Encounter With The Wild

We have all visited the forest reserves and sanctuaries, snorkeled and dived into the azure deep oceans. Each such visit has been photographed, leaving us spell bound but just for a short time. Until we get back to our bubble of urban life. But what if this a life that is led every day?

We at Spectrum Ahead were fortunate to be a part of the conversation among 2 lovely young women. Dr. Rucha Karkarey and Ms. Pooja Rathod. Rucha is a Marine scientist and Pooja, has a Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology. They both worked at Lakshadweep, a group of coral or reef islands. It was here that they learnt the ropes of working on the field, until their paths separated. Rucha continues her post doctorate in marine biology while Pooja is a Wild Life photographer and film maker. She has various documentaries to her credit. ‘Wild Karnataka’ being one of them. Rucha has published several papers in science journals till date.

So, what made them pursue this field? They both had similar answers. They were both fascinated about the wild in the tender ages of 3 and 4. Pooja’s grandfather, instilled the love and respect for birds and animals in her. He would buy parakeets from a roaming vendor and ask his grand children to free them from captivity.

Rucha sailed with her Father, him being a Merchant marine. She watched sea life from close quarters. “There was this pod of hump back whales sighted near the ship. It was a mother with her 2 calves and family, moving together. Such incidents were many and I was completely hooked”.

As both grew up, their fascination of the wild became their passion which ended with them taking this up as their vocation.

Within their conversation were inputs related to their work of choice. They both compare it to a regular 9 to 5 job, which was quite amusing to listen to. “As in the office there is furniture so is it in our workplace. The only difference is that it is a 24/7 job, no weekends and no breaks. Even though the workplace remains the same, the work keeps changing as sightings on the first day may or may not be there the next and a totally new finding is sighted”. They say the experience and learning is surreal.

It is a life of immense toil and hard work. Of long hours and at times the weather too plays truant. Not an idyll life for the faint hearted. What is commendable about them is that they have trodden the unfamiliar path, heavily dominated by the male gender and carved a successful niche for themselves. Both are fiercely protective of the environment and champions of conservation.

Before signing off they said unto each other, “We compliment each other, Rucha the scientist brings forth the facts and data whilst the photographer in Pooja, brings out the visual effect to reach the masses.” Whether it be the sea or land their work has just one aim, “To help save our beautiful earth.”