Since early childhood, Sohail Madan recalls stopping at gas stations to clean insects off car windshields. He notes that there were many such insects back then, and everyone did it.
Today, that scene seems distant. He received an engineering education and built a career in Silicon Valley. However, coding on the computer stopped seeming like the right choice for him. A trip to a self-sufficient farm in Santa Cruz changed his perception of what he desired.
He remembers working near a chicken coop and realizing how much he enjoyed spending time outdoors, doing physical labor, and being close to nature. This helped him make his decision. Observing children exploring the farm also clarified his choice; he saw himself in those children who were fascinated by dirt, insects, and plants. Soon, he left his engineering career.
In 2010, Sohail joined the Bombay Natural History Society and spent 13 years working on nature conservation projects. In April 2023, he founded the WildTales Foundation. His efforts have begun to contribute to the return of nature to forests and communities.
Finding native plants was a difficult task because nurseries preferred ornamental species. Therefore, Sohail and his colleagues created a local nursery that now produces nearly 10 lakh saplings annually. This is especially important for the Common Mormon butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on curry leaves. If curry leaves disappear from the area, the butterfly cannot simply move to another ornamental plant.
This idea led to the implementation of the 'Delhi Butterfly Corridor' project. Under this project, schools, parks, hospitals, societies, and private homes plant native species, creating intermediate points that help butterflies move across the city.
Madan advises that creating such a garden does not require a large area. He recommends abandoning chemical pesticides, growing native plants, ensuring year-round water availability, planting bird-friendly plants, and allowing some areas to remain untidy. He believes that the healthiest gardens are not always the neatest, as fallen leaves, wild grasses, and natural growth can serve as shelter for insects and improve soil. Sometimes, in his opinion, one needs to take a step back.
Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of involving oneself in the process: 'If you are creating a butterfly garden, leave space for yourself in it. Put a chair there. Have your morning tea there,' he says. The more we pay attention to nature, the more connected we become to it.'
