Dear Friends of Central India’s Trees, Tribes & Tigers,

I apologise for the long silence, but I hope you can all understand that life has been somewhat confused and uncertain since my departure from Palace Kawardha in September of 2001. I have also been working for other people, which left absolutely no time for me, or what I should have been concentrating on, even in the off-season!.

Quite frankly I have been feeling very unsure as to which direction my life should follow, and hesitant of starting all over again in a new project. All that negativity was not helping me to move forward at all, nor was it of any value to the positive survival of the people, animals and natural world I think of constantly -The Baigas, Gonds, Tigers and the jungles of this region.

Change is healthy, so they say, and it is definitely what is required at this particular moment in my life. After spending many hours with Kanha’s wonderful people, and re-visiting Chapri, Bhoremdeo and Sarodadadar again after 4 years, I feel that I still have the same level of passion & the capability to make a significant difference to the lives of Baiga & Gond communities. In fact, I feel even more determined than ever to put my past experiences to work positively to support them all, while encouraging a determination within them to once again be the co- protectors of the Tigers & Sal /Bamboo jungles of central India that has been their world for centuries. Marginalization has caused resentment and an apathetic attitude to creep into the hearts of these gentle, earth -bound souls, but they all agree that without the Tigers & jungles in and around Kanha life will not be worth anything.

The realization that I still have a great deal to do has only come about due to having support and encouragement from the most patient and loving friends anyone could wish for while circumstances contributed to making my personal life tumultuous, and my feelings of self-worth lay in tatters. I thank you all most sincerely for everything you have contributed to my new resolve. Apologies for being a damp squib for so long.

For further details relating to my new project/life goals, please see the attached documentation. I look forward to hearing your views and gaining your support.

Yours faithfully

Margie Watts-Carter
For & on behalf of “SHANTI BAGH” – Kanha’s Tree, Tribe & Tiger Foundation.