Bhimashankar Volunteering Program
-Susan Sharma
The Bhimashankar volunteering program is taking off, thanks to the efforts put in by Mr. Sunil Limaye and his team at the Pune Wildlife Division. Yogesh Alekari, one of our first volunteers, is now the field co-ordinator for the program.
To those IWC members who are new to the program, here are the details.
Forest department has started a volunteer patrol programme at Bhimashankar sanctuary, aiming to get common people involved.
Work as a forest guard patrolling the wilderness may sound very exciting, but the life attached to it comes with its own set of challenges. To give civilians a taste of what it entails and to involve them further in conservation
activities, the forest department has started a volunteer patrol programme at Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
"The applications are scrutinised and volunteers are selected. However, senior officials in the forests will keep an eye on these people throughout and ensure that no samples of flora or fauna are taken away," said Kirti Jamdade, assistant conservator
of forests. She added that each batch will be able to patrol for seven days, living the life of a forest guard and observing the forest and the work closely.
The initiative aims to deepen the connection between forests and civilians and also to enable greater understanding of the work that the department does.
"The initiative will also help the department, which is currently facing a manpower crunch. It will also encourage transparency. Moreover, a stint in the forest will help people introspect and contribute whatever they can towards nature. They can also
give us feedback and if feasible, we can work on their suggestions," said Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forests.
(Excerpt from a report which appeared in Pune Mirror)
"By far the best thing happened in 2015 was :
One week of volunteer patrolling with forest guards in Bhimashankar Wildlife sanctuary."
Wish I could live in the wilderness forever... — Kevin Bhide with Yogesh Alekari in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kevin Pointing to Gorakhgad peak from Bhimashankar
Pic credits: Yogesh Alekari — in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
So, what are you waiting for? Click on the banner below and volunteer
