After a hiatus of 18 years, the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department has recognised the creator of the well-known logo of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR).
The artist, B.C. Ajith Kumar, is a user experience designer with information technology-major Infosys since 1999. A wildlife enthusiast, Mr. Ajith had participated in a tiger census in PTR in 1998.
He designed the logo for free at the suggestion of the then wildlife warden James Zachariah.
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Senior Forest officials in charge of the reserve, notable among them O.P. Kaler, Nirmal John and Bennichan Thomas, approved of the design. However, the logo came into use only several years later.
Accidental discovery
His job took Ajith out of Kerala and his forest jaunts became a rarity. In 2012, Ajith and his ‘techie friends’ visited PTR again.
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He was surprised to see his design used on PTR letter pads, website, caps, stickers, coffee mugs and T-shirts.
He petitioned the Forest Department. In 2013, the department replied that PTR had been awarded the best Protected Area (PA) in the country and the judges had specially commended its logo.
It asked Mr. Ajith to forward all documents pertaining to his claim. He did and promptly forgot the matter.
On October 5, Mr. Ajith received a surprise communication from Sanjayankumar, Deputy Director, Project Tiger.
It was a ‘Letter of Appreciation’ in which the department placed on record the techie’s ‘creativity in terms of the PTR logo.’ The framed letter occupies a pride of place in his living room. He has dedicated the honour to his friends and colleagues in Infosys.