Occupancy Survey Workshop at NSTR and a volunteer’s experience.

 

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NSTR Forest

Occupancy Survey Training Workshop was held at Atmakur (Kurnool) 16-18 of Oct ’15. 

HyTiCos along with WCS and Andhra Pradesh Forest department held the workshop in NSTR Forest for first two days and the final session at YSR Smriti Vanam.

Training session was held for volunteers and forest staff. Compass, map reading, field tracking and gps use were highlight of the training sessions.

Compass, Map Reading and GPS Sessions

Field Sessions

Training sessions

Imran addressing forest staff at YSR Smriti vanam

Forest staff and volunteers attending session

Curious Ants looking at me!

Photos by Asif Siddiqui

A first time hyticos volunteering experience by Padmaja:

My first field course, packed the stuff and set out for travelling. I spent 3 days travelling around NSTR visiting Peddacheruvu with Hyticos team.

Friday 16^th October

We arrived at Atmakur at about 5am and then by walk to forest guest house. By 7am had breakfast and head out on my first drive. We reached to Peddacheruvu base camp which was our luxury suite.

“On my way I was extremely lucky to see a Dhole and Spotted Deers as my first sighting.”

We were joined by a team from WCS who were conservationist and scientist who on our first day began by explaining technicalities and protocols of occupancy survey. Later that afternoon we walked on trail to spot foot prints of tigers and herbivores.

It was an interesting experience for a volunteer.

Saturday 17^th October

Another day with big hopes! The teams were divided into 4 different groups to do survey at different locations. We came upon a small lake, sighted the first foot prints of tiger and leopard also heard songs of Babblers and Black headed Golden Oriole. The other team was able to see the photos of tiger taken by camera trap.

That evening we were also able to see the fresh kill by the leopard hidden inside the bush. This was the highlight for me, although another group had spotted Sloth Bear. I have yet to see tigers and sloth bear in NSTR.

“I was lucky to get a unique insight into an early stage of volunteering.”

We left having improved our focus on techniques from the sessions and with a lot of food for thought.

Sunday 18^th October

Early the next morning we discovered how close we were to the wildlife last night. We left to Atmakur and participated in the conference held by Hyticos collaborated with WCS along with Forest Dept. The conference was quite affluent and the support given to Hyticos for further functioning is valuable. On the way back to Atmakur we then settled down for our last evening in NSTR.

Folks,I could say having done something with purpose and dedicating myself to it gives great happiness! You also learn to understand nature and how everything interacts and impact on each other. I would recommend people to volunteer for Hyticos, knowing that they have contributed to preserving and conservation of nature. Will keep encouraging people to take on the adventure and to give their life a new meaning.