Forest Range Officer G Venkatesh, a B.Sc. graduate in forestry, has been an ardent wildlife enthusiast since the time he was too young to grasp animal behaviour. Born and raised in the Tamil Nadu village of Kolachi, surrounded by huge trees, dense forests, and stunning wildlife, this officer not only works to safeguard wildlife now but also captures them through his lens, satisfying his passion for wildlife photography.
Indian Masterminds exclusively spoke with him to know more about his adventurous life and photography journey.
A CHILDHOOD PASSION
Mr. Venkatesh worked with an MNC for four years after completing his MBA. He realised, though, that his heart desired to be among the forests and wildlife rather than in front of a computer in an office. That’s when he decided to join the wildlife service and cleared the Forest Range Service Direct Recruitment exam in 2014, which would allow him to be closer to nature.
Mr. Venkatesh was always eager to capture the vibrant colours of nature’s fauna through his lens. He bought a professional DSLR with his first wage as a forest range officer and has held onto it ever since.
“I did not take any photography classes and instead watched YouTube videos to study and comprehend how cameras and lenses work. The woodlands and wildlife have a wonderful quality to them, and I wanted to capture that energy and carry it with me forever,” Mr. Venkatesh told Indian Masterminds.
BUILDING INTEREST IN MARINE LIFE
The officer is in his eighth year of service now. His first assignment was in the Gulf of Mannar. Being raised in the ghats, a marine posting was completely different for him. It also offered him a plethora of fresh chances because he learnt scuba diving during that time.
Learning to scuba dive provided him with a unique opportunity to explore marine creatures such as sharks and corals. Simultaneously, he focused on Dugong and Flamingo conservation and plays an important role in their protection.
ASSESSING BIODIVERSITY
The officer, who is currently stationed in the Annamalai Tiger Reserve, faces severe hazards every day as he patrols through the deep woods, surrounded by animals and creepy crawlies. While doing so, he makes sure to wander around with his camera because he never knows what he’ll see.
The most inspiring aspect is that his camera and images assist him in measuring biodiversity, which is an important aspect of his job. With 10-15,000 hectares of forest under his authority, he is supposed to conduct thorough research on the region’s flora and wildlife and record it in his range’s booklet.
“Being a wildlife photographer has greatly aided me in this endeavour. I use my abilities and images to catch wildlife, which aids me in documenting it and assessing the region’s biodiversity. From the data, I go through the images and manage all forms of forest management interventions,” he shared.
INTERESTING ENCOUNTERS
The officer feels blessed to be able to spot unique and interesting creatures on his walks in nature. Recently, he encountered a purple frog, found mostly in the Western Ghats, and was awestruck by his beauty.
He also revealed his encounter with a large pit viper, a stunning green snake species noted for its capacity to remain motionless for days on end in pursuit of prey. They are incredibly difficult to notice and quite unusual, making the officer’s sighting all the more exciting.
“Because of their camouflage and silence, they are difficult to spot. It does not chase its prey; instead, it waits for it to come to him, sometimes by remaining motionless for several days or weeks. To prevent upsetting them, one must tread extremely carefully in their territories,” he told Indian Masterminds.
AWARD
Mr. Venkatesh has been awarded the National Level Photography Prize by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS-India) for his remarkable photographic talents. To win the honour, he photographed a brown stripe-necked mongoose at Pudhuthottam in Valparai in October 2022.
His photographs of greater flamingos, shot at Rameswaram’s Kothandaramar Temple, were also posted on Chief Minister MK Stalin’s official Twitter account.
