Be a part of our volunteer base
VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM FOR CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE FORESTS OF KOYNA - CHANDOLI CORRIDOR
Why Volunteer?
Read our blog
and be a part of it by contributing your volunteer experiences.
Steps for volunteering
Step1:
Fill in the application form for the project online here.
Not a member? Register free here.
Step 2: Pay Rs 400/ towards documentation fee.
If you do not wish to use our payment gateway , you can credit our account directly. [
View account details]
PROJECT LOCATION
Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS) has been carrying out a project for the
conservation of private forests in 16 villages in corridor region between Koyna Sanctuary
and Chandoli National Park (Buffer zone of Sahyadri
Tiger Reserve). The project area is an important
wildlife corridor between the two protected areas. The
extent of the project area is about 8000 ha of which
nearly 4000 ha is private land. The project area is a
part of northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra state,
which is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is recognized by UNESCO as a
world heritage site. Please see the link
https://www.wrcsindia.org/koyna-chandoli for more
details about the project.
OBJECTIVES
- Restoration of degraded private forests in the project area and strengthening the wildlife corridor between Koyna Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park.
- To develop a model for sustainable management of private forests that will improve forest cover and give economic benefits to the owners and the community.
- Capacity building of local community in livelihood development.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
At the project site, WRCS is working closely with the local community for the conservation of the private forests on their land. As part of this project, WRCS is carrying out several
activities on lands of participating private forest owners in the project area. The activities
carried out include:
- Tree plantation and maintenance
- Capacity building of local community
- Involvement of volunteers in project activities
- Awareness generation in community about private forest conservation
INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers should be between 18 and 50 years of age. They should be physically fit and capable of walking at least 5 km in hilly terrain. Volunteers are expected to bear their own travel and food cost. WRCS will provide a certificate of participation to volunteers on completion of the volunteer program.
- Volunteers will participate in activities such as tree plantation, watering of plants, grass removal, seed collection, seed ball preparation, seed sowing, vegetation assessment etc.
- A demonstration will be given before any activity
- They will be accompanied by a WRCS staff member during the work
Month-wise activity schedule
|
Month
|
Activities
|
Difficulty Level
|
|
October
|
Soil scraping & heaping / Grass removal
|
Medium
|
|
November
|
Soil scraping & heaping / Grass removal
|
Medium
|
|
December
|
Soil scraping & heaping / Grass removal
|
Medium
|
|
January
|
Watering / Seed collection
|
Medium
|
|
February
|
Watering / Seed collection
|
Medium
|
|
March
|
Watering / Seed collection
|
Medium
|
|
April
|
Watering / seed ball preparation
|
Medium
|
|
May
|
Watering / Pit digging /seed sowing
|
Medium
|
|
June
|
Tree plantation /seed sowing
|
Medium
|
TRAVEL DETAILS
Volunteers have to report to the WRCS Project Officer at Koynanagar in Satara District of Maharashtra. The travel details are given below.
By Road
Koynanagar is well connected with nearby cities by road. Distances from some major cities
are: Pune (200km), Mumbai (338km), Kolhapur (135km), Chiplun (42km) and Bengaluru
(730km).
By Bus
Koynanagar has good frequency of State Transport buses from Pune, Chinchwad, Mumbai and Kolhapur. Karad is the nearest city and the best place from where one can reach Koynanagar. Schedule of buses from other stations is available on the website
https://msrtc.maharashtra.gov.in/. There are private night bus services from many cities along the Pune-Bangalore highway that go through Karad.
State Transport buses from Pune to Koynanagar
|
Bus
|
From
|
Dep. Time
|
Arrival time
|
Bus type
|
Approximate Fare (Rs.)
|
|
Chinchwad-Chiplun
|
Swargate
|
05:55
|
09:30
|
Shivshahi (AC)
|
350
|
|
Chinchwad-Chiplun
|
Swargate
|
06:50
|
10:30
|
Ordinary express
|
240
|
|
Pune R.station- Guhaghar
|
Swargate
|
07:20
|
12:00
|
Ordinary express
|
240
|
|
Pune R.station- Ratnagiri
|
Swargate
|
08:20
|
13:20
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Chinchwad –Chiplun
|
Swargate
|
09:55
|
14:35
|
Shivshahi (AC)
|
350
|
|
Pune R.station-Chiplun
|
Swargate
|
14:40
|
19:20
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Chinchwad –Devrukh
|
Swargate
|
21:00
|
01:30
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Chinchwad-Chiplun
|
Swargate
|
22:15
|
02:10
|
Shivshahi (AC)
|
350
|
State transport buses from Koynanagar to Pune
|
Bus
|
From
|
Dep. Time
|
Arrival time
|
Bus type
|
Approximate Fare (Rs.)
|
|
Chiplun-Pune Rly. Station
|
Koynanagar
|
07:00
|
11:40
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Ratnagiri-Pune Rly. Station
|
Koynanagar
|
09:20
|
14:30
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Chiplun -Chinchwad
|
Koynanagar
|
08:55
|
13:36
|
Semi-Luxury
|
275
|
|
Chiplun -Chinchwad
|
Koynanagar
|
16:00
|
20:30
|
Shivshahi (AC)
|
350
|
|
Guhaghar-Pune Station
|
Koynanagar
|
23:05
|
03:30
|
Night express
|
275
|
By Train
Nearest railway stations to Koynanagar are Chiplun (42km), Karad (65km), Kolhapur
(135km), Pune (200km), Mumbai (338km).
By Air
Nearest airports are Pune (200km), Mumbai (338km).
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND FOOD
WRCS will provide accommodation at their field station at Koynanagar. The facilities here
are very basic (one bathroom and one Indian style toilet). Matresses with bed sheets will be
provided. A maximum of 6 persons can stay here at a time. Simple Maharashtrian style
meals are available at a cost of Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per day.
For those who wish to avail of better facilities arrangement is possible at a nearby dormitory style resort at a cost of approximately Rs. 800 per day including food.
LIST OF ITEMS TO CARRY
When you come to Koynanagar please bring along original identity proof document and two
passport size photographs. You will have to sign an Indemnity declaration on arrival. The
format is available on the Indian Wildlife Club website.
The following is a recommended list of items to carry with you.
- Personal kit
- Comfortable field clothes
- Sleeping bag/blanket
- Warm jacket/sweater in winter and monsoon
- Rainwear in monsoon
- Field shoes and slippers
- Cap/hat
- Torch
- Diary and pen
- Tiffin box
- Water Bottle
- Glucon D during summer (optional)
- Personal medicine kit, band aid, savlon/dettol etc.
- Mobile phone (only BSNL, Idea, Vodaphone mobile network is available)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Camera (Optional)
Disclaimer
The final selection of volunteers is by WRCS.
Documentation charges of Rs 400 is non-refundable.