A coffee table book, displaying rare photographs and features on the mystique and beauty of the famed Silent Valley National Park in Kerala has been released here.
The book was released as part of the government's plan to present the state's rich biodiversity to the outside world and underline the need for forest conservation.
Brought out by Kerala Tourism, in association with the state Forest Department, the book, which is punctuated with breathtaking photographs, reveals the richness of the park, from the mundane to the extraordinary.
"This new book is a virtual trek to the jungle and is a celebration of our rich and precious biodiversity," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said after releasing the book at his chamber recently.
"The abundance of nature in our state also entrusts on us the important responsibility of conserving our rich biodiversity for future generations," he said.
Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar said the book was a symbol of the government's commitment to spread awareness about the state to the outside world.
"We want to introduce travellers and tourists from around the world to the rich biodiversity and potential of our forests," he said.
The book was a journey into the magical world of our wildlife, he said.
There are several unseen and unexplored facets of the National Park in Kerala presented in the book, which is the first in the 'Sanctuary for the Soul' series on the four national wildlife sanctuaries in the state.
There are also stunning photographs of the wild, providing testimony to the richness of nature in 'God's Own Country'.
The other three books in the series are on Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Eravikulam National Park and the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Official sources said several months were spent in the wild by the makers of the series, including renowned wildlife photographer Balan Madhavan, to bring out the books.
Guiding the reader through the idyllic charms of Silent Valley National Park, the book describes the pristine valley through the spellbinding experiences of its writer, Manu Remakant.
The series is edited by Bhawani Cheerath, they added.
