Yercaud science writer sets Wikimedia image upload record

SALEM: A science writer in Yercaud in Salem district has set a record by uploading 25,000 public-information images on Wikimedia Commons.Elango, known as 'Yercaud' Elango, who worked as a botanical assistant with the Botanical Survey of India and retired in 2021, has documented scientific, botanical, zoological and archaeological subjects on Wikimedia Commons since Nov 22, 2014. The Wikimedia Foundation works to make knowledge and data accessible to the public. Contributors from different regions upload and document images and information sought by users. Elango set the record for the highest number of images uploaded on Wikimedia by an individual. As of March 31, he uploaded and documented 25,000 images in 27 subcategories.Elango, who has written more than 300 science articles and 122 science books, told TOI that he had documented the biodiversity, environment, nature and ancient historical monuments of the Yercaud Hills. "Around 16,000 of the images were taken in Yercaud, including photographs of more than 10,000 plants," he said.A photo taken by ElangoHis Wikimedia uploads included images of more than 200 rare, remarkable and endangered plant species. He documented old trees in Yercaud, including a 200-year-old wild mango tree, a 200-year-old naval tree and a 300-year-old Chola vengai tree, the last with a circumference of 60 feet. He has taken and uploaded photos of animals, snakes, birds, insects, butterflies and moths, as well.Elango said he might receive an achievement award during a Wikimedia international conference to be held in Delhi a few months later.