CHANDRAPUR: A comprehensive message about environmental conservation was given to 64 students and 32 teachers representing 32 districts in Maharashtra at the Tadoba Mahotsav. The festival was organised  by National Green Corps of Social Forestry Directorate and Tiger Cell of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) at Moharli in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) between 18th and 23rd January.

The 6-day festival was designed to introduce students and teachers, majority of whom were from rural areas of Maharashtra, to symbiotic relations between various elements of ecology. Participants were given information about Tiger census, camera trap method of Tiger census and issues regarding endangered existence of these striped big cats. 

Students had an opportunity to listen to many experts on a vast range of topics. Sanjay Thakre, Field Officer, TATR, spoke to students about the Tiger Reserve at length. Other experts who spoke at the festival were- Harshavardhan Dhanavate (man animal conflict), Surech Chopane (mines and environment), Sanjay Karkare (bio-diversity in Maharashtra), Dharmaraj Patil (life of birds) and Yadav Tarate (life of spiders).

Interesting activities such as collage making and face painting based on environmental issues were also organised.

Education Officer with Tiger Cell of BNHS, Sanjay Karkare was the organizing head for the festival. He said, 'We had organised a festival on similar lines last year and this year wanted to take things further. Our intent was to tell students that they now need to be aware about and participate in the actual conservation efforts.'

One of the expert speakers on birds at the festival, Pune based wildlife researcher, Dharmaraj Patil said that, 'We realised through our interaction with students and teachers that they need to get introduced to actual problems related to conservation efforts, not be restricted to mundane ideas with no action attached to it.'

Satyappa Hajare, a school teachers from Savarde, tehsil Panhala, dist Kolhapur said that, 'we could bring home a great experience to share with school children in my school. One of the greatest experiences was to learn about animals from their wastes and pugmarks. Students also enjoyed a 15 minute face to face experience with a tiger.'

 Sanjay Karkare added that, "We had chosen students who are actually doing something in this direction through National Green Corps. Issues such as controversies regarding proposed mining projects in TATR, those about Tiger census were discussed."