Browsing articles from "August, 2011"

Protection Staff Workshop, 2011

Aug 22, 2011 // by Laxmeesha // blog, Enhancing enforcement capability, Projects // No Comments

After several weeks of planning, the workshop for Protection staff of Hosur Forest Division was held on 11th and 12th August 2011.

We reached Anchetty FRH on 10th evening along with Mr. Praveen Bhargav, and Mr. KM Chinnappa . After making arrangements for dinner, the rest of the evening was spent in listening to various incidents from Mr. Chinnappa’s vast experience.

The next morning we left for Rasimanal for the first batch training along with Sanjeev, Ananth and Aparna who joined us at Anchetty FRH reaching a few minutes before the scheduled start time of 9 a.m. However, hardly any of the participants had arrived and they all trooped in gradually and changed into their uniforms and the workshop began at around 10.30 a.m..

The morning session focussed on the importance of wearing the Khaki uniform, the duties of the staff, various methods to implement protection measures, moral conscience, importance of protecting forests, the critical role that the staff play in ensuring a sustainable life for future generations, multi-tiered protection system comprising of foot patrol + mobile patrol + Anti-poaching camps + check-posts, patrolling methods, maintaining healthy and fit lifestyle etc. Mr. Chinnappa gave several examples from his own experience in dealing with poachers, mobs, ‘influential people’ etc.

After lunch, Mr. Praveen Bhargav spoke about some of the key provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and how the staff should use them. A demonstration on usage of weapons and their maintenance was given. Real-life situations, when staff have to use weapons in the dark, were enacted by blindfolding them and asking them to pick the correct weapon from the lot, pick the appropriate ammunition, check if the weapon is loaded or not, remove the magazine and load cartridges etc.

The workshop ended with a fervent appeal by Mr. Chinnappa to all the participants to do their job sincerely and protect the forests so that the next time he visits Melagiri, it will be thriving with wildlife. He also extended an invitation to all the participants to visit Nagarhole NP so that he could show that how a forest can be restored from the brink of destruction and also give training in field-craft.

After the workshop got over, ACF Madhu escorted us to Hogenekkal falls since Mr. Chinnappa had heard of this but had never seen them. Returned to the FRH after that and after a early dinner, we retired for the day. George joined us late that night at 11 p.m., completely drenched!

12th morning, though the program for the 2nd batch was supposed to begin at 9 a.m., was delayed by by the forest department staff. After confirming the timings with the Urigam Ranger, we reached Uganiyam at around 10.15 a.m. and began the session.

It was conducted on similar lines as the previous day. The only difference was that this set of participants seemed a little more aware of the WPA, were better able to handle the weapons and the sessions were more interactive.

Towards the end, ACF Madhu spoke from his experience and related couple of incidents to motivate the participants. Sanjeev gave the vote of thanks and handed over souvenirs to Mr. Praveen Bhargav and Mr. Chinnappa.

Handouts were given to all the participants containing important provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, Gun Safety guidelines. A copy of English & Tamil versions of ‘The Truth About Tigers’ DVD was also given to the participants, courtesy Mr. Shekhar Dattatri.

Observations:
- Some of the staff from the 1st batch need training in weapon handling
- APCs are under-staffed and probably under-equipped also
- Checkpost is manned irregularly, probably only when some FD official is visiting.
- Watch towers do not have any watchers, including the new one just before Gerhatti

Participants
11th August 2011:
Hosur, Rayakottai and Krishnagiri Ranges. 45 guards/watchers/foresters. Officers: ACF M. Anandakumar, ACF A. Madhu, ACF Padma, RFO Vishwanathan (Anchetty)

12th August 2011:
Denkanokottai, Jowlagiri, Anchetty and Urigam Ranges. 35 guards/watchers/foresters. Officers: ACF M. Anandakumar, ACF A. Madhu, RFO Vishwanathan (Anchetty), RFO Ramachandran (Denkanikottai), RFO Soligounder (Jowlagiri and additional charge of Urigam)

-
Laxmeesha Acharya

A night in cauvery valley

Aug 8, 2011 // by admin // Members meet // No Comments

Dear Member,

A full moon night on the banks of the Cauvery deep in the woods; calls of chital, sambar and elephants echoing off the hill sides – these are unique experiences that last a lifetime! We invite you to experience the thrill and mystery of the Cauvery forests at the overnight wilderness outing for members on 13th August 2011.

This event is a culmination of a 2 day anti-poaching watchers’ training program carried out by Wildlife First, headed by the legendary K. M. Chinappa and Praveen Bhargav.

On this day, KANS is donating a motorized inflatable raft to the Forest Department for patrolling the 25 kilometre long Cauvery river stretch in the Melagiris. The presence of the boat patrol will be a great deterrent against illegal activities.

It promises to be an enjoyable event of trekking, birding and exchanging camp fire stories. Checking out camera traps is always an exciting event full of anticipation. You may choose to just spend a couple of hours in solitude on the banks of the Cauvery, where the only sounds you will hear are of birds and the flowing water.

Elephant Herd at Uganiyam

Please find program schedule, instructions and registration link below.

Warm Regards
Sanjeev Kumar S.R
President

Saturday, 13th August

07:00 AM: Meet up at Anchetty (1.5 hour drive from Bangalore). Breakfast.
10:00 AM: Reach Uganiyam Anti-poaching camp on the banks of Cauvery.
11:00 AM: Boat Donation and Patrol Flag-off
12:30 AM: Lunch
03:00 PM: Birding along trails around Uganiyam
06:00 PM: Assemble back. Jungle lore, Conservation discussion, Open house, Dinner

Sunday 14th August

05:30 AM: Quick chai followed by a drive along the Cauvery River to Dabaguli and back
10:00 AM: Brunch and disperse.
The expenses and food is estimated to come to Rs.300/- per head, which will be collected at Uganiyam.

P.S – If you are bringing guests please let us know in advance so that we can be prepared on the food front.

Registration Link
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEhzMnM2eWkxQVA5WnpacERZVEdPNXc6MQ

Do’s

Please carry your own sleeping bag /tents.
Please carry your own water bottles.
Please wear forest friendly coloured cloths during the trails.
Carry HHmite (Permethrin) cream for prevention of tick bites.
Avoid loud talking when on trails
There are no rooms hence be prepared in case of showers. There are no toilets.
Carry torches, wear good shoes and don’t forget your medicines.

Don’ts

Strictly no smoking on the trails
Strictly no drinking inside the forest
Strictly no swimming in the river.
No fishing or collection of any item from the forest
Please stay within the Uganiyam APC after 5.30pm. We are in elephant country!
Please ensure all litter is taken back to civilization.