Walking the nature talk in Kanthavara

Vikram Kanthikere and Ashwani Kumar N K R describe the impact of study tours that allow students to explore nature and learn more about conservation

New wonders of nature unfold before students, as they explore the sleepy woods of Kanthavara, near Karkala in Udupi district. Study tours are enabling students to witness the unique flora and fauna of the Western Ghats through nature talks in the reserve forest. The tours are organised by Vana Charitable Trust and like-minded organisations in Mangaluru. 

“The forest walks are held with an aim to create awareness on nature,” says Jeeth Milan Roche, an environmentalist and founder of Vana Charitable Trust. Forty-five such camps have been held in the past one-and-a-half years at the Kanthavara Forest Base Camp and Training Centre set up by entrepreneur Arun Shenoy.

It was Shenoy’s idea to conduct forest walks after he encountered a tree-poaching incident in a forested area close to his base camp and training centre in Kanthavara a few years ago. He alerted Jeeth, who in turn informed the forest department, who warded the poachers away.

After three months of this incident, during a forest camp, they came to know about illegal logging. The miscreants had cut 12 trees already. Jeeth foiled the attempt to fell the trees by standing in front of an excavator, after which the poachers had to give up. 

Vana Charitable Trust decided to conduct forest camps to create awareness about the conservation of the forest, among students and local youth.

Fruit-bearing plants have been planted by the trust, with the involvement of students, in public spaces of the Kanthavara region. They have also carried out cleanliness drives to clean the reserve forest areas. 

A day in the forest

As the students gather at the venue in the morning, they are provided with basic information. Later, they set out on a journey in the woods, under the supervision of their teachers and members of Vana Charitable Trust. Students from various schools take part in the forest walk as a part of their study tour. The participants learn about various species of plants, creepers, birds, reptiles and butterflies. Photography enthusiasts in the group also have the opportunity to learn how to capture images of the creatures without disturbing them.

The destroyed part of the forest is also shown to the students during the forest walk programmes, in the ‘Broken Forest’ segment, to demonstrate the impact of unchecked human intervention on forests. 

The forest camps are open to all nature enthusiasts. Even though elders take part, priority has always been given to the students. The trust collects a fee of Rs 120 per head for the day-long camp.

“Our aim is to sensitise the young generation about the significance of forests, and teach them about a variety of fruit-bearing trees and other wild species of trees,” Jeeth explains.

Experiencing the ecosystem

Harini, a trustee, says that office-bearers of the organisation visit schools and tell students about the camp in order to promote the event. Around 1,500 students have taken part in the forest walks so far.

Geethanjali Prabhu, assistant professor, Department of English at St Agnes College, has accompanied BA students on one such forest walk. The aim of the study tour was to assess the reasons for climate change. She adds that the students were made aware of the effects of excessive urbanisation. 

Vijeth Shetty, a final year BA student, says he learnt more from Jeeth about tree plantation techniques and the care needed to help trees grow. 

Deepthi B, who was also part of the team, says she gained information about the importance of the habitats of various species. She saw the markings of a bison in the forest. They also got to witness the ‘Bambusetum’, a garden comprising a wide variety of bamboo shoots, managed by Vana Charitable Trust.

Inspired by the trip, third-year BA student Nishath Fathima is hoping to plant saplings near her house.

Udupi Deputy Range Forest Officer Ashwith says that the forest department provides permission to the organisers to venture into the forest area only for study purposes. Students are sensitised on the after-effects of forest encroachment, methods to prevent forest fires, protecting forest borders, possible threats to wildlife caused by human activities and so on. Forest department personnel are also involved as resource persons.