With the monsoons knocking on the doors, forest authorities of Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district of Maharashtra have decided to deploy citizen volunteers in the Jarida range of the reserve to improve patrolling. The reserve serves as an important corridor between the forests of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The project is currently in its initial phases. The authorities have tied up with the Pune based Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS) and will deploy volunteers in the reserve area till September. This step was mainly taken to reduce the risks of poaching and encroachments which are most commonly seen during the monsoons.
The main idea is to improve patrolling and also allow volunteers to experience the life of a forest officer, K P Singh, field director of Melghat Tiger Reserve.
“We have very limited staff and most of the forest guards have been given several responsibilities, including those related to conservation and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. A few more helping hands for patrolling duties would be great help.”
“The volunteers will be deployed in the multiple-use zone in the Jarida range. This particular range shares its borders with Madhya Pradesh. The volunteers are expected to help in patrolling the fringe areas of the reserve. Volunteers who show potential and inclination can also be considered for additional duties and responsibilities in the deeper forest area,” he said.
Jayant Kulkarni, Executive Director (Conservation) at WRCS said the project which was funded by WWF-India would allow wildlife lovers to contribute towards its conservation.
“Every tiger reserve has its own set of problems. Due to a larger area in Melghat, forest officials need help in patrolling. The deployment of the volunteers will be for a week in batches of 10-12 at a time, with two volunteers at each of the six monitoring posts in the region,” he said.
Kulkarni also mentioned that the volunteers would be trained and guided by the forest officers.
“Their presence will motivate the field staff thus making the volunteers appreciate the difficulties and challenges involved in wildlife conservation. The response has been good from nature lovers who want to experience what it feels like to stay in the forest while contributing to nature conservation. It is also a great opportunity for youngsters who want to pursue a career in ecology and wildlife conservation,” he said.
He encouraged more people to enroll for the same.
Aniruddha Ghude, a Chartered Accountant and wildlife lover, who recently was a part of the volunteering programme in the project, said it was a learning experience for him.
He recalled his experience and said that “Every moment I spent in the jungle was a new experience. Interacting with the forest guards at the base camp was extremely helpful as I learnt a lot about the jungle and the local culture. It also made me more aware about nature and my responsibility towards wildlife and the forests”.
Nestled in the cozy Satpuda hill ranges, Melghat Tiger Reserve is the largest and also important tiger reserve in Maharashtra. If you wish to become a citizen volunteer, contact WWF-India or the Maharashtra forest department for more details.
More Related Stories,
E-surveillance to track Tiger Movements
Environment Ministry Chooses Tigers Over Highway Expansion
Image via cc/Flickr by amanderson2
