A N Yellappa Reddy - Session 01, 2023-04-13

A N Yellappa Reddy is a forester and environmentalist. He was born in 1937, to an agriculturist family in the village of Adugodi, Bangalore. He earned a degree in agricultural sciences from Coimbatore Agriculture College in 1960, and a postgraduate degree in soil science. He served as the Principal Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Karnataka and held several key positions in the Indian Forest Service. Reddy worked in various capacities, contributing to India's forest conservation, wildlife protection, and environmental sustainability. He was involved in implementing several significant conservation projects, particularly in the Western Ghats, and contributed to the region's biodiversity protection.

Reddy has also been recognized by several environmental forums for his leadership in conservation and his role in promoting environmental awareness. After retiring, he worked as an environmental consultant and advisor, focusing on conservation issues and environmental policies. He continues to advocate for better ecological consciousness, forest preservation, and management of forest resources and protected areas.

Reddy highlights the significance of interconnectedness with nature and exposure to traditional farming techniques through his childhood experiences in Adugodi. He discusses the need for greater emphasis on ecological education. He describes his academic journey, including his training as an Indian forester, reflecting on the lack of traditional knowledge in forest management curriculum. Discussing his involvement in water management and biodiversity preservation, he emphasizes the need for lifelong learning in forestry. Reddy emphasizes the importance of crediting and recognizing underrepresented agents in conservation and discusses ethical leadership, prioritizing subordinates' needs and concerns, and being transparent and accountable. (00:00:36) Growing up in Adugodi, occupation and daily life of family members, initial hands-on knowledge about agriculture, exposure to a holistic understanding of farming practices

(00:11:59) Importance of ecological education, academic journey, training as a forester, reflections on pre-modern ecological consciousness in India

(00:23:11) Ignorance of non-western ecological education, mythological significance of co-existence with nature, non-extractive philosophy of nature, interest in NTFPs

(00:30:35) Surveying forest resources in the Western Ghats, the importance of ethics in public service, daily routine in the forests, significance of determined observation and yearning

(00:40:26) Addressing socio-ecological stress in the Western Ghats, the importance of giving credit to others and working collaboratively in conservation, concerns of forest control and management

(00:52:03) Importance of fieldwork in forest management, advantages of forest conservation as a public service, significance of moral strength from family and companions