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A half-day 'Sensitization workshop' on the conservation of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) was organized for media and other interested nature lovers jointly by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), The Corbett Foundation (TCF), Sanctuary Nature Foundation, WWF-India and BNHS. The event was supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and WII and hosted by WWF-India in Delhi on February 21, 2019. The Addl. Director General of Forests (Wildlife), Shri. M. S. Negi, graced the occasion along with the Director, WII, Dr. V. B. Mathur, Dr. M. K. Ranjitsinh ji, former Director of Wildlife Preservation and TCF Trustee, and Dr. J. C. Alonso, a global expert on bustard conservation and conservation breeding of bustards. Renowned bustard expert Dr. Asad Rahmani, former Director of BNHS and TCF's Scientific Advisor, also shared his valuable thoughts on the subject.
Scientists from WII, TCF, BNHS and TERI discussed and deliberated on the past, present and future scenarios of bustard conservation in India. Technical views on various topics such as power-line impacts on GIB and mitigation measures, bustard conservation efforts – urgent needs, technological solutions to mitigate power-line threats and global perspective on bustard conservation were presented during the workshop. This was followed by a panel discussion and media interaction. Few representatives from the power sector companies were also present at the workshop. Overall, CONSERVATION EMERGENCY to prevent GIB extinction was flagged during the workshop and grave concern over the delay in implementing bustard conservation measures were expressed by everyone present. The issue of grasslands categorised as 'wastelands' being given away for development was flagged to prevent further depletion of already-shrunk bustard habitat. Experts also flagged the issue of depleting numbers of Lesser Florican, another resident bustard species of India, and appealed to the Government of India to undertake immediate necessary measures to protect this species as well along with the GIB. ADG (Wildlife) assured the gathering of MoEFCC's complete support for GIB conservation!
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A stimulating nature trail in Bandhavgarh buffer zone was a memorable experience for young kids from schools of Government Highschool, Panpatha and Government Intercollege, Tala in Madhya Pradesh.
The trail was a part of ‘National Green Corps’ initiative by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) for building environmental awareness and creating cadres of young children who can work for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
TCF team as a resource partner actively engaged kids into interesting sessions of bird watching, wildlife show, park safari, visit to Interpretation Centre, painting & quiz competitions and maintained their enthu high. This three day experiential journey from 6th – 8th Feb 2019 with around 50 fervent kids, was an amazing success of coordinated efforts of MOEFCC, State Government and TCF.
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Rural Education - Bridging the Gap |
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While working with the community staying in and around Kaziranga National Park (KNP), TCF observed that educational standards in some schools of the villages are not at par and has scope for improvement. TCF thought of an informal school for betterment of kids and International School, Guwahati offered their technical support for this noble cause. The school now has started at Sukhani Gaon Highland in Diffaloopathar village.
The initiative titled as “Sikshya r Dikshya - Bridging the Gap, Rural Education” will focus on an overall development of children which will encompass academic studies, English speaking, Yoga training for health, personal hygiene and most importantly, connect with the nature and its conservation.
To ensure the effective implementation of this project, International School organized an orientation program for TCF’s representative and other volunteers of the project, at Guwahati. Since start, the program is receiving good response from the children and community is very supportive in all respect.
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Conservation Education Program |
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TCF has undertaken a Conservation Education Project with support of Hem Chand Mahindra Foundation, in fringe villages of Kaziranga National Park (KNP). The program will work on five milestones namely disease control in livestock and wild animals, mitigation of human wildlife conflict, awareness on compensation access, flood preparedness and reducing wildlife mortality/killing.
Under this project, everyday is packed with the awareness drive along with discussions, demonstrations and training. Of many such sessions, one was arranged in Rangaloo, which is an important village under Burapahar Range of Kaziranga.
Community curiously involved in the discussions on topic of human wildlife conflict, compensation access and livestock disease control. More than 200 villagers participated in the program. Posters on disease control were distributed to villagers. Mr. Goswami, Range Officer of Burapahar, KNP also graced the program.
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The Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh conducted camera trap training for the forest officials of various territorial as well as protected areas of Madhya Pradesh, during 11th – 18th February 2019, at Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR). The Corbett Foundation (TCF) engaged the program as a resource partner providing hands on training to the forest officials.
The Initiative by MP forest department was executed in collaboration with MP Tiger conservation foundation, WWF-India and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The forest officials getting trained in this program will be the Master Trainers for their respective divisions to train rest of the staff during fourth phase of All India Tiger Estimation.
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About 300 farmers participated in a one day training program organised by Kutch West Forest Division on 'organic farming'.
TCF was invited to share its experience about working with farmers to promote organic farming for wildlife conservation. We shared our work done with local farmers, its financial benefits along with its long term positive impact on wildlife habitats.
Many of the farmers were inspired with this method of farming and agreed to join hands with us to 'Go Green' during the upcoming farming season. Farmers being the key to conservation, their active involvement in this initiative can play a crucial role in long term multi-species conservation program.
TCF congratulated the local forest division and its staff for this initiative!
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'Tiger Population Estimation' Survey at Manipur |
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With the experts from Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA), the first tiger survey was conducted in North-East state of Manipur as a part of all India tiger population estimation exercise and to verify the report of tiger presence in Tamenglong and Senapati districts.
TCF assisted Manipur Forest Department in survey conducted in Tamenglong district of Manipur, right from initial village surveys, training of local volunteers to the actual estimation work. This work will continue till end of the March.
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Now Every Holi...Play Natural! |
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With the natural colours handmade by women at Rewa, hereon Holi can be more vibrant than ever. TCF, in collaboration with Mahindra Susten, trained 20 women of Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, to prepare colors using different flowers and foliages available locally.
Professional trainer imparted theoretical as well as practical knowledge of organic colour making to these women. The experience of learning these simple techniques was as beautiful as colors for them and they picked up the skills very fast. |
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