Women in the Wild: A peek a boo!

Started reading a new book this year- "Women in the Wild"

Each passing story gave me another level of chills.

One by One- the story ended with different struggle of women biologists or conservationist.

"Women in the Wild" by Anita Mani encapsulates a tapestry of narratives celebrating female empowerment, resilience, and connection to nature. Through the lens of adventure, women find empowerment, conquering challenges and cultivating confidence. Their stories resonate with a profound sense of belonging and joy derived from the natural world, forging strong bonds within supportive communities. Amidst societal expectations, women navigate obstacles with determination, finding solace and growth in outdoor pursuits. Their advocacy for environmental conservation echoes their commitment to safeguarding the planet. Cultural perspectives enrich the tapestry, offering diverse insights into outdoor experiences. Each narrative is a testament to personal growth, triumph, and the enduring spirit of women in the wild.

"It was a choice I made and I would make it again' she says. My work is important to me, my priority. It is what gives me a purpose in life. It is through my science that I discover the world around me, to discover and understand India. It is through my science that I contribute to the preservation of the essence of India- its natural heritage."

The statement above is in itself a victory and the real connection with science.

The most motivating thing I could spot is two women with whom I have worked personally. My eyes shined brighter when I notice their pictures.

Dhanusha Kawalkar, known as Cave Woman who studied the morphology of more than a hundred caves in Andaman Islands. During her study, funded by the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, she uncovered a rich population of India swiftlets, devloped 3-D maps of the caves and helped further highlight the threat that these fragile cave ecosystems and the associated wildlife face from climate change and the accompanying rise is sea levels. Currently, Dhanusha is Co-founder of Speleological Association of India.

Tiasa Adhya's pioneering research on fishing cats in the wetlands of India unveils the hidden world of these elusive felines, offering crucial insights into their habitat preferences and conservation challenges. Through her dedicated work in the Sundarbans and other key regions, Adhya advocates for the protection of these endangered creatures, striving to safeguard both the fishing cats and the delicate ecosystems they call home. The fishing cat has evolved into a wetland specialist with spectacularly distinct adaptations that are designed to thrive in semi-aquatic habitats.

The book has been enlightening yet very difficult to read at times. Below are some of the learnings I could gather:

Environmental Advocacy: There are narratives about women's roles in environmental conservation and activism, showcasing their dedication to protecting the planet and advocating for sustainability.

Connection to Nature: Women shared their deep connection to the natural world, expressing how spending time outdoors brings them peace, joy, and a sense of belonging.

Overcoming Obstacles: Some stories focused on overcoming obstacles and societal expectations, demonstrating resilience and determination in pursuing outdoor passions for the conservation.

Community and Camaraderie: Women found supportive communities and strong friendships through outdoor pursuits, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and solidarity.

Empowerment through Adventure: Many stories highlighted how outdoor activities gave the space to overcome challenges and build confidence.

Cultural Perspectives: The book included diverse perspectives from women of different backgrounds, sharing unique cultural perspectives on outdoor recreation and nature connection.

Personal Growth and Transformation: Many stories explored personal growth and transformation experienced through adventures, highlighting moments of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual connection.

Challenges and Triumphs: Each story offered insights into the challenges faced by women in conservation world, as well as their triumphs and achievements in overcoming them.

Some of the excerpts from the book which I can adore for whole life!

• The biggest problem waiting to be solved is the achievement of a balance between a country simultaneously trying to preserve its fauna.
• He never really recovered from that betrayal and abandonment by the very system that had taken an oath from him to serve it honestly and to the best of his abilities, but which humiliated and punished him for saying true to that oath.
• Meena would boldly approach passers-by and converse with them, without any hesitation or self-doubt. Though startled, locals would receive her assertiveness with respect. "That opened my eyes. I realized that one of the ways to survive and thrive is to be bold. It was big lesson for me.
• The Himalayas occupy a strange place in our consciousness- we think about the mountains when we want spiritual repose and forget about them the rest of the year. It's like we expect the mountains to be sponge for our litter- our philosophical meanderings, our shiny new construction ideas and our garbage mounds. Yet, the mountains also have a very specific kind of scaffolding that helps them be this sponge- native tree communities, hydrologies and local communities. These need recognitions human and non-human stakeholders.
• With big organisations, you usually have to fit yourself into existing projects. Then, you can't always speak up on critical environmental issues in public.
• She needed to look even more closely at not only what was happening in the water but what was happening in land.

Happy Women's Day

#happywomensday #womensday #womenempowerment #conservationist #conservation #womeninwild