Mumbai: Delhi’s iconic Auro Kitchen Bar recently came alive with the award-winning ‘Echoes of Earth’ music festival, held this Friday, November 15th. The event celebrated the city’s rich biodiversity and showcased the evolving ecosystems of Delhi throughout the changing seasons.
The evening kicked off with a thought-provoking panel discussion hosted by ‘WWF-India’, the festival’s conservation knowledge partner. The discussion explored the critical role of trees in urban ecosystems and highlighted the seasonal changes trees undergo. Experts shared insights into nurturing and protecting trees, emphasising their beauty and ecological significance for future generations.
The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Neha Sinha, conservation biologist and Head of Conservation Partnerships at ‘WWF-India’, and Anita Mani, author and publisher at ‘Indian Pitta Books’. Vijay Dhasmana, eco-restoration and rewilding practitioner, moderated the engaging session.
Mani highlighted the importance of reviving habitats for endangered species, stating, “Nostalgic questions such as ‘where have the sparrows gone’ are ironic, as we have relentlessly removed their habitats with our hedge-less manicured gardens and glass-fronted buildings that lack the niches and corners they need for nesting. If we revive their habitats, they will return.”
Sinha followed up, adding, “There used to be a certain Delhi aesthetic. A house with a garden and a creeper on the side of the building. That sustained ants and birds and small animals. Today we have blocks of flats and plastic grass. It’s still not too late to convert each garden, verandah and terrace into a refuge for wildlife. Plant native – pipal semal and banyan trees, vajradanti and madhabi lata plants. Reduce chemical use. Let’s have tens of thousands of native gardens in each city, creating a corridor for butterflies, birds, and wild animals.”
Vijay Dhasmana concluded, saying, “Rewilding is gaining momentum, and there is growing awareness about recreating habitats. In our landscapes, native plants play a vital role in establishing such habitats. These native species are highly resilient and remarkably tolerant, offering hope in the face of changing climatic conditions. Delhi is home to more than 235 tree species, making it one of the greenest capitals in the world.”
Conservationist Benhail Antao, best known for hosting National Geographic’s ‘Snakes SOS: Goa’s Wildest’, led an interactive session on coexisting with wildlife. Antao, who has extensive experience rescuing animals, especially snakes, educated attendees on the behaviours and roles of often-misunderstood species in urban settings. He emphasised the importance of empathy in fostering harmonious coexistence with wildlife.
Antao remarked, “We cannot thrive alone as a species; our survival depends on coexisting with all life around us. To coexist, we must empathise—yet empathy cannot flourish where fear reigns. And fear is born from ignorance and misinformation.”
The evening then transitioned into a musical celebration. Zenguin’s soulful melodies provided a serene backdrop, captivating the audience as the night unfolded. The festival reached its zenith with a stunning performance by Vieux Farka Touré, the “Hendrix of the Sahara.” Touré, known for blending traditional African rhythms with jazz and blues, delivered an unforgettable performance, leaving the crowd mesmerised.
Echoes of Earth’s 7th edition continues to champion the intersection of art and activism. By drawing attention to the vital importance of local ecosystems and global conservation efforts, the festival serves as a platform to ignite conversations and inspire action toward environmental preservation. Through its dynamic programming, Echoes of Earth hopes to foster a worldwide community of advocates dedicated to protecting the planet’s future.
