Naseem Khan - Session 01, 2024-08-13

Naseem Khan was a driver in Dudhwa National Park from 1976 to 2013. In this interview, he shares about his career spanning four decades, beginning from his early childhood, growing up in Mala forest of Pilibhit and being recruited in Dudhwa after completing his Intermediate college. He recollects the most memorable moments and close encounters with large carnivores. His account includes descriptions of the Dudhwa landscape and its ranges, recollections of colleagues and conservationists, and reflections on issues such as poaching, trafficking, and human–wildlife conflict. He also discusses his encounters with dacoits, his interactions with foreign tourists and his progression to becoming a bird guide.

He also speaks of rhino translocation into the park from Assam and Nepal and his re-discovery of the Bengal florican and Hispid hare in Dudhwa. He comments on ecological changes in Dudhwa, including the decline of animal populations and grassland conditions, and mentions management measures that proved effective. He shares about the history of forest infrastructure, and the shift of former hunters toward conservation. Concluding with reflections on his 37-year career, he recalls significant experiences, acknowledges contributions of officers involved in protecting the park, and offers observations and recommendations for the future of conservation in the region. He remembers his early days as a driver in Dudhwa and reminisces more instances of close encounters with tigers and elephants. He shares his tested survival techniques in such cases. He also speaks of the awards he received for his efforts towards conservation and recalls his interactions with RL Singh. Closing the interview, he shares his opinion on the rights of tribal people in the forests and advocates for matching new IFS trainees’ roles to their observed interests.

File 1

(00:00:36) Background of the speaker, his early life, memories from his childhood spent in Maala forest in Pilibhit division, his love for wildlife and forests, moving to Dudhwa and his work in the 1970s.

(00:14:04) Management of forests in the 70s and 80s, his career as a jeep driver for tourists, reminiscing about an encounter with a tiger during the tiger census of 1996, and receiving a Bravery Award for the same in Delhi.

(00:23:44) Description of Dudhwa landscape, and its ranges. The memories of Billy Arjan Singh, and Ram Lakhan Singh. Problems of poaching and trafficking in the past, and increasing number of man-eating tigers in the late 1970s, recounting the incident of a tiger killing Range Officer SD Singh in 1984.

(00:46:36) The period of dacoit presence and activity in Dudhwa National Park, and his personal experience with dacoits. Explaining the post of a Wildlife Guard in the past and its history during the period of permitted hunting. On learning birdwatching from the tourists and becoming a bird guide.

(00:55:51) Bringing female rhinos from Assam in 1984 and later from Nepal in 1985, and an electrified rehabilitation area for rhinoceros in Belrayan Range. Reminiscing about his re-discovery of Bengal florican and Hispid hare in the 1980s. Discussion on the declining trend of animal populations and grassland quality since the 1990s. His suggestion for grassland management in a meeting that proved successful.

(01:10:10) His experience with Ravi Sankaran, and description of his work with the Bengal floricans in Dudhwa. Sharing about the search for Hispid hare by sampling for its droppings in around 1981, and the first sighting of Hispid hare in 1997-98. Discussion on other rare species in the landscape. Speaking of his relationship with Billy Arjan Singh.

(01:20:26) A second incident of being charged by a tigress, and recounting an incident of countering elephant attack. Migration of elephants into Dudhwa from Nepal. Forest guest houses from the British period, their maintenance, and occupation of some by dacoits.

(01:30:57) Discussion on how the royalty who were hunters became the protectors of wildlife. Description of Gori Shah fort, the annual carnival held near the fort since the British period, ancient coins found in Shalukapu, graves in Dudhwa, untimely demise of HDO Singh, and swamp deer populations and distribution.

(01:42:21) Most memorable moments from his 37-year long career, injuries suffered by a bear attack on a birding trip. His memories of escorting dignitaries on a tour of Dudhwa. Officers who contributed highly to the conservation of the Park, and his suggestions for future efforts for conservation.

File 2

(00:00:00) Sharing how hardworking people are in Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. Speaking of his first salary, and details of his work as a driver, making multiple trips for various purposes in the forest.

(00:03:31) Reminiscing about times he was charged by an elephant or was in close quarters with tigers and sharing ways to survive in the forest. Sharing about the awards he has received over the course of his career for his efforts in conservation.

(00:13:59) Remembering his last meeting with RL Singh, his opinion on the matching of the IFS officers’ interests with their responsibilities.