2. 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 interrelationships 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.
4. 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
5. Beach Cleanup
1. Sindhudurg Coastal Cleanup - October 2nd 2013
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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
7. 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 Taluka
3. Spread awareness about discouraging use of plastic bags
8. Mangrove Census – Pilot Project
1. Held on September 5th 2013
2. Mangrove trees manually counted
3. In collaboration with Mangrove Cell of Mumbai and St.
Xavier's Students
4. Conducted in Sewri, Bandra and Bhandup mangrove forests.
10. Urban Educational Program
1. Weekly classes held in several schools across Mumbai
2. 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 program
4. Schools participating in the program:•
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SKKES, Mulund
Anjuman Islam, Bandra
D.A.V., Malad
Vidyadhiraja, Bhandup
Vidyaben Gardi, Mulund
11. Urban Educational Program
1. Curriculum includes discussion, activities, visits,
visuals
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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
15. 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
17. Nature Trails
1. Vanashakti has conducted Nature Trails with many
schools to:• Sanjay Gandhi National Park
• Mahim Nature Park and
• Wetlands of MMR
19. Earth Day 2013 celebration
1. Held in D.A.V school, Malad on April 22nd 2013
2. Plantation of trees
3. Talk by the Range Forest Officer, Mangrove Department
20. 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
23. Environment Day 2013 celebration
1. 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
24. BROAD OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES IN 2011-12
Mangroves 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
25. 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.
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28. 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.
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31. 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.
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33. 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.
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35. 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.
38. Mangrove Clean-up (2011)
Clean up drive in the mangroves of Mumbai city (Bhandup).
Approx. 200 acres of mangroves were rid of nonbiodegradable 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).
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40. 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.
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42. Mangrove Clean-up (2012)
Clean up drive in the mangroves of Mumbai city (Bhandup).
Approx. 100 acres of mangroves were rid of nonbiodegradable 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).
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44. 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.
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46. 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.
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48. 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.
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51. Mahashivratri Vigil
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Over 1 Lac people converge to the temple inside the national park
during the festival of Mahashivratri
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Hence, the vigil was held to :1.
Regulate the flow of pilgrims in the forest
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Prevent forest fires by confiscating match boxes
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Reduce the influx of plastic bags and other non-biodegradables inside the
forest
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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.
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These newspaper bags were made by tribal women of Wada (SHGs)
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54. 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.
57. 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.
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61. Wada Taluka
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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
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Wada Taluka is going through severe degradation of its ecosystems due
to deforestation, loss of top soil for brick making, illegal quarrying, etc
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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.
62. Wada Taluka
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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.
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Moreover, transportation of the bricks and quarried material is
destroying the local roads.
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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.
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Bamboo work artisans are without jobs today due to a complete loss
of bamboo forests as a result of over exploitation.
63. 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-ityourself, projects and report making.
Program run successfully and schools have requested for its
continuation in the coming academic year.
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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.
72. “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
73. 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
75. 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
79. 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.
83. 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 nonbiodegradables in the villages.
85. 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.
