Have you ever dreamt of venturing into the heart of a hidden wilderness, teeming with unseen creatures and unique plant life? Well, for students and young people of Kachchh, India, that dream became a reality at the recent “Jungle no Jamavado” program!
Organised by the dedicated Sahjeevan Trust, this event wasn’t your typical classroom lecture; it had brought a hidden world to life, for young people, offering a unique experience for both rural and urban participants. The program was designed to be an immersive experience, igniting passion for the incredible biodiversity right in their own backyard – the Kachchh region in western India.
The participants go bird watching.
Forget stuffy classrooms! Over 120 enthusiastic participants, including students from 14 schools and even youth from pastoral communities, reached Chharidhandh Conservation Reserve for a day filled with nature learning. The West Forest Division generously provided the venue, creating the perfect environment for the day’s activities.
The program was skilfully divided into two halves. The morning kicked off with an exciting twist – hands-on training sessions! Under the guidance of Sahjeevan’s experts and enthusiastic volunteers from R. R. Lalan College’s Biology department, participants embarked on mini-adventures.
Ever wanted to identify a bird by its song or a mammal by its tracks?
There were multiple workshops. Each had a unique name based on the taxa of interest. “Pilu”, session on plant identification (Pilu is the local name of the native tree Salvadora) was conducted by me, Khyati Thacker. “Kunj”, a birdwatching session (Kunj is the local name of Common Crane) was conducted by Ritesh Pokar. “Lokdi”, a session on mammal identification, (Lokadi is a local name of Fox) was conducted by Malaika Mathew Chawla, and “Patangiyu” an insect identification session (Patangiyu means butterfly) was conducted by Manya Singh. All these sessions provided young minds with the tools to unlock the secrets of the natural world.
In one interactive session, students became wildlife detectives. They learned to identify animals not just by sight, but also the cryptic pug marks (footprints) and even high-tech camera trapping methods! Imagine the thrill of piecing together clues left behind by elusive creatures!
The plant identification session wasn’t your average leaf-peering exercise either. Here, students transformed into plant ambassadors, learning about the importance of protecting native species. They discovered the threats posed by invasive plants and even got creative, crafting beautiful artwork directly from nature’s treasure!
Children learning about plants through interactive workshops.
Birdwatching took flight at the Chharidhandh watchtower, where students listened and watched migratory birds which had traversed from different parts of the world to Kachchh.
In the insect identification session, the participants became Sherlock Holmes of the insect world, zooming in with lenses to discover bugs in every spot and crack – from trees and grasses to flowers, to soil and even dung!
At the end of the first half, the participants shared their experiences. It was more than just ticking a box. The feedback buzzed with excitement and a newfound appreciation for the diverse life forms they encountered.
The afternoon unfolded like a attractive documentary. Speakers like Ritesh Pokar (naturalist from Sahjeevan), Navin Bapat (wildlife photographer), and Ashok Chaudhary (wildlife photographer) took centre stage. Their informative and engaging talks explored the fascinating forest types of Kachchh, the region’s rich biodiversity, the unique bird life, and the crucial issues surrounding the landscape’s conservation.
But the knowledge fest didn’t stop there! Mamta Pandya, a former member of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), wove a fascinating narrative through stories about the tribals of Arunachal Pradesh. This highlighted the interconnectedness of communities and the environment.
But the excitement was unstoppable! Students from Khengarpar Government School presented a fantastic play based on the popular children’s book ‘Khari’ featuring the majestic Crane bird. Their performance had the audience clapping non-stop!
Children performing a play based on the Common Crane.
“Jungle no Jamavado” wasn’t just about educating children; it was a celebration of nature. The event was also eco-friendly, using reusable mugs and gifting seed pencils – a reminder that small actions can grow into big and lasting impact.
By the end of the day, the seeds of environmental awareness had been successfully sown. The Sahjeevan team, along with their supporters, had not only educated but also inspired a generation of young minds to become stewards of Kachchh’s precious environment.
This event is a shining example of how interactive learning experiences can spark a passion for environmental conservation. So, the next time you hear the call of the wild, remember, the wonders of nature might be closer than you think!
