Ethical Approach to Herping in India

Photographers and hobbyists may encounter several moral and ethical conundrums when herping, the hobby or practice of finding and photographing animals in their natural habitats. To ensure that no harm is done to the animals being clicked, it is crucial to preserve and safeguard their welfare.

The ideal uses for nature photography are to support conservation initiatives, rather than for personal glory or enjoyment. Therefore, it is important to put the well-being of the animal first while carrying out herping in India through an ethical approach.

India is a land of tremendous diversity

More than 400 species of amphibians and 500 species of reptiles can be found in India. Some of the unforgettable places to find diversity in the above species are the forests of the Western Ghats. Irrespective of whether you are a naturalist, a top wildlife photographer, or an adventurer, several photo ops will present themselves before you in the jungle.

An ethical approach to herping in India is necessary for the following reasons: 

a)    Respect for the animal: Avoid degrading the animal by upsetting it to provoke a response or causing it to pose in a certain way. Keep in mind that the animal will be disrespected and distressed by handling and trophy shots.

b)    Safety for yourself: You must keep yourself safe by not herping alone. Carry a basic first aid kit and your companions' emergency contact information. Furthermore, please don't do anything if it makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel insecure.

c)    Make responsible use of the photos: A photograph can make a big impression even after it has been taken. Unless specific authorisation is granted for a particular purpose (for example, conservation programs), do not make these images and the location publicly available if the subject is endangered and known to be a target of poaching. They may wind up letting poachers know where the animal is. 

Yet another area of sensitivity is an animal consuming a meal. Remember not to disturb a reptile or amphibian in the middle of the above. Similarly, do not disturb an animal participating in various sensitive activities, such as laying of eggs, shedding, mating, and others.

It can be extremely dangerous for the person and the animal - an example is snakes being very dangerous while shedding skin. Get more information from guides at Nature’s Nest.