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ECO-TOURISM
We have been able to
create awareness about
the National Chambal
Sanctuary by promoting
eco-tourism, and
environment awareness
and conservation
programmes in the areas
around the Sanctuary.
This effort has given a
much required boost not
only to the resource
conservation program of
the Sanctuary and its
environs, but has also
created a wellspring of
goodwill amongst the
local populace.
We are proud to have
placed the hitherto
unknown Chambal valley
on to the international
birding and wildlife
map; sharing its wonders
with the world and
guaranteeing its
continued protection. We
have worked hard to
ensure that all activity
is sustainable and
environmentally sound.
Reforestation
& Habitat Regeneration
Large numbers of
indigenous trees and
shrubs are planted every
year to supplement the
existing growth and to
create a nature
reserve that is being
progressively allowed to
regenerate itself,
untouched by human
interference. The
results of our efforts
can be judged by the
fact that the Lodge area
now boasts of a
checklist of over 195
species of birds,
reptiles and mammals.
6 acres of
our land have been
dedicated to develop a
Forest nursery to supply
reforestation drives.
In July
2007, we participated in
UP Government Plantation
Drive and successfully
planted 10,000 saplings
with the help of over
100 local participants.
We have
helped create check-dams
in the ravines and also
created large ponds for
collecting and storing
rainwater in and around
the Lodge area.
In 2008 a
rain water harvesting
project has been started
on 7 acres of land. Once
complete, this project
will tap all the Lodge
rainwater overflow to
create a large lake
within the Chambal
Safari Lodge grounds and
also recharge
groundwater reservoirs.
Power Generation
In keeping with our
eco-friendly approach,
the gently glowing but
reliable hurricane
lanterns and candles are
our last line of defence
against our erratic
power supply.
We are
exploring
environmentally sound
options for generating
our own power.
Local Community
Involvement
A majority of our team
members belong to the
local community.
The Camel Safari
is operated with the
help of local camel
owners. The owners are
mainly marginal famers
and used their camels
for ferrying illegally
felled timber from the
Sanctuary. Participation
in the Camel Safari has
provided them an
alternative means of
livelihood that
generates a far better
income for them and
ensures their stake
holding in the
protection of the
Sanctuary.
To generate
further employment
opportunities for the
community, we are
working on a project to
use local waste products
(rags, paper,
agricultural waste) to
manufacture handmade
paper.
Great care has been
taken to use indigenous
materials and craftsmen.
The furnishings are
procured locally and
showcase crafts and
skills honed over
generations.
Most of the produce used
in the Lodge Kitchens is
from our own farms or
procured directly from
the local farmers.
Recycling
We use compost pits for
all our organic waste
and recycle close to 70%
of our inorganic waste.
We have not been able to
find a satisfactory way
of recycling our plastic
waste (mainly mineral
water bottles) and
welcome any information
and suggestions.
Bathwater
and water from our
kitchen is recycled
through soak pits and
allowed to filter back
into the ground.
THE
CHAMBAL CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION
We run the
Chambal Conservation
Foundation with our own
funds and are committed
to protecting the
pristine environment of
the Chambal valley.
Creating
Awareness
The Foundation works in
close collaboration with
the Forest Department
and the local
communities to help
strike a balance between
ostensibly divergent
needs, by organizing
awareness camps and
interactive meetings.
Every year
in October, the
Foundation organises a
Wildlife Conservation
Week, to create
awareness and generate
interest amongst school
children. Close to
20,000 children from
Agra and from rural
schools near the
Sanctuary participated
in the 2006, 2007, 2008
and 2009 events, which
included talks, essay
and quiz competitions,
and visits to protected
areas near Agra,
including the National
Chambal Sanctuary.
Research
& Data Compilation
Every year we
participate in and host
the census team members
for the annual census of
the National Chambal
Sanctuary (NCS) carried
out jointly by the
Forest Department and
WWF.
We provide
logistical and backup
support to research
students working on
projects related to the
NCS.
A detailed
scientific listing of
all the birds, mammals
and reptiles sighted in
the Chambal Valley has
been compiled with the
assistance of both
amateur birders and
ornithologists of
international repute
over a period of several
years of extensive
research and is
extensively revised and
updated each year.
The process
of listing the flora of
the Chambal Valley has
been initiated.
We
regularly provide
information on the
status of the wildlife
in the Sanctuary to
International and
National organizations,
including WWF, BNHS, OBC,
Ministry of Environment
and Forests.
We worked
with Vulture project of
Peregrene fund of USA
towards identifying
vulture nests in the
Chambal valley.
We
participated in the
Yamuna bird count 2005
to learn the methodology
to carry out similar
activities in Chambal
sanctuary.
We have
designed the official
information website for
the National Chambal
Sanctuary Project which
also includes the Sur
Sarovar, Patna, Saman
and Okhla Bird
Sanctuaries.
Activism
We work in tandem with
the Forest Department
and The Ministry of
Environment and Forests
to raise issues of
concern and provide
up-to-date data and
information on the
sanctuary.
Since 2002,
we have been members of
advisory boards for the
National Chambal
Sanctuary, Sursarovar
Bird Sanctuary, Okhla
Bird Sanctuary and Patna
Bird Sanctuary.
We are
active members of the
River Watch group since
2006.
Our boats
are also used for
patrolling,
anti-poaching, anti-sand
mining and data
gathering activities.
We led a
sustained campaign and
have been instrumental
in having a check-post
built at the road head
into the NCS at Nandgaon,
helping to substantially
lower poaching and
eliminate sand-mining
operations.
In 2009 we
donated a boat
to the Forest
Department for
their
anti-poaching
and monitoring
efforts.
Since 2009 we
have funded the
fuel
requirements for
the Forest
Departments
anti-poaching
and monitoring
drives.
To promote
eco-tourism in
other centres
near Agra, in
2009 we donated
Bicycles for
visitors to the
Sursarovar Bird
Sanctuary.
Conservation
Projects
We are working with the
Forest Department to
help establish and
revive the
eco-development schemes
for exploring avenues of
employment and economic
benefit for the local
populace to ensure their
greater participation in
the conservation and
protection efforts.
In March
2008, we conducted a
socio-economic survey
covering 195 villages
inside the Chambal
sanctuary.
In order to
reduce dependence on the
Sanctuary and provide
direct benefits to the
local populace, we have
provided technical
inputs to Forest range
offices for rainwater
harvesting projects at
Nandgaon and Jhirnapura
in Bah Range.
We have
been actively assisting
the Gharial Crisis
Management Group and WWF
at the field level since
the Gharial crisis in
December 2007.
We are
working with WWF for
preparation of Chambal
river basin management
plan.
Every year
we identify and provide
protective covers for
the nesting sites of the
Gharials and Muggers.
We were
instrumental in
initiating the process
of restoration of the
Ater Fort that lies on
the fringes of the
Sanctuary |
