you immense inner happiness & pleasure, Of Different Subjects & Out of the box perspective & compositions, Created by heart & soul of the Artists and Photographers...

People have to understand that Some are not just Studio Artists and Photographers. We spend hours in fieldwork & subject research & detailing to be true to subject and spend BIG money to create one piece of art & image...

Please support Wildlife Artists & Nature Photographers. There are so many talent out there but not getting good and sound exposure and market. Many are also leaving this Nature and Wildlife Field because of it and at that time I feel really very sad and sorry :((( because most of all the Wildlife Artists and Nature Photographers are also working for the Nature Conservation too...!!!

I request All the Wildlife Artists and Photographers, Please spread these words and raise your voice. Don't be just mute spectators. Do inspire people to purchase Wildlife Art & Nature Photographs. Write & Put yourself forward...

At the end, I must say, Please don't purchase fake, cheap and commercial art. These are worst enemies of Artists and Photographers. If you really want to support Artists and Photographers, please purchase directly from them and boost their spirits and true art :)).

Artist keeps the art & culture alive. This is the identity of any society. How it represents the Art...?

All best wishes,

Cheers, Rahul Parekh 
http://www.rahulparekhwildlife.com/

Circus Circus... Factory of Animal Abuse...

Dear Friends,

Recently India has banned child performance in Circuses. This is really good step to stop child labour & exploitation, but when India will strongly ban performances of Wild Animals in Circuses???

A BIG issues is court has seen & show the red eye to stop child labour as children poorly working like animals in the circuses but Why Government & Court is not seeing Poor Animals working & living stressful & forlorn life in the circuses with so much torturing & cruelty!!! :(((

This is not just in India but its a Global issue. Circuses world over are using wild animals for performances without showing any kindness, love & affection. Animals are living in a hell...!!! and the most saddened part is their death never be natural and died with so much pain & mournful condition :(((

As a responsible human being of this natural world its our responsibility to stop such open cruelty that happening in front of our eyes. Please boycott all the circuses which are using Wild Animals as performers and please also teach and explain this to your children as well, as most of the viewers of the circus are children.

A strong law & punishment is urgently needed to ban the Animal Performances in the Circuses. Until this our precious and innocent Animals be used & tortured in a brutal way!!!!

LOVE ANIMALS THEY ARE PART OF OUR LIFE 

CARE FOR ANIMALS THEY NEED OUR AFFECTION

COMPASSION IS WAY TO GIVE BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Asiatic Lions of Gujarat...

Dear Friends,

I was just reading TOI news paper. There is one article on 'Lions for Kuno' that said Madhya Pradesh (MP) has again demand Gir Lions, and committee of National Wildlife Board said.. 'MP should be allocated lions from the nature i.e. directly from the wild and not the zoo-breed lions for the Kuno Palpur Sanctuary'.

The words of Murli Krishnan, Conservator of Forest, Gwalior..He said.. "We have renewed our demand for wild animals. These animals are given to us for the breeding centre and not for the Kuno Palpur Project".

Now, I wonder Why MP is so desperate for Lions? They can't even handle Tiger NPs and Sanctuaries of MP properly & in well mannered. We are losing Tigers!!! How they will handle Lions? None is talking about this serious part while demanding the lions from Gujarat!!!!

Lion is completely different from Tiger. Do MP forest department have experienced people (Staff) that understands different behaviors of lion? How they live in the wild? What are their necessities? What about notorious poachers of MP? (Poachers that captured from Gir NP for killing of lions were from MP, none has to forget this truth!!!)

LIONS ARE NOT SAFE IN MADHYA PRADESH

If Gujarat will ever give lions to MP...you'll surely get new Lion NP in no time in MP with big traffic and bunch of Gypsy...MP want to showcase Tigers and Lions in one state for tourism purpose and attract the tourists. Lion will never handle this kind of pressure like tiger for sure its social animal and not solitaire like tiger, b'coz they are not used to this kind of things in GIR....

For the name of conservation people are planning to earn big bucks...None thinking about the precious life of wild lions. Even a pride of 6-7 lions is so important for nature. We can't put their life on the edge for the sake of tourism & trial...If MP is really serious about the conservation of Asiatic Lions than Why they are not helping Gujarat Govt to save the lions in different other habitats / locations in Gujarat only?

Gujarat Govt. also finalized Gene Pool Bank for lions at 'Rampara Vidi' near Wankaner...far away from Gir. There is one also proposed site 'Barda Dungar' and many more...Gujarat Govt. has also declared Girnar Mountain's wild region as 'Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary'...Lions are also roaming here freely...

I'm not against the relocation of lions but I do feel MP forest department having no experience to handle lions. Just similar Habitat & availability of Prey is not enough to say Lions will survive in Kuno Palpur Sanctuary...There are answers to find for so many questions and some questions having no answers!!!!

I strongly believe MP should have concentrate & use all the powers & resources for the Protection of Tigers instead Demanding for the Lions. This is silly & shameful idea of MP Govt. I'm really surprised by the support of Conservation Organizations to MP Govt. without thinking deeply on this issue.

Tigers are vanishing from the Indian Jungle. From 4000 Tigers, now nearly 1000 tigers left in the wild or may be less....They should put pressure on MP Govt. to do something about the Conservation of Tigers instead Demand of Wild Lions. We don't have many Lions to sacrifice their precious life!!!! Gujarat has successfully save the species of Lion from merely 20 to 350...

Save Nature...Save Wildlife

'Save the Birds'

Dear Bird Lovers,

The kite festival is coming and we should get ready to save some precious life. I called this event as 'Festival of Massacare'. 'People enjoy & Bird perils'. This is certainly being stopped. Many avian lives comes into danger zone during December & January months. Many birds died during these months because of very sharp & fatal glass coated strings (Manja).

Please those who are reading this message and who loves wildlife art too, please take an oath that 'We will never fly a single kite in our life to save our precious bird life & natural world.' Please show your respect & love towards the nature. This is certainly very important duty to fulfil. Please also spread this awareness message to your friends, relatives & all the people.

Ahmedabad is considered as hub of the 'Kite flying festival' and my friend Vipul Ramanuj is doing excellent job to save our flying beauties in Ahmedabad. Please visit his blog http://vipulramanuj.blogspot.com/ to more information about this and to view images of some birds in peril at http://picasaweb.google.com/vipulramanuj/HelpTheBirds#slideshow. Please support in this humble activity to save the birds.

Contact No. of Vipul Ramanuj is 98257 14841. Please contact him at this number for any help needed in Ahmedabad to save the birds.

'SAVE WILDLIFE'

Vulture Conservation:

It’s a hot issue today. Vulture population has decreasing rapidly during last few years. Some organizations have researched that ‘Diclofenac’ drug is the main cause of this problem…..

>> If this is really a true cause than the use of this drug should be banned effectively & strongly in veterinary use.

>> Some veterinary doctors also said / give excuse that ‘Diclofenac’ can’t be a cause of this disaster. As per the doctors, this drug easily be flushed out / defecate from the body of the animal through urinary system and can’t harm the vultures while carrion eating. If these doctors are mistaken than they should be informed with the truth immediately.

>> Other big problem faced by the vultures is the shelter. There are very few tall trees remaining. Some are cut down by the human, some are fallen naturally, some are fallen during the natural clematis, and some are died during natural / man-made forest fire.

It is very difficult or not practical to plant many trees & cultivate them for near future but very effective & necessary for the far future. For the present scenario a ‘Pole Structures’ will be very effective for the nesting & roosting. If these structures be created at high points. No doubt this is an expensive idea.

>> Some villages have separate & open place for carcass eradicate. In this kind of place more vultures of different species gather with some local carnivores like dogs, jackals and other carrion eating animals & birds. This is very vulnerable for the vultures if some animals or birds are suffered from the disease and the vultures have no immunity for that disease!

Carcass eradicate places should be high fenced with big open area hence no animals can trespass, so vultures can easily eat their food and can be protected from the animal disease.

>> Many birding groups sometimes find the vulture roosting / breeding sites. These sites are very important to know How & Why these vultures have selected this particular place for their roosting & breeding site.

These sites should be pin point on the maps, to create a larger map of vulture sightings. These sites can be sub grouped in roosting site, breeding site, carrion eating site, aloft site, local migration / journey route site etc. These maps can be very useful to identity the vulture population, behaviour pattern, migration pattern, food eating habits etc. to plan the vulture conservation activity.

>> Feeding vultures maintain the strict social order as per body size and strength of beak. If the population of higher order vultures decreases then lower order vultures feel many troubles during the carrion eating. As higher order vultures have strong beak to rip the hides & meat of the carcass, while lower order vultures have weak beak but big feet adapted to walking & holding the carcass.

All vultures are very important for the nature. It’s our duty to maintain the food chain & social order for the conservation of the vultures. If any vulture species extinct other dependent species suffered a lot or may extinct very easily.

If higher order vultures extinct then lower order vultures extinct easily. If lower order vultures extinct then their may be a chance of massive disease massacre from the remaining carrion, so other animals & birds will also suffered.

This is my views about the vulture conservation as per my knowledge about the vultures. There may be good chances to save the vultures if we can gather more information about this important bird. These are basic conservation activity that we can conduct at a beginning level and from here we can move ahead with some scientific conservation approach. Undoubtedly this is very expensive conservation activity, and support from different experienced persons, conservation organizations, corporate & the government is must in terms of scientific knowledge and monetary funds.

This is a big joke as well as tragedy for the Nature…..

I don’t understand why people get active when some animals or birds species reached to the near extinction. This is the time to think over to preserve the nature in its true condition. If we doing something wrong than we will have to be ready to suffer a lot. Please read my article on ‘Wildlife Conservation: The Problem & Solution’.

Please share your ideas or views to save the vultures so we all can conduct or contribute in the vulture conservation activity effectively.

With all best wishes,

Good News...

A two more lion cubs born at Rajkot zoo yesterday. A month ago there were five cubs born but sadly two of them have died some days ago, So now there are five cubs at the zoo and two happy mothers. The other good news is Rajkot zoo gets the status of 'Breeding Centre' for the endangered asiatic lion with the birth of these cubs.

Sad News.....

At the Rajkot Zoo, a beautiful asiatic lioness 'Rajvanti' passed away at midnight on 4 Feb. 2008 with multiple organ failure. She came to Rajkot zoo from Junagadh Sakkarbag zoo. she gave birth to 3 female cubs at Rajkot Zoo. Two of which now become a full grown lioness and one is very young. Here is the picture of the proud mother for remembrance. She was a pride for the zoo. Memories are very important and sometimes inevitable, and surely not to be forget.

Which is true Conservation: A Species Protection or Habitat Protection?

From the time when I started to work with wildlife, I’m thinking about true conservation activity. Many of you might think these both methods are true conservation and should apply simultaneously to protect the nature… Am I right?

In some situations I’m also agree with your thoughts, but sometimes some situations divert me to think in different manner or at other side.

A Species Protection, It’s a widely used and talked method. In every country many conservation organizations are working to protect unique species. I’m not against this method but sometimes because of this method other species suffer negligence. Most of the monetary funds diverted to protect specific species and because of this, other species do not get the same treatment. Many times I’ve seen in respect of hyper awareness program to protect specific species majority common people think about to protect that species and do not give much importance to other species.

A big example is the ‘Project Tiger’ program in India to protect tigers & its habitat. Many tiger reserves created under this program. Idea was nice but after many years of implication of this program, still tigers do not feel safe and protected in India.

Whereas other species like Asiatic lion, Kashmir Stag, Red Panda, Golden langur, Nilgiri tahr, Wild buffalo etc. are some endangered species of India but there are no special protection programs to save these animals like ‘Project Tiger’. I’ll say they all are comes under neglected species. There are many other endangered species also, but no one talks about it and many are becoming extinct.

Today majority tiger reserves in India found stuffed with lots of local as well as foreign tourists, because of ‘Project Tiger’ programme. I consider this type of hype is not good for wild animals, and sometimes it responsible for the changes in behaviour pattern of wild animals. Due to heavy safari traffic in these reserves now tigers do not feel threaten or shy from human presence. This is the same case with Asiatic Lions in Gir NP and African Safaris also. I believe poachers gets success because of this type of changes in behaviour of these animals. Animal can’t differentiate between tourist and hunter.

Habitat Protection, I’m firm believer in habitat protection, because of its resourceful conservation approach. I would like to add an example, how dangerous is to make changes in habitat.

A famous example is Mauritius Island for its extinction of rare bird like DODO. This is Extinct between 1681-1790 from different islands because of excessive hunting and introduction of new animals by human to their habitat. Other hardly affected habitats are Antarctica, Arctic, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, Amazon Rain Forest and Galapagos Islands etc., which have unique habitat & species to preserve.

In India there are some unique habitats also, like Trans Himalayan, Eastern Rain Forest, Nilgiri biosphere, Western Ghats etc. In each habitat there are unique animals, birds and other creatures found, some are no where found except these habitats.

We have some good examples of successful habitat and species conservation also. I consider Asiatic Lion is one of the best success stories. It reaches the figure of 359 (Apr. 2005) from only 20 during last 80-100 years, but need not to be happy because this majestic animal still under big threats of extinction because of interbreeding, poaching and disease of different viruses from domestic animals and anthrax.

I’m a big supporter of this method. Not only habitat protection saves different types of ecosystems but also saves all the creatures which are dependent on a particular habitat. Other important aspect of this method is every creature gets equal chance to improve their survival opportunity.

We need not to worry about each and every species of creatures to protect. This is nature’s task. Let’s the nature do its work. What we need to do is to protect the nature & different habitats only, Nature will save all the creatures. Every creature has an ability to adapt the prevailing conditions. The evolution is still continuing but this is a very slow process compare to our destruction of the nature. We are so quick in damaging the nature that nature can’t compete to protect itself. So this is now our responsibility to save, protect and increase the different natural habitats and give chance to other creatures to live their life happily, safely and in correct pace.

If every creature gets a safe, protected and natural habitat with proper food chain than they will increase their population as well as this improves formation & preservation of the soil, trees, plants, water & other natural resources. If everything goes in correct ways the jungle area increases naturally. To make it possible we must save and protect our jungles and different habitats effectively.

This is the right time to give importance to habitat protection instead species protection. Habitat protection has wide conservation criteria and it protects all the species & natural resources instead specific species.

I hope you’ll also agree with my thoughts and provide your support to protect different habitats.


“Save the Jungles to Save the Nature”

Importance of Wildlife Art in Conservation.

There are many ways to do conservation activities. Some activities provide direct help to the wildlife, like services of Veterinary Doctor, Biologist, naturalist etc. and some activities provide indirect help to save the wildlife and nature like different Wildlife awareness programmes, donations, eco-tourism etc. Wildlife Art is also one such approach to save nature.

I consider Wildlife Art is a way to show reverence for the nature by spreading the message of wildlife conservation as well as by donating some portion of the funds to use in protecting wildlife and nature. The wildlife art is the only art form, that directly put emphasis to show different aspects & issues concerning wildlife and nature.

There are many techniques and programmes, which used in spreading the message of wildlife conservation. Majority awareness programmes includes speech, photo-slides, wildlife movies, and sometimes live show of wild animals to provide the information about wildlife conservation. All these are wonderful way of spreading the message of wildlife conservation.

Wildlife Art, The only ancient art form which is still survive and revitalize. Human had started to live with the nature. Our ancestor knew the importance of our wildlife and nature. They’ve tried to understand the wildlife and that’s why they decorated their cave shelters with the paintings of wildlife in the form of lines and shadows.

Wildlife Art not only enlighten different conservation issues but also represents diverse aspects of nature like climate, season, plants, environment, animal behaviour, expressions, moods, actions etc. All these aspects are very important to make someone feel oneself as part of the nature and when this done person definitely comes forward to save the nature. Wildlife Art has an ability to motivate everyone for wildlife conservation. As every Wildlife Artist forever works for wildlife awareness, I firmly believe Wildlife Art can be a most successful way of wildlife awareness.

I’m very sure that everyone loves wildlife art because of its composition and presentation style. Wildlife Artists always work hard to present the nature in its full glory as well as to show different conservation issues in their every work and try to convince the people to come forward for wildlife conservation activities.

‘Marwell International Wildlife Art Society’ is the Europe’s largest group of wildlife artists which actively working for supporting different conservation activities of ‘Marwell Zoological Park, UK.

‘Ranthambhor School of Art’ is another good example, situated near very famous Tiger Reserve in India, where local wildlife artists are working for conservation of Ranthambhor NP. This art school is supported by renowned 'David Shepherd Foundation'.

‘Artist for Conservation’ and ‘Society of Animal Artists’ is also well known groups of wildlife artists, which are actively working for wildlife conservation & art education.

So please support & appreciate all the wildlife artists for their hard work for a good cause.

Wildlife Conservation - The Problem & Solution:

It’s a hot topic now days. Everyone talking about it and very few do something for it. Why?

It’s very easy to destroy anything but to create something new always difficult and some creations are not meant for human. Wildlife & Weather is such creations of the nature. It will remain forever a challenge for human to understand it. Human can only save and protect the nature but can’t create it. Today human even failed in his responsibilities to save and protect nature.

During the school days each of us learned two words man-made and natural, but we don’t understand their importance… or no one takes these words seriously during childhood. That’s why when child grown to adulthood s/he can’t understand the importance of the nature…

Human is also a creation of nature, Human is the only species which evolution creates a drastic problems for the nature.

During the past 2000 years we lost more than 100 mammals species. Most species died during the 19th and 20th century only and many are endangered or threatened now. The critical reason for this is misbehaviour of human in the form of excessive hunting, poaching, various kind of pollutions, and uncontrolled use of the natural resources.

Many individuals and conservation organizations around the world are doing excellent job to create awareness and protect the nature, but their task looks everlasting because they do not received the support they needed from the people. Conservation can be successful with our support if each of us gives our contribution to protect the nature. Contribution is not in the terms of only money but by taking true pledge to save nature.

How one can contribute to save nature?

1) By spreading the message of awareness.
2) By supporting individuals and conservation organizations activities.
3) By not using or using limited amount of the natural resources.
4) By not purchasing any products which made from wild animals or birds’ parts.
5) By not using plastic bags instead use cloth, jute or recycled paper bags.
6) By not using paper in big amount. Use both the side of the paper.
7) By not disposing off plastic or other non-biodegradable into the soil or water.
8) By not dumping your leftovers in wild places during your camping & trekking.
9) By quit hunting.
10) By being conservationist or environmentalist.
11) By being a responsible person.
12) By being a good human being.

We have lost many wild species & places. We can’t get it back, but we can save and protect our remaining wildlife and nature by our good behaviour and thoughts. We have to understand our responsibilities.

We are the destroyer of the nature. We can’t be a creator of the nature, but we can be a faithful curator of the nature.

Bad human being is a problem to save the nature and Good human being is a solution to save the nature.

If you are a responsible person and good human being than spread the message of wildlife and nature conservation. Nature needs your support. Please do your level best to protect our nature and support different conservation organizations in their activities.

Spare some time from your busy & important schedule or if possible please change your lifestyle little bit to protect our nature. You’ll feel lots of energy and peace inside by doing one divine, wonderful and important duty.

A Milestone.....

My passion for Wildlife Art started when I visited ‘Royal Chitvan National Park’ in Nepal just after completion of my graduation. Before this, I visited several National Parks & sanctuaries of India, but visit to this park was special to me because it has changed the perception of my life. In everyone’s life sometimes this kind of phase comes, when a moment can change entire life.

During the elephant safari, we encountered with female rhinoceros with a calf sitting under the tree. May you feel that it was a wonderful moment for any wildlife loving person to see female rhino with a calf; it was a great as well as sad moment for me! Not because I’m not equipped with a good camera but the female rhino was not in a good condition even to protect her baby. One can easily count its ribs from a distance and calf seated very near to the mother in search for protection from the predator, but unaware about the mother’s pity condition!!!

This was a moment that changed my life, instantly I decided to start something to create awareness about protection & conservation of endangered species. A question in my mind what to do? A prompt answer; the only thing that I can do is to paint wildlife for awareness & conservation. From that day i just think about the nature & wildlife, I try my best at my level to do something for these marvellous & helpless creatures.