Rajesh lives in Delhi, India, with his wife and two daughters. He has been a photographer since 2007, and also runs a Bed & Breakfast. He loves taking photographs of the beautiful natural scenery and peoples of the Indian subcontinent, including Spiti in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, Pushkar in Rajashtan, Bhutan and Nepal. Nowadays he is travelling regularly to the northeast of India, working on photographic projects in Nagaland, Arunachal and Assam.

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Rajesh Menon

<h4
    id="h-rajesh-menon-is-a-wildlife-photographer-and-environmental-conservationist-living-in-north-india-here-he-shares-some-ideas-for-solutions-to-the-animal-human-conflicts-that-are-apparent-in-all-regions-of-the-world-today">
    <strong><span style="color: #d7a929">RAJESH MENON</span>
        is a wildlife photographer and environmental conservationist living in North
        India. Here he shares some ideas for solutions to the animal-human conflicts
        that are apparent in all regions of the world today.</strong>
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
    Recently I heard the news that a man died in Spain, gored by a bull during one
    of the country’s popular festivals. Such headlines make me wonder, “Are we
    playing God with Nature?”, “Are we the reason for all the chaos in the world
    around us?”, “Are we knowingly looking for a reason external to us?”
</p>

<p>
    Things back home in India are not rosy either. Down south, elephants are burnt
    to death for entering human settlements. Wild animals are electrocuted for
    entering human settlements. Elephants are run over by trains as they try to
    cross the railway tracks in Assam. Tigers and leopards are poisoned for coming
    too close to us. I could go on and on.
</p>

<p>
    I spoke to my forester friends, and they shared some useful insights about the
    other side of the story: The number of little children who die every year,
    grabbed in front of their mothers by leopards that prowl near human dwellings;
    poor farmers who face the wrath of wild boars destroying their crops. These
    are genuine issues that a few face, unlike the multitude of city dwellers. One
    for the team, as they say. A team that has no clue about the daily wars the
    poor farmers face to stay alive each night. There are farmers and tea-estate
    workers in the North-east and the South of India who face the wrath of wild
    elephants. For them, it’s work during the day and fending off wild animals at
    night, without sleep. But then, how many of us are aware of these conflicts?
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

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    <figure>
        <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
            src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict2_700x394_fc880e6d9f.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:49:27.359Z" />
    </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
    Let me come straight to the point: Are we the solution providers or are we the
    problem?
</p>

<p>
    What is the reason for our existence? Is it just to make money, have a good
    time in life, procreate, fend for the kids, and make them as irresponsible as
    we are? In the name of society, do we drag down all things that encounter us
    as we travel to the doors of heaven? As my friend says, “Are we the worst
    parasites on this earth, gobbling away everything that comes within our
    reach?”
</p>

<p>
    It is said that we humans are the best form of life on Earth, and that even
    the gods have to descend to Earth and take human form to evolve! Another dear
    friend enlightened me with references to Indian mythology, where the gods
    descend with weapons in their hands, so they do not have to face us humans
    unarmed. What is it then that makes us so proud of our race? Are we in sync
    with Nature? Do we live in harmony and with love?
</p>

<p>
    Recently I was witness to a very beautiful scene of harmony in the wild, in
    the Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand. While on the Jeep Safari, I saw a huge
    tamarind tree with langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) on the branches and
    spotted deer (Axis axis) below. The langurs are famous for alerting the deer
    about the presence of tigers and other carnivorous animals. In this particular
    scene, the langurs were also feeding the deer. They were plucking the tamarind
    fruit they were relishing and throwing them down for the deer to eat. The deer
    were happy to oblige! No claims of superior or inferior being. I was so happy
    to witness this pure magic of love and harmony.
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

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    <figure>
        <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
            src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict4_700x394_d7eb5a5283.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:51:03.981Z" />
    </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
    There is too much to say about animal-human conflict. As far as I see it,
    there is no conflict on the part of the animals. They cross over to human
    settlements for easy means of food, because we have encroached on their
    territory. We have built our railways and roads on the animal-crossing
    corridors. We have multiplied so fast that we don’t have enough space for
    ourselves and we conveniently forget about the other species on Earth. I
    recently saw a beautiful caption with a picture of a deer crossing the road:
    “The deer is not crossing the road. We are crossing it’s jungle.” It makes you
    think.
</p>

<p>
    Harmony and love are all we need to deal with each other. Since when have we
    given value to a piece of paper and made it our god? Since when have social
    status and egos taken over? We still have time to correct our trajectory and
    go in the right direction. The question is: Are we willing to?
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
    <span style="color: #d7a929">Harmony and love<br />are all we need to deal with<br />each
        other.</span>
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
    Let me leave you with a success story of a group of volunteers in Assam. Their
    name is <em>Hati Bondhu, </em>which translates to “elephant my friend.” They
    operate in Chapanala, in the Nagaon district of Assam. The place is an
    elephant corridor and that has led to many animal-human conflicts.
</p>

<p>
    They convinced the local farmers to cultivate the land between the forests and
    the villages. They have created a beautiful pond and large paddy fields and
    other food crops on 200 <em>bighas </em>of land (1 <em>bigha</em> = 14,400
    square feet). The twist to the story is that they cultivate these lands
    <em>for the</em> <em>elephants</em>. The pachyderms have their fill, drink and
    swim in the pond, and go back to the jungle without disturbing the villagers.
    They haven’t had any conflicts during the past two years.
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
    <figure>
        <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
            src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict5_700x394_7190085b61.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:52:26.167Z" />
    </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<p>
    He mentioned that it was not a cakewalk. Educating the local village tribes
    was the hardest part. During the pandemic, the local farmers have come forward
    and contributed. Fear for their lands has now turned into care for the
    elephants. Both are happy. Now they are the ones empowering the project.
</p>

<p>
    Kudos to this great initiative by <em>Hati Bondhu</em>and the amazing
    volunteers! The call of the hour is for more such genuine efforts with harmony
    and love in mind. How to spread more awareness and seek the help of local
    farmers and villages to resolve these conflicts? May the human will to take
    the right initiatives prevail!
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
    <figure>
        <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
            src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict3_700x394_3e6977ddc3.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:57:17.959Z" />
    </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Photography by RAJESH MENON</h4>

<hr />

The animal-human conflict

<h4><hr class="vertical-space1" /></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center">
  <span style="color: #d9794a">A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY</span>
</h3>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<h4>
  <span style="color: #008000">RAJESH MENON</span> is a photographer from Delhi,
  who specializes in images from nature. Here he shares some of the beautiful
  birds of Kanha Shanti Vanam, the 1,300 acre property near Hyderabad, India,
  that is the international headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute. It is
  also a green sanctuary.
</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
  decoding="async"
  alt="birds-of-kanha3"
  class="w-100 lazyload"
  src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha3_45ae49590c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:01.853Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: justify">
  It all began with Daaji announcing retreats in Kanha Shanti Vanam during the
  pandemic. Keeping COVID-19 in mind, everyone who visited Kanha during this
  period was required to do a two-week quarantine, which could also be used as a
  spiritual retreat. Registering for the September period, a dear friend and I
  decided to drive to Kanha from Delhi, for reasons of safety.
</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">
  Right after the quarantine period, Daaji asked me to photograph the birds of
  Kanha. One thing that still baffles me is how he knew that I had come prepared
  with a 600 millimeter tele zoom lens.
</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
  decoding="async"
  alt="birds-of-kanha2a"
  class="w-100 lazyload"
  src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha2a_463e199504.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:02.198Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: justify">
  So began my wonderful journey into the life of the birds in Kanha. Five years
  ago, it was a barren dry land. The place has been totally transformed and is
  now a thriving ecosystem of trees, shrubs, herbs and organic farms, including
  rare and endangered species, rainforest trees and medicinal gardens.
</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">
  Following the birds around Kanha, I discovered their daily routine. The tiny
  and the mighty all have a daily routine. It was beautiful to be one with them,
  following them, observing them, inspired by their total surrender to all other
  natural forces.
</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: center"></p>
<hr />
<h5 style="text-align: center">
  <span style="color: #008000">So began my wonderful journey</span>
  <span style="color: #008000">into the life of the birds in Kanha.</span>
  <span style="color: #008000">Five years ago, it was a barren dry land.</span>
  <span style="color: #008000"
    >The place has been totally transformed and is now</span
  >
  <span style="color: #008000"
    >a thriving ecosystem of trees, shrubs, herbs</span
  >
  <span style="color: #008000">and organic farms, including rare</span>
  <span style="color: #008000">and endangered species, rainforest trees</span>
  <span style="color: #008000">and medicinal gardens.</span>
</h5>
<p style="text-align: center"></p>
<hr />
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: justify">
  The best observed were the Shikra falcon couple, who shared a neem tree. One
  interesting fact about falcons in general is that the female of the species is
  bigger than the male. The hunt of the black-winged kite showed me just how
  concentrated its approach was. The little tailor birds, sunbirds, bulbuls and
  the weaver birds were also fascinating.
</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
  decoding="async"
  alt="birds-of-kanha4a"
  class="w-100 lazyload"
  src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha4a_f46c6544fc.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:02.162Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: justify">
  <img
    decoding="async"
    alt="birds-of-kanha6a"
    class="w-100 lazyload"
    src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha6a_ecc2465642.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:26.755Z"
  />
</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"></p>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: justify">
  I shared great camaraderie with my fellow photographers on our early morning
  trips following the birds. Brotherhood is made forever.
</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">
  A word of caution: It is not easy to leave Kanha. The songs of the birds will
  charm you to come back. I am counting the days when I can be back in Kanha
  again.
</p>
<p>
  A dear friend, who is an avid birdwatcher, mentioned that there are now 70
  species of birds in Kanha. I have only seen and photographed around 30
  species, so naturally I can’t wait to see the rest!
</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
  alt="birds-of-kanha5a"
  class="w-100 lazyload"
  src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha5a_ac57b52681.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:01.942Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<p style="text-align: center"></p>
<hr />
<h4 style="text-align: center">Photographs and article by RAJESH MENON</h4>
<p style="text-align: center"></p>
<hr />


The birds of Kanha

<hr class="vertical-space1">
<h4>Photo essay by <span style="color: #106610;">RAJESH MENON</span> from the national parks of India.</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p style="text-align: justify;">I was born in the land of elephants, Kerala. Not a festival goes by without the
  elephants decorated in their full attire. When I became big enough, I came to know that my grandfather was the
  manager of the local zoo. I had never met him as he had passed away before I was born. But I was in awe of him when
  I came to know how much he loved the animals in his care.</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_1_img_83f4894c5e.jpg"
      alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-1-img">

    <hr class="vertical-space1">
    <p></p>
    <p><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
        src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_3_img_a72d8e5319.jpg"
        alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-3-img">
    </p>
  </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p style="text-align: justify;">As I grew up, I noticed that the elephants were forced into submission by their mahouts
  for the festivals. What mental torture and physical agony they must have gone through to satisfy us humans!</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-6"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload a-prayer-for-their-survival"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival5_img_a231727231.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:06:45.455Z"
      alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival5-img">
  </div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
  <hr class="vertical-space1">
</div>
<div></div>
<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-6"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload a-prayer-for-their-survival"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival3_img_8eb5e7ccbe.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:07:17.214Z"
      alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival3-img">
  </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p style="text-align: justify;">The passion to see them in the wild, where they truly belong, slowly took shape when I
  began photography. Somehow, through my photography, I wanted to convey their beauty when they are truly in their
  natural habitat.</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_2_img_0a8b916b27.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:13:08.423Z"
      alt="a_prayer_for_their_survival_2_img">
    <hr class="vertical-space1">
    <p></p>
    <p><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
        src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_6_img_70348879c7.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:15:02.580Z"
        alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-6-img">
    </p>
  </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p style="text-align: justify;">My favorite place to watch elephants in their habitat is with my dear friend Sreekumar,
  in the Sholayar Jungles on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They never ever felt threatened by our presence and
  always let us view them with their dear ones.</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
    src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_7_img_f9123e1074.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:16:34.479Z"
    alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-8-img">
</p>

<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p style="text-align: justify;">The national parks I visit to see tigers, deer and sambhars are the Jim Corbett
  National Park in Uttarakhand, and Ranathambore in Rajashtan. To view rhinoceroses I like to visit Popithara in
  Assam.</p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyloaded w-100 h-auto"
      src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_8_img_fb5ae3b53d.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:17:09.153Z">
    <hr class="vertical-space1">
    <p></p>
  </div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Like spirituality and meditation, waiting is the chief quality that one needs to
  develop to observe and photograph wild animals. They will reveal themselves and let you be joyful. Carry them in
  your heart with a prayer for their survival.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<p></p>
<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Photo essay by&nbsp;RAJESH MENON</h4>
<hr>