The book is not strictly non-fiction. What is your reason behind this treatment?
The idea was to use both science and humour. So while each chapter has facts, it is laced with anecdotes and then to drive the point home, little fictional stories where the creatures take centre stage by using their superpowers. I do not read a lot of nonfiction, and I never read science literature for leisure. My attention wanders too quickly and I lose interest if there aren’t stories and characters to keep me engrossed. I thought there must be more readers like me—who love knowing about the wild, but might not be equipped to take on research in the traditional way it is written. I wrote the book I would like to read.
Does school curriculum make us inquisitive about marine ecology? What piqued your interest?
It does whet our appetites. Now, I would love to see science as a subject, not just marine biology, taught by using a lot from what is around us, even references from pop culture, or relatable tools. Not to take away from the current methods, but perhaps an inclusion in the form of humour, storytelling.
Many of your walks were in urban spaces, such as the Juhu beach—places where even nature enthusiasts admitted to have never looked closely for marine life. How do you think this lack of awareness may have impacted research and conservation?
This story is from the July 16, 2022 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 16, 2022 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In leading role again
MOVIES AND WEB SERIES ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING SET IN RUSTIC BACKGROUNDS, INDICATING A RECONNECT BETWEEN CINEMA AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
One Nation One Subscription comes at a huge cost
As top US universities scrap big deals with top scientific publishers, India’s ONOS scheme seems flawed and outdated
Return of Rambhog
Bid to revive and sell the aromatic indigenous paddy variety has led to substantial profits for farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Terai region
Scarred by mining
Natural springs of Kashmir drying up due to illegal riverbed mining
Human-to-human spread a mutation away
CANADA IN mid-November confirmed its first human case of avian influenza, with a teenager in the British Columbia being hospitalised after contracting the H5N1 virus that causes the disease. The patient developed a severe form of the disease, also called bird flu, and had respiratory issues. There was no known cause of transmission.
True rehabilitation
Residents of Madhya Pradesh's Kakdi village take relocation as an opportunity to undertake afforestation, develop sustainable practices
INESCAPABLE THREAT
Chemical pollution is the most underrated and underreported risk of the 21st century that threatens all species and regions
THAT NIGHT, 40 YEARS AGO
Bhopal gas disaster is a tragedy that people continue to face
A JOKE, INDEED
A CONFERENCE OF IRRESPONSIBLE PARTIES THAT CREATED AN OPTICAL ILLUSION TO THE REALITY OF A NEW CLIMATE
THINGS FALL APART
THE WORLD HAS MADE PROGRESS IN MITIGATING EMISSIONS AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE IMPACTS. BUT THE PROGRESS REMAINS GROSSLY INADEQUATE