Bittu Sahgal
Encyclopedia
Bittu Sahgal, an Environmental activist, is the founding editor of Sanctuary Asia
, India's premier wildlife
and ecology
magazine. He is member of the National Board for Wildlife He is also at the forefront of the battle to protect India from the worst impacts of climate change
.
, where he graduated from Bishop Cotton High School in 1963. He grew up in Kolkata
before moving to Mumbai
in 1970, where he currently lives. He has been associated with Project Tiger
from its inception and was greatly influenced by Dr Salim Ali
the famous "Birdman of India", Kailash Sankhala
, the first Director of Project Tiger and Fateh Singh Rathore
, Field Director, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
, to propagate the concept of tiger protection in India.
in 1981 at the suggestion of Fateh Singh Rathore who told him "Start a wildlife magazine. So that city people learn to appreciate wildlife and do less damage!". He founded Cub Magazine, which is edited by his daughter, Tara Sahgal. He has authored numerous book on wildlife and writes for both English and Language newspapers and magazines in India. He has produced over 30 conservation-related documentaries.
in the year 2000. A mass contact campaign, this reaches out to over 650 schools in 15 Indian cities and covers one million children. Their mission is simple; Kids for Tigers wishes to convey to adults that: "The tiger will only be saved if its forests are saved. By saving these forests, India protects over 600 of its purest rivers and in the process the forests sequester and store carbon in the most effective way possible."
"When someone harms your city, get vocal, write to the media, unite to fight the dismal ones. Don't turn the anger inwards."
"To fight environmental damage, use your core competence. Poets write poetry. Journalists write exposes. Students use LOUD unity."
"I guess it’s your generation that must take the call…. As for mine? I know if they CAN do harm they WILL do harm."
"There is urgency. Lots of urgency. It’s just that we have been trying to wake the nation for 30 years and we need new legs & minds. (Speak Up!)"
"The government takes no action against mining companies because members of the government ARE mining companies."
"We need to mine efficiently, away from the last 3% of land in India that has forests. Also when we mine we must restore."
"Astounding. Corporate heads imagine their businesses can thrive in an era of climate change where society itself could fail."
"My favourite Tagore
quote? "To enjoy something, it's essential to guard it with the fence of leisure." This is why I spend time in the wilds."
"I do not worry that we are turning our backs on nature. What worries me is that it’s the other way round."
"Silly question: "What came first—tigers or tiger tourism?" Outside Corbett some new lodges, not surprisingly, will give you the wrong answer."
"Basic fact. Tiger & all wildlife habitats are doing more to fight climate change & supply water than all of India scientists put together."
"Two forest-destroying forces are financing Naxal
violence: 1. Wildlife and timber poachers including the Katha mafia, 2.) Large mining companies."
Sanctuary Asia
Sanctuary Asia is one of India's first and one of its leading environmental news magazines, being published in a bimonthly cycle. It was founded in 1981 by the conservationist Bittu Sahgal as Sanctuary. It became a syndicated publication under the banner of Sanctuary Features. Presently, the...
, India's premier wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
and ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
magazine. He is member of the National Board for Wildlife He is also at the forefront of the battle to protect India from the worst impacts of climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
Early life
Born on October 12, 1947 in ShimlaShimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
, where he graduated from Bishop Cotton High School in 1963. He grew up in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
before moving to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in 1970, where he currently lives. He has been associated with Project Tiger
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched in 1972 in India. The project aims at ensuring a viable population of tigers in their natural habitats and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the people. The selection of areas for the reserves represented as close as possible the...
from its inception and was greatly influenced by Dr Salim Ali
Salim Ali
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Known as the "birdman of India", Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and his bird books helped develop ornithology...
the famous "Birdman of India", Kailash Sankhala
Kailash Sankhala
Kailash Sankhala was a renowned naturalist and conservationist of India. He was the director of Delhi Zoological Park and Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan. Born on 30 January 1925 he is best known for his work in preserving tigers...
, the first Director of Project Tiger and Fateh Singh Rathore
Fateh Singh Rathore
Fateh Singh Rathore is India's best known tiger conservationist. Fateh Singh joined the Indian Forest Service in 1960 and was part of the first Project Tiger team. He was widely acknowledged as the tiger guru for his legendary knowledge of the big cat. He worked over 50 years in wildlife...
, Field Director, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park or Ranthambhore National Park or simply Ranthambhore is one of the largest national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 180 km south east of Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport...
, to propagate the concept of tiger protection in India.
Publications
He founded Sanctuary AsiaSanctuary Asia
Sanctuary Asia is one of India's first and one of its leading environmental news magazines, being published in a bimonthly cycle. It was founded in 1981 by the conservationist Bittu Sahgal as Sanctuary. It became a syndicated publication under the banner of Sanctuary Features. Presently, the...
in 1981 at the suggestion of Fateh Singh Rathore who told him "Start a wildlife magazine. So that city people learn to appreciate wildlife and do less damage!". He founded Cub Magazine, which is edited by his daughter, Tara Sahgal. He has authored numerous book on wildlife and writes for both English and Language newspapers and magazines in India. He has produced over 30 conservation-related documentaries.
Kids for Tigers
He founded Kids for Tigers, the Sanctuary Tiger ProgrammeSanctuary Asia
Sanctuary Asia is one of India's first and one of its leading environmental news magazines, being published in a bimonthly cycle. It was founded in 1981 by the conservationist Bittu Sahgal as Sanctuary. It became a syndicated publication under the banner of Sanctuary Features. Presently, the...
in the year 2000. A mass contact campaign, this reaches out to over 650 schools in 15 Indian cities and covers one million children. Their mission is simple; Kids for Tigers wishes to convey to adults that: "The tiger will only be saved if its forests are saved. By saving these forests, India protects over 600 of its purest rivers and in the process the forests sequester and store carbon in the most effective way possible."
Recent quotes
- On the great task before our generation:
"When someone harms your city, get vocal, write to the media, unite to fight the dismal ones. Don't turn the anger inwards."
"To fight environmental damage, use your core competence. Poets write poetry. Journalists write exposes. Students use LOUD unity."
"I guess it’s your generation that must take the call…. As for mine? I know if they CAN do harm they WILL do harm."
"There is urgency. Lots of urgency. It’s just that we have been trying to wake the nation for 30 years and we need new legs & minds. (Speak Up!)"
- On Climate Change:
"The government takes no action against mining companies because members of the government ARE mining companies."
"We need to mine efficiently, away from the last 3% of land in India that has forests. Also when we mine we must restore."
"Astounding. Corporate heads imagine their businesses can thrive in an era of climate change where society itself could fail."
- On Nature:
"My favourite Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
quote? "To enjoy something, it's essential to guard it with the fence of leisure." This is why I spend time in the wilds."
"I do not worry that we are turning our backs on nature. What worries me is that it’s the other way round."
- On Tiger Conservation:
"Silly question: "What came first—tigers or tiger tourism?" Outside Corbett some new lodges, not surprisingly, will give you the wrong answer."
"Basic fact. Tiger & all wildlife habitats are doing more to fight climate change & supply water than all of India scientists put together."
"Two forest-destroying forces are financing Naxal
Naxalite
The word Naxal, Naxalite or Naksalvadi is a generic term used to refer to various militant Communist groups operating in different parts of India under different organizational envelopes...
violence: 1. Wildlife and timber poachers including the Katha mafia, 2.) Large mining companies."