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| Bittu Sahgal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 October 1947 Shimla |
| Education | B.Com |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, environmental activist |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Employer | Sanctuary Asia |
| Spouse | Madhu Sahgal |
| Children | Tara Sahgal and Miel Sahgal |
Bittu Sahgal, an Environmental activist and writer, is the founding editor of Sanctuary Asia, India's premier wildlife and ecology magazine. He is a member of the National Board for Wildlife of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. He is also at the forefront of the battle to protect India from the worst impacts of climate change.
Early life
Born on 12 October 1947 in Shimla, where he graduated from Bishop Cotton High School in 1963. He grew up in Kolkata before moving to Mumbai in 1970, where he currently lives. He has been associated with Project Tiger from its inception and was greatly influenced by Dr Salim Ali the famous "Birdman of India", Kailash Sankhala, the first Director of Project Tiger and Fateh Singh Rathore, Field Director, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, to propagate the concept of tiger protection in India.
Publications
He founded Sanctuary Asia in 1981 at the suggestion of Fateh Singh Rathore who told him "Start a wildlife magazine. So that city people learn to appreciate wildlife and do less damage!". He founded Cub Magazine, which is now edited by his daughter, Tara Sahgal. He has authored numerous book on wildlife including, most recently: India Naturally, The Bandhavgarh Inheritance, The Sundarbans Inheritance, The Bharatpur Inheritance, The Kaziranga Inheritance, The Corbett Inheritance and The Periyar Inheritance. He writes for both English and local language newspapers and magazines in India. He has produced over 30 conservation-related documentaries. He contributes regularly to Bittu Sahgal's Blog where he expounds on topical environmental issues.
Kids for Tigers
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He founded Kids for Tigers, the Sanctuary Tiger Programme in the year 2000. A mass contact campaign, this reaches out to over 650 schools in 15 Indian cities and covers one million children. Their mission is simple; Kids for Tigers wishes to convey to adults that: "The tiger will only be saved if its forests are saved. By saving these forests, India protects over 600 of its purest rivers and in the process the forests sequester and store carbon in the most effective way possible."
Recent quotes
- On the great task before our generation:
"When someone harms your city, get vocal, write to the media, unite to fight the dismal ones. Don't turn the anger inwards."
"To fight environmental damage, use your core competence. Poets write poetry. Journalists write exposes. Students use LOUD unity."
"I guess it’s your generation that must take the call…. As for mine? I know if they CAN do harm they WILL do harm."
"There is urgency. Lots of urgency. It’s just that we have been trying to wake the nation for 30 years and we need new legs & minds. (Speak Up!)"
- On Climate Change:
"The government takes no action against mining companies because members of the government ARE mining companies."
"We need to mine efficiently, away from the last 3% of land in India that has forests. Also when we mine we must restore."
"Astounding. Corporate heads imagine their businesses can thrive in an era of climate change where society itself could fail."
- On Nature:
"My favourite Tagore quote? "To enjoy something, it's essential to guard it with the fence of leisure." This is why I spend time in the wilds."
"I do not worry that we are turning our backs on nature. What worries me is that it's the other way round."
- On Tiger Conservation:
"Silly question: "What came first—tigers or tiger tourism?" Outside Corbett some new lodges, not surprisingly, will give you the wrong answer."
"Basic fact. Tiger & all wildlife habitats are doing more to fight climate change & supply water than all of India scientists put together."
"Two forest-destroying forces are financing Naxal violence: 1. Wildlife and timber poachers including the Katha mafia, 2.) Large mining companies."
External sources
References
- "Annexure-1" (PDF), Summary records of the 21st Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), New Delhi: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Wildlife Division, 24 January 2011, retrieved 14 April 2011
- "Prerna Singh Bindra in a têtê-à-têtê with Bittu Sahgal". Sanctuary Asia. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
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Sahgal, Bittu (January 2012 1). "Climate Change Updates". Sanctuary Asia. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Info – Bittu Sahgal". Facebook. 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Bittu Sehgal, Environmentalist And Editor of Sanctuary Magazine – His Story". Youngbuzz. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
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Sahgal, Bittu (April 201 1). "National Shame". Sanctuary Asia. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) -
Sahgal, Bittu (2012-1-5 1). "Sanctuary Books". Sanctuary Asia. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "On a mission to save the tiger", The Hindu, New Delhi: Kasturi & Sons Ltd, 6 August 2009, retrieved 30 September 2011
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Sahgal, Bittu (2012-1-5 1). "Bittu Sahgal's Blog". Sanctuary Asia. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Tweets of Wisdom Bittu Segal", Official Jaago Re! Blog, New Delhi: Jaago Re!, 6 January 2010, retrieved 30 September 2011