‘But how do we even know if all that Jim Corbett wrote about was even true?’
I was moderating a session on environment writing at the very first Corbett Literature Festival, being held right next to the Corbett National park, named after the celebrated hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. ‘As someone who is from the region as well, I must step in here and defend Jim Corbett! ‘How can you question our beloved hero? All his adventures, all his descriptions of chasing man-eating tigers and leopards in the Kumaon hills were all absolutely true! Ours was the last session of the three-day long inaugural Corbett Literature Festival. The festival had also brought together celebrated photographers and filmmakers, who captivated audiences with films and photographic collections built over years of exploring the wilds of Corbett and the vast Himalayan landscapes. Their work offered glimpses of tigers and elephants, gharials basking by the river, the tall grasses of the grasslands and the Ramganga flowing through the forest. The visuals were spellbinding, but what made the screening particularly special was the opportunity it gave these often-unsung guardians of the forest to take centre stage and receive the applause they deserved, not just for their film, but also for the tireless work they do to protect a park that is loved by so many. Renowned singer Jubin Nautiyal joined them on stage, alongside the forest guards and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), to felicitate and honour them. The festival was organised in part by the Forest Department, with the dynamic Corbett Tiger Reserve Field Director Saket Badola closely involved in spearheading the effort, along with several corporates, and resorts in the area. It was inaugurated by Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, who spoke about the importance of communities in conservation.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development board also supported the festival, titled ‘3 days in the Wild’ that brought together 30 speakers.
He said with some feeling, a smile on his face.
