Course Report 2013: "BEHAVIOR CHANGE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS"

Report on the course held last year -

"BEHAVIOR CHANGE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS:

A new tool for Species Conservation with a Focus on the Tiger in India"

Satpuda Foundation in collaboration with the Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University, Environment Education and Conservation Global ( EECG), Wildlife Department of Maharashtra and Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA) organised an international course in "BEHAVIOR CHANGE CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS:A new tool for Species Conservation with a Focus on the Tiger in India", from November 9-29, 2013, at Amravati, INDIA.

This is the second such course of international importance which has been organized in India. The course is modelled on a course that EECG has conducted in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution in China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Namibia.

Around 30 participants had applied for this course. We had shortlisted 20 participants to whom the invitations were sent. Though 18 participants were finally selected only 14 could participate in the course (Annexure-1). Selected participants included four delegates from Bangladesh and Nepal and ten  members from different states of India.

The course was mainly conducted at SGB Amravati University and field modules were conducted in Melghat Tiger Reserve and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve of Maharshtra state (India).

Objectives:

There is a pressing need for budding conservation practitioners to have additional tools that they can use in their efforts to solve conservation problems and preserve endangered species in various landscapes.  Highly focused conservation campaigns can be such a tool if new techniques and knowledge gained from other disciplines such as social marketing are integrated into a carefully planned approach.  However, very few conservation organizations and agencies include such campaigns as a program thrust, and very few conservationists are trained in the systematic use of these new conservation tools to bring about positive behavior change among the stakeholders.

The primary goal of the course is to train conservation practitioners in the use of focused behavior change campaigns as effective and practical tools for solving conservation problems.  A second goal of the course is to develop specific campaign resources for use in tiger conservation in India, particularly building on material and techniques developed from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) sponsored course in 2009.

The course was also to foster the development of a cadre of professionals worldwide that can use education as an effective conservation tool and who can teach these applied education techniques to their colleagues through workshops and seminars.

Instructors:

Ed McCrea, EECG President and former Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education and Kishor Rithe, President of Satpuda Foundation have served as the course coordinators and lead instructors.  Augusto Medina from Canada (Project Manager: Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP1), North American Association for Environmental Education, Washington D.C), Deborah Simmons, Ph.D. Behavior and Environment Program (1983) School of Natural Resources, University of Michigan. Prof. Nishikant Kale, President of Nature Conservation Society, Amravati and Dr. G. N. Vankhede, former HOD of Zoology department of SG Amravati University have also served as instructors. 

Guest lectures were arranged by Mr.Praveen Pardeshi, Principal Secretary (Forest) of Government of Maharashtra, Dr. Dinesh Tyagi, Field Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve, Dr. Mohan Jha, Chief Conservator Amravati, Mr. Ravindra Vankhede, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Mr. Virendra Tiwari, Field Director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, famous Wildlife journalist Prerna Bindra, conservation educator & conservationist Mr. Jayanta Pathak, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Melghat Mr. Vishal Bansod who has arrested many tiger poachers,  Dr. G.N. Vankhede, and conservationist Poonam Dhanwatey.

They covered various topics such as Tiger Conservation, a challenge before the government; Melghat Tiger Reserve: A way ahead; Community participation; Village relocation for species conservation; Regulated Tourism; Conservation through media; Rhino-Elephant Conservation; Wildlife trade and poaching; Lesser known species (spider) conservation; Human-Wildlife Conflict.

Inauguration of the Course:

The course was inaugurated by Dr. Jaykiran Tidke, Vice Chancellor of SGB Amravati University in the presence of Dr. Dinesh Tyagi Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Field Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve; Mr. Edward McCrea, President of EECG, USA; Kishor Rithe, member of the National Board for Wildlife, Dr.J.A. Chavhan, Registrar of SGB Amravati University and Dr.C.K.Deshmukh, head of the Zoology department were present on the dais.

Edward McCrea inaugurating the course with the other guests

Kishor Rithe the course co-ordinator explained the background of the course and also explained the role played by various institutions including the donor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in bringing this course to reality.

Ed McCrea explained the success of this course in various countries including the last course in India. He gave example of the earlier course in India and explained how participants have been making a difference in different landscapes.

Dr. Dinesh Tygi, Field Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve spoke about the issues pertaining to wildlife conservation in Maharashtra state. He promised to extend support to delegates in Melghat. An introduction was given through a Powerpoint presentation on conservation accomplishments of each participant.

Vice Chancellor of University Dr. Jaykiran Tidke expressed his happiness at hosting this 20-day long course in University campus. He admitted that the earlier course had enhanced the good name of the University and hence they would like to collaborate to arrange future courses too.

Registration of participants:

The formal registration of each participant was done. Every participant was provided a course kit which included a bag, course hand book, note book, memory stick, pen, and identity card. The reference material was circulated during the course.

Classroom sessions at the University:

During the course, a variety of educational techniques were employed.  The course emphasized hands-on activities, individual projects, and small group work.  Use was also made of case study analysis and audio-visual presentations.  In addition, guest lecturers and development of projects based on actual issues served to provide a firm foundation in reality. 

The core instructional strategy during the course was to involve the participants in the production of actual products.  The product focus provided hands-on examples of the educational theory being taught and was a tangible way for instructors to assess how well concepts were being mastered by the participants.  Participants worked on the projects as individuals and in small groups.  Because of the needs and interests of the host country, participants who live within the range of the tiger were encouraged to produce materials dealing with education programs on this endangered species that may subsequently be implemented in India and other range countries.

Approximately two-thirds of the course was held in classrooms at the Department of Zoology of SGB Amravati University. In the classroom work, participants learned about conservation issues and the theory, background, and research basis for the products and practical activities they subsequently pursued. 

In addition, two field trip modules were used where the participants visited tiger reserves to see many of the conservation and education issues that they had been studying in the course first hand.  At the reserves, the participants completed specific educational tasks and projects designed to give them experience in applying many of the techniques and communications theories that were taught. The first field visit was arranged at Melghat Tiger Reserve.

From 10th to 14th November several classroom sessions were completed at the University. Participants also worked on their presentations.

Before the Melghat field module, participants were given information on Melghat Tiger Reserve and several issues that Nature Conservation Society has addressed through education and conservation programmes. Mr. Ravindra Vankhade, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Melghat Tiger Reserve delivered a talk on village relocation for tiger conservation.

Melghat Field module :

The course participants visited Melghat Tiger Reserve on 14th November and stayed at the beautiful Muthawa community centre established by Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA).

15th November was a special day as a famous Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was playing his 200th test match at Mumbai  and batting for the last time in his career. The whole of India was affected with cricket fever. However the course participants were lucky to have the Principal Secretary (Forest) of the Government of Maharashtra Mr.Praveen Pardeshi delivering an important lecture on "Tiger conservation, a challenge before the Government." Instructors used this event to explain how such special occasions can be used to educate the masses on species conservation.

Participants requested Mr.Pardeshi to play cricket on this occasion, before he started his lecture. He accepted the request and played bowling the Field Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve Dr. Dinesh Tyagi. Mr.Pardeshi along with the participants and instructors signed on this memorable bat.

After a very fascinating and informative lecture by Mr. Pardeshi, participants were also allowed to attend a Government review meeting on "convergence of schemes for tiger conservation" and got first-hand knowledge of strategy to resolve these issues. Participants from Bangladesh and Nepal shared information on the nature of community participation in their country and its role in solving conservation problems.

Participants conducted several classroom sessions at the Community centre in Melghat. The participants also visited Kund meadow from where the village Kund was resettled in the year 2001. Partcipants learned about whether village relocation helps tiger conservation. Mr. Ravindra Vankhede, Deputy Conservator of Forest of Melghat Tiger Reserve had already briefed the participants on this topic at the University.

Participants were given a task: to visit the tourism centre at Semadoh in Melghat and find out shortcomings and solutions to communicate the message of tiger conservation effectively.

Dr. Ganesh Vankhede conducted a field module on how to gather community support for lesser known species like spiders. Participants were first given information on spiders in the field. Later they were taught about various education tools suited to specific target audiences.

Participants also visited the Tiger reserve and saw some of the protection camps where forest staff were deployed to protect the tiger habitat. Ms. Munjali Tokbipi, the participant who was the first lady educator in Assam was astonished to visit one of the protection camps at Melghat Tiger Reserve. She admired the services of local villagers that have been deployed for Tiger protection at protection camps.

Participants saw wild dogs, sambar, chital, peacocks, Crested Serpent Eagles and a variety of birds along with the mysterious spiders. Instructors Edward McCrea, Kishor Rithe and Nishikant Kale accompanied the participants during the Melghat field module.

Lecture by Mr. Jayanta Pathak on Rhino conservation:

After returning from the Melghat field module, participants attended several special lectures by experts on the course topics. A lecture by Mr. Jayanta Pathak, former course participant and a conservation educator from Aasam, was arranged for the participants. His organization has been working for rhino and tiger conservation for more than two decades. He spoke on “The status of Indian Rhino: Challenges in its conservation.” He also spoke on how he used the knowledge gained through the last course to educate stakeholders including the community in Assam. Participants asked Jayanta several questions.

Lectures by Prerna Bindra, Vishal Bansod:

A famous wildlife journalist, member of the National Board for Wildlife and author of the book “The King and I,” Prerna Bindra gave thought-provoking lessons to participants on the topic “Conservation through media.” She elaborated on how to use media tools for species conservation. She spoke on the need to change the behaviour of various target groups including the communities for tiger conservation.  

Prerna currently is a freelance journalist, and is the Editor of Tigerlink, a journal which collates and analyzes information on the tiger from across its range countries.

Prerna Bindra began her career in journalism with Sanctuary Asia in 1995. Later, she moved on to mainstream media, born of the belief that the message needed to percolate to the common man, and to reach a larger audience. In a career spanning over a decade, she has worked with various publications including India Today, The Asian Age, The Pioneer, Tehelka and The Indian Express— penning well over a thousand articles on nature and wildlife. She has done many investigative, undercover stories, at times at considerable risk to her life, and exposed the illegal trade in shahtoosh in Jammu & Kashmir, and the ivory trade in Gujarat. She has also travelled across forests in Naxal control like Palamau and Saranda in Jharkhand, and Similipal in Orissa.

She explained that wildlife conservationists and media, if they work together, can bring about a better future for the masses. In a Powerpoint presentation, she explained some of her stories and how conservationists contributed the inputs. She also elaborated on how conservationists and media can make a difference to the common man. Water, food and fresh environment are the most essential things for a common man. If conservationists do not feed the media scientific and realistic inputs, the media would only move around sensational events. But with the right kind of interventions by conservationists and media, they can help the Government to move things in a positive direction for the betterment of mankind. She presented some case studies and explained how to make policy changes by using different media tools.

Vishal Bansod, a past course participant who has arrested several tiger poachers in the last two years, spoke on the complex problem of illegal poaching and wildlife  trade in central India. He interacted with participants on this issue in detail. He spoke on the use of appropriate tools to get the support of target groups to arrest this serious problem.

Field visit to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve:

Participants visited TATR during 21-23 November 2013, interacted with the Field Director and also took lessons on the growing human wildlife conflict issue and regulated tourism.

Participants were very impressed with the situation in TATR and efforts been taken by locals, NGOs, public representatives, media and the state Government to made TATR among the top five in the country.

Mr.Virendra Tiwari, Field Director of TATR interacted with the participants on "regulated tourism" where he explained the set of measures that his office has taken in the last two years. Mr. Shankar Gedam, the village head of Botezari village who writes poems on tiger conservation had decided to shift his village from the core of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. He presently serves as wildlife guide at the reserve. He was invited to explain how poems can be an effective media tool to spread the message of tiger conservation.

The serious issue of growing human-wildlife conflict was explained by Poonam Dhanwatey of Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (TRACT) who is also Honorary Wildlife Warden of Chandrapur, and participants later worked on her presentation to address this issue through conservation education programmes.

Compared to the 2008 and 2010 nationwide tiger estimations, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on its own has come up well in India and is doing the best today. Looking at the recent management and policy decisions taken by the state and centre, backed by locals and tiger lovers in Maharashtra, TATR may shortly grab a position among the top five in the country, said the delegates.

  Babu Ram Lamichhane, Rabin Kadariya from Nepal and A F M Mahmudul Hasan and Zubair Hussni Fahad from Bangladesh were highly impressed after the Tadoba visit specially after learning from the people who have worked in this landscape for a long time.

Participants presenting their tasks during the Tadoba field module

Munjali Tokbipi, the first lady environment educator from the Karbi indigenous community from Assam,  lives near the world famous Kaziranga National Park. She was fascinated and thrilled after seeing a mating pair of tigers near Pandharpavani. "I will dream of providing such a home to tigers in Assam now," she responded spontaneously after the Tadoba visit.

Participants also took note of the following facts during their Tadoba visit -

1) Tiger-occupied forests in India have been classified into 6 landscape complexes which includes the Central Indian Landscape Complex.

2) Each landscape complex consists of landscape units that still have contiguous tiger habitat and contain one to many breeding populations of tigers (source populations). Within each landscape unit there exists the potential to manage some of the tiger populations as meta-populations.

3) In 2008, within the forest area of the Central Indian Landscape tiger presence was reported from 47,122 km2 (11.6 % of forests) with an estimated tiger population of 451 (347 to 564) distributed in 17 populations. The Central Indian landscape complex consists of eleven separate landscapes; out of which five landscapes with single source populations could potentially persist due to their reasonably large size and potential for high density tiger population. That includes Tadoba with tiger occupancy in 775 km2 and a population estimate of 34 tigers in 2008.

4) Tadoba Tiger Reserve has been spread over a forest patch of 2000 km², and has the potential to become an important source population for the Navegaon- Indravati landscape. It has the potential for sharing genetic material with the Kanha-Pench landscape through restorative management of intervening areas ranging between 5-20 km² in size.

5) Today the Tadoba landscape enjoys an approximate population of 100 tigers.

Amravati Visit:

After the Tadoba Visit, the participants returned to Amravati University. They visited Wadali forest Nursery and conducted a nature walk on the location.  They also visited the bamboo nursery and interacted  with bamboo expert Mr. Salim. Participants worked hard on the projects assigned to them during the end sessions. They also completed their presentations.

Concluding Ceremony:

The concluding ceremony was arranged at the University auditorium. Participants were given certificates at the graduation ceremony by the Guests. The concluding function was presided over by Mr. Edward McCrea of EECG, USA and Dr. Mohan Jha, Chief Conservator of Forests (Amravati Circle) was the chief Guest.

Kishor Rithe who had designed and started this course in India in 2009 through this alliance,  explained the course proceedings on this occasion.

Dr. Mohan Jha lauded these efforts and said that the participants will bring the positive change in different tiger landscapes.

Edward McCrea expressed that the course was successful looking at the feedback. He said that complex problems like poaching/illegal wildlife trade and human-wildlife conflict issues were discussed during this course and the use of media tools and effective techniques to address species conservation issues were explained to participants to make them capable of handling the ground situation.

Rabin Kadariya from Nepal and Hasan from Bangladesh and Santosh Kumar Sahoo won the three special awards declared by EECG for their excellent projects.  Rabin, Zubair Hussni Fahad from Bangladesh and Santosh from Punjab (India) spoke about the usefulness of course to them.

Dr. Deepa Kulkarni conducted the concluding function and graduation ceremony. Dr. C.K.Deshmukh expressed the vote of thanks. 

Cultural Night and memento exchange:

A cultural programme was arranged for the course participants. Several items were presented on culture and art in central India. Participants also presented their cultural songs and dance.

Course Highlights (Achievements):

The course participants returned to their homes with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to build effective education campaigns that focus on a specific environmental issue or species of concern.

The combination of foreign and Indian instructors proved very effective. Participants gave good feedback on the course delivery.

The lectures by Prerna Singh Bindra, Vishal Bansod, Jayanta Pathak, Poonam Dhanwatey and Mr. Praveen Pardeshi were very thought-provoking and informative.

During the TATR field visit (from 21-23 November 2013) participants learned a lot on scientific aspects of tiger conservation. They realized that compared to the 2008 and 2010 nationwide tiger estimations, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on its own has come up well in India and is doing the best today. Looking at the recent management and policy decisions taken by the state and centre, backed by locals and tiger lovers in Maharashtra, TATR may shortly grab a position among the top five in the country. They felt lucky to have visited this reserve and learned about the efforts that made this reserve the best.

The Government's participation was notable throughout the course. Several officers were invited to visit the course to interact with participants on important topics.

Participants decided to request Sachin Tendulkar to sign on the memorable bat for tiger conservation.

Participants learned about the serious issue of growing human-wildlife conflict in the Tadoba landscape and how such issues can be tackled with conservation education.

Awards announced by EECG made participants focus on quality and hard work during several activities and projects.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington D.C. who provided grants to conduct this course. Small financial support was also provided by SAVE, Germany. SGB Amravati University, Maharashtra Forest Department, EECG,USA and Satpuda Foundation provided in-kind support.

Annexure-I

Contact details of Participants and instructors:

Instructors/Assistant Instructors