Presentation on the activities of Vanashakti.

1. PROGRESS REPORT
September 2010- July 2012

2. VANASHAKTI –ACTIVITY STRUCTURE
VANASHAKTI
Conservation
Coasts
SEZ
Flamingo
Sanctuary Sewri
Western
Ghats
Mining
ESZ
Committee
Environment Education
& Outreach
Urban
Schools
General
Public
Rural
Tribal
Education
Sustainable
Livelihoods
Paper Bags
Project

3. CONSERVATION

4. COASTS

5. Flamingo Sanctuary
 Thane Creek houses a number of birds both on migratory and
resident.
 Habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat and pollution have lead
to the depletion in numbers.
 Vanashakti petitions to the Forest Ministry for protection of
bird habitat.
 The Ministry gives in principle approval for declaration of the
Creek (Thane to Sewri) as a Flamingo Sanctuary within the
next 2 years.
 Project being pursued by the Maharashtra Forest Department.

7. Clockwise: Lesser Flamingo, Painted
Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Little Egret,
Curlew, Black-winged Stilt

8. Mulund-Thane SEZ
 Land reclassified from CRZ-I to CRZ-III.
 Handed over for construction of an SEZ in prime mangrove location.
 Concerned Govt. Departments: MCZMA, MCGM, Environment
Department
 Jeopardy: Dumping of solid waste on adjacent mangroves by the
MCGM!
 Vanashakti petitions all concerned authorities to inspect the site
and cancel the ECs.
 No response. Vanashakti moves court.
 Hon’bl High Court order: 5th Jan, 2012 interim order to stop all
dumping activites on the site.
 Status: Work stopped. Case is being heard.

11. Sewri Mangroves
 Sewri Mangrove Park declared by BPT in 1997.
 Was supposed to develop the area to showcase mangroves and Flamingo habitat.
 Reality: 30 Hectares of mangroves completely wiped out and the entire belt in danger
of getting destroyed.
 Vanashakti investigates the issue and files complaints with MoEF, MCZMA, State
Environment Department, Forest Department, MPCB etc.
 Hindustan Times carries a front page story on the issue. News report seen by Chief
Justice of Mumbai High Court. The court issues suo motto notices to the State
Government.
 MCZMA files an affidavit stating that blockage of water due to bunding and effluents
killed the mangroves which was untrue.
 Real culprit: The improper location and storage of coking coal by BPT in the immediate
vicinity.
 Vanashakti files its intervention application in the matter and is accepted.
 Court is appraised of the realities and on Vanashakti’s request appoints NEERI to
investigate the site and submit its report.
NEERI submits its report which confirms Vanashakti’s assertions. Joint site visits done
with government officials (FD, MCZMA, MPCB, BPT) and scientists from NEERI.
 Status: Case is being regularly heard.

13. WESTERN GHATS

14. Mining in Sindhudurg
 49 mining leases proposed in the Sawantwadi-
Dodamarg region of the Sindhudurg district of
Maharashtra.
 The region being an integral part of the Sahyadri
Konkan Wildlife Corridor.
 The Corridor used by Schedule I species of wildlife
including the National Animal (Tiger), State Animal
(Malabar Giant Squirrel),National Bird (Indian Peafowl)
and herds of migrating Elephants.
 Corridor threatened by mining leases
 that will permanently mutilate and
 perforate this habitat.

15.  regular visits to the region, meetings with villagers, co-
ordination with local press and electronic media.
 meetings with concerned Govt. officials (Forest Department,
Government Secretaries etc).
 sustained media campaigns on national and state News
channels (NDTV, TV9, IBN-Lokmat) and print media (Times of
India, Hindustan Times, DNA, Time Out Sakal, Tarun Bharat
etc.).
 gathered information and helped put together facts for the
PIL filed in the Bombay High Court under the Awaaz
Foundation to get an ESA status for the region.
Vanashakti Conducts

16. Results.
 Honorable High Court places moratorium on projects till 31ST
March 2012.
 WGEEP Report produced after court orders to the MoEF
(MoEF was reluctant to share the report).
 Status: Case being heard regularly.

17. Location of the Sahyadri Konkan corridor and proposed ESA

18. ESZ Committee
 Based on the directions of the Western Ghats Ecology Experts
Panel (WGEEP) Report, the Maharashtra State Forest
Department began constituting Ecologically Sensitive Zones
(ESZs) around PAs in the State.
 Vanashakti gets included in the committee for the
Tungareshwar ESZ.
 Constitution of the Committee: State Forest Department,
District Administration, Gram Panchayats and Municipalities
wherever applicable and an NGO.
 Vanashakti’s Role: To give recommendations on permissible
activities in the ESZ

19. ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION
AND OUTREACH

20. URBAN

21. BROAD OUTLINE
Mangroves and Wetland Interpretation
Terrestrial Forest Interpretation
Thematic Workshop
Fisher folks of Mumbai
Interschool Teachers' Quiz Contest
World Wetland Day
Mahashivratri Vigil
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration

22. 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 fisheries
2. Estuarine and creek geography and ecology.
3. Importance of mangroves and wetlands.
4. Threats and conservation measures.

25. 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.

28. 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.

30. 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.

32. 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.

34. World Wetland Day

35. 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).

37. 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.

39. 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).

41. 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.

43. 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.

45. 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.

48. Mahashivratri Vigil
 Regulating the flow of pilgrims in the forest.
 Confiscation of plastic bags and other non-biodegradables
and matchboxes from the pilgrims.
 Prevention of forest fires.
 Educating the masses on the need to protect the forests.
 Newspaper bags were distributed this year in lieu of the
plastic bags confiscated from the pilgrims.

51. 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.

53. RURAL

54. 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.

58. 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.

66.  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.

67. Leadership in Biodiversity and Conservation
 A summer program for the 8th graders of our EE high schools in the Wada
taluka, Maharashtra.
 Training students apply their knowledge about the environment and natural
sciences to conserve their village ecosystems and landscapes.
 Contents: Local Environmental Degradation, Local Water Resource, Local
Biodiversity (Avifauna and Megaflora) , Biological Evolution, Methods in
Wildlife Conservation.
 A 3 weeks program (ongoing) now extended for a week more upon the
school’s and the participants’ request.
 Classroom sessions, group discussions, audio-visuals, interactives and field
visits.

68. Initiatives for the next academic year
 The participants formulated Environmental Codes and an
Environment Management Plan for the school (codes, laws
and penalties formulated in the summer program).
 Handmade paper will be made from waste paper from the
school dustbin (a successful attempt was made in the summer
program).
 A monthly school environmental newsletter in Marathi will
be brought out (news gathering, editing, proof reading an
layout were learnt in the summer program).

77. Sr. No. Code of Conduct Justification (if any)
1.
There will be dustbins in each classroom and
in the school compound.
There was no dustbin system and waste was
thrown around anywhere in the school
compound
2.
Waste will be strictly thrown in the dustbins. It is a regular practice to litter the classrooms,
the school compound and the adjoining areas
with solid waste
3.
Waste from the dustbins will be segregated
every day, separating paper and seeds.
4. One sided papers will be retained for re-use
5. Waste paper will be collected for making
hand-made papers periodically
6. Seeds will be dispersed. Whist burning off solid waste (the only method
of disposal), seeds also get burnt which means
many potential trees.
7. Waste will not be burnt under trees but in
open spaces with supervision.
The only way to dispose off solid waste of every
kind in the villages is to burn it.
8. Each grade will have an Environmental
monitor.
9. A copy of the code of conduct will be put up in
each classroom, notice boards and the school
office.
School Environmental Code of Conduct

78. Quick Stats. on Environmental Education and
Outreach (A.Y.: 2011-2012)
Urban
No. of schools: 10
No. of teachers
trained: 150
No. of students
educated: 1000
Rural
No. of schools: 6
No. of teachers
trained: 100
No. of students
educated: 1500

79. SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

80. Manufacture of Paper Bags with the Aid of Women’s
Self Help Groups (SHGs) of Rural India
 Manufacture of newspaper bags as a suitable substitute for plastic bags
to be distributed to the pilgrims visiting the Shiva temples located in the
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
 14’’ x 12’’ newspaper bags with coir handles were manufactured.
 Work was assigned to the women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) of the Wada
taluka of Maharashtra.
 Work to the SHGs was assigned by the Learning Space Foundation, an
NGO providing supplementary education in the predominantly tribal belt
of Maharashtra.
 5000 bags were manufactured for the occasion.

82. A small beginning… miles to go…..