Agasthya 6.3 Event Reports

Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme at ACCC

A 15 day training programme was conducted for students from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Killikulam, at the ATREE- Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC). The training programme is part of the University's RAWE project. The students were trained in several topics like chemical free agriculture, ecosystem services provided by bats, frogs and owls in agricultural fields. The students were also trained in lizard monitoring by using radio collar device.

World wildlife week

ACCC conducted drawing competition among school students to mark the 'world wildlife week'. About 100 students from Government High School, Padmaneri participated in this event. In addition the students also took out a procession to highlight environmental issues. Since 2011- 2012 has been declared international year of bats, the focus for both the painting competition as well as the procession was bat conservation. Mr. Sekar, Deputy Director of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) also took part in the event and distributed the prizes to the winners of drawing competition. The prizes were sponsored by Zoo Outreach, a Coimbatore based conservation organization. After the ceremony the students participated in the procession whereby all of them wore bat badges and mas k s and chanted conservation friendly slogans . After the procession the students were greeted by the School Head Master Mr. Arumugam Pillai. The village Padmaneri has a roost of flying foxes.