India is fortunate in having a great range of biogeographic regions that support a vast variety of plant and animal life. Among the most interesting of these are the mighty Himalayas, its foothills, and the adjoining terai and duar grassland-forests. The flora and fauna of these areas have long fascinated explorers, scientists, writers and artists, and the literature on the subject is extensive.

Ashok Shantilal Kothari studied at Sir Charles Watson High School, Deesa (North Gujarat), Elphinstone College, Mumbai, and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal where he completed his MBBS. After serving in various Mumbai hospitals he has for the last 43 years been in active medical practice in Juhu and Santacruz.

Boman Framji Chhapgar, aged 81 and a renowned thalassographer, was curaror of the Taraporevala Aquarium from 1959 ro 1965 and Research Officer-in-Charge of the Taraporevala Marine Biological Station in 1973. A prolific writer, he has authored 13 books and over 100 scientific papers and popular articles.