Are We Destroying Nature in the Name of Development? | Ravi Chellam
Why did India bring African cheetahs to Kuno? What happened to India's original Asiatic cheetahs? And can environmental destruction really be called “development”?In this episode of The Open Talk Show, Shahin Shah sits down with wildlife biologist and conservation scientist Dr. Ravi Chellam for a wide-ranging conversation about India's wildlife, conservation, development, and our relationship with nature.Dr. Ravi Chellam discusses the controversial African cheetah translocation project, the Supreme Court's 2013 judgment concerning Kuno and the proposed translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir, and his concerns about how the cheetah programme has subsequently developed.The conversation goes far beyond cheetahs.We discuss India's forests, grasslands and rivers, Delhi's air pollution, human-wildlife conflict, elephants and their ecological importance, economic growth, technology and AI, mental health among younger generations, money, happiness, friendship, success and what human beings need to understand about their place in nature.Dr. Chellam also shares his personal journey—from growing up in Chennai and initially wanting to become a doctor to discovering wildlife research and eventually building a career in wildlife biology and conservation.Some of the biggest questions explored in this episode:• Why did India bring African cheetahs to Kuno?• What happened to India's Asiatic cheetahs?• What did the Supreme Court say about Kuno and Asiatic lions?• Can destroying forests be called development?• Why are clean air and clean water fundamental to our future?• Why do elephants come into conflict with humans?• What role do animals, insects, plants and microorganisms play in ecosystems?• Is unlimited economic growth realistic?• Could AI and automation create new challenges for employment?• Why is mental health a major concern for the next generation?• Does money actually create happiness?• How should young people define success?• What exactly is wildlife biology?This is a conversation about wildlife—but ultimately, it is also a conversation about human beings and the kind of future we are creating.Watch the full episode and share your thoughts in the comments:Can economic development and environmental conservation truly coexist?Subscribe to The Open Talk Show for more thoughtful, unfiltered conversations.Hosted by Shahin ShahThe Open Talk Show“Talk Your Thoughts”