Nachiket Sharma 2019 Commended
The road to Jilling. A cobbled mud path leads to a 2 km uphill walk. The lack of a motor able road has helped Jilling survive so far. At 6500 ft above sea level, Jilling still preserves an untouched eco system with flora and fauna in abundance. © Nachiket Sharma
The old guard. Former fighter pilot Steve Lall on a regular Jungle patrol. Steve loves the surviving oak forest and he guards them with his life. He believes that quick-growing species like pines lead to mono cultural man-made forests which eventually deplete the soil and lead to topsoil erosion. © Nachiket Sharma
The fence. It's been 48 years since Steve came to Jilling and set roots. The walls and fencings were more symbolic then. The walls were like winding tales and the fences were friendly. But, the times, ‘they are a changing now.’ © Nachiket Sharma
Simple technology. Thanks to global warming, snowfall in Jilling has receded and it's the monsoon rain which recharges the forest. Rainwater is preserved in huge tanks for daily chores. For Steve, saving water is not rocket science, but simple technology. © Nachiket Sharma
Mountain on fire. A casually thrown cigarette butt, an unattended fire added with summer heat and highly inflammable pine needles turns the forest into an inferno. © Nachiket Sharma
Burned to death. Vegetation fights for life around a dead tree. Forest fires destroy the ecosystem, killing birds, insects, butterflies and other animals. © Nachiket Sharma
The scars. Realtors cut trees and mountainsides to make roads and resorts a few hundred meters away from Jilling. Once the trees are cut the soil becomes loose and landslides become a common sight. © Nachiket Sharma
The tribute. A mountain Lily flower pays tribute to the trunk of a tree chopped off by wood thieves. © Nachiket Sharma
Jungle Jazz. When Steve is not patrolling the forests, he enjoys old jazz numbers on his trombone. © Nachiket Sharma
The border. The forest which Steve protects ends at the ridge. Steve and his dog Jhalua rest and take a breather. © Nachiket Sharma
The cry. A dying Oak tree at the ridge reaches for the moon. © Nachiket Sharma
The ridge. Steve and Titli take a last look at the ridge slopes before heading back home. © Nachiket Sharma
The Maverick and the Mountain
This project concerns the life of an ex Indian Air Force pilot who gave up city life and moved to the wilderness of Kumaon mountains in the Himalayas almost 40 years back. He settled there and became a conservationist looking after the Oak forest and resident wildlife
in the area.
About the Photographer
Nachiket Sharma is a 16 year old photographer from India. He was the Runner Up (13-18 Youth Category) of CBRE – the Urban Photographer of the Year in 2018. His series ‘Peacock Dancers’ has been selected for the UNESCO – Youth Lens on the Silk Roads Travelling Exhibition in 2019. Sharma currently studies in Grade XII in The Mother’s International School, Sri Aurobindo Marg in New Delhi.