The Wild Paradise



India, a sea of humanity,
but so rich in biodiversity.
                Habitats support many a mammal,
                conserved by traditions sustainable.
The national animal, Tiger,
its favourite food, the Sambar.
                Spotted Deer in forest glens,
                Nilgai on the vast plains.
Blackbuck, Chinkara on the grasslands,
Hangul, Sangai in the highlands.
                Lions only in the Gir forest,
                Leopards flourish even in non-forest.
Sloth Bear, Gaur in hilly woodland,
Himalaya is the Snow Leopard land.
                Ganpati devotion guards the Jumbos,
                Terai arc shelters the Rhinos.
Wild Dog, a ferocious hunter,
Giant Squirrel, expert tree climber.
                Wild Asses gallop in the west,
                Wolves wander in hungry quest.
Gangetic Dolphins in northern rivers,
most wetlands have playful Otters.
                Barking Deer, solitary and shy,
                Nilgiri Tahr inhabits mountains high.
Wild Buffaloes in the east,
Golden Jackal, a clever beast.
                The extinct Cheetah, do not forget,
                What remains, we should protect.

--- Atul Sathe
(© All publishing rights with the author – Contact: atulsathe@yahoo.com)

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