BAAGH Tiger -- The Inside Story: A captivating wildlife thriller that roars for conservation
Abhishek Ray's book is a captivating story blending wildlife adventure, crime, and conservation. It follows Jaggu, a tribesman torn between his poaching heritage and a growing commitment to protecting tigers. The book exposes the brutal reality of the global tiger trade while inspiring hope for change through Jaggu's transformative journey. "Baagh" is lbeing auded by celebrities and conservationists alike for its powerful storytelling and urgent message.
BAAGH Tiger -- The Inside Story -- is an insightful and engaging story which seamlessly blends wildlife, crime, action, adventure, and contraband. It is a story based on true incidents, and mirrors the striped big cat's struggle for survival against all odds in a landscape where humans rule.
Abhishek Ray's book is being hailed as the real Jungle Book of today. The book takes us on a journey from the dry plains of the Deccan to the lush green Sal forests, with crazy car chases through the buzzing bylanes of Kathmandu and yak caravans crossing the snowy Himalayan passes. As the story travels, it reveals the deep, dark world of illegal tiger poaching and trafficking -- which currently is the third-largest illicit trade in the world.
The protagonist of the novel is Jaggu, a Bavaria tribesman from central India. He is born into a family of poachers and as he grows up, the man is torn between an ancestral past which is violent and his deep realization about wildlife conservation. The erstwhile poacher turns against his clan, and becomes a true protector of the wild. While beautifully portraying the internal strife in Jaggu's mind, the story brings to the fore the courage and determination of the tribesman. The inward journey of Jaggu has a profound depth and intensity. At the end, we are prompted to ask ourselves: Isn't flora and fauna the basis of all life? Haven't we come too far on a wrong road? Shouldn't we retrace our steps? Aren't we running out to time to save the planet? With its powerful storytelling, BAAGH gives us enough reasons to take a deep look into our relationship with nature and how it needs to be rethought.
Overwhelming response
The book is receiving overwhelming response with not just conservation enthusiasts but common readers, including noted personalities in the music industry, as well. It has been dubbed as "real and raw” by Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, while singer Sonu Nigam says: "Be prepared for a vivid, dramatic trek through thrilling storytelling, drenched in truth and fact-finding.” Singer Shaan says, "The story is gripping and inspiring with researched facts and truths. The way Abhishek describes of pain and despair of a mother tigress is so real, so alive.” GS Bharadwaj, ADG Project Tiger and Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), says: "May this riveting book ignite a spark for conservation in our coming generations." IBCA Director General SP Yadav has dubbed the book as having "a spiritual message for humanity”.
About Abhishek Ray
Abhishek Ray is a noted Indian film composer, playback singer, filmmaker and a wildlife conservationist. He is known for composing music for award winning and superhit Bollywood films like ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, ‘Welcome Back’ ,' I am Kalam', ’Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster’, ‘Haasil’, ‘Shagird’ and many others. Ray has won worldwide acclaim for investing all his savings and creating Sitabani Wildlife Reserve by rewilding an entire barren hill close to Corbett Park. Today, it is India’s first private wildlife haven with wild tiger and leopard presence along with 300 bird species. He has also created, sung and composed India’s National Cheetah anthem and Tiger Anthem for the NTCA.