Intriguers of Safari: Guides of Gir Forest

Design Project 1 at NID - A Photographic Research Project on theme "Communities". The community that I choose to engage with during the project was Forest Guides of Gir National Park, Gujarat.

AIM

This project aims towards exploring forest guide community who helps people to track the wild animals at Gir National Park, Gujarat and their relationship with surrounding temporal space, tourists, wildlife, forest authorities, economy and among themselves and also delves into the private life of some of the guides.

SURVEY

I drove 400 Km to Gir National Park from Gandhinagar (Gujarat) on my motorcycle and stayed there for around a fortnight and conducted my research. Every guide has his/her own story to tell of their encounters in the forest, strained relationship with forest authorities, including their struggle of covid-19 lockdown.

During my research I didn't came across any book or reference based on forest guide community. This, perhaps could be the first of its kind.

ACHIVEMENT

This project was selected & exhibited in Annual Design Show at National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION