#2 The Roots of Wanderlust — A Young Explorer’s Awakening
Bangalore’s chaos was my playground, but the serene Western Ghats taught me the true power of nature. Here’s how I found my inner explorer.
̶M̶y̶ ̶j̶o̶u̶r̶n̶e̶y̶ ̶b̶e̶g̶a̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶s̶k̶i̶r̶t̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶B̶a̶n̶g̶a̶l̶o̶r̶e̶,̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶i̶t̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶n̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶l̶e̶e̶p̶s̶ ̶.̶ Okay, hang on a sec.
I lied a teensy-tiny bit.
My journey didn’t exactly start in BLR. Before I moved to the city in 2nd grade, I had already lived in four different cities. My family roots trace back to the deserts of Rajasthan, especially Jaisalmer, where my ancestors were nomads. Maybe it’s something instinctual? I’ve lived in 9 cities so far. But Bangalore was indeed the first place I could call home consciously, so stay with me for the narrative 😛
Bangalore, India’s Garden City, with its crazy blend of tradition and modernity, was the perfect backdrop for a young mind eager to learn and explore. The city’s eclectic environment — from street markets to tech parks — served as my first classroom, instilling in me a keen sense of observation and an insatiable curiosity.
Although Bangalore’s chaos taught me a great many things about city life, some of my most cherished childhood memories were formed in the serene expanse of the Western Ghats. Growing up, my family and I often escaped the city’s hustle and bustle to explore the lush green landscapes of Kerala. These trips were mini-expeditions into a world vastly different from the urban sprawl I was used to.
In the Ghats, every hike through the dense forests and every wildlife spotting was an adventure. I remember the thrill of seeing animals in their natural habitat — elephants roaming freely, exotic birds adorning the treetops, and even an elusive leopard! These moments were enchanting, etching a deep love for wildlife and wilderness in me. As a young boy, the adventure seeker in me couldn’t wait to go back.
Science Bite: The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot, home to an incredible range of flora and fauna. What makes this place so special? It’s the endemism — species found nowhere else on Earth. This is due to its unique climate and geography, which create isolated pockets where species evolve independently. It’s like nature’s own version of a secret garden.
They are often called the ‘Great Escarpment of India,’ and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. This range is one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity. Imagine walking through a forest where every step could bring you face-to-face with species like the Nilgiri tahr or the mischievous lion-tailed macaque (I love monkeys) that exist nowhere else on the planet. That’s the magic of the Ghats — a natural evolution lab.
As I grew older, this connection to nature only deepened. Our family had to give away our TV when I was in the 6th grade, drastically changing my relationship with technology. Yet, whenever I got the chance to watch TV after that, I was glued to National Geographic or Discovery Channel. The world these channels unveiled was mesmerizing — a world of dense jungles, diverse ecosystems, and untold stories of the wild. I spent hours dreaming of being part of a crew, exploring and documenting the secrets of the jungles.
However, it wasn’t until an incident near home that I realized the impact we have on our environment.
Growing up, my life was a simple yet fulfilling routine. Each day after school, I’d do my homework, join my friends for a game of soccer, and end up at the local bakery, where we’d drink a glass of ice-cold Pepsi and playfully roast each other. This was the essence of my childhood — carefree, filled with small joys, and grounded in the sense of community that Bangalore effortlessly cultivated.
However, my untroubled world was soon to face a harsh reality.
I lived near Bellandur Lake, the largest lake in the city, which I passed by daily. One day, something unusual caught my eye — a massive foam formation, covering the lake’s surface. At first, I thought it was a giant bubble bath. It looked fascinating, almost magical to my young eyes, until a stray bubble landed on me, emanating a horrible stench. Ew. This was no ordinary foam; it was the byproduct of harmful chemicals being dumped into the lake daily. The realization hit hard — my city’s beloved lake was dying.
The shock turned into action when a few friends and I decided we couldn’t just stand by. What was once a source of community pride became a site of environmental crisis. This was a jarring contrast to the natural beauty I had experienced in the Ghats and seen on screen. We joined forces with a local movement, organizing a fundraiser and lake clean-up drive named Bellandur Kere Habba.
Kere Habba means Lake Festival in Kannada. It symbolizes our efforts to make the lake a source of pride and joy once again. This grassroots effort was my first real step into the world of environmental conservation, a world where I learned that the preservation of nature wasn’t just a distant dream seen on TV, but an actual, pressing need in my own backyard. I didn’t know it then, but it was a defining moment in my life, shaping my understanding of how interconnected we are with our environment. It planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong passion for nature and its preservation.
The movement was a massive success, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.
Science Bite: Addressing the pollution in lakes like Bellandur requires a multifaceted approach and a long-term solution. One killer idea? Turning the sewage lipids into biodiesel. Here’s the lowdown: use advanced centrifuges called tricanters to yank out the fats from the wastewater before it reaches the clarifier. The extracted lipids can then be converted into biodiesel through a chemical process known as transesterification. This not only slashes the pollution in the lakes but also churns out a renewable, biodegradable, and low-cost fuel. Cleaning up our lakes and powering our lives — all at once. Talk about win-win.
Every small action counts when it comes to protecting our environment.
Have you ever taken part (or wanted to) in a community clean-up or environmental initiative? Share your stories and let’s inspire each other to make a difference! And if you want to get started — I can show you how!
Coming up: BLR -> YXU
After leaving the busy streets of Bangalore, I headed to the quiet town of London, Ontario, Canada, where I started my higher education and continued exploring the natural world in a whole new setting.
