Hiding in Plain Sight: A Journey Through Ashoka University’s Diverse Biodiversity

Ishan Shanavas is an artist, photographer, and student of the natural world. He has always had a keen interest in wildlife, a fascination that stems from his childhood. Visiting wild spaces for as long as he can remember, Ishan has fostered a deep appreciation for all things wild. His art, photography, and writing reflect his interests, with wildlife featuring high on the list. He writes extensively on his blog, and his memoir is set to be published soon.

We spoke to Ishan about his book ‘ Fauna In and Around Ashoka University’, his inspiration for documenting the local wildlife, and his memorable experiences during the process.

What prompted you to come forward with a book? And what was the process of compiling the book like?

When I joined Ashoka, I assumed there would already be a resource to help new students like me familiarise themselves with the landscape. I was surprised that this didn’t already exist. Then, I made an impromptu decision to explore the surrounding countryside, and that’s when I stumbled into a herd of nilgai. Coming from the south, I was pretty unfamiliar with this antelope. I had no idea these animals roamed freely in agricultural fields and that I could find some close to my university. It made me think about all the other animals hiding in plain sight. So, I decided to search for them and ultimately create the resource I wanted when I joined Ashoka.

I began conducting regular surveys in the agricultural fields beyond Asawarpur, searching for all the wildlife I could find. Sometimes, I went every day! I’d note down my sightings. I soon realised that attempting this mammoth project alone would be futile. So, I sought help from some professors, who connected me with fellow enthusiasts. We shared our findings, and our list grew. Most findings were of birds, but I wanted to get a basic understanding of the reptile and amphibian life around. So I interacted with the didis and bhaiyas, asking them about the creatures they had seen around campus. After befriending them, I asked them to take photographs of all the snakes they tossed out of campus. The common wolf snake and red sand boa included in the guide wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t been for intrepid didis who took photographs for me to later ID.

Can you describe the biodiversity in and around Ashoka University?

Looking at the drab Haryana landscape, it’s hard to imagine that any wildlife would live there. Yet closer inspection reveals a surprising diversity of life. Since there is some green cover (relative to the factories of the industrial town of Sonipat), we can see some interesting passing migrants. A few small water bodies allow for good local bird life, and the surrounding green cover allows some bigger creatures, like monitor lizards, porcupines, and nilgai, to thrive. There is probably more amphibian, reptile, and insect life, and it will be up to the next generation of Ashokans to discover them.

Can you share any memorable experiences you had while photographing the fauna?

While conducting fauna surveys, I’ve had several memorable experiences. Once, I came across two male nilgai being bothered by a few street dogs. The animals would take turns running after one another. Since both species were so engrossed in trying to hurt the other, I could sneak up undetected, getting within 15 metres of them!

Were there any surprising discoveries you made during your work on this book?

On one occasion, I spotted an elusive Orange-headed Thrush in the trees around Dosai. I’ve seen this bird a few times in the rich, biodiverse Western Ghats, and getting those sightings were no mean feat. So, to see this bird hobbling around within this campus was something out of this world, and it thrilled me to bits. I was also surprised when I saw my first scavenger vulture flying above the mess lawns during my first semester. This bird is declining across the country, and I’d only seen it once in the Western Ghats. Over the following few semesters, we found four resident vultures, and we were happy to see they were breeding close by!

Were there any inhibitions/challenges that you faced while you were writing the book?

I suppose the challenge was to continually go on surveys, week after week until I built a respectable number of species. It was especially discouraging when I returned from multiple surveys with no new sightings. Still, it was a delight to escape the insular nature of Ashoka and be outside, looking for the creatures that make me the happiest.

Links:
Website – ishanshanavas.com
Instagram – @ishan.shanavas