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Vanashakti Activities
Introduction Vanashakti is a NGO that focuses on three major areas of
environment namely conservation, environmental education and outreach, and sustainable livelihood of tribal community.
Vanashakti believes that Environment Education is a process of integrated learning of the components of our planet, meant to avoid compartmentalization of disciplines and promote a holistic understanding of the living and non-living world, their inter-relationships and inter-dependence, to create well informed citizens able to make informed choices and decisions.
Vanashakti conducts activities both in urban and rural areas in the state of Maharashtra to propagate and instill environmental awareness amongst youth.
ACITIVITIES IN
URBAN AREAS
BROAD OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES IN 2013 Beach Cleanup
Ganpati Visarjan Vigil
Mangrove Census
Urban Educational Program • Anti-Noise Pollution Rallies• Natural Trails• Earth Day Celebration
Restoration Activities
Environmental Day celebration
Beach Cleanup
1. Sindhudurg Coastal Cleanup - October 2nd 2013• Held across 34 beaches in three talukas of Sindhudurg
district• Coordinated the event for better functioning with the
schools, village Sarpanch`s, gram Sevaks and volunteers• Volunteers on each beach cleaned the beaches with the
help of school students and separated the bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste
2. Cleanliness of Marve Beach – April 18th 2013 • Beach cleanup with D.A.V. school students from Marve,
Malad• Discussion on Mangrove eco-systems
Beach Cleanup
Ganpati Visarjan Vigil
1. Held on September 18th 2013 at Powai Lake 2. Distributed newspaper bags made by the tribal women of
SHG`s of Wada Taluka3. Spread awareness about discouraging use of plastic bags
Mangrove Census – Pilot Project
1. Held on September 5th 20132. Mangrove trees manually counted3. In collaboration with Mangrove Cell of Mumbai and St.
Xavier's Students4. Conducted in Sewri, Bandra and Bhandup mangrove forests.
Mangrove Census
Urban Educational Program
1. Weekly classes held in several schools across Mumbai2. Students are educated on environmental topics such as
mangroves, conversation of water, biogeochemical cycles etc.3. Activities like rallies, natural trails, earth day celebration
come under this program4. Schools participating in the program:-
• SKKES, Mulund• Anjuman Islam, Bandra• D.A.V., Malad• Vidyadhiraja, Bhandup• Vidyaben Gardi, Mulund
Urban Educational Program
1. Curriculum includes discussion, activities, visits, visuals• Discussion, debates and quizzes on environmental topics
like mangroves, natural resources, ecosystems, clouds, etc.
• Activities like chart making, map marking, natural trails around school campus, placards on trees and clean up
• Field trips to Maharashtra Nature Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Bhandup Wetlands
• Screening of environment related movies and PowerPoint presentations
Classroom Discussion
Water, Power and Cleanliness Audit
Other Activities
Anti - Noise Pollution Rally
1. Anti noise pollution and “No Honking” posters/banners made along with the students
2. Students marched in the areas around their school holding banners
3. Vehicles were stopped and educated about harmful effects of noise pollution
Anti – Noise Pollution Rally
Nature Trails
1. Vanashakti has conducted Nature Trails with many schools to:-• Sanjay Gandhi National Park• Mahim Nature Park and • Wetlands of MMR
Natural Trails
Earth Day 2013 celebration1. Held in D.A.V school, Malad on April 22nd 20132. Plantation of trees3. Talk by the Range Forest Officer, Mangrove Department
Restoration activities
1. International Mangrove Action Day - July 26th 2013• Mangrove plantation conducted in Bhandup• Mangrove drawing competition held amongst students
who were present
2. Afforestation Drive – July 3rd 2013 • Trees were planted with NSS students of DJ Sanghavi
College in Vile Parle
Restoration activities – International Mangrove Action Day
Restoration activities – Afforestion Drive
Environment Day 2013 celebration1. Held in June 5th 2013 2. Plantation of saplings in degraded wetlands of the Thane
creek in association with the Mangrove Cell of the state Forest Dept, Mumbai
BROAD OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES IN 2011-12Mangroves and Wetland Interpretation
Terrestrial Forest Interpretation
Thematic Workshop
Interaction with Fisher folks of Mumbai
Interschool Teachers' Quiz Contest
World Wetland Day
Mahashivratri Vigil
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
Mangrove & Wetland Interpretation Trails
1. Identification and understanding of: • Mangroves• Bird (waders, canopy dwellers, raptors)• Reptiles• Shell and fin fishes• Coastal communities (Agri-Koli) and fisheries2. Estuarine and creek geography and ecology.3. Importance of mangroves and wetlands.4. Threats and conservation measures.
Terrestrial Forest Interpretation
1. Biogeography of India.
2. Flora and fauna of terrestrial forests.
3. Identification of visible and audible fauna and flora.
4. Jungle survival.
5. Threats to forests.
6. Conservation issues and measures for PAs.
Thematic Workshops
1. Workshops on the following environmental themes
amongst others:
• Flora and fauna
• Mangrove ecosystem
• Local fishing communities
• Avifaunal diversity
2. Interactive sessions like quiz, debates etc.
Interaction with Fisher folks of Mumbai
1. An insight into the lives of the fishing communities of
Mumbai, the Agri and Koli communities.
2. Field visit to the creek areas and fishing jetties.
3. An informative session on the need for mangroves as a
source of economy and livelihood to the fishing
communities.
Teachers’ Quiz Contest on Environment
1. Interschool quiz on environment and forests of India.
2. Two rounds – Selection (intra school) and final (inter school).
• Round 1: Written with MCQs
• Round 2: Oral.
World Wetland Day
2011
Wetland Clean-up
Banners
Mangrove Clean-up (2011) Clean up drive in the mangroves of Mumbai city (Bhandup).
Approx. 200 acres of mangroves were rid of non-
biodegradable waste using the help of the local fishing
community volunteers.
Approx. 450 kg of waste comprising plastics, biomedical
waste, rubber slippers etc. were collected.
Joint initiative between Vanashakti, Maharashtra State
Forest Dept. (Thane forest circle), MCGM, Ekvira Aai
Pratishthan (local NGO).
Wetland Day –Banners (2011)
Informative banners on the importance of wetlands, their
biodiversity, and on mangroves were put up on the premises
of the Maharashtra State Forest Department (Thane Forest
Circle) and the residential areas (adjoining mangrove forests)
of the Dahisar Link Road.
Mangrove Clean-up (2012) Clean up drive in the mangroves of Mumbai city (Bhandup).
Approx. 100 acres of mangroves were rid of non-
biodegradable waste using the help of the local fishing
community volunteers.
Approx. 300 kg of waste comprising plastics, biomedical
waste, rubber slippers, thermocol etc. were collected.
Joint initiative between Vanashakti, Mangrove Society of
India (MSI) Maharashtra State Forest Dept. (Thane forest
circle), MCGM and Ekvira Aai Pratishthan (local NGO).
Wetland Banner (2012)
The Maharashtra State Forest Department unveiled a signage announcing World Wetland Day.
The PCCF and other senior forest officials attended the program.
The signage was unveiled at the Mulund Airoli Link Road. Vanashakti was an invitee to the occasion.
Mangrove Walk (2012)
Wetland interpretation trail for the general public was announced.
Around 20 people joined the two hours trail in the mangrove forests of Bhandup, Mumbai.
Participants were briefed about the importance of mangroves for the city, their floral and faunal diversity etc.
Various wetland birds, insects and lesser mammals were spotted and identified.
A joint initiative between Vanashakti, MSI-Mumbai Chapter and other supporting partners.
Wetland Birds’ Identification
Sessions organized for the general public in the creek area
(Thane Creek an IBA) of Airoli, Navi Mumbai.
A session on bird identification, habitat use and preferences,
breeding and feeding behaviors, and migratory behaviors
and routes.
Mahashivratri Vigil
• Over 1 Lac people converge to the temple inside the national park
during the festival of Mahashivratri
• Hence, the vigil was held to :-
1. Regulate the flow of pilgrims in the forest
2. Prevent forest fires by confiscating match boxes
3. Reduce the influx of plastic bags and other non-biodegradables inside the forest
4. Educate the masses on the need to protect the forests.
• Newspaper bags were distributed this year in lieu of the plastic bags
that were confiscated from the pilgrims.
• These newspaper bags were made by tribal women of Wada (SHGs)
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
Presentations on effects of consumerism on the natural resources
of our country.
Presented to two schools of Mumbai.
Theme- Consumerism v/s Environmentalism.
Gandhian principles of simple living against today’s high
consumerism and its impact on the natural resources, ecosystems,
landscape of the country and on the lives of the inhabitants of
rural and tribal areas , were highlighted in the presentation.
ACTIVITIES IN
RURAL AREAS
Environmental Sensitization Workshop
A three-day orientation session on environment for the
tribal students of Wada taluka (a predominantly tribal area
facing rapid destruction of forests, amongst other
environmental issues), Thane district.
Classroom sessions, backyard ecology sessions, self study
and report-making.
Laid a base for a year-round education plan for the tribal
school students of the region.
Wada Taluka
• Environmental Education program for the tribal communities has been started to
conserve the biodiversity and the environment of the Tansa River valley basin
where the Wada taluka is situated
• Wada Taluka is going through severe degradation of its ecosystems due to
deforestation, loss of top soil for brick making, illegal quarrying, etc
• Rising temperatures and dropping of the water table are proof of desertification
of this once lush green forest,
• It is also a cultural heritage site with rich biodiversity which is now being turned
into an unregulated industrial sector
• Forest fires are frequent and is a common method used by tribals to hunt rabbits,
wild boars, etc.
Wada Taluka
• The top soil is being sold by tribal landowners for brick making which in turn is
causing air and land pollution. This has rendered the land unfit for cultivation
post monsoons and the region witnesses severe flooding.
• Moreover, transportation of the bricks and quarried material is destroying the
local roads.
• The exploitation of the trees for fire wood has caused the depletion of the area’s
natural forests fragmenting the wildlife corridor connecting Tungareshwar and
Tansa Sanctuaries.
• Bamboo work artisans are without jobs today due to a complete loss of bamboo
forests as a result of over exploitation.
Environmental Education Program for the Adivasi Communities of Wada taluka, Maharashtra
A year round environmental education program for the 8th and 9th grades of Wada taluka.
Program run in six schools. An in house syllabus made for the program. Modules: Classroom sessions (interactives, group discussions,
audio visuals), nature discovery trails, backyard ecology, do-it-yourself, projects and report making.
Program run successfully and schools have requested for its continuation in the coming academic year.
Bark Autographs: Tracing bark texture of various species of trees.
Awareness of the Senses: An activity in which the child focuses on each of his/her senses everyday and notes
down things that pleases it. It is observed that most of the things that please the 5 senses are natural not man
made.
What I Need in a Day: A mini LCA. Listing a days requirements and assessing its origin, manufacturing process if
any, life span and disposal.
Environmental News: Maintaining newspaper cuttings of environmental issues from various newspapers
Animals in My Village: Documenting the amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and insects.
Plants in My Village: Documenting the various plant species and their economic and/or ethno botanical value.
Landscapes and Ecosystems in my Village and its Neighbourhood: Documenting the various ecosystems and their
living and non-living components.
Map Making: Mapping the school, village, neighbourhood and the nearest town.
School Clean-up: Cleaning up the solid waste from the school, segregating and measuring each component.
“Clean and Green Village Systems”
• Summer camp for grade 8 students aimed to create a model eco-village in Kelthan in Wada Taluka
• The model was created in premises of Learning Space Foundation, a local NGO providing supplementary education to the local tribal children since it is visited by both villagers and urbanites and seems to be an ideal location to create a model for future emulation.
• Theme of the camp was “Solid Waste Management” and “Conservation of Groundwater”
• Participants performed street plays in neighboring villages to spread awareness on the issue of waste management and groundwater conservation
Clean and Green Village Systems – Waste Management
• During a random solid waste survey conducted in the villages, it was found
out that Learning Space generated 15 kg of dry waste (randomly
discarded in 3 dumping yards) each week against the 55 kg of weekly dry
waste that the villages collectively generated.
• The NGO realized they needed a waste management plan put together at
the earliest so as to effectively manage their waste handling and disposal.
• Participants created an organized system of waste segregation and
disposal
• Bilingual labels were used for identifying the type of waste and its correct
way of disposal
Bilingual Charts for Appropriate Waste Disposal
Clean and Green Village Systems – Waste Management
• A compost pit was created for the disposal of wet waste• A roof was created on top of the pit from bamboo and
discarded construction material from the village which is effectively maintained
• An incineration pit was dug for the disposal of biomedical waste which was roofed using natural resources
• Dry waste was recycled and arrangements were made for bhangaarwalas (Waste-recyclers) to come and collect the recyclable waste the village generated
Compost Pit
Incineration Pit
Bhangaarwalas (Waste-Recyclers)
Clean and Green Village Systems – Groundwater conservation
• In order to save water and electricity bilingual signages regarding conservation of water and electricity were created
• Informational sessions, theory classes as well as group discussions were conducted to generate awareness about groundwater and pollution
• Ficus trees were usually cut down by villagers because they were deemed useless. However, Ficus helps in holding groundwater which is why Ficus saplings were transplanted to a location where they would not be felled when they are full grown trees.
Bilingual Signages to conserve water and elecctricity
Group Discussions
Ficus Transplantation records
Street plays • In order to create awareness among the local communities to prevent
environmental degradation, street plays were conducted on various issues specific to the area of Wada Taluka
• Plays of about 10-15 minutes duration, which began at about sunset and went on till dinner time, were conducted at various locations in different villages and hamlets.
• These plays were effective, as they got the Panchayats to act. For example, dustbins were distributed in every household, and garbage bins were setup all across the villages.
• All plays were performed by our environment education kids in 3 villages and 6 hamlets, targeting total population of 4000.
• Most villagers now have stopped using plastic bags and other non-biodegradables in the villages.
Street Plays
Conclusion Vanashakti believes that environmental education is an essential
aspect of conservation of environment. The outreach activities should not confine itself to educational institutions but must also target the adults who are currently involved in activities that are actively or passively encouraging degradation of the environment. Informed people contribute more to the society and, therefore, with its efforts Vanashakti strives to increase environmental awareness. Throughout the years, Vanashakti has come up with different and creative programs that require public involvement both in urban and rural areas and will continue to do so in years to come. These programs of either small or large scale, make a difference in the society, towards the betterment of the environment for future generations.
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