‘With a pen, notebook, binoculars and passion, one can become a good naturalist’: Asad Rahmani

Asad Rahmani is an ornithologist and environmentalist who works for the protection of endangered species. His memoir, Living with Birds, captures his experiences and wisdom from decades of fieldwork. In a conversation with Scroll, Rahmani revealed the passion that drives him to advocate for wildlife and protect India’s birdlife. Excerpts from the interview:

What inspired you to write Living with Birds, and how did you so effectively encapsulate such a diverse and extensive experience into a concise memoir?
Since childhood, I have had a passion for reading and writing. My first “letter” was published in the Pioneer newspaper in Lucknow when I was 20 years old. Since then, I have written over 600 popular articles, letters to editors, editorials, book reviews, forewords, prefaces, and nearly 200 scientific papers and short notes. Additionally, I have also authored 26 books, and now working on my 27th book which will primarily focus on my fieldwork.

Several friends encouraged me to write my memoir, so when Juggernaut offered to publish it in mid-2023, I accepted their offer. I began working on my book on August 1, 2023 and completed the first draft in nine months. For the past 45 to 50 years, I have maintained a diary and field notebooks that have helped me revisit my old…

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