Download or read book Memoirs of an Ardent Wildlifer written by S. G. Neginhal and published by Notion Press. This book was released on 2021-09-17 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: S. G. Neginhal IFS (Retd) commenced his forestry service in 1951. He also underwent specialized wildlife training at the FRI Dehradun during 1971-72. He drafted the first management plan for Project Tiger, which was ushered in 1973 at Bandipur. He discovered Kokkarebellur Pelicanry in 1974. He came into close contact with national luminaries like ornithologist Salim Ali, and renowned wildlife and nature photographer M Krishnan and others. He got declared Biligirirangan Hills as a Sanctuary in 1974 and created a new Sanctuary for Wolves at Melkote. He administered most of the wildlife sanctuaries of Karnataka from 1972 to 1980 and kept visiting them to study wild animals and birds even after his superannuation. He was responsible for the massive greening of the Bengaluru metropolis from 1982- 87 by planting 15-lakh saplings. He was a pioneer in introducing Urban Forestry. For his successful planting of trees in Bengaluru city, a national award, the Indira Vriksha Priyadarshini Award, was given to the Forest Department in 1988. Planting of trees in all the cities of India was later included in the country’s five-year plans. From Bengaluru nurseries, a thousand tall saplings were also sent to New Delhi for planting at the Shakti Sthal, the Samadhi of late Indira Gandhi.