Bridging the Nature-Culture Divide

Bridging the Nature-Culture Divide

MAHENDRA

Hover over the plus signs to learn more about Mahendra's research project!

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Image conceptualisation by Mahendra,

redrawn by Aswathy

Thus began the process of knowing more about both: understanding the animal in question as well as the people they are in a relation with. The artificial boundaries that were created in my mind began slowly falling apart (not completely), bit by bit- The dualities of wilderness and civilization, of nature and culture began to fade.

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My research project seeks to understand what shapes human behaviour towards wildlife and wildlife conservation. When I started conceptualising my research study, I was a little bewildered about how to understand “distant people” and their relation to a “distant animal” present underwater in their locale. Interestingly, initially, for me, both these people and these animals was the “other” to be studied.

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They have a special place in our minds, existence and our collective consciousness which impacts the way we treat them or deal with them.

Image conceptualisation by Mahendra,

redrawn by Aswathy

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Now, after spending time in my field site, and reflecting about the relationship of these underwater animals and their relationship with people, I feel closer to the human communities that I studied. Animals also exist in a continuum with us, there is no rigid boundary that separates the human from the non-human. Humans impact the behaviour and ecology of animals as much as animals shape our behaviour and ecology. Animals even enter our culture and take special positions at times of reverence as well as the villains in some cases. Animals have always had special significance in most human societies as seen in our religious symbols, revered and feared simultaneously.

The process of knowing brought me closer to human communities.

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While during other times, it brought me closer to communities and individuals underwater.

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I think my journey of knowing the ‘other’ better is a never ending quest and I am excited about what I will uncover.

About Mahendra

Mahendra is a PhD scholar at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. He works on the human- fish relationship.