Coming home to nature

There is so little that we know about the world of nature around us. That's sad because it is only through knowledge that we can understand, and hence love and protect." This is the central tenet of Mike Pandey's life, the belief that underlies his acclaimed films and documentaries on wildlife and conservation.

It's an ethos that's stamped all over the Pandey family home in Delhi's Chirag Enclave area. Concern for the environment, for maintaining harmony between the built area and surrounding nature, and respect for all life forms is evident everywhere.

The main living space is one big flowing area that sweeps into the dining space and an open kitchen in one corner. It's got comfortable, lived-in sofas, divans and stools scattered around in two separate sitting areas and one, slightly-raised platform built into the wall and covered with bright throws and pillows which makes for a lovely nook.

This is set apart by one of four old pillars that the Pandeys have salvaged from a house being demolished in Gujarat. Huge, glass-plated windows shorn of curtains and grills give the space an open aspect, with only light bamboo chiks to keep out the bright glare of the afternoon sun.

The room opens out into a small patio in front with two large neem trees, among other potted plants and creepers, which provide shade and also some privacy to this room that looks out on the street. "Look," Pandey says, pointing to a branch of one tree, "that's quite a rare bird in these parts