Kanha Mukki Gate – Report on Children in the Park Day

By Sarath Champati, Taj Safaris Head Naturalist

In consultation with Rajnish Singh, Range Officer Mukki and the active co-operation from Shergarh camp, Kanha Jungle Lodge and Chitwan, we arranged for 43 school children from the Mukki Middle school to visit the Park on 18th April 2009.
 
The programme flow was as follows:
1. 4 vehicles, one each from Banjaar Tola, Shergarh, Jungle Lodge and Chitwan, reported at the Mukki gate at 5.45 am and the children were briefed by Rajnish Singh, the Range officer of Mukki and one of our Naturalist Ashish on the Park and its wildlife.
2. Between 6am to 10 am: Drive in the park, which included seeing a Tiger from elephant-back, all arranged by the Kanha Park Management. Thanks to Dr.Pabla and Mr.R.P.Singh,FD for agreeing to give free entrance to this event and their wholehearted approval..
3. The children were then brought back to Banjaar Tola lodge for a visit to the Lodge and a snack in the staff cafeteria.
4. The children were given a short 'Eco-lesson' by one of Taj Safaris Naturalists, Alger.


This coming season
The Mukki lodges plan to cover all the Middle schools in the Mukki area (total 12 schools with 1350 children from 6th-7th-8th standards), in the months from 15th October to March 2010.
We plan to work on a similar plan with the active co-operation of other lodges in the Mukki area. Every lodge will take turns to host the children and lodge naturalists will accompany them and also give the 'Eco-lesson.’

I also feel that the age group of the children in the Middle school is best suited for this exercise as they are still in the formative age. If we are able to cover all the 1350 children, which will be a great achievement, we can think of extending it to other standards.

Message from Rajnish K Singh
Range Officer Mukki
Kanha Tiger Reserve
The feedback from teachers and kids was great and it was the first little step towards the bigger challenge, as we need to do many more such safaris for some 5700 kids enrolled in the schools, which are within 5 km limits of park boundary,

Message from TOFT
Well done for arranging this, and wonderful to have the target to achieve by the end of next season. Hopefully with all the lodges participating this will be achievable. Special thanks to Sarath Champati for coordinating this and Banjaar Tola lodge for hosting them. Let’s take it forward

Kisli Gate - Report on Children in the Park Day

Report By Neelesh Agrawal from Krishna Resorts

Though thousand of nature tourists from India and abroad visit the famous Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh every year, the local children from nearby villages hardly ever get a chance to visit the park, appreciates its glory and understand why it’s important to keep in health.

So with TOFT’s initial instigation, the Jungle Lodges Association of Kanha made a serious effort to provide the local children an opportunity to get a jeep ride inside the park, watch wildlife, have a picnic and enjoy the whole experience.

This proposal was well received by the park authorities and they whole heartedly supported this programme. In its first phase the local schools from Mocha and Khatia villages from the buffer zone were chosen, with a few kids from Chapri and Kutwahi too and a list of about 160 children was prepared.

On the 13th of May 2009, with concerns that the kids would not turn up, amazingly all these children came together and were places in 23 Jeeps and were taken inside the park in the early morning. All vehicles were organised and paid for by the members of the Association and even a few local gypsy operators volunteered with their vehicles for the day.

The children were taken around the Kanha and Kisli ranges of the park and they got see a variety of the birds and animals. The guides and naturalist who accompanied the children explained the role of various animals in nature and the importance of natural wealth for mankind.

Many children were lucky to spot a tiger from the Jeep and the Park authorities were kind enough to arrange Tiger viewing for most of the children from elephant back. The entry fees to Park which are normally collected from tourist were waived for this event.

After the park drive the children were brought to the Cafeteria in Kanha were they were provided with a sumptuous hot breakfast. They were also taken around the Museum to show and explain the interesting displays, had a big group picture taken, before being driven back to their villages.

For many children, ' It was a lifetime experience' quoted one of the Teachers who accompanied the children

Neelesh Agrawal
Chairman. Kanha Lodge Association
Kanha TOFT Representative

Message from TOFT

Much thanks and praise must go to both Neelesh for volunteering to organise the first in the ‘Children in the Park’ day, and to fellow lodge owners, managers, guides and drivers for their support and generosity in provisioning their staff and own resources.

They include Eric D Counha, Manager of Indian Adventures, Mr. Fayiaz, Manager of Tuli Tiger resort, Mr Rishin manager from Kipling camp and Mr. Yadaw, owner of The Pugmark Resort

TOFT have set another date of 7th October for the next ‘Kids in the Park Day’ with other local communities and we want to grow this initiative as a collective lodge response to community relations and integration.