Film Release Function and Media Workshop
How to Protect Your Crops from Elephants
By Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS) www.wrcsindia.org
A lot of research has been carried out on how to mitigate elephant conflict but there is little relief for the farmers and
the elephants when it comes to protecting crops and giving safe passage to elephants. In 2009, Wildlife Research and
Conservation Society (WRCS) initiated the project, “Conservation of Elephants in North Kanara Landscape” in
which the farmers were trained and motivated to participate in community-based conflict management program. The
main objective of the project was to introduce and popularise the use of low-cost and indigenous measures for crop
protection among the farmers and mitigating elephant conflict with the participation of local communities. WRCS has
introduced a number of simple mitigation measures for crop protection in the area. The project has been successful in
motivating the farmers in use of low-cost measures for crop protection.
This project, a long-term initiative of WRCS, with the objective of conserving elephants in North Kanara landscape
was initiated in 2009 in Haliyal and Yellapur Division with the support of CEPF- ATREE Western Ghats Program and
is subsequently being supported by the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund (AECF), USFWS.
WRCS has printed a handy guide in the form of a flip chart to illustrate various mitigation measures and a 23 minute
Kannada film based on success stories of local farmers. The objective of this outreach material is that of taking the
concept and methods of Community-based Conflict Management (CBCM) to the farmers in a simple, engaging and
effective manner.
The media is an important stakeholder and plays a vital role in conservation issues. The purpose of this workshop is to
share with the media the work that has been achieved on field, the learning’s and the way forward. We have arranged
the workshop at two different locations to facilitate participation from different areas. Please find the details of the
workshop below.
Forest Training Institute, Gungargatti,
Dharwad (22nd Sept 2014)
Kulgi Nature Camp, Dandeli Sanctuary
(23rd Sept 2014)
11.00 – 11.20 Registration of Participants, Tea Registration of Participants, Tea
11.25 – 11.45 Opening, introduction to the workshop and
introduction of participants
Opening, introduction to the workshop and
introduction of participants
11.50 – 12.05 An overview of the project by Dr. Prachi
Mehta
An overview of the project by Dr. Prachi
Mehta
12.10 – 12.25 Release of the Film by Mr. Sanjai Mohan,
(APCCF-Training), Dharwad
Release of the Film by Mr. Srinivasalu (CF
Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve), Mr. Venkatesh,
(DCF Yellapur) and Mr. Manjunath Chavan,
(DCF Haliyal)
12.30 – 1.00 Screening of film Screening of film
1.05 – 1. 25 Address by Forest Officers Address by Forest Officers
1.30 - 2.00 Interaction with Audience and Media Interaction with Audience and Media
2.05 – 3.00 Lunch Lunch
3.05 Group Photo and End of Program Group Photo and End of Program
WRCS is hopeful that the CBCM initiative will help in easing the farmer’s difficulties and securing Asian elephant’s
future in North Kanara landscape.
Thanking you,
Dr. Prachi Mehta, Mr. Jayant Kulkarni, Mr. Peeyush SekhsariaLocation Map for Forest Training Institute Gungaragatti, Dharwad
From Dharwad Central Bus Stand, please go along the Bangalore_Pune Highway (NH 4) for 10 km
and then turn left at Post Mammigatti. (There is a signboard there). From Mammigatti, the Forest
Training Institute is located at a distance of 2 km.