By Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem
The reason why Nagarahole forest, in particular, was Prof. KV’s favourite destination for his Botanical excursions was because it had as its caretaker and Range Forest Officer, K.M. Chinnappa, a complete outdoors man. So at every visit to Nagarahole, this gentleman would lead our group, pointing out to us the various plants and trees and their characteristics, just like another teacher of Botany. But, unlike our teacher, he would suddenly switch from being teacher of Botany and become a teacher of Zoology, the moment he heard the call of a barbet or langoor, when he would start telling us all about them and their behaviour!
