RCE Kodugu-2015

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Conservation Education Programme on Sacred Grooves, Kodugu
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Centre For Environment Education
Role: 
Project Implimenter
Main Contact: 
Santosh R Sutar
4. Project type
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

Devarakadu is a Sacred groves of India are forest fragments of varying sizes, which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community. Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches.

There various traditional as well as Modren uses of the Devarakadu. In traditional these are the main source of medicinal plant, fruits and honey. They also have ponds and streams and meet the water requirement of locals. In modern uses they have become the biodiversity hot spots. These groves often contain a plant and animals that have become extinct in the neighboring areas. Besides this, sacred groves in urban landscapes act as "lungs" to the city as well, providing much needed vegetation cover.

Threats to the grove include urbanization, over-exploitation of resources (like overgrazing and excessive firewood collection), and environmental destruction due to religious practices. While many of the groves are looked upon as abodes of Hindu gods, in the recent past a number of them have been partially cleared for construction of shrines and temples


In order to bring awareness among the public and tourists regarding the importance of Devarakadu not in in terms of cultural but also in terms of scientific, Karnataka forest Department, Virajpet partnering with RCE Kodugu have implemented the project in Kodugu District

The following interventions are taken as a part of the awareness programme

•Developing way side panels, booklets, signage boards and posters as a different source of communication materials

•Teachers training programme and children camp: camp is one of the direct mode to address teachers and children on the project issue. Hence a one day camp for teachers in their respective head quarter and one day camp for children in their respective schools have been organized.


7. Provide references and reference materials : 
6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
The project has been initiated in Kodugu district, covering 10 Sacred Groves as a part of implementation.
8. Tagging
Region: 
Asia-Pacific