5 Books Related to Indian Wildlife That Every Wildlife Lover Should Have

1. The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali

By NIHAL JABIN

Salim Ali, also lovingly known as the "Birdman of India" was an expert ornithologist whose contribution towards the classification and research on Indian birds is highly treasured to this date. He is credited with popularizing ornithology in India. Salim Ali's "The Book of Indian Birds" is a handy guide for all those who wish to venture out to observe the vibrant and unique birds of India. Both beginners and experts in the field of ornithology find this book very useful in their bird-watching tours in the country. The book is constantly updated, keeping the original text by Salim Ali along with new additions mentioning newly discovered bird species and more information. Illustrations accompanying the descriptions are a great aid to the avid birders. 

2. The Jim Corbett Omnibus by Jim Corbett

                         By Dibyendu Ash [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps no one described the wild beauty of the Indian forests as perfectly as Jim Corbett. This British-Indian hunter turned conservationist of the early 20th century, was one of the most daring men of his time. At a time when hundreds of villagers in the northern Himalayan foothill region of India were victimized by some of the fiercest man-eating tigers of the region, Corbett managed to save the people by hunting down these tigers. However, Corbett was never a ruthless killer. He reverence for nature and her creatures is clearly visible in his accounts of the same. Through his writing, he manages to influence his readers to develop a sense of love and respect for the wildlife of India. Corbett's accounts of his encounters with the man-eater tigers of Kumaon and the man-eating leopard of Rudraprayag still sends shivers down the spine of all who read this book. The Jim Corbett's omnibus is an unputdownable book that introduces readers to Indian jungles in the early 20th century, the fierce predators that roamed there, the unique sights and sounds of the jungle and the mysterious man-eaters of the region. 

3. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling transports you to a fantasy world, a world based in the Indian jungle where a young human boy is brought up by a group of doting animal guardians. The boy, Mowgli, is the protagonist of the story. He is well-loved by all the animals. Bagheera, the panther, Baloo, the bear, Akela and Raksha, the wolves, are Mowgli's closest friends and protectors in the jungle. Mowgli, however, has a dreaded enemy, the deadly Sher Khan, the tiger. Sher-Khan refuses to accept a "man-cub" as an inhabitant of the jungle and wishes to kill him off. However, the other animals refuse to allow Sher Khan to capture Mowgli. The story of the Jungle Book thus describes the life of Mowgli, his animal friends and foes in the jungle and how he manages to save himself from the deadly clutches of Sher Khan.

4. The Kenneth Aderson Omnibus by Kenneth Anderson

By Yathin S Krishnappa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kenneth Anderson's narratives of the Indian forests and its plethora of species is unparalleled. He describes his face-to-face encounters with the jungle's inhabitants in a manner that create vivid imagery in the mind's eye. He teaches the readers that the rules of the jungle must be maintained at all times. Once broken it can turn out to be lethal. Anderson also describes the lives of the Indian people living at the fringes of the jungle and their relations with the forest and its species. Like Corbett, Anderson's writings also inculcate a sense of respect for the forest and its creatures.

5. The Way of the Tiger: Natural History and Conservation of the Endangered Big Cat by Ullas Karanth

By Paul Mannix [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

All you know about this majestic creature of the Indian wilds: the Royal Bengal Tiger, is very well presented by Ullas Karanth in this book. He not only describes the habits and habitats of the striped beauty but also mentions its vital role in the forests of India. In India, saving the tiger means saving the entire forest ecosystem. Using spectacular imagery and detailed descriptions Karanth reveals all you need to know about this creature. He also clearly mentions the threats faced by this animal and the conservation efforts needed to save the tiger.