For the Forest : With bark and Breath

The Mysuru Literature Festival 2025 turned its gaze toward the wild and the wondrous in a soulful session titled “For the Forest: With Bark and Breath” featuring Stephen Alter, Susheel Gyanchand, and moderator Priya Davidar — a conversation where literature, conservation, and the human-nature bond took center stage.

Susheel Gyanchand opened with a personal story from his school days — a quiet spark that would grow into a lifelong dedication to wildlife. He spoke passionately about his conservation work to protect the Humpback Mahseer, a species of fish pushed to the brink of extinction. He shared gripping accounts of tracking poachers and building awareness to preserve this iconic aquatic giant. His storytelling underscored how everyday choices can shape the future of fragile ecosystems.

Stephen Alter reflected on his travels through India's wild terrains, a journey that inspired his deeply immersive book. Part memoir, part ecological meditation, the work explores the intricate relationship between cultural heritage and biodiversity. He spoke of ancient carvings and cave paintings in the Himalayas that revealed not just animals — but an entire philosophy of coexistence.
“The bond between the hunter and the hunted wasn’t just survival,” he said, “it was mystical — a shared reverence, now lost.”

This session served as a profound reminder that the forest is more than a backdrop — it’s a living story, waiting to be told.

#MysuruLitFest2025 #MysuruLitFest #LiteratureFestival #IndianWriters #NammaMysuru #Books #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers #AuthorLife #WritersOfIndia #FestivalOfWords #BookstagramIndia