– Ronita Torcato 

The first issue of ‘Aranya’, a new publication for Gen Z from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of the world’s oldest wildlife research and conservation NGOs, was launched recently during the BNHS Annual General Meeting at its headquarters, Hornbill House. 

Inspired mainly by Dr Asad Rahmani, former director of BNHS, and Katie Bagli, children’s author and nature enthusiast, the journal is a fresh avenue to inspire young minds to connect with nature, wildlife and conservation.

 ‘Aranya’ is a supplement to ‘Hornbill’, the widely known journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which was established in 1883. The society is currently headed by wildlife conservationist and retired IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi as president and Oxford University alumnus Dr Kishore Rithe as director. 

Primarily engaged in natural history and conservation, BNHS also conducts study tours and field trips for amateurs.

A popular quarterly magazine published by BNHS since 1976, Hornbill has carried articles by the conservation and natural history giants of India, including the ‘Bird Man of India’ Salim Ali, Japan-born biologist Humayun Abdulali, renowned ornithologists Zafar Futehally, J.C. Daniels, M. Krishnan, A.J.T. Johnsingh, and Dr Asad Rahmani. The magazine is currently in its 50th year of publication.

Kiran Srivastava says, “Aranya depends on contributors, and kids with a literary bent will certainly find a platform to share their stories and true adventures with other young readers.”

Another member observed, “The ‘Word Search’ on the last page is great, but maybe answers could be revealed in the next issue. It would be nice to keep one more page with puzzles, questions/answers, etc. Again, the pros know best.”

A fairly new member wondered whether it is possible to “make it accessible to Indian children, most of whom do not know English well. A multilingual blog might help. Else, it will be preaching to the converted, namely, the thin layer of the practically Anglophone progeny of urban middle and upper-class parents, who anyway have access to Animal Planet etc on a widescreen TV, richly illustrated books, mags, wildlife tours etc.”

Commendatory comments came from other members. “Lovely nostalgic piece on William, the BNHS mascot,” a life member said.

BNHS vice president and scientist Dr Bharat Bhushan commended Katie Bagli’s article on William as “essential as it marks the curtain raiser for the 50th year of unbroken publication of the Hornbill”.

William was a real-life Great Indian Hornbill who lived on the society’s premises for 26 years (1894 to 1920) and inspired the official logo and mascot of the BNHS, as well as the name of its historic headquarters, Hornbill House. The society’s first magazine is titled ‘Hornbill’ in his honour.