Mapping of wetlands and associated fauna, flora and avi-fauna in West Bengal.

Three year project funded by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt of India, to study the geographical feature, morphometric features, physio-chemical analysis, study of bio-diversity and socio-economic study of 16 selected wetlands of West Bengal. It resulted in 105 page study report and publication of Wetland and waterbirds of West Bengal.

Survey of flora and fauna of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in North Bengal. Sponsored by: Department of Forests, Government of West Bengal

The sanctuary, situated in Terai region of the Eastern Himalayas house 32 species of mammals, 253 species of birds, 29 species of butterflies and moths, 6 species of amphibians, 8 species of reptiles, 39 species of trees, 55 species of herbs, 54 species of shrubs, 22 species of climbers. It was a one year collaborative project on the study of the bio diversity of the sanctuary with the Wildlife Wing, Forest Department, Government of West Bengal followed by a book “MAHANANDA – Floral and faunal resources of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary”.

Tiger–human conflict in Sunderban is a burning issue. A study of one year on the same was done, assisted by International Development Agency (IDA)
The object was to find the probable reasons of tiger straying in the fringe villages of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve and suggest remedial measures to reduce the phenomenon which would ultimately reduce man-animal conflict.

The objective is to identify the nesting sites of the Olive Ridley Turtles along the coasts of West Bengal, study the nesting behaviour, assess the impact of mechanized trawling in deep sea and suggest measures. The results were submitted to the Forest & Fisheries departments in order to reduce the mortality of parents and their hatchlings. Initially funded by GOI- UNDP, co-ordinated by Wildlife Institute of India. But at present, the project is ongoing being self funded, and carried out in collaboration with Sunderban Tiger Reserve.

Himalayan Newt (Salamander) conservation in Namthing Pokhri. Funded by Public Affairs Department, USA.

Distribution of necessary gears for the forest guards in West Bengal, Funded by WTI

Monitoring of project in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Sponsored by WWF India.

The Society was entrusted with the job to assess the work done against the fund disbursed by World Wide Fund (WWF) India to Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary.

Flood Impact Assessment 2000

It was a one year collaborative project with KMDA funded by UNICEF. The aim of the project was to assess the after effect of flood and to suggest damage control measures.

Study of selected wetlands- Funded by International Development Agencies.

It was a one year IDA assisted project. The principal jobs were monitoring of water quality, study of waterfowls and transfer of technology of identification of waterfowls to 36 forest officials in different districts of West Bengal.

Identification of selected wetlands from the angle of bio-diversity in West Bengal, sponsored by Salim Ali Center for Ornithology (SACON).

The Society carried out a project for identifying different wetlands from an angle of bio-diversity. Aquatic animals,especially fish were collected, preserved and sent to SACON for identification and their importance in the wetland structure was determined .

Participated in Wetland conservation network, delegated by Department of Forest, west Bengal

It was a short term project where the Society was engaged in identifying important wetlands from the point of bio-diversity especially waterfowls .

Awareness building programmes :

Seminars & Workshops :

• Royal Bengal Tiger in the 21 st Century at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata.
  It was an international seminar to overview the present situation of tigers in the Indian sub continent .Eminent speakers from India, Nepal and Bangladesh attended the seminar. The proceedings were published in a book titled– Royal Bengal Tigers in the 21 st century.
  
• International Woprkshop of Elephant Conservation in West Bengal.
  A one day Workshop divided in three sessions (namely North Bengal, South Bengal and Technical) addressed the present problems like Elephant deaths due to train accidents, poisoning and Human deaths, crop and house destruction due to elephant etc. Eminent scientists, high level forest officials, NGOs working in the field and representitives from Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and Jharkhand took part to suggest some reccomendations.
  
• Environment- Dimensions and issues at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata.
  A workshop was held at Kolkata to discuss the different aspects of the environment, their problems and possible solutions. Eminent speakers from different streams throughout the country attended the workshop. A book was published containing the deliberations.
  
  
• Sunderbans : Dimensions and Strategies at Rotary Sadan , Kolkata
  A National seminar to address different issues of the Sunderban was held involving the Managers, NGO's, NGI's and scientists was held on conservation & Development of Sunderbans organized by NEWS & Forest Deptartment, Govt of West Bengal in collaboration with UNDP-India. Different problems of Sunderbans were discussed in order to formulate policies to solve these problems. A book was published containing the deliberations.
  
• Marine Turtles at Calcutta Club , Kolkata
  The workshop was organized in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India on …….
  
  
• Disaster Management of the Sunderban at the Auditorium of the Police Computer Center, Kolkata
  A workshop was organized in order to handle the crisis which arrives during disasters like cyclones, flood and destruction of embankments in the Sunderbans. Different agencies, life saving societies, police departments, Forest departments, Relief departments and NGO's participated in the workshop.
  
• Eco- tourism-jointly with American Center at American Center, Kolkata
  A workshop was organized in collaboration with American Center to discuss the importance and methods of implementation of Eco-tourism in the country .The speakers included Mr. Micheal Fox, an expert from the Unites States and pioneers of Ecotourism in our country.
  
  
• Relation between Environment and economics- an interactive session with Dr. Amartya Sen at Taj Bengal, Kolkata .
  An interactive session was organized with Dr Amartya Sen, Nobel laureate. The main thrust of the session was on the importance of environment on the economically backward and third world countries.
  
• Wildlife Film making- jointly with British Council in Nandan, Kolkata.
  A training workshop was organized on Wildlife Filmmaking in collaboration with British Council Division of Kolkata. The speaker was Richard Brocke, producer of Lonely Planet.
  
  
• Exchange of opinions between the environmentalists of India and USA through telecommunication :
  A tele-conferencing session was organized in collaboration with American Center to discuss and exchange the views of the environmentalists of both the countries.
  
  
• Photo exhibitions, talks & slide shows, film shows
  These serve as great tools in generating awareness among all sections of people. Interactions with common people through these programmes make people aware about the needs of conservation of forest & our natural wealth.
  …….To name a few of 2005 , are :

1. Oxford Book Store Gallery, Kolkata - a photographic exhibition on wildlife was held in September 2005. On the last day there was a slide show on “Natural wonders of India” and “Birdlife around Kolkata” followed by interactive programme with the school children where a Bird trapper made sounds of birds and was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience . It was also a chance to financially support the persons who were bird trappers once but now have been converted by us .
   
2. At Tamluk , organized by Tamluk Flower Organisation to mark “World Environment Day” in 2005.
   
3. Slide show and talk on nature and wildlife of Ladakh.
4. Slide show and talk on Africa and Alaska, by a member of NEWS, Mr. Ranajit Nobis.
   
5. Screening of ‘Winged Migration', a film on bird migration in Nandan, Kolkata
   
6. Slide Show organized at St. Johns Ambulance Association, Shyambazar on “Indian Wildlife' and “Importance of Mangroves in Sunderban'.
   
7. Participated in Paschim Banga Bigyan Mancha at Kalighat Byam Samiti on the Bio- diversity of the Sunderbans.
   
8. Kolkata Book Fair 2006, Stall No. 328. Our stall bore the theme of The Sunderbans .
   
9. Participated at the Fair of the Police Family Welfare Association, Stall No. 10

• Training Programmes
  The Society is invited to take part as resource organisation in imparting training in various wildlife activities.

  Eco Guide Training in Sunderban:
  Training programmes of the Eco guides of Sunderbans were organized in two phases. A booklet containing 20 pages of study material was prepared. Books on “Sunderban” and “Identification of birds of West Bengal” along with a pair of binoculars were distributed by the Sunderban Tiger Reserve.
  

  Training of live stock rearing with WBUAFS
  At Sajnekhali Mangrove Interpretation Centre, Sunderban a training programme on livestock farming was organised jointly with West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences. It was attended by 100 villagers from the fringe villages of the forest .A film on livestock rearing was shown to the villagers followed by an interactive session. The session stressed on the point of protection and prevention of diseases more than treatment with medicines with respect to cattle farming .
  
  Training at Dulki, Sunderban
  At Dulki in Sunderban a training of all sorts of live stock was arranged with audio-visual projections, leaflets and Government certified certificates were also distributed among participating farmers with the help of Research, Extension and Farms, WBUAFS. The process is still going on, as required in different stages of livestock farming.
  
  Resource organisation in imparting training and lectures.
  Resource organisation in WCPA, South Asia Regional workshop, held at Kathmandu, Nepal.
  Participated as delegates from eastern India in IUCN Conference in 2003 and 2004 held at Colombo and Bangkok respectively.
  Resource organisation in workshop of Central Zoo Authority, India on preservation of Zoo's at Hyderabad.
  Resource person in “Tenth Training Course on Field Ornithology” organised by Zoological Survey of India from 28th February to 3rd March, 2006.
  Speaker in Workshop arranged by Wildlife Institute of India on Sea turtles at Bhubaneswar.

 

The stall at Kolkata Book Fair, 2006