Panther On The Prowl

Panther the fleeting phantom of the forest-despite its bewitching beauty and fascinating finesse has been living virtually in the shadow of its bigger cousins, the lion and the tiger. In this book the author has attempted to unmask the colourful glory and graceful gait of this secretive animal which has remained hidden from public gaze by its studied reserve and sworn seclusion.

M.D. Chaturvedi was the first Indian Inspector General of Forests to have acquired training at Oxford in 1923. He has written a number of papers on forestry and wildlife for national and international journals. His article on khedda operations in Mysore was published in the journal National Geographic in 1953.

Shri M.D. Chaturvedi (1897-1968) has been a legendary personality in the forestry field. He was selected for the Indian Forest Service in 1920 after it was opened to Indians for the first time. He was trained at Oxford where he topped the list and was awarded scholarship for the year and allowed to stay at Oxford for a year more for research work on 'Measurement of Cubical Contents of the Forest Crops'. The result was published as an Oxford University memoir and provided guidance to higher workers in forestry in India and elsewhere. Shri Chaturvedi was allotted the UP cadre of the service where he worked with distinction in various positions, viz. Divisional Forest Officer, Conserva tor of Forests and Chief Conservator of Forests. For some time he worked as head of the newly created Rural Devel opment Department of the province. Shri Chaturvedi was loved, adored and respected by high and low alike. Even the British co-workers acknowl edged and admitted his capabilities. To his service col leagues and friends he was known as 'Guruji'. He was not only a pillar of strength against which the needy leaned in their hour of distress but was also the moving spirit for his colleagues in the march ahead.

**Contents and Sample Pages**