Status Survey on Globally Threatened Cycas circinalis in Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Forest Division, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.Water Management Strategy and Action Plan for Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputhur.A primary concept by way of adopting this village by IAWS and developing a weather proof low cost housing for the Tribals has led similar NGO/ social clubs to follow the foot prints. This has also been greatly appreciated by the Tamil Nadu Forest Dept and other NGOs.
The main aim of the project is to conserve wildlife through sustainable developments of tribals in the forest region so as to reduce biotic pressure in forest areas. This will help us to work towards relocating villages from protected areas/ corridors in order to reduce human animal conflict. This will also further enhance conservation; spread awareness among locals including the hill tribal people of remote areas to conserve nature through innovative and multidisciplinary science via education and action for health and sustainable environment for all.
The first phase of the project is to help the Ramar Anai Tribal settlement, by providing basic amenities of Shelter as a First Phase and the Education and Medical help as second and third phases respectively.
Sathyamangalam forest division is located in the Erode district of Tamilnadu, it lies between 11° 29″ – 11° 48″ N and 76° 50″ – 77° 27″ E.
Status of the division is territorial forest, covering an area of 1455 km2. This division is the largest among the forest divisions in Tamilnadu state. It shares its border with Chamarajnagar and Kollegal forest division of Karnataka state in the northern side, Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam towns in the southern side Erode forest division in the eastern side and Bandipur and Niligiri North Division in the western side. Elevation of this division varies from 280 to 1698 m above mean sea level. The annual rainfall varies from 600 – 850mm, it has mosaic of habitat, from dry scrub forest to wet evergreen forest. This division is rich in biodiversity; the important large mammalian species found in this area is Asian elephant, Gaur or Indian Bison, Sambar deer, Chital or Spotted deer, Blackbuck, Four horned antelope etc. The important mammalian carnivore found in this division is Tiger, Leopard, Dhole or Wild dog, Hyena and Sloth bear. This division is part of the Eastern Ghats, and forms p art of project Elephant Range No.7, the largest single population of elephants in Asia today is found in Project Elephant Range No.7.
Sathyamangalam is one of the most disturbed forests among the forest division of Tamilnadu, because of many villages there (both tribal and non-tribal settlement) in and around the division. This division is under the heavy anthropogenic pressure due to cattle grazing and fuel wood collection.
Ramar Anai is a small enclosed tribal settlement, which is located in the Bhavani Sagar forest range of Sathyamangalam forest division, which lies between 11°.595228 N. and 77°.04235 E. Tribals who are living here belong to "Kurumba" community, their settlement covers an area of 38 acres in which 13 families live, numbering about 75 people in all. The children from this village in all-numbering about 15 study in a tribal school (up to 8th std) with hostel facility in a village called Thalamalai about 5 km away. At present, there is no medical facility available for these people and the closest Primary Health Center is approximately 25 km away with the nearest town 50 km farthest.
The occupation of the tribals here is the agriculture and NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Produce) collection. The major crops under cultivation are ragi, maize, cotton and vegetables. The entire village is protected by solar powered electric fence. The per capita income of each family is around Rs.25,000/-. Forest Self Help Group (FSHG) was formed in the village for the benefit of the inhabitants.
IAWS have done a pilot survey of Ramar Anai Tribal Settlement; wherein they have found that their basic needs are Shelter, Education and Medical facility. At present, they live in a Small Temporary sheds, which is opened on two sides facing too much of hardship particularly during the extreme weather conditions.
IAWS's immediate objective is to provide basic requirements mentioned above for the tribal to improve their life style. The first phase of this project is to provide better group houses (numbering 13) to this community and to organize periodic health camps for their benefit.
IAWS's endeavour is to take up and complete the envisaged immediate objectives as mentioned above within the next three quarters.
Successfully conducted the forest division in following areas:
Successfully conducted the forest division in following areas:
Successfully conducted the forest division in following areas:
Dr. Arivazhagan, believe that balance in nature is possible only when we protect the endangered species. As a true nature conservationist understand the meaning in the words of the Mahatma and strive each day, working along with forest ranges to protect the life of animals in the Forest.
The threat as Albert Einstein questioned, “Are we happy to suppose that our grand children may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book? “, is true in today’s scenario. This is probably one of the serious questions that we all have to answer as we are busy killing our forests and poaching our animals without understanding the ecological havoc it will create in the near future. Our Capacity to Contributing to nurture nature which is truly commendable!
The Rotary Club of Madras Chenna Patna honors with the “ROTARY AWARD FOR DEDICATION IN NATURE CONSERVATION” On October 30th, 2014 at Chennai.
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