Wildlife week celebration by KANS in Hosur Forest Division

Day 01, 09/10/2010 - Nature Camp

As part of the wildlife week festivities, KANS conducted a nature camp for the students of Sishya and Titan School, Hosur at Aiyur eco-awareness camp.

The idea behind conducting this camp was to bring into sharp focus of the students the area of Melagiri, its history, diversity and to bring into them a sense of responsibility to protect this 1480 sq km area of forest cover falling into Krishnagiri district.

The students, a total of 10 each from the 2 schools were picked up from the Sishya School. On reaching Aiyur they were immediately taken to a short walk on the road leading to the Samieri lake from the camp. During the walk the students were made to listen to the various sounds of the forest and appreciate the diversity of creature that have made these forests their home. The students were briefed about spiders, birds, trees and the various animals that are found.

Synchronized Tiger Census In Hosur Forest Division

I was under the impression that I was in for Tiger Census in the  Hosur FD, Although I am generally not very well informed I knew  the Tiger Census were over. However keeping my skepticism aside I  plunged in volunteering for the task.

A little about the survey, It was organized by KANS (Kenneth  Anderson Nature Society) jointly with the forest authorities during the weekend of 20th and21st of Feb. The  idea was to gather volunteers, break them into groups and send  them to different divisions. The group itself will be broken into  at max 2 people plus the Forest Guards to trek into the forests  through a path called the beat. Day one was for Direct sighting,  so volunteers were to keep their eyes and ear open and of course  mouth shut for direct sightings of animals and birds. Day two was  for gathering indirect evidences of the fauna through collecting  scats (i.e., poop of the animals.. he he) and  examining/photographing pug/hoof marks. All the groups would enter  the forests at the same time so that the chances of sighting  increases and counting the same animal is reduced. We were to establish credential that Tigers/Leopards are in the area.  This way the forests that are currently only under Reserve Forests status get promoted to Sanctuary status, as its counterparts in the Karnataka Forest division. Higher the status, more security, hence more chances that the forests are protected from the human interferences.