<p>The Bannerghatta Biological Park is beginning its second season of Zoo Club, a platform for students to learn about nature and the wilderness.</p>.<p>The club begins on October 7 this year, with learning sessions every Sunday for 15 weeks.</p>.<p>This is the second year the course is on; 55 out of 60 students were able to ace it last year, according to an official. A similar course has been on at the Mysuru zoo for 25 years. B T Ravi, IFS officer and secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, took the initiative to introduce the course in Bannerghatta, a short drive from Bengaluru.</p>.<p>The objective is to inspire young minds to connect with nature, wildlife and work towards conservation with changes in their daily activities, the official says.</p>.<p>This year, the sessions will focus on human-animal conflict and promote awareness about sustainability.</p>.<p>“The aim is to teach conservation to kids; it is not just for marks,” says Amala N Anil, education officer, Bannerghatta Biological Park. Executives, directors, zoo-keepers, animal-keepers and other experts will teach the course, providing both theoretical and practical exposure to students.</p>.<p>“The club made my kids active. It is hard to get them to attend classes on a Sunday, but they were involved in the club as it sparked an interest for them,” says Jagadambal, parent of one of the students of the first batch.</p>.<p>The children were not taken too close to the animals. Safety was not a worry, as the organisers supervise the club well, she told Metrolife.</p>.<p>Students between 12-18 can enrol, and government school students get a concession in the fee.</p>.<p>The sessions could also help those who want to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. “My goal is to be an IFS officer, and I was sure Zoo Club would help me in this pursuit. I did not have much knowledge about animals or the wilderness, and this course taught me a lot in detail,” says Abhishek Patil, a student, recalling his experience last year.</p>.<p>Students are honoured for outstanding performances, and awarded certificates once they complete the course.</p>.<h2>Fee factor</h2>.<p>The course costs Rs 1,000, and government school children get a concession. The classes are spread over 15 Sundays, starting October 7.</p>
<p>The Bannerghatta Biological Park is beginning its second season of Zoo Club, a platform for students to learn about nature and the wilderness.</p>.<p>The club begins on October 7 this year, with learning sessions every Sunday for 15 weeks.</p>.<p>This is the second year the course is on; 55 out of 60 students were able to ace it last year, according to an official. A similar course has been on at the Mysuru zoo for 25 years. B T Ravi, IFS officer and secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, took the initiative to introduce the course in Bannerghatta, a short drive from Bengaluru.</p>.<p>The objective is to inspire young minds to connect with nature, wildlife and work towards conservation with changes in their daily activities, the official says.</p>.<p>This year, the sessions will focus on human-animal conflict and promote awareness about sustainability.</p>.<p>“The aim is to teach conservation to kids; it is not just for marks,” says Amala N Anil, education officer, Bannerghatta Biological Park. Executives, directors, zoo-keepers, animal-keepers and other experts will teach the course, providing both theoretical and practical exposure to students.</p>.<p>“The club made my kids active. It is hard to get them to attend classes on a Sunday, but they were involved in the club as it sparked an interest for them,” says Jagadambal, parent of one of the students of the first batch.</p>.<p>The children were not taken too close to the animals. Safety was not a worry, as the organisers supervise the club well, she told Metrolife.</p>.<p>Students between 12-18 can enrol, and government school students get a concession in the fee.</p>.<p>The sessions could also help those who want to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. “My goal is to be an IFS officer, and I was sure Zoo Club would help me in this pursuit. I did not have much knowledge about animals or the wilderness, and this course taught me a lot in detail,” says Abhishek Patil, a student, recalling his experience last year.</p>.<p>Students are honoured for outstanding performances, and awarded certificates once they complete the course.</p>.<h2>Fee factor</h2>.<p>The course costs Rs 1,000, and government school children get a concession. The classes are spread over 15 Sundays, starting October 7.</p>