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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 further 7
acres of land will be
used to interlink the
pond areas to create a
large lake within the
Chambal Safari Lodge.
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 only operate our
generator to ensure a
supply of hot water in
the mornings and
evenings, and are
exploring
environmentally sound
options for generating
our own power.
Necessity, as they say,
is the mother of all
invention!
Local Community
Involvement
A majority of
our team members belong
to the local community.
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 and 2007
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.
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.
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. |
