CHENNAI: For someone who is passionate about wildlife photography, the chances of making it big in the profession is a humongous task, thanks mainly to the complete apathy of the Forest Department. This is the emotion that came to the fore on Tuesday at a photo exhibition attended by some big names in the field and wildlife enthusiasts. The exhibition was hosted by Dr P Srinivasan, chairman of the Jeevan Blood Bank, who displayed 71 of his photographs, capturing rare moments in the wild across continents, at the Lalit Kala Academy. The proceeds from the sale of photographs will be donated for the treatment of children with blood cancer and thalassemia.
Wildlife cinematographer Alphonse Roy, who inaugurated the exhibition, said that unlike in places like Africa where authorities went out of the way to help passionate photographers capture rare sightings, the Forest Department here was extremely rude to such professionals.
“Access to forests has been made so tough by the department, which has now become the landlord for forest resources in the country,” he said, adding that even Guindy National Park at the heart of Chennai is inaccessible to photographers.
Dr Srinivasan said that in Africa, the officers go out of their way to help photographers. “Just like here, you have to pay a fee. But the services they offer in return are out of this world. They take you to the spots and even help you with positions,” he said.
The doctor said he had rediscovered a passion for wildlife photography after decades and the shots on display were taken after 2008.