Volunteers Training Program (VTP)

Sometime last year (2013), I got an opportunity to attend the Volunteers Training Program (VTP) conducted by the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board (www.karnatakaecotourism.com) in association with Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR - www.jungelodges.com), a week long extensive program with theoretical as well as field sessions to train an individual as a eco-volunteer to assist the forest department in their various activities.

Course content: A diverse course covering all aspects of forests, wildlife, conservation, role of photographers and much more that enables an individual to grasp what happens on a day-to-day basis and what are the challenges than an forest department employee faces and the field sessions like walking the beats along with the forest guards helps you gauge the amount of hard work they put in to conserve the forests and wildlife.

Sitting in air conditioned rooms and blasting out the keyboards on the laptops, we post, like, dislike, comment, share and are very critical of any happenings related to forests or the staff or the tigers or elephants etc.. It's only when you get out on to the field, get in the shoes of a daily wage watcher, eat what they eat and sleep where they do (cut off from their families for months together), you realize how important their role is and how important they are to conserve of what is left today; It literally strikes you in the face the harsh, raw realities that they go through day in and out.

We had various topics that we were briefed on and I'll list out some that I recollect...
> National Parks and Sanctuaries
> History and Role of National Parks
> Mammals  - Introduction and Classification
> Birds - Identifying them
> Reptiles and Amphibians
> Lesser Fauna
> Life in an APC
> Tracks and Signs
> Role of a Eco Volunteer and Expectations
> Tools of the trade

We had talks too by various personalities ranging from park directors to botanists to conservationists to wildlife experts and let me list few that I can recollect
> Role of a Wildlife Photographer and Ethics
> Photography as a tool for Conservation
> Nature Inspires
> Taxonomy of Plants

> NTCA protocols and guidelines
> Wildlife Protection Acts and Schedules
> Man-Animal conflicts
> Wildlife crime
> Poachers and their operative methods
> Initiatives so far

Field sessions
> Walking the 'beats' along with the forest guards on their regular routine
> All about Camera trapping
> GPS tracking
> Bird watching and notes

It was an eye-opener for me and an opportunity to learn many new things (that I never knew) and improving on knowledge of many other facts and at the end committing ourselves to help the department in their various activities and protecting/conserving what we are left with.

To sign up to be a Ceritified Volunteer, please follow this link.


coming up next: Interesting learning's and what are we doing as volunteers now...

Maidenahalli again - for the census activity

Hi, This time around my solo visit to the Maidenahalli Blackbuck reserve was to participate in the census activity conducted jointly by the KFD and the WANC. Here are few pictures of the same... (kindly forgive those shakes / depixalated ones)

(kindly forgive those shakes / depixalated ones)

Route to Maidenahalli (Jayamangali) Blackbuck Reserve:

1. Take the NH4 from Bengaluru towards Tumkur

2. 3.5 kms after the Kyathasandra highway Toll gate, about 3 kms before Tumkur city take the Sira road (by passing tumkur city)... go straight

3. Proceed 4 kms to reach the under construction overpass (Anthrasnalli industrial area). Go North (turn right) towards Madhugiri town.

4. Travel 41 kms to Madhugiri town.

5. From Madhugiri town, take right to Hindupur town (i.e., drive east right turn). 1.5 kms from madhugiri town - road splits into two, take the Hindupur road on left (north east).

6. 11 kms from here, before the bridge over Jayamangali river / Kodigenahalli village, you will reach Puruvara village.

7. Take left (north) and travel on ID halli village road.

8. After 1 km off Girigowdana halli, (a very small village 8 kms from Puruvara village), an unmetalled track turns north east. Take this track

9. 4 kms down the track, you will reach the gates of Jayamangali blackbuck reserve.

Caution: The country roads are not in the best of condidtions currently, beware of the surprise humps that is sure of unsettling you and your vehicle.

After Puruvara village, traverse at a lower speed, else you would definitely miss the right turn after girigowdana halli.

You can drive around in your vehicle in the reserve (but ride with caution during monsoons)

There is an IB there, accommodation is provided on prior request from Madhugiri forest office.

U can also check my previous experience at Maidenahalli...

http://adventureanytime.blogspot.com/2008/10/maidenahalli-jayamangali-blackbuck.html

and the article in the papers...

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=42&contentid=2008111620081116201827966c0055c30&sectxslt=

Care for the nature and the nature cares for you!