Day before yesterday was a sad day for naturalists in Kerala because Joncy Joseph, who was an eminant naturalist, passed away. In kannur, especially at Payyennur college, most of the students know him. His life was dedicated for the birds and butterflies. So, please consider this narrative as a tribute to that naturalist.
When Iwas a pre-degree student, I used to go for hunting with my uncle and his friends. But as a minor, my role was to take care of the hunting dogs and meet other requirements. So every sunday we used to raid the hills near to my hometown, Taliparamba. But my aim was not hunting, but to collect specimens for my private forest. We used to raid the forest early in the morning and provision for food was at homes near to the forests. When I say forest, dont think that those are reserve forests. But they are hills which were preserved for religious purposes. When we identify a civet cat on the tree, my uncle will say that the hunters must take their positions and the dogs must be instructed to catch the animal. After this, my ucle will climb up the tree and will try to make the civet cat jump out of the tree. Surely, the animal will avoid the places where we are standing and it will jump into the mouth of the dogs. At that time,I will be away, collecting seeds and plants. After hunting, I will join them.
So, these hunting trips changed my attitude towards animals, birds, and plants. Now I am a naturalist who used to preserve a private forest. If you are intersted to join me, please try to contact me.
My mail ID is: byjuwriter@gmail.com
Monday, October 13, 2008
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