Conservation of Indian Pangolin in 85 villages

Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra team thanks to our well-wishers and donors for committing to transform the lives of physically disabled people. Also, we are grateful to GlobalGiving for providing a platform to spread the word about our work and fundraising.

SNM had initiated Pangolin conservation in the Sindhudurg, district in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. SNM with the growing support from the community, and donors had increased the conservation initiative in the Konkan region.

Education, awareness, and outreach within Stakeholder

• SNM through official communication had sensitized 740 individual village heads across 740 villages of Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, India.
• SNM displayed 30 awareness signage boards at a prime location to outreach mass awareness in Sindhudurg District.
• Educated and sensitized 3255 individuals within the community through specially designed leaflets in the local Marathi language.
• Distributed 810 copies of the book ‘The Secret of Pangolin’ to raise the pangolin profile in the region.
• Community stakeholders were sensitized through social media webinar sessions due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

 Camera trap Survey and Field Survey

• A questionnaire survey was conducted in 178 villages and collected baseline data on the presence of the species in the Sindhudurg district.
• According to the baseline data, 22 camera traps were deployed to document the presence, distribution, and ecology of the species in the region.
• Field survey and camera trap deployment were carried with the help of community traditional and cultural knowledge.

 Collaboration to raise Pangolin Profile

• SNM Collaborate with the two renowned philatelists Dr. Indraneil das international scientist, herpetologist, and professor at Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, University Malaysia, Sarawak. Dr.Ajit Vartak an Indian Paleontologist and retired professor from the Department of Geology and Petroleum Technology, Nowrosjee Wadia College.
• SNM in collaboration with Dr. Indraneil Das and Dr Ajit Varatak had developed a book “Pangolins on Coins and Stamps of the World” to raise the pangolin profile globally.

World Pangolin Day Celebration

• SNM hosted World Pangolin day in collaboration with the Forest Department and released the published book ‘Pangolin on Coins and stamps of the World’. The book was released in the presence of one of the book author Dr.Ajit Vartak.
• 172 copies of the book “Pangolins on Coins and Stamps of the World” shared national and internationally including pioneers organizations working for the conservation of the Pangolin such as IUCN pangolin SG Co-chairpersons, Save Pangolin Indian Group, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), B.N.H.S (Bombay Natural History Society), Biodiversity department of Garware Institute, Pune University and other important Stakeholder.

We are thankful to each and every donor for your precious support towards our projects, especially during Covid- 19 lockdown, as restrictions are decreased step by step; we have started our fieldwork with additional safety measures.

One Pangolin awareness lecture and Nature trail held for school students at Bhile village. Awareness pamphlets distributed to students. Total 42 Camera traps deployed on active burrows in the Konkan region. Camera trap data revealed mesmerizing biodiversity of Western Ghats. Leopard, Wild boar, Porcupines, and many more mammalian species captured in camera traps. Pangolin activity recorded in total of 6 camera traps.

We observed an increase in the number of seizures of live pangolins as well as scales; we have started field surveys to gather information regarding pangolin activities. We are working on trap camera data to analyze the activities of the pangolins. We are also gathering information through digital platforms like Google forms; one form is created to gather information about Pangolins Habits, Occurrence, and current threats.

We will start field activities after the removal of the restrictions, Thank you for your keen support to the project.

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