raining empowers Vedanthangal residents with role of nature guides

Nature enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, living in and around Vedanthangal, have taken on the role of nature guides, helping visitors understand local birdlife. They recently underwent skill training under the ‘Nature Wings Project’ by Care Earth Trust, a biodiversity research organisation.

A group of 25 participants aged between 18 and 33 years were equipped with the knowledge of bird identification, migration patterns, wetland ecology, and communication skills during the programme that was organised in association with the Forest Department.

A team of eight members – mostly women- have registered themselves as ‘Golden Wings’ nature guides and have been conducting guided walks in Vedanthangal bird sanctuary for nearly a month.

S. Kalaiselvi, a member of the ‘Golden Wings’ team and Vedanthangal resident, said, “I have always lived close to the birds. To me, they were all cranes until this training. It helped me understand different species, their behaviour and boosted confidence to guide visitors.”

Ms. Kalaiselvi is now confident of identifying nearly 98% of the birds visiting the sanctuary and has guided about 80 visitors in the past one month. “This job has given me an income opportunity and improved my communication skills to handle visitors’ preferences,” she said.

Gokul, a third year BTech student, divides his time between studying and playing the nature guide. “Earlier, I had little knowledge or interest about birds. I learnt about 120-140 bird species in the programme and was trained to answer visitors’ questions. I have guided visitors and shared information on 36 bird species that visited Vedanthangal,” he said.

The project is aimed to educate the local community on biodiversity conservation and create income opportunities as nature guides at the Vedanthangal and Karikili bird sanctuaries as well as enhance visitor experience.

R. Sunanda, project associate (Nature Education), Care Earth Trust, said the three-month sessions were conducted on various topics related to biodiversity and wetlands with the Trust’s co-founder R.J. Ranjith Daniels and Rosella Daniels, a science teacher, as resource persons. The participants also visited Kerala’s Thattekad bird sanctuary, and the trust would continue to conduct skill upgradation sessions.