The BERA BOND is a new coffee-table by Sundeep Bhutoria
Story By- Harsh Vardhan
At a time wild Tigers are in chase, Sundeep Bhutoria has engaged Macmillan publishing to sensitise readers about Leopards in Bera landscape.
About Bera and Rebaris
Bera is situated in the Pali district of Rajasthan and is often nicknamed as the ‘Leopard Country’ as it is home to one of the highest densities of leopards.
The 170-page coffee-table book (The BERA BOND) is heavy in content. But it unpacks stark humour about incredible tolerance of local shepherd community called Rebaris.
Their hamlets, agricultural fields, pastures, etc. are guarded by these predators.
“While across the globe, the coexistence of big cats with humans is marked by conflicts, the Leopards and the villagers in Bera have not attacked each other for decades” authoritatively declares this Kolkata based writer.
It has become an absorbing account of all wild big cats in the world. From the male Pasha hiding amidst granite rocks to females like Neelam and Zia, playing hide and seek with overseas and domestic visitors, you read to know more.
Trace leopards at dawn and dusk here!
The text carries an inquisitive reader towards low hills, surrounded by knots of villages and a vast water body called Jawai, having a strong linkage with erstwhile royal family of Jodhpur, nay Marwar. The geography is limited for people. But Leopards find it limit-less. One time nocturnal, now this crafty animal marks its attendance, almost at an appointed hour at dawn and dusk. Like to meet him at a temple? Brilliant photos portray all this.
Villagers treat this wild animal as a divine associate
The rural fate rests on pastoral economy. Leopard’s destiny has to oscillate over the sheep-flocks. He has to stealthily snatch away a lamb to meet both ends meet. The rural folk do not mind the loss. They treat this wild animal as a divine-associate! The writer scratches local vegetation: spider-flowers, wild mushrooms, wild fungus, euphorbia, and thorny acacia trees. The photograph of a sub adult Indian Courser: wonder if any one reported it earlier? Birds at Jawai are named. So are other mammals eg Rusty-spotted Cat.
Meet this conservationist Shatrunjay
Sundeep praises Shatrunjay Pratap Singh, who spread out a rustic-looking yet most luxurious lodge at Bera. Its wondrous location enables you to spot Leopards from one’s room. He is a fierce conservationist and is adamant not to increase room-numbers, seven only! Ethics at cost of revenue. At a young age, he has become an ex situ guardian for this habitat which ironically does not enjoy appropriate regulations. Do what you like here and no entry fee to check you.
An inspirational approach runs through the text to offer tips for other wildlifers. Shatru has received a benign patron in Sundeep who has caused a niche in penmanship-partnership. CP Singh Rathore, Gopal Singh and Umesh Gogna have been acknowledged for their photography. Shatru, his wife, Katyani Kumari and their twins find appreciable mention for their impeccable hospitality and unending smiles. One shall have to visit the scene to understand what is in store.
For a community-led conservation initiative
Sundeep has donned a new attire by embracing wilderness and its denizens. Nearly 40% of his total books revolve around wild species. The Bera Bond is truly a promotional enterprise: “My only intention behind writing this book is to inspire people to save the big cats.” He prefers to dedicate it to Aavya and Manjari. Any reason photos of a few hotels, citation of weddings and personas in attendance, have been laced in? To entice such aficionados in to wildlife conservation?
Summing up this first travelogue treatise on Leopards, the writer sounds an optimistic note, “Bera holds out hope of a remarkable turnaround through a community-led conservation initiative.”
But he also bleeds: Any reason why Bera has not been declared as a Community Reserve to let local stake-holders start receiving economic benefits out of Leopard centric tourism? The answer may lie with good Samaritans in forest department, some cited by him in this text.