Students, gurus get lessons in nature camp on Pench fringe

Nagpur: Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) jointly organized ‘Nisarg Anubhav’ camps for the schools from fringe areas of West Pench. The camps were conducted at the Surewani nature camping site at the Nagalwadi buffer range.
“A total of 11 one-day camps were organized in which 446 students and 27 teachers from 12 schools participated. Over 73% of students responded who had never been to Pench before. Even 52% of teachers had not visited Pench in the past,” said Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director, Pench.
“Each batch was exposed to the nature trails and game, powerpoint presentation, and forest safari. During nature trails, students learned about various birds, trees and animal footprints along a 2km nature trail,” Shukla said.
The participants learned the importance of various tree species. They saw termite mounds, pugmark impression pads, various animal tracks, and signs. The students were in awe as they observed the tiger’s rack marks on the Arjun tree and wild dogs stalking spotted deer.
The students also enjoyed snakes and ladder games based on the theme of nature. Through this game, they were told about the positive and negative behavioural aspects of mankind toward forests. BNHS assistant director Sanjay Karkare, RFO Pravin Lele and forest guard Rasika Dhoke were instrumental in conducting the programme. tnn