A worm's eye view of conservation

With gentle, self-deprecating humour, Mr Sekhar describes all that the jungles of Buxa taught him to unlearn

Conventional forest and wildlife protection projects invariably focus on trees, animals and birds. Undoubtedly protecting vulnerable and ecologically sensitive species is a key aspect of conservation. However, as the human population increases, especially around the peripheries of wild areas, humans need to be recognised as a key component not only of conservation projects but also of the ecosystem of which they are apex predators. That is what sets apart Nitin Sekar’s What’s Left of the Jungle on shelves groaning with books on conservation. Through the engaging and intimate story of Akshu Atri, a young man born and raised in Buxa