The ethical birding guide Does such a mythical creature exist? Over nearly two decades, Subbu and I have been extremely lucky with our guides - we consider bird guides to be knowledgeable, resourceful and trustworthy, and we are extremely respectful of them. We also believe that they are not as fortunate as us in the societal hierarchy, and therefore, have always been extremely generous in remunerating them. We have our regular and loyal guides in most places which we visit frequently. Guides have rarely disowned us, treated us badly or reneged on their commitment. Yet, I think our luck with guides has started to run out...... I suppose a guides evolution is merely a reflection of the trends in our society. We share a symbiotic relationship, and yet birders, who are plain hobbyists, dictate the terms to a working guide. We tell them to play bird calls unnecessarily and repeatedly. We make them flash powerful torches on nocturnal birds. We tell them to take us to nesting sites. We cajole them to bend, if not break, a few rules. We goad them to do a bit of gardening around nests or perches, so that we get unhindered images. We expect them to bait birds with fruits, seeds, meat, live prey or whatever necessary, to take that mind blowing shot. We tell them to shoo away the birds, break strategic perches, or sadly, even trample the nests after us, lest our rivals get the same or better images! We allow some snooty guides to racially discriminate against us in our own country, where they prefer white skins over us! So, why do WE expect ethical behaviour from guides? For them, its pure commerce! The more birds we can see and photograph, the better the chances of gratuities and future referrals...... This year, bad guides seem to be falling on us from the skies! Guides in Ladakh and Thattekad (Kerala) have been unscrupulous and shameless, providing indifferent and inefficient service. A guide in Masinagudi who routinely charges Rs.500 a day charged us Rs.2500 for two half sessions, and we had no choice but to fork it out of our reluctant wallets. Our proposed guide in Arunachal has backed out on us in favour of overseas clients, though he had verbally agreed to us SIX months ahead of our travel dates. Our Andaman guide avoids our calls and dilly daliies on his commitment after promising us. Despondency and persecution complex is sinking in, as we are wondering if we are the only victims of such unethical guides? If not, and it is a disease affecting ALL of us, are we willing to take the call and boycott such unscrupulous guides? Will our halcyon days with guides ever come back? Painted Bush Quail, Munnar, Kerala, October 20, 2014, pic by P V Subramaniam
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 03:00:27 +0000
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