Sanjay Gubbi - Session 02, 2022-04-20

(00:00:46) Hearing about the Conservation Corps Volunteers (CCV) programme, volunteering with Leadership Initiative for Earth (LIFE), jobs pursued and parental support

Sanjay Gubbi talks about how he first heard of the CCV programme and the positive reaction at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology (SSIT), Tumakuru, when he went back there. [Archivist’s Note: the college is not referred to by its name in this session and the name is obtained from the previous session.]

He recounts post-engineering experiences, including volunteering in Canada with a conservation programme called LIFE. He shares insights gained about international conservation practices and Jane Goodall’s support for his work in India.

Gubbi describes the challenges of organising conservation education activities on wooden ships.

Although he initially attempted an engineering and another job, his passion for conservation prevailed. In 1998, he formally entered the field, working with organisations like Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)- India and Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS). Later, he joined Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) in 2011.

Gubbi reflects on his parents’ evolving support, acknowledging their recognition of his dedication to conservation.

(00:09:13) Interest in landscapes and wildlife and developing a passion for conservation

He discusses his early conservation interests in Deccan Plateau habitats. He recounts a pivotal experience in 1988 during a scouting trek to Tadiyandamol in the Western Ghats, culminating in Nagarhole National Park. Meeting K.M. Chinappa, the range forest officer at Nagarhole, led Gubbi to volunteer for a tiger monitoring project. This exposure marked his initiation into scientific wildlife monitoring, focussing on large mammals.

Frequent visits to Nagarhole, encouraged by the Forest Department, allowed him to observe and understand animal behaviour, fostering a deep connection to conservation, particularly in the Western Ghats landscape.

Gubbi discusses how a fascination with wildlife, like birds, sparks conservation interest by emotionally connecting observations of habitat loss, road construction, and area conversion to the well-being of species. He says that personal curiosity and observation play a crucial role in kindling passion for conservation, emphasising the emotional impact of negative changes in natural landscapes.

(00:18:07) Green Watchers, importance of local languages in conservation communication and joining Karnataka Tiger Conservation Project (KTCP)

Gubbi recounts his journey from running a nature club in 1987, Green Watchers, in Tumakuru district. Engaging with villagers, they confronted human-wildlife conflicts, learning experientially.

He emphasises the importance of local languages in conservation communication. He shares his gradual exposure to the broader aspects of conservation, emphasising hands-on learning over textbook knowledge, and reflects on the impact of writing in local languages for a local newspaper, Praja Pragathi.

Gubbi mentions that CWS recognised the value of field experience, leading him to join the KTCP despite lacking formal conservation training.

Affiliating with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India after 1987, Green Watchers engaged in nature education. [Archivist’s note: at the time spoken about by Gubbi, it was called the ‘World Wildlife Fund’, but the index term and summary use the authority record name ‘World Wide Fund for Nature’]. Through its activities, Gubbi gained insights into the Forest Department’s structure, roles, and perspectives on conservation, enhancing his understanding and providing a solid field-based background for his later work.

(00:28:30) Work at CWS, moving to Bangalore and Green Watchers no longer existing

Gubbi’s work at CWS primarily involved on-ground conservation, lobbying, and campaigns against issues like Kudremukh mining. He also addressed extraction of bamboo from Bhadra Tiger Reserve, managed conservation projects, and handled administrative and logistical aspects. Despite disliking the mundane aspects, he persevered due to the significant impact on on-ground conservation. The work occasionally involved scientific activities like line transect or camera tracking.

Initially based in Tumakuru, Gubbi later shifted to Bangalore in 2002, which he found challenging due to his preference for the field.

Green Watchers, the nature club he co-founded, no longer exists.

(00:35:29) Decision to pursue a master’s degree and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)’s master’s programme

Gubbi talks about deciding to pursue a master’s degree during his time at Kokkarebellur, realising its importance for a long-term career in conservation. He obtained a scholarship and chose a one-year programme at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, focussing on conservation biology.

Drawing parallels with the open admission criteria at NCBS’s master’s programme, he advocates for inclusivity across disciplines, believing that motivation and passion for wildlife can transcend barriers, even without formal degrees.

Gubbi shares the nature of his involvement with the NCBS’ master’s programme.

[36:23-36:38 – Restricted access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details] [39:07-39:39 – Restricted access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details]

(00:43:59) First independent study and impact of master’s programme on Gubbi’s conservation career

After completing his master’s programme, Gubbi initiated discussions within CWS emphasising the integration of science into conservation activities. He talks about his first independent study involved monitoring the impact of a highway expansion on wildlife in Nagarhole National Park.

He discusses the impact of his master’s programme on his conservation career, highlighting the exposure to diverse conservation approaches. The experience challenged his values, as he encountered classmates from Africa advocating wildlife harvests. Gubbi talks about resisting participating in a hunting expedition due to his Jain beliefs. He also talks about the programme broadening his perspective, making him receptive to varied conservation methods as scientific practices. Interacting with international students emphasised the universality of learning, leaving a lasting imprint on Gubbi’s conservation approach.

(00:52:57) Master’s project in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Gubbi discusses his master’s project in Periyar, driven by CWS’s suggestion to explore the effectiveness of conservation projects funded by multilateral donor agencies. Under Nigel Leader-Williams at DICE, Gubbi studied the social aspects of a World Bank-funded project in Periyar Tiger Reserve. He talks about the research’s aim and findings.

The findings were published in peer-reviewed journals, marking Gubbi’s early contributions to scientific literature.

(01:01:26) Personal ethos and conservation

Gubbi discusses the ongoing struggle between scientific pursuits and personal ethos in conservation work. He emphasises the challenges of balancing time between science, conservation, and community-based efforts. Further, he highlights the importance of long-term, focussed landscape conservation, acknowledging the trade-offs in scientific validity and personal principles. He expresses reluctance to engage in activities involving killing or harm to animals.