New Delhi : The first pictorial Field Guide to Indian Mammals was launched today by the internationally renowned  field biologist, Dr George Schaller, at a packed ceremony attended by the conservation fraternity who came from far.

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Written by the executive director of the Wildlife Trust of India, Vivek Menon, the book covers 400 mammals. With over 350 colour photographs, illustrations and maps, the Field Guide to Indian Mammals, the first joint imprint of Dorling Kindersley and Penguin India, was launched at the Hotel Metropolitan Nikko, which hosted the ceremony.

‘Many field guides have been coming out on the birds of the Indian subcontinent and continue to appear, but there has not been even one attractive and comprehensive field guide to the mammals of India. This book, the first one in 50 years, is an important addition to the natural history of India,’ Dr Schaller said while releasing the book.

Heavy on information, but low on jargon, the book compiles years of research with inputs from more than thirty reputed field biologists and covers appearance, behaviour, habitat, food habits, conservation status and, most importantly, the best places to see the species. The book’s editorial board consists of venerable names of Indian field biology and zoology like Mr J.C. Daniel, Dr Ajith Kumar, Dr A.J.T. Johnsingh, Dr O.P. Nameer and Dr Anwaraddin Choudhary.

Dr Schaller and Vivek Menon releasing the book

” The book is meant for amateurs as well as anyone interested in wildlife and is written in a way that is easy for everyone to refer to,’ Menon said.

Menon is a conservation biologist and photographer. He has been an Honorary Wildlife Warden of Delhi for the past five years. Although his primary work has been in issues related to CITES and wildlife trade, Menon has founded or co-founded five environmental and conservation organizations in Delhi. Winner of the prestigious Rufford Award for Nature Conservation 2002, he is a member of four specialist groups of the IUCN. His other books include On The Brink, Tusker: the Story of the Asian Elephant, and Heaven, Earth and I.

‘It is a must have for anyone visiting Indian wildlife parks,’ Mohit Agarwal, a wildlife tour designer, said. The Wildlife Trust of India also endorses the book. Written for the interested lay person, the amateur naturalist and the wildlife professional alike, it can be used as a guide on a trip to a sanctuary or as a reference guide in schools, libraries and at homes.