Jagdish Chandra Jatiya, a retired IAS officer of the 2009 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre, has led a life that blends duty with a deep-seated passion for wildlife photography. His fascination with the natural world began in childhood when he immersed himself in stories of renowned wildlife photographers and ornithologists. The tales of Salim Ali, famously known as ‘The Bird Man of India,’ particularly captivated him. Ali’s frequent visits to the Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary in the Malwa plateau for bird watching left a lasting impression on young Jatiya, inspiring him to pursue wildlife photography.
His love for birds blossomed into a lifelong passion, and in 1997, he began his journey into the world of wildlife photography with his ‘Wildlife Photography Vishetra Species’ series, focusing on capturing the beauty of birds. Little did he know that this would be the start of an extraordinary adventure that would take him across India, documenting the rich biodiversity of the country.
A DREAM FULFILLED
In 1996, fate smiled upon Jatiya when he received his first posting in the same region where Dr. Salim Ali had conducted his bird-watching expeditions. This serendipitous posting allowed Jatiya to visit the sanctuary and witness the birds that had enchanted him through the pages of books and newspapers. It was a moment of profound connection between his childhood dreams and his reality as an IAS officer.
“For the first time, I visited the Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary then to watch the Lesser florican. Unfortunately, I couldn’t spot it but came across various other beautiful birds and animals which piqued my interest even more. During those times, we had cameras with films in them and I used them to capture photographs. But it came with its limitations, but once digital cameras got launched in 2007, I began my proper journey of photographing the wild,” he told Indian Masterminds.
Over the years, Jatiya’s passion for photography led him to capture over 900 species of birds on his camera. His journey has taken him to approximately 18 provinces across India, including all the wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, a state known for its abundant wildlife. His camera has become an extension of his love for nature, enabling him to document the vibrant and diverse ecosystems of the country.
CONQUERING CHALLENGES: THE EAGLENEST EXPEDITION
One of the most memorable and challenging experiences in Jatiya’s wildlife photography career was his visit to the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. This sanctuary is home to the rare and elusive Bugun Liocichla bird, a species that Jatiya was determined to photograph. The trek to the bird’s habitat was anything but easy. He awoke at 4 a.m., descending a steep mountain to reach the bird’s location.
For Jatiya, the trek was particularly grueling, as he is flat-footed—a condition that made the downhill journey even more painful. However, his undying determination saw him through, and he managed to capture the Bugun Liocichla on his camera.
“Bugun liocichla is a very rare bird and is only found in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in the entire world. Only 100 of these birds are left now so it was mandatory for me to watch this bird and capture her on my camera,” he stated.
TIGERS AND BEYOND: THE PURSUIT OF MAJESTIC CREATURES
While birds are Jatiya’s primary focus, his love for wildlife extends to the larger, more elusive creatures of the jungle. Tigers, in particular, have fascinated him, and he has visited several regions across India to capture these majestic animals on film. The thrill of spotting a tiger in the wild, combined with the challenge of photographing it, adds a layer of excitement to his expeditions.
Despite covering vast stretches of India’s wilderness, the Western Ghats remain on Jatiya’s bucket list. He plans to visit this biodiversity hotspot in 2025, determined to capture the unique wildlife that thrives in this region.
BALANCING DUTY AND PASSION: A HARMONIOUS COEXISTENCE
Jatiya’s career as an IAS officer took him to various districts across Madhya Pradesh, a state that is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The jungles and sanctuaries scattered across the state provided him with ample opportunities to indulge in his passion for photography. He always carried his camera with him, ready to seize the moment whenever he encountered a bird or animal.
For Jatiya, managing his responsibilities as an IAS officer and pursuing wildlife photography was a matter of time management. His work never interfered with his passion, and vice versa.
“If I had to cover a distance of 40 minutes, I would leave my home around 1.5 hours earlier, so that it could give me time to watch birds along the way and also help me reach on time at my destination,” he told Indian Masterminds.
In fact, he believes that managing a district was often easier than capturing wildlife on camera. While his administrative duties were within his control, wildlife photography required patience, precision, and a willingness to work with the unpredictable rhythms of nature.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS: A COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING WILDLIFE
Jatiya’s passion for wildlife extended beyond photography; he also took active steps to conserve the creatures he so admired. During his posting in Damoh, he worked tirelessly to protect the vulture population, which had been declining due to the use of the pain-relieving drug Diclofenac. This drug, while helpful to animals, proved toxic to vultures.
Jatiya organized seminars with veterinary doctors, sensitizing them to the dangers of Diclofenac. He also engaged forest officials and medical store owners, encouraging them to stop the sale of the drug to veterinarians. His efforts contributed to a decline in vulture deaths and helped stabilize their population in the region.
A FUTURE VISION: A THOUSAND BIRDS AND BEYOND
As Jatiya continues his journey, he has a personal milestone in sight. Once he captures 1,000 bird species on his camera, he plans to exhibit his photographs, sharing his passion and dedication with the world. This exhibition will be a celebration of his lifelong commitment to both his work as an IAS officer and his love for wildlife photography.
In the end, Jagdish Chandra Jatiya’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a profound connection to nature. His dual roles as an IAS officer and a wildlife photographer reflect a life lived with purpose, where duty and passion coexist in harmony.
