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Corbett Literature Festival Brings Forest Wildlife and Traditions Together
The Corbett Literature Festival brought together people who write about nature and people who help protect it.
It began in Ramnagar on October 7 and was scheduled to finish on October 8.
Speakers said forests are important for many kinds of plants and animals, not only tigers.
They also said that people who live near forests should be part of conservation.
Forest workers talked about difficult rescues and keeping wildlife and visitors safe.
Some speakers said visitors can enjoy the many kinds of wildlife in a forest, even if they do not see a tiger.
Folk artists and environmentalists discussed protecting Uttarakhand’s music and traditions.
The festival included talks, photo exhibitions and nature walks.
The three-day Corbett Literature Festival began in Ramnagar on October 7, with sessions planned through October 8.
Writers, conservationists, scientists, photographers, forest officials and folk artists discussed forests, wildlife and nearby communities.
Speakers said conservation should include wider biodiversity, landscapes and local communities, not focus only on tigers.
Forest experts discussed unpredictable wildlife rescues, human-animal conflict and the risks faced by frontline staff.
Participants connected conservation with local livelihoods and Uttarakhand’s folk traditions, including Madhuri Barthwal’s documentation of Garhwali music.
- Who
- Writers, conservationists, scientists, photographers, forest officials, folk artists and local communities.
- What
- The maiden Corbett Literature Festival brought people together to discuss wildlife, conservation, forest communities and folk traditions.
- Where
- Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, across three venues, with the festival concluding at The Golden Tusk, Jim Corbett.
- When
- It began on October 7 and was scheduled to conclude on October 8; the year is not stated.
- Why
- To explore stories from forests and discuss wildlife, conservation and the communities and cultures connected to them.
Broader conservation and cultural protection
Tourism and conservation challenges
What wildlife conservation should prioritize
Broader conservation and cultural protection
Speakers including Vijay Dhasmana and Stephen Alter argued that conservation should extend beyond tigers to biodiversity, landscapes and the wider ecosystem.
Tourism and conservation challenges
The articles do not present a speaker arguing against broader conservation; they note that wildlife tourism often focuses on getting a photograph of a tiger.
Balancing conservation and local needs
Broader conservation and cultural protection
Subodh Uniyal and Kalyan Singh Rawat said conservation should go hand in hand with improving local lives and balancing environmental protection with human development.
Tourism and conservation challenges
The articles describe practical tensions: communities respond differently during human-animal conflict, and some people may become hostile toward forest teams.
Technology and frontline protection
Broader conservation and cultural protection
Dr Sonali Ghosh said camera traps and surveillance systems have transformed wildlife protection.
Tourism and conservation challenges
Ghosh also stressed that technology cannot replace frontline forest staff and called for greater formal recognition of their work.
Key facts
- Event
- Maiden Corbett Literature Festival
- Location
- Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India
- Dates
- Began October 7; scheduled to conclude October 8; year not stated
- Duration
- Described as a three-day festival
- Activities
- Sessions, photo exhibitions and nature walks across three venues
- Supporting organizations
- Uttarakhand Forest Department, Corbett Tiger Reserve and Uttarakhand Tourism
- Folk music documentation
- Madhuri Barthwal said she has written 24 books on Garhwali folk music
Quotes
Madhuri Barthwal
Uttarakhand folk singer and documenter of folk traditions
“Conserving our forests and wildlife must go hand in hand with improving the lives of the local population and continuous efforts are being made towards this end.”
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republicworld.com
“Our duty is to take our culture forward and ensure that the coming generation learns and carries it forward.”
livemint.com
republicworld.com
Sources
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