-IndiaKerala State Office

2015

ANNUALREPORT

IND

ANNUAL REPORT 2014 - 2015

KASARAGOD

KANNUR

WAYANAD

KOZHIKODE

MALAPPURAM

PALAKKAD

THRISSUR

ERNAKULAM

IDUKKI

KOTTAYAM

PATHANAMTHITTA

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum]

KOLLAM

Kottayam

Kochi

Allappuzha

Kollam

ALLAPPUZHA

Palakkad

WWF’s mission

‘To stop the degradation

of our planet’s natural environment,

and build a future in which

humans live in harmony with nature’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all who have contributed in some way or the other, directly or indirectly, to help us fulfill our mission of nature conservation and environment protection, mainly with regard to the needs of Kerala State.

We express our special thanks and regards to Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO who has always given ear to all our requests and supported us in immense ways in fulfilling our mission well. Our special thanks goes to Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme Director who has always guided us with her advice and inputs. We extend our thanks to Mr. Karan Bhalla, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Vivek Dayal, Director-Finance, Mr. Lovekesh Wadhwa, Director-Institutional Development, Gp. Cpt. Naresh Kapila, Director-HR & Manpower, Dr. Diwakar Sharma, Head-Programme Management (M&E) and Lt. Col. Sanjeev Singh Rana, Director-Operations. The support given by the other heads and staff at the Secretariat are also duly acknowledged, namely Ms. Vishaish Uppal, Dr.T.S. Panwar, Dr. Shekar Kumar Niraj, Ms. Moulika Arabhi, Mr. Vinod M. and others.

We would like to place on record our most sincere thanks to Mr. G. Vijayaraghavan, Chairman and Mr.C. Balagopal, Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Advisory Board for all their guidance and support. Mr. A.V.George, Mr. Suresh Elamon, Mr. Ravi DeeCee, Dr. C. Bhaskaran, Mr. Sunilkumar, Prof. Saji Gopinath, Members of the SAB was always there by our side with all possible support whenever and wherever we have needed them. The work freedom that they have given us is what has helped us to reach such heights.

We would like to thank all our supporters, partners and associates in our various projects i.e. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, GoI, CPREEC, Chennai, Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department, Department of Environment and Climate Change, GoK, Department of Museums & Zoos, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, KSEB, Energy Management Centre, WISE Pune, Allianz Cornhill, HSBC, other government and non-government departments. Our wide range of EE programmes would not have been possible without the help and support of various departments and agencies, namely MoEF & CC, KSBB, CED, AMAS, and a host of others.

We would like to thank all the District Coordinators who have invested time and resources in supporting us in our various programmes and has also gone one step ahead in bringing up their own initiatives in organizing environment education and awareness programmes and also in addressing local conservation issues. We thank all our network members i.e. volunteers, intern students, partners, nature clubs, youth clubs, church based institutions, schools and colleges and all others who have partnered in fulfilling our mission in the State. We would like to place on record our gratitude to our media friends in The New Indian Express and The Hindu for their full fledged support to all our projects and programmes by giving very good coverage through the print media. We also thank Mr. Godfrey Das and Ms. Sreelekha, Godfrey’s Graphics for all their support in making our collaterals like invitations, posters, handbooks, exhibition panels etc.

Renjan Mathew Varghese (State Director)

FROM THE CHAIRMAN’S DESK

I am very proud to present to you the Annual Report of WWF-India Kerala State Office for 2014-15. With a very small team and limited resources available, the Team has been able to go a long way in living out the mission of WWF in the State. Through some of the ongoing and completed projects we have been able to address some of the most relevant environmental issues in Kerala, namely the extent of laterite mining across Kerala and its direct and indirect impacts on topography, hydrology, biodiversity, livelihoods etc. The project on preparation of position paper on Climate Change in Kerala is also very relevant in the background that we have already come out with the State Action Plan on Climate Change and this extensive compilation of the status of manifestation of climate change in Kerala, its contributing and impacting sectors, ongoing projects, expertise and infrastructure available, data and research gaps etc. will go a long way in creating a clear road map for addressing and mitigating climate change in the local context. The projects on energy conservation and shift to renewable energy is also very relevant for Kerala based on the fact that, with increasing population and ever increasing per capita energy consumption, and with almost all major hydro potential already tapped and with absolutely no scope for thermal and nuclear power generation sources, the only option for Kerala is to move on the path of energy conservation and make a major shift to non-conventional energy sources like wind and solar, for which Kerala has good potential as already proved by the study by WWF and WISE. Our other major contribution is towards the conservation of natural habitats and its inhabiting flora and fauna. Our projects and programmes mainly on the survey and study of birds are very unique and they are creating baseline data year after year, be it about resident or migratory, common or endangered bird species and their status, threats and related issues. Our wide range of environment education, awareness and outreach programmes on different but very relevant themes targeting various sections of the society including students, youth, Teachers, Teacher Trainees, and the general public have been well received because of its top quality and content. Even though we may not be able to assess or see its direct impacts now, but we are sure that each and every programme has facilitated in creating responsible green citizens of tomorrow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the other Members of the State Advisory Board for their support and co-operation and also congratulate the WWF Kerala staff team for their exemplary work. I would also like to thank all our supporters, sponsors and associates for all their co-operation in our wide range of projects and programmes. With so much of nature’s bounty in Kerala and with increasing development pressure, we have a big task ahead to keep development and conservation in check and balance and I hope that we will be able to continue the good work in the future and also make an effort to take it the next level.

G. Vijaya Raghavan

FROM THE STATE DIRECTOR’S DESK

With an overwhelming sense of delight and gratitude, I present the Annual Report for 2014-15.

First of all, I would like to congratulate my team for standing by me, in all the easy and hard circumstances, to accomplish what we set forth, with the limited manpower and resources that we had in hand. I can very proudly say that we have been able to accomplish this only because of the synergy that exists within our team and I hope and pray that it continues so in the years to come.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our network members in various forms – volunteers, associates, supporters, sponsors etc who has really helped us to go that extra mile in living out the WWF mission in Kerala. Our network is our strength and it is very unique that it has people from various age groups and covers all sections of the society. Let us stand united and achieve more. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman and the Members of the State Advisory Board for their timely advice, guidance and support.

With increasing development pressure, the challenges that we already have to deal with and the ones to come in future are varied and huge. United we can stand, divided we fall. Hence we need the support from all sections of the society including district administration, LSGIs, bureaucrats, politicians, policy and decision makers, students, youth, general public, senior citizens to come forward, stand shoulder to shoulder and raise our voice and say together that we want a living plant today, tomorrow and for many more days to come.

We should limit ourselves to our needs. We should be responsible citizens and good stewards. For the sake of nature and environment, we should keep aside our geographical, demographical, religious, social and other such divides and come together with one mind and voice. Many a times we speak for the voiceless or at other times for the underprivileged.

As Albert Einstein has put it ‘those who had the privilege to know, has the greater responsibility to act’. We have a unique calling. Let us be proud about it and stand strong. We might not be appreciated now for what we do. We might even be criticized. But we need not fear, since we know for sure that what we do is absolutely true and good, for ourselves, for other living forms and for our Planet too, now and forever.

Let us keep up the good work that we do.

Renjan Mathew Varghese

STATE ADVISORY BOARD PROFILE

Mr. G. Vijayaraghavan Chairman

(Member, Kerala State Planning Board & Director, SunTec)

Mr. C. Balagopal, Vice-Chairman (Managing Director, Terumo Penpol)

Mr. A.V. George, Member (Chairman, AVG Group of Companies, Kottayam)

Dr.C. Bhaskaran, Member

(Professor, Dept. of Extension, Kerala Agriculture University)

Mr. Ravi DeeCee, Member (CEO, DC Books)

Mr. C. Sunilkumar, Member

(Senior News Photographer, Mathrubhumi & Member, State Wildlife Board)

Prof. Saji Gopinath, Member

(Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Management – Kozhikode)

Mr. Suresh Elamon, Member (Wildlife Photographer & Film Maker)

STATE OFFICE PROFILE

Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director

(2006 – Till date)

Mr. A.K. Sivakumar Senior Education Officer

(2000 – Till date)

Ms. Pushpakumari L. Accounts & Admn Officer

(1986 – Till date)

Mr. Harishkumar Administrative Assistant

(1998 – Till date)

Mr. Visanth V.S. Project Officer

(2015 – Till date)

SUPPORTERS

Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India, New Delhi WWF-India Secretariat, New Delhi TRAFFIC-India, New Delhi Department of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC), Govt. of Kerala C.P. Ramaswamy Environment Education Centre (CPREEC), Chennai Energy Management Centre (EMC), Govt. of Kerala Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB), Govt. of Kerala Department of Museums & Zoos, Govt. of Kerala Kerala State Electricity Board, Govt. of Kerala Kerala Birder & Yuhina Eco Media Allianz Cornhill, Technopark Campus, Thiruvananthapuram Forests and Wildlife Department (KFD), Govt. of Kerala HSBC

PARTNERS

District Administration, Thiruvananthaputram Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram CCDU, Dept. of Water Resources, Govt. of Kerala Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Kerala GeoVin Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Thiruvananthapuram WISE, Pune Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) CERC, Alappuzha Centre for Environment and Development (CED), Thiruvananthapuram Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), Thiruvananthapuram Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Govt. of India Academy for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (AMAS), Neyyattinkara Junior Chamber International (JCI Kochi) Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO), Coimbatore Dept. of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, University of Kerala Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi, Thrissur Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF), Thiruvananthapuram National Fish workers Forum (NFF) Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) Kerala Social Service Society (KSSS) Mar Theophilus Training College (MTTC), Thiruvananthapuram Warblers & Waders, Thiruvananthapuram

People For Animals (PFA), Thiruvananthapuram Sai Gramam, Thiruvananthapuram Thanal, Thiruvananthapuram HELP Foundation, Paravur, Kollam PRS Hospital, Killipalam, Thiruvananthapuram Tree Walk, Thiruvananthapuram Green Community National Service Scheme (NSS) National Cadet Corps (NCC) National Green Corps (NGC) MNREGS Workers Schools in Thiruvananthapuram

MEDIA

I&PRD, Govt. of Kerala The New Indian Express The Hindu Godfrey’s Graphics

CONTENTS

1. Conservation Programmes and Projects

1.1 Projects 1.1.1 Project on Laterite Mining and its Environmental Impacts in Kerala 1.1.2 Project on Position Paper on Climate Change in Kerala 1.1.3 Energy Conservation Seminar and free CFL distribution in Mayyanad 1.1.4 Conservation Strategy for Kerala for the next 3 years 1.1.5 Asian Waterfowl Census 2015 1.1.6 Heronry Count 1.1.7 Addressing the Feral Pigeon Menace at PRS Hospital 1.1.8 Bird Survey at Peechi - Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

1.2 Support to other Programme Areas

1.2.1 Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape Programme 1.2.2 TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade/ Mortality Reports 1.2.3 Climate Change & Energy Programme - 100% RE by 2050 study for Palakkad District 1.2.4 Marine Programme

2. Environment Education Programmes

2.1 EE Projects

2.1.1 Wild Wisdom Quiz 2.1.2 Kerala Bird Race at Thiruvananthapuram 2.1.2 State Environment Awareness Campaign - Paaristhithikam 2015

2.2 Nature Clubs

2.2.1 Formation of new Nature Clubs 2.2.2 Orientation Session for Nature Club Members at TKMM College, Nangyarkulangara 2.2.3 Bird documentation programme for students of Bhavans Vidya Bhavan, Kodunganoor

2.3 Commemoration of Environmentally Important Days

2.3.1 Earth Day 2014 2.3.2 World Migratory Bird Day 2014 2.3.3 World Environment Day 2014 2.3.4 Ozone Day 2014 2.3.5 Wildlife Week 2014 2.3.6 Dr. Salim Ali Day 2014 2.3.7 World Wetlands Day 2015 2.3.8 Big Bird Day 2015

2.3.9 World Sparrow Day 2015 2.3.10 National Science Day 2015 2.3.11 Earth Hour 2015

2.4 Teacher’s Training Workshop

2.5 Friday Forum

2.6 Sunday Bird Walk

2.7 Nature Education Camps

2.8 Classes and Lectures Delivered

2.9 Participation in Seminars/ Workshops/ Symposiums

3. Networking

4. Publications

5. Internship

6. Policy and Advocacy Level Interventions

6.1 Save Attakulangara School Campaign 6.2 Coastal Regulation Zone 6.3 Humans - Stray Dog Conflict in Thiruvananthapuram 6.4 Conservation of Ithikkara River 6.5 Bird Menace of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport 6.6 Mangrove Nursery and Afforestation Programme along the banks of Paravur Lake 6.7 National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for Marine Turtles 6.8 Discussion meeting on Solar City Project in Corporation of Kochi 6.9 Proposal for Ashtamudi Interpretation Centre

7. Proposals Prepared and Submitted

7.1 Concept notes and proposals as per the Conservation Strategy of KLSO 7.2 Concept Note on Marine Turtle Conservation 7.3 Project brainstorming at ATREE CERC, Alappuzha 7.4 Allianz Bird Point at Museum premises

7.5 NEAC 2014-15

8. Sales/ Fundraising

8.1 Promotion of sales of conservation products 8.2 Nature Trail proposals for Zyxware and Softnotions Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 8.3 Earth Hour 2015

9. Participation in Exhibitions

9.1 Swasraya Bharat Exhibition as part of SSM 2014 9.2 Exhibition Stall in Chaithanya Karshika Mela 2014 9.3 Indian Biodiversity Congress 2014 9.4 Sustainable Development Congress of Kerala in Kottayam 9.5 National Biodiversity Congress 2015

10. Other Activities

10.1 Nomination to P.S. Gopinathan Nair Award

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1. Conservation Programmes and Projects

1.1 Projects

1.1.1 Project on Laterite Mining and its Environmental Impacts in Kerala

With regard to this ongoing project supported by Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala, after the initial reconnaissance surveys, discussions and deliberations, the approach and methodology have been finalized. The major components of the work are the extensive field survey in the mining sites and also the remote sensing data interpretation and analysis on the GIS platform. It was decided to outsource the GIS and RS related work as a sub-consultancy and Geovin Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Thiruvananthapuram have been identified as the agency. Based on detailed discussions on the project deliverables and the timeline, a technical and financial proposal was submitted for consideration and the same was forwarded to WWF-India Secretariat for approval. Further on, a MoU has been signed by Renjan Mathew Varghese on behalf of WWF-India and Mr. Vinod P.G. on behalf of GeoVin Solutions.

GeoVin Solutions Pvt. Ltd. completed their first round of field survey in Varkala Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram District, compiled and analysed the data and identified its interrelationships with other influencing factors, direct and indirect impacts on other systems and submitted their first report. The report was shared with Dr. Areendran, Director IGCMC for comments. The comments received were forwarded to GeoVin Solutions for necessary corrections and resubmission of report.

The second round of field visit, jointly with the Geovin Solutions team, was carried out in and around Chirayinkil, GPS co-ordinates taken and other verifications done on accuracy of RS data and mapping of features related to the project. An interim report was submitted to the funding agency again in November 2014.

The data regarding the laterite mining and quarrying sites in Ernakulam District were collected from the Dept. of Mining and Geology District Office. The major sites and representative quarries as per size were covered within two days and primary data collected by direct observation, interaction with the quarry operators, laborers etc. The team consisted of the State Director, WWF-India, the team from GeoVin Solutions Pvt. Ltd, and a staff from Ground Water Department, Ernakulam.

In the month of February 2015, a joint team from WWF and Geovin Solutions visited Kollam District and covered all the laterite mining sites covering the various aspects of timeline of mining, extent and depth, environmental and socio-economic impacts etc.

Since the field survey and data collection have been completed for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam and the data analysed and draft report prepared, the State Director

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met Mr. Yalakki, IFS, Director, Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, GoK on 17h March 2015 with the draft report and explained the present status of the project. Convinced of the difficulties in data collection, extensive field work and so on, the Director has agreed to give extension for the project for another 6 months till September end. The field work in the other four districts will be completed in the coming months, data compiled and analysed and the project is expected to be completed by end of September 2015.

1.1.2 Project on Position Paper on Climate Change in Kerala

This work has been entrusted to WWF-Indi Kerala State Office by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala especially in the background of the formulation of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) for Kerala. Based on the various discussions and deliberations conducted at various levels on how to make the paper comprehensive and up-to-date, the contributing and impacted sectors with regard to climate change specific to Kerala have been identified and the papers from the experts invited.

With regard to the library referencing, secondary data collection and interactions at institutional and individual levels - the visits to Rubber Research Institute (RRI) Kottayam, Onattukara Agricultural Research Station (OARS) Kayamkulam and Rice Research Institute (RRI) Mancompu were completed and the data and information have been compiled.

The State Director visited the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Kumarakam in July, 2014 and had detailed interaction with the Associate Professor and Agro Meteorologist to understand the mandate and work in relation to CC. The State Director met Dr. Jayachandran, KUFOS and got the proceedings of the seminar on CC organized at Alappuzha.

The data collected and compiled needs to be structured into the draft position paper. Mr. Roshanlal from UK has joined us for 3 months as a volunteer and he has taken up this assignment. The work is progressing well under the guidance of the State Director.

Once it is completed, the Expert Group Consultation Workshop will be organized where each expert will be given an opportunity to present his sectoral paper and then it will be open for discussion to the participants of the workshop. The draft position paper will also be presented and then circulated among the participants for final comments. We hope to submit the final position paper to Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, Gok by end of September 2015.

1.1.3 Energy Conservation Seminar and free CFL distribution in Mayyanad

A Seminar on Energy Conservation was organized jointly by WWF-India, EMC, HELP Foundation and Mayyanad Grama Panchayat at the Mayyanad Grama Panchayat Auditorium on 5th July 2014. Around 120 people, mainly women, attended. Sri. Subash, Energy Technologist, EMC led the technical session. Many guests including the State Director

PROJECT ON LATERITE MINING AND IT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN KERALA

Field visit by the team

Extraction of laterite soil

Brick cutting operations

Laterite Mining in progress

Polishing of laterite bricks

Readings and data collection

EARTH HOUR 2014 – ‘GOING BEYOND THE HOUR’

Energy Conservation Seminar & Free CFL distribution in Mayyanad Grama Panchayat organized jointly by WWF, KSEB, EMC and HELP Foundation.

Free CFL distribution in the Tribal Colonies in Athirappilly – Vazhachal area jointly organized by Kerala State Office, KSEB, EMC and Western Ghats Landscape Team

CFL Distribution at Olathanni

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attended and spoke on the occasion. As part of “Going beyond the Hour” of Earth Hour 2014, seven hundred CFLs were distributed free of cost in 8 tribal colonies of Vazhachal Forest Division on 29th and 30th July 2014. The programme was in association with KSEB and Western Ghats Landscape programme of WWF-India. WWF-India and AMAS organized free CFL distribution in Aramada in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram. Around 100 people attended the energy conservation seminar and 300 CFLs were distributed to around 150 households in the area. Further to this we distributed free CFLs to the school students from the economically backward families of Victory HSSS, Olathanni, Neyyattinkara. We have almost completed the distribution of 5000 CFLs provided to us jointly by KSEB and EMC. We have conducted around 10 CFL distribution events across Kerala in association with local partners. A brief report was prepared along with a photo gallery and submitted to KSEB, EMC, WWF-India Secretariat and others. Now we are giving a new request to the Chairman, KSEB to provide us with another set of 5000 or more CFLs for distribution among the economically backward communities.

1.1.4 Conservation Strategy for Kerala for the next 3 years

WWF-India Kerala State Office has been working on many initiatives over the last few years. They can be broadly categorized under three heads: (i) projects for conservation of species and habitat (ii) environment education, awareness and outreach programmes, and (iii) policy and advocacy level interventions. Many a times, they stood segregated. To make a better impact, it was decided to streamline the work to certain identified priority areas. In this regard, a two days brainstorming session was conducted in the office under the leadership of Dr. Diwakar Sharma in which all the staff in the office attended and contributed to the discussions and deliberations. As an outcome of this exercise, the conservation priorities, goals and objectives of WWF-India Kerala State Office for the next 3 years have been finalized.

1.1.5 Common Bird Monitoring Programme

WWF-India, Kerala State Office coordinated the Common Bird Monitoring Programme (CBMP) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts held both in September 2014 and February 2015 under the Green Partnership Programme. Senior Education Officer and Sri.C.Harikumar were the reviewers for these districts. The Orientation Programme for CBMP held in three districts and was led by Senior Education Officer, Smt. Neha Waikar and Sri. C.Harikumar on 9th, 23rd and 28th January. Mr. Sivakumar, Sr. Education Officer and Mr.Jaichand Johnson, volunteer led an orientation programme at Medical College at Thiruvananthapuram as part of the Common Bird Monitoring Programme. Around 20 volunteers attend the orientation and was a very interactive programme. More than 100 birders participated in CBMP and they submitted around 1000 bird checklists in www.ebird.org.

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1.1.6 Asian Waterfowl Census 2015

The Asian Waterfowl Census 2015 covering the three southern districts of the State i.e. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta was conducted by WWF-India jointly with Social Forestry Division of Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department. The AWC at Thiruvananthapuram was conducted on 10th January at six sites with the participation of 72 birders and volunteers. The exercise resulted in count of 1880 birds belongs to 50 species. Similar exercise was conducted at Pathanamthitta on 17th Jan and the census counted 3053 birds belonging to 52 species. The Kollam district AWC counted 8000 birds belonging to 55 species. The Asian Waterfowl Census was led by expert birdwatchers attached to WWF namely A.K. Sivakumar, C. Harikumar, Biju P.B., Neha Waikar, Jaichand Johnson, Kiran R.C. and Anoop S.S.

1.1.7 Heronry Count

The district level Heronry Count was announced in newspapers to invite public participation and to collect data through the people.Senior Education Officer, Mr.C.Harikumar, Ms.Neha Waikar, Ms.Sayujya Anand and Mr.Jaichand Johnson along with Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department officials conducted a single day Heronry count in Pathanamthitta district on 10th August 2014 under the Green Partnership Programme, a confined effort to document the avifauna outside the forests in the state. The team visited 6 heronries at Kilivayal, Kulanada, Adoor, Pandalam, Mepral, Eramallikkara and Venpala and collected data on bird species, number of nests and trees.

1.1.8 Addressing the Feral Pigeon Menace at PRS Hospital

Feral Pigeons are turning out to be a big menace in PRS Hospital, Killipalam, Thiruvananthapuram posing threat to the hygiene of the institution and thereby compromising the health of the people visiting the facility. This was intimated to Dr. Oommen V. Oommen, Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board by the PRS Hospital authorities. Dr. Oommen referred this to us. Mr. A.K. Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer who is also a keen birder visited the facility, interacted with the authorities, photographed the issue in details. In office, the same was discussed and publications and reading materials on similar issue was referred and a note with the possible solutions to address the issue was submitted to the Chairman, KSBB and PRS Hospital authorities. The PRS Hospital authorities, desiring not to harm the birds, have requested us to look into the possibility of putting up bird house, bird baths and feeders little away from the hospital so that the population of feral pigeons can be restricted to that location.

1.1.9 Bird Survey at Peechi - Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Senior Education Officer and two volunteers, Sri. C.Harikumar and Mr. Jaichand Johnson, from WWF-India attended the four day comprehensive Bird Survey held at Chimmony and

COMMON BIRD MONITORING PROGRAMME

Orientation for CBMP at Kollam

Orientation for CBMP at Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta

Heronry Count at Pathanamthitta District Bird Survey at Peechi-Vazhani WLS

ASIAN WATERFOWL CENSUS

AWC at Kollam

AWC at Pathanamthitta

AWC at Thiruvananthapuram

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Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuaries from 28th November to 1st December 2014. The survey sighted 187 species of birds from 9 base camps, of which three were led by the team from WWF.

1.2 Support to other Programme Areas

1.2.1 Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape Programme

The Sustainable Livelihoods and Governance Programme is carrying out various initiatives in the Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape, mainly in Athirappilly – Chalakudy reserve forests under the leadership of Ms. Vishaish Uppal and Mr. Tiju Thomas. In this regard, a meeting was facilitated by the State Office with Mr. V. Gopinathan IFS, PCCF & HoFF to discuss the ongoing work and chart the way forward. The State Director did all the liaison work of the same and was also present in the discussion. The first CFR Title in Kerala was translated into Malayalam with great effort after much proofing and was submitted to Mr. Gopinathan.

Further on, for requesting the extension of the official permission for field activities from Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, the State Director met Dr. Corrie and updated him of the project initiatives and their present status. In this background, a meeting was convened whereby the SWGL team of Ms. Vishaish Uppal, Mr. Tiju Thomas, Mr. Boominathan along with the State Director met Mr. S.C. Joshi, IFS, PCCF (PFM) and Mr. G. Harikumar, IFS, PCCF & CWLW and discussed the status of our ongoing work, progress made as of now, issues and submitted the official letter to give extension for permission to work in the field.

Under the same programme, a new initiative has been launched to look at the sustainability aspects of the fishery resources of Athirappilly – Vazhachal area. A workshop in this regard was organized on 30 December, 2014 and the State Office was entrusted with the task of translating the posters in English into the vernacular language i.e. Malayalam, to be printed and used in the workshop.

1.2.2 TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade/ Mortality Reports

The wildlife trade report on the huge haul of illegal sandalwood in Thiruvananthapuram City in the month of August was prepared in the prescribed format and forwarded to TRAFFIC India. Other reports of wildlife trade/ mortality were sent to TRAFFIC on 6 Oct, 17 Oct, 1 Dec, 30 Dec 2014, 3 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 26 Feb & 12 March 2015.

1.2.3 Climate Change & Energy Programme - 100% RE by 2050 study for Palakkad District

In the background of the recently completed study titled „Kerala Going 100% RE by 2050‟, it was decided to carry out a pilot study at the district level and Palakkad was selected for the same. Mr. Raiju John from WISE, Pune has been assigned this work and the State Director had detailed discussions with him on the various aspects of the project and how to go forward. The first Stakeholder Workshop was conducted at Palakkad on 16 Oct 2014.

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Around 30 participants attended in the half day workshop. The team from WWF-India consisting of Dr. TS Panwar, Ms. Jincy Joy and Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese and from WISE Pune consisting of Mr. Suhas Tendulkar and Mr. Raiju John led the discussions and deliberations.

1.2.4 Marine Programme

WWF-India organised the Marine Strategy Workshop in Kochi from 3-4 November, 2014. The State Director took part in the workshop and contributed to the discussions and deliberations.

The Short-neck Clam of Ashtamudi Estuary has been certified by MSC and facilitated by WWF-India Marine Programme under the leadership of Mr. Vinod and this was officially declared and the certificate handed over in a function organized at CMFRI on 5 November. The Kerala State Office was instrumental in making arrangements and inviting the participants for the event. The State Director and the Senior Education Officer represented the State Office in the event.

Workshop in Palakkad on Kerala Going 100% Renewable Energy by 2050

Marine Strategy Workshop in Kochi

Launch of the MSC Certified Fishery in India

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2. Environment Education Programmes

2.1 EE Projects

2.1.1 Wild Wisdom Quiz

Wild Wisdom Quiz is the only national level wildlife quiz organized by WWF-India and supported by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. of India, Discovery Kids, Mentos and CBSE. The quiz covers about 15 major cities across the country including Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The quiz is organized at three levels – School, City and the National Finals. The major task of preparing the prospective participating schools from each City is the responsibility of the State Offices. In this regard, Ms.Sayujya Anand, Volunteer cum Co-ordinator for Wild Wisdom Quiz compiled the list and mailed the information to the schools in and around Thiruvananthapuram. She directly visited some of the potential schools too. A press release also was published in the leading newspapers. The State Director has been included in the panel of experts for WWQ 2014. The necessary technical support in the form of vetting of questions, preparation of new question sets are being carried out from time to time as required and requested from the WWF-India Secretariat. The State Director and the Senior Education Officer have been instrumental in the preparation and vetting of questions for the online version of Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 mainly targeting high school students. Questions were also prepared for the WWQ in Malayalam tlikely o be conducted in Kerala later on in association with Malayala Manorama.

The City level Quiz of Wild Wisdom 2014 was held on 23rd August 2014 at Vedamanaickam Hall, LMS Compound, Thiruvananthapuram. 8 schools were represented in the Junior level and 17 schools in the middle level. Mas. Aaron Dev Jose and Kum.Pooja Bijoy of Le Cole Chempaka, Thiruvananthapuram became the winners of middle level. Mas. Ganesh Chandran and Sarang of Saraswathi Vidyalaya, Vattiyurkkavu came up with second prize and Kum. Hrudaya R. Krishna and Devabala S. of Christ Nagar Central School with the third prize. The junior level quiz for class 3 to 5 was won by Masters. Viswakalyan Reddy and Adity Kishor of Loyola School. Masters. Mathew Behnan Cherian and Hrudayesh R Krishnan came up with second prize and Kumaris Aditya M Nair and Namita Gopan of Saraswathy Vidyalaya with third prizes. Mr.Athul Chandra of Quiz Works, New Delhi mastered the quiz and Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director and Mr. A.K.Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer, WWF-India coordinated the same.

The City level winners Ms.Pooja and Mr. Aaron of Le‟Cole Chempaka went on to compete with the other winners from 28 cities across the country in the National Finals conducted in WWF-India Secretariat, New Delhi on 1st October 2014 and they emerged as the National Winners of WWQ 2014. On their return back to Thiruvananthapuram, they were felicitated

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by WWF-India Kerala State Office in the school assembly on 15 Oct 2014. Mr. Renjan, State Director addressed the school gathering and gave away the mementos to the winners.

2.1.2 Kerala Bird Race at Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Bird Race held on 16th November 2014 at Thiruvananthapuram spotted 157 species of birds from 7 locations in and around the City with the participation of 78 birders. The annual participatory birding, in connection with the birthday of Dr. Salim Ali, the Birdman of India was organized jointly by Yuhina Eco Media and WWF-India with the support of HSBC. The Chief Guest for the evening valedictory session was Sri.O.P. Kaler IFS, Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Biodiversity Cell of the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department.

2.1.2 State Environment Awareness Campaign - Paaristhithikam 2015

The State Environment Awareness Programme, Paaristhithikam 2015 supported by Dept. of Environment & Climate Change, GoK was conducted by WWF-India, Kerala State Office in Thiruvananthapuram at two institutions with both awareness and action components. The awareness programmes were held at Le‟Cole Chempaka, Edavakode and Loyola School, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram on 12th and 20th February 2015 respectively with classes on the theme of ‘Sustainability through Energy Conservation and Co-operation’ that included two technical sessions led by Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, WWF-India and Mr. Suresh, EMC and competitions like poster designing, elocution and an interactive learning quiz mastered by Mr. A.K. Sivakumar. The action component was the distribution of 10 Solar Lanterns to selected five deserving institutions in the City mainly homes for the disabled, old age homes and orphanages, namely Cheshire Home, Kuravankonam, Care Home, Pulayanarkotta, Divine Children‟s Home, Mudavanmugal, Hindu Mahila Mandiram, Poojapura and Sri Chithra Poor Home, East Fort.

2.2 Nature Clubs

WWF-India was started on the pillar of environment education and Nature Clubs were the engines to reach it to the target communities, i.e. students and youth, mainly in our schools and colleges. In spite of many other similar schemes having been launched by various government departments, we still have a good number of NCs moving ahead with us, sharing our vision and mission, only because of the good quality of service that we do and the timely technical support that we give.

2.2.1 Formation of new Nature Clubs

The participant schools of Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 were invited to the network of WWF-India‟s NCI movement. The Nature Club registration forms were sent to the school principals with necessary details. Necessary follow-up was carried out through phone, emails and personal visits.

Participants in the field survey

WILD WISDOM QUIZ 2014

KERALA BIRD RACE 2014

Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 Junior and Middle level winners

Sri. O.P. Kaler IFS, APCCF (Biodiversity Cell) at the valedictory session

Felicitation of Wild Wisdom Quiz National Winners at Le’Cole Chempaka School

PAARISTHITHIKAMPaaristhithikam at Le’Cole Chempaka, Thiruvananthapuram

Inaugural Session

Technical Session

Award Distribution

Technical Session

Painting Competition

Participants

Paaristhithikam at Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram

Handing over the Reports on RE

Special Address

Poster Design Competition

Inaugural Address

Solar Lamp Distribution

Award Distribution

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2.2.2 Orientation Session for Nature Club Members at TKMM College, Nangyarkulangara

Senior Education Officer led a session for the Nature Club members of TKMM College, Nangyarkulangara to orient them about nature club and its activities. 58 students of the college attended the session.

2.2.3 Bird documentation programme for students of Bhavans Vidya Bhavan, Kodunganoor

An orientation session on common and water birds were given to the Nature Club members of the school on 20th January and they were taken for a birding trip to Punchakkari wetlands on 26th January in the early morning hours. They observed around 40 species of birds there and noted down their field observations with details. The field session was led by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar and Smt. Neha Waikar.

2.3 Commemoration of Environmentally Important Days

2.3.1 Earth Day 2014

With the objective of „Going beyond the Earth Hour‟ and as part of Earth Day, Kerala State Office distributed 600 CFLs to the colony dwellers at Puthananmbalam ward of Neyyatinkara Municipality and Swarnakkode tribal colony at Kallikkad.

2.3.2 World Migratory Bird Day 2014

The World Migratory Bird Day 2014 held at YMCA Hall, Kollam on 10th and 11th May 2014 was inaugurated by Sri.Kesavan Nair, writer and social activist of Kollam in a function that was presided over by Sri.PC.Thomas, YMCA President. Adv.Niza Fasil, Sri. A.K.Sivakumar, Sri.Jesmis, Sri.Sureshkumar and Smt.Neha Waikar also spoke on the occasion. The poster series on Wetlands, Ashtamudi Lake and migratory birds were released in the function. The awareness panel boards prepared on the theme of the day to be installed in the campus of Govt. Boys High School and Kerala University Centre for Teacher Education was also unveiled. A photo exhibition of around 75 migratory birds was arranged in the YMCA Hall open for the public. The series of events were organised jointly by WWF-India and YMCA with the support of Kerala State Biodiversity Board and Molluscan Fisheries Division of CMFRI-Kochi in association with Grasshopper Nature Club and HELP Foundation, Kollam. The sessions on Bird Migration, Migratory Birds of Kerala and Bird watching were led by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar, Sri.Jesson.T.Das and Sri. C.Harikumar.

On the second day a team of 25 bird enthusiasts had a morning bird watching session at Kandachira – Pavuvayal, part of Ashtamudi wetlands. They listed out 31 species of birds. The birding session was led by Sri. Harikumar, Smt. Neha Waikar and Smt. Saujya Anand, volunteers from WWF-India. Following the bird watching session the team gathered at YMCA Hall and discussed their observations. An interactive quiz exclusively on birds was

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carried out and the documentary „Birds of Kerala‟ made by Sri. Suresh Elamon also was screened for the added benefit of the participants.

As follow-up of World Migratory Bird Day, the monthly birding in and around Ashtamudi Lake was conducted on 15th September with the participation of 8 volunteers led by Mr. Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer. 32 species of birds were reported including migratory species. In October, the monthly birding was conducted on 25th October with the participation of 8 volunteers. Thirty-seven species of birds were sighted including migratory species like Grey Plover, Lesser sand Plover and Common Sandpiper etc. In November, the birding was conducted on 22nd November with the participation of 15 birders. 42 species of birds were reported including migratory species like Green Shank, Red Shank, Barn Swallow and Whiskered Tern.

2.3.3 World Environment Day 2014

Kerala State Office was active in observing WED 2014 with the following events:

(a) State level exhibition as part of State Government‟s Local Environment Awareness Programme (LEAP). Kerala State Office put a stall with 48 exhibits of 3X3 ft size on biodiversity of Kerala, endangered animals of India and endemic species of Western Ghats. Around 3000 people visited the exhibition held at Kottayam from 3rd to 5th June 2014

(b) Kerala State Office in association with AMAS, Neyyatinkara planted 1000 Curry Leaf saplings in 1000 homesteads to ensure its sustenance and to avoid pesticide infested curry leaves available in market.

(c) Made a multimedia presentation on the theme of WED 2014 and shared with all our network schools, colleges and associates for grass root level awareness programmes

2.3.4 Ozone Day 2014

Senior Education Officer led a session titled “Ozone Story” at Kerala University College of Teacher Education, Kollam in which around 120 Teacher Trainees of different subjects participated on 17th September 2014. An interactive quiz also was conducted in connection with this.

2.3.5 Wildlife Week 2014

WWF-India, Kerala State Office put a stall in the Eco Fest organized by Periyar Tiger Reserve at Kumily from 2nd to 8th October with information panel boards on “Biodiversity of Kerala and Endemics of Kerala”. The stall was visited by more than 2000people of native and foreign.

EARTH DAY 2014Programme at Neyyattinkara

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY 2014

Inaugural Session

Inaugural Session

Poster Release

Field Bird Watching

Installation of CFLs

Activity Session

WORLD WETLANDS DAYProgramme at Fatima Mata National College, Kollam

Inauguration

Interaction by participants

WED 2014 Exhibition at Kottayam

View of the participants

Technical session

Hon. Minister for Forests & Sports visits WWF- India’s Stall

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A session on Wildlife of Kerala was conducted by Mr. A.K.Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer at SN College, Kollam on 10th October 2014 with a film show on “Wildlife around Us”

2.3.6 Salim Ali Day 2014

WWF-India, Kerala State Office organized a single day awareness programme in connection with Salim Ali Day 2014 at Public Library Hall, Kollam on 12th November 2014. The programme was in association with Social Forestry Division and Social Forestry Extension Unit, Kollam of Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department.75 students and teachers from 7 schools of Kollam and around 15 individuals were attended the programme. Bird quiz, technical sessions on bird watching, birds and man and bird photo exhibition were included in the programme.

2.3.7 World Wetlands Day 2015

WWD 2015 was observed by KLSO with an awareness programme at Fatima Mata National College, Kollam on 2nd February 2015, organized jointly with the Social Forestry Extension, Southern Region Kollam and the college. It was inaugurated by Sri. I. Siddique, Dy. Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry Extension, Kollam. Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director, WWF-India delivered the Wetlands Day message. The session was presided over by Dr. Charles Dicruz, Head of the Dept of Zoology and Dr. Mary Tresa P Miranda delivered the welcome speech. Dr. Johnson Pius felicitated the programme and Smt. Fazeena S, M.Sc student delivered the vote of thanks. The technical sessions on „Wetlands for our Future‟ and „Wetlands of Kerala - Issues and Concerns‟ were led by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar and Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese respectively. The post lunch session was an interactive quiz programme on wetlands followed by an open forum.

2.3.8 Big Bird Day 2015

The Big Bird Day 2015 was proposed to be conduct on 8th March 2015 at Kallar Forests falling under Thiruvananthapuram Division of Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department with the support of the Department. Unfortunately due to the sad demise of Shri. G. Karthikeyan, Hon. Speaker of Kerala, it was postponed to 21st March. 23 birders along with field staff of Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department participated in the birding and sighting of 91 species of birds including migratory ones.

2.3.9 World Sparrow Day 2015

World Sparrow Day was observed with a Sparrow Survey in Thiruvananthapuram City and Sparrow Day Campaign within the Museum & Zoo Compound. The Sparrow Survey in and around the City was carried out with the help of active volunteers from University College and All Saints College. The survey found a steady increase of sparrow population in

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Thiruvananthapuram City of around 61% of past year. The leading dailies had given much importance for the report. On 20th, the volunteer team under the leadership of State Director and Senior Education Officer had a sticker campaign also within Museum and Zoo campus from 6.30 to 8.30am where a number of people from different walks of life come for jogging in the morning hours. The campaign was along with an interactive game to place 3 eggs on nests with bound eyes.

2.3.10 National Science Day 2015

Fifty students of the integrated course in Chemistry of Amrita School of Arts & Sciences, Amritapuri Campus was introduced to the concept of GIS & RS in the workshop titled ‘Geoinformation Technology for Better Natural Resource Management’ organized by WWF-India in association with Dept. of Chemistry, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam as part of National Science Day 2015 on the theme of „Science for Nation Building‟ sponsored by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment and supported by Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.C. Gopinathan Pillai, Principal, ASAS in a function presided over by Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director, WWF-India. Dr.M.Viswanathan, HOD and Chairman, Dept. of Chemistry, Dr. Smitha Chandran S. and Mr. Vinod P.G. spoke on the occasion. The technical sessions on various topics like Basics of Geoinformation Technology & its applications, Geospatial & Utility Network Analysis in GIS, Principles of Remote Sensing and its applications were led by Mr. Renjan Mathew Varghese, Mr. Vinod P.G. and Dr. A.R.R. Menon.

2.3.11 Earth Hour 2015

Kerala State Office observed the Earth Hour 2015 with variety of events and campaigns with the support of Directorate of Environment &Climate Change, GoK, Energy Management Centre, Kerala State Electricity Board and Indus Cycling Embassy. Commencing with the Press Meet on 26th, public campaigns were done at Statue Jn on 26th evening, Saphalyam Complex on 27th evening, Museum Campus on 28th morning. The campaigns were arranged with interactive games and giving CFLs as gifts. A Cyclothon also was conducted on 28th morning at Maanaveeyam Road. During the main event of EH, an on the spot painting competition for students, musical evening, Sand sculpture, Switch Off and Candle Light Vigil were conducted. Sri.Biju Prabhakar IAS, District Collector was the Chief Guest. Around 2000 people joined us at Shanghumugham Beach for making the Earth Hour a grant success.

2.4 Teacher’s Training Workshop

Environment Education being one of the major thrust areas of WWF-India, capacity building of Teachers and Teacher Trainees have always been high priority for us and over the past few years, we have been organizing around 15 Teachers Training Workshops across the State with the support of CPR Environment Education Centre, Chennai which is the Regional

WILDLIFE WEEK CELEBRATION

SALIM ALI DAY 2014

WORLD SPARROW DAY

Wildlife Week at Kollam

Technical session by Sri. C. Harikumar

Interactive Games in the Museum & Zoo Compound with morning walkers

WWF Stall in Ecofest at Kumali, Idukki

Award distribution

BIG BIRD DAY 2015

Teams in the field exercise at various locations

Teams sharing their observation

Teams sharing their observation BBD 2015 – Group Photo

NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY 2015

Dignitaries on the dais

View of the participants

Technical session by Vinod

Inaugural Address

Ms. Smitha Chandran proposes Vote of Thanks

Technical session by Dr A.R.R. Menon

EARTH HOUR 2015

Former Finance Minister Dr. Thomas Issac interacting with the volunteers

Awarding CFL for winners of the game

Interaction with bus passengers

A family engaged in the EH game

Public Campaign within the Tvpm Museum & Zoo Compound

Sand Sculpture at Shanghumugham Beach

EH 2015 Cyclothon at Manaveeyam Road with Indus Cycling Embassy

Children’s Painting Competition

Switch Off & Candle Light Vigil led by Dr. Biju Prabhakar IAS, Tvm District Collector

Musical Evening by Renegades

Dignitaries and the public joining in for the Candle Light Vigil

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Resource Agency for the South region under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change. Govt. of India. The average participation of a workshop will be around 50 targeting Teachers organized at a common venue and when organized at the institutional level at B.Ed Colleges for Teacher Trainees, it will be around 100. For the academic year 2014-15, we had selected „Western Ghats‟ as the focal theme for the workshops.

2.4.1 Thodupuzha

The first Teachers Training Workshop was held at Govt.Higher Secondary School, Thodupuzha on 27th June 2014 and was attended by 55 teachers from different schools of the district. The Municipality Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Wildlife Warden, District Coordinator for Kerala State Biodiversity Board and NGC coordinators were interacted with the teachers.

2.4.2 Konni

The second Teachers Training Workshop was held at Ecotourism Centre, Konni owned by Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department on 11th July. It was attended by 42 teachers from schools of Pathanamthitta district. Sri.T.Pradeepkumar IFS (DFO Konni) and Sri. Mathew PS (Dy. Dir. of Edn.) were the chief guests. Mr.S.Radhakrishnan, Dy. Director (Wildlife Edn.) and Sr. Education Officer led the sessions.

2.4.3 Thrissur

The third Teachers Training Workshop was held at KM Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Pottore, Thrissur on 22nd July. The workshop was attended by 36 teachers from different schools of Thrissur district. Sri.Abdul Bashir, Rtd. Divisional Manager, Kerala Forest Development Corporation and Senior Education Officer led the sessions.

2.4.4 Muvattupuzha

The fourth Teachers Training Workshop was held at Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on 6th August in association with NGC and was attended by 48 teachers from different schools of the district and the college. The workshop was inaugurated by Rev. Dr.Vincent Nedungattu, Principal of the College. Dr.Gigi K Joseph, NGC coordinator & Associate Professor of the College and Senior Education Officer led the sessions.

2.4.5 Kottayam (Teachers)

A Teachers Training Workshop was held at Mangalam College of Teacher Education, Ettumanoor, Kottayam on 8th October. The workshop was attended by 41 Teachers from different schools of the district and also few from the college. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri.Biju Varghese, Chairman, Mangalam Group of Educational Institutions. Sri.N.

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Radhakrishnan, Dy. Director of Wildlife Education, Project Tiger, Kottayam and Mr. A.K. Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer, WWF-India led the sessions.

2.4.6 Kottayam (Teacher Trainees)

A TTW was organized at Mangalam College of Teacher Education on 9th October. It mainly targeted Teacher Trainees. The workshop had 120 Teacher Trainees as participants. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Jacob Kurian Onattu, Principal, Baselius College, and Kottayam. The resource persons were the same.

2.4.7 Malayalam University, Tirur, Malappuram

A Teachers Training Workshop on Education for Sustainable Development was held at Malayalam University, Tirur, Malappuram on 26th November in association with the University and was attended by 48 teachers from different schools of the district and the University. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri.K.Jayakumar IAS, the Vice Chancellor of the University. Sri.Renjan Mathew Varghese and A.K.Sivakumar led the technical and activity sessions.

2.4.8 Palakkad

A Teachers Training Workshop was held at Mercy College, Palakkad on 27th November in association with the College Nature Club and was attended by 45 teachers from different schools of the district and the College. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.Sr.Alice Thomas, Principal of the College. Dr.Jain J. Therattil of St. Aloysius College, Thrissur and A.K.Sivakumar led the technical and activity sessions.

2.4.9 Kollam

A Teachers Training Workshop was held at Public Library Hall, Kollam on 4th December and was attended by 28 Teachers from different schools of the district. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri.S.Santhosh Kumar, ACF (Social Forestry), Kollam. Sri.S.Radhakrishnan, Dy. Director (Wildlife Education) of Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department and A.K.Sivakumar led the technical and activity sessions.

2.4.10 Idukki

A Teachers Training Workshop was held at Marian College, Kuttikkanam, Idukki on 11th December 2014. The workshop witnessed the active participation of 48 Teachers from different schools of the district. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri.M.T.Thomas, President of Idukki District Panchayat in a session presided over by Fr. Ruban J. Thannikkal, Manger of the college. Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director of WWF-India introduced the workshop, organizers and supporters. Br.Sarat Thomas of Marian College delivered the welcome speech and Sri.N. Ravindran, Coordinator, WWF-India NCIs

TEACHERS TRAINING WORKSHOPOrganised with the support of CPREEC, Chennai

TTW at Thodupuzha

TTW at Konni

TTW at Thrissur

TTW at Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

TTW at Mangalam College of Teacher Education, Kottayam

TTW at Kottayam

TTW at Palakkad

TTW at Malayalam Sarvakalasala, Tirur

TTW at Kollam

TTW at Marian College, Kuttikkanam

TTW at Kuttikkanam

TTW at Kannur

TTW at Govt. Teachers Training College, Thiruvananthapuram

TTW at NSS Training College, Pandalam

Inaugural Session

Technical Session by Senior Edn. Officer

Inaugural Session

Technical Session by State Director

Presentation by the participant groups

Group Discussion

Inaugural Session

Technical Session by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar

Inaugural Address by Dr.C.Bhaskaran

Technical Session by Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese

Presentation by participants

Technical Session

TTW at BMM II College of Teacher Education, Kottarakkara

TTW at YMCA, Thiruvananthapuram organized jointly with Zoology Association

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proposed the vote of thanks. The technical sessions were led by Renjan Mathew Varghese and A.K.Sivakumar.

2.4.11 Kannur

A Teachers Training Workshop was held at the IB owned by Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, Kannavam on 29th January 2015 and was attended by 45 teachers from different schools of the district. Sessions of the workshop were led by A.K.Sivakumar, Senior Education Officer, Sri.C.Sunilkumar, State Advisory Board Member and Sri.Rajan Vengad.

2.4.12 Thiruvanathapuram

A Teachers Training Workshop on ESD was conducted at Govt. College of Teacher Education, Thiruvananthapuram on 19th February which was attended by 70 Teacher Trainees. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr G.R. Santhosh Kumar, Chairman, Board of Studies in Education, University of Kerala. The session was presided over by Dr.T.V. Kunhiraman, Principal-in-charge, GCTE, Thycaud. Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese, State Director gave the introduction to the workshop. Dr.T.K.Jayasree, Asst. Professor, M.Ed Department and Mr. Akhil S. Student Representative felicitated the workshop. Dr.V.K.Sobha welcomed the guests and participants to the programme and Ms. Gayathri, Student Co-ordinator delivered the vote of thanks. Activity sessions and technical sessions on „ESD Concepts‟ was led by Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese and on „ESD - Approaches and Methodology‟ by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar.

2.4.13 Pandalam

A Teachers Training Workshops was conducted on March 2015 at NSS Training College at Pandalam in which around 150 Teacher Trainees attended. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Vinod, Associate Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Pandalam. The sessions were handled by the State Director and the Senior Education Officer.

2.4.14 Kottarakara

The second TTW in the month of March was organized at BMM II College of Teacher Education, Kottarakkara in which another set of 150 Teacher Trainees participated. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr G.R. Santhosh Kumar, Chairman, Board of Studies in Education, University of Kerala. The sessions were handled by the State Director and the Senior Education Officer.

2.4.15 Thiruvananthapuram

The third TTW of the month was organized at YMCA Hall, Thiruvananthapuram in association with Zoology Association, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter which was attended by 25 Higher Secondary School Teachers. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.C. Bhaskaran,

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Professor (retd), Dept. of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University and Member, WWF-India State Advisory Board. The sessions were handled by the State Director and the Senior Education Officer.

2.5 Friday Forum

2.5.1 The first Friday Forum of this academic year was held at Museum Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 8th August 2014 with the theme “Walking & Bicycling, – Save the Environment & Stay Healthy”. Dr.Sankar Ram, Medical Officer from Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs led the session. The session was in association with the Indus Cycle Embassy, Thiruvananthapuram. Around 130 students from 5 different schools attended the Friday Forum.

2.5.2 The second Friday Forum of the academic year was held at Museum Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 19th September 2014 with the theme “Reduce and Manage Waste & Convert Waste to Wealth”. Sri.Shibu.K.Nair, Programme Director of Zeor Waste Programme of Thanal, Thiruvananthapuram led the session. The session was quiet intective with around 120 school student‟s participation from different schools.

2.5.3 The Friday Forum in the month of October was held at Museum Auditorium,

Thiruvananthapuram on 13th October 2014 with the theme „Vegetable Garden - Home Grown Vegetables for Poison Free Food’. Smt.Bindu, Technical Officer, State Horticulture Mission, Thiruvananthapuram led the session. The session was quiet interactive with the active participation of around 150 school students from different schools in the City.

2.5.4 The Friday Forum for November was held at Museum Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram on 7th November 2014 with the theme “Western Ghats – Haven of Biodiversity – Functions, Values & Services”. Sri.S.Radhakrishnan, Dy. Director, Wildlife Education from Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department led the session. The session was quiet interactive with around 150 school student‟s participation from different schools.

2.6 Sunday Bird Walk

2.6.1 The monthly Sunday Bird Walk was held in and around Kallar – Ponmudi forests on 25th May and the team consisted 10 birders. They could see 38 species of birds though it was a rainy day.

2.6.2 Being the follow up of World Migratory Bird Day held last month, the Sunday Bird Walk was held at Ashtamudi Lake on 29th June 2014 and 10 birders were there to attend. Remarkable observations were noted.

2.6.3 Monthly Sunday Bird Walk was held at Punchakkari wetlands on 26th October 2014 with the active participation of 9 birders. Around 42 species of birds were observed from the wetland including Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail and Pheasant tailed Jacana.

FRIDAY FORUM

Friday Forum on ‘Walking & Bicycling – Save the Environment & Stay Healthy’

FF on ‘Waste Management’

Friday Forum on ‘Home grown vegetables for poison free food’

FF on ‘Biodiversity of Western Ghats’

SUNDAY BIRD WALK

Birding in Kallar Forests

Birding at Punchakkari

Ashtamudi Birding Programme

Birders at Punchakkari

Field trekking and observations

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2.6.4 Furthermore, the monthly Sunday Bird Walk was held at Arippa forests on 9th November 2014 with participation of 8 birders. 56 species of birds were observed from the diversified forests including Malabar Trogon, Flame throated Bulbul and Malabar grey Hornbill.

2.6.5 The monthly birding programme, the Sunday Bird Walk was held on 8th March at Polachira wetlands which witnessed the highest count of birds in the Asian Waterfowl Census conducted previously in and around Kollam. Eight birders participated and they could identify 38 species.

2.7 Nature Education Camps

Nature education camps, treks and trails are one of the most preferred way of teaching any target group about natural resources, their threats, the need for their conservation and protection and what we can do towards that. Since they are outdoor programmes ranging from few hours to few days, they are packed with energy and enthusiasm. „Nature as Classroom‟ can really be experienced through such events.

2.7.1 Monsoon Camp at Aralam WLS

A three day Monsoon camp was conducted at Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary from 13th to 15th June to familiarize the campers with monsoon and its importance. 17 nature enthusiasts were attended the camp and was much interested with significant observations and learning.

2.7.2 Wildlife Orientation Camp at Parambikkulam Tiger Reserve

A three day Wildlife Orientation Camp was conducted from 15-17 August 2014 at Parambikkulam Tiger Reserve. Twenty nature enthusiasts were accompanied by Senior Education Officer and a volunteer. The camp was highly interesting with rich wildlife sighting like Leopard, Gaur, Sambar Deers, Spotted Deers, Nilgiri Langurs, Stripe necked Mongoose, Monitor Lizard, Wild Boar, Peacocks and so on. A very good birding was also held during the camp.

2.7.3 Nature Orientation Camp at Avalanche

Kerala State Office conducted a three day Nature Orientation Camp at Avalanche Forests of Nilgiris, Tamilnadu. Nine nature enthusiasts along with Mr. Sivakumar and two volunteers attended the camp. The scenic beauty of the high altitude shola forests and its biodiversity was thoroughly enjoyed by the team. They sighted many birds, butterflies, frogs, reptiles and mammals like Gaur, Sambar Deer, Wild Dog and Malabar Giant Squirrel.

2.7.4 Wildlife Orientation Camp at Muthumala - Bandipur Tiger Reserves

A Wildlife Camp was conducted from 15th to 17th February at Muthumala Tiger Reserve in Tamilnadu and Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka covering nearby places like Masinagudy, Moyaar and Nilambur also. Seven campers along with the Senior Education

NATURE EDUCATION CAMPS

Wildlife Orientation Camp at Parambikkulam Tiger Reserve

Monsoon Camp at Aralam WLS

Wildlife Orientation Camp at Muthumalai

Nature Orientation Camp at Avalanche

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Officer and a volunteer attended the camp. The wildlife safaris in both the Tiger Reserves were thrilling enough with the sighting of many animals and birds. The camp was highly interesting.

2.8 Classes and Lectures Delivered

2.8.1 A two hour session on Wildlife Conservation was led by the Senior Education Officer at Arya Central School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram on 24th July 2014. Around 60 students attended the session. It was a totally interactive programme with PowerPoint presentation.

2.8.2 The Senior Education Officer was invited to deliver a session on Environment Education at St. Jacob‟s College of Teacher Education, Kazhakkottam, Thiruvananthapuram. Around 60 Teacher Trainees attended the session.

2.8.3 The State Director was invited on 10th September to give a special talk on All India Radio/ Akashavani on India‟s Wildlife with special emphasis to Red Data List.

2.8.4 The State Director was invited to inaugurate the Oorjotsavam supported by Energy Management Centre, Government of Kerala at Victory HSS, Olathanni, Neyyattinkara and deliver a talk on „Energy Conservation and Ecological Footprint‟ on 21st November.

2.8.5 A single day workshop on „Conservation Challenges and Initiatives for the Western Ghats‟ was conducted by WWF-India, Kerala State Office in association with Marian College, Kuttikkanam on 10th December 2014 at the college. The workshop was inaugurated by Fr. Ruban J. Thannikkal, Manager of the college. The technical sessions on „Conservation of Western Ghats‟ and „Human Animal Conflict‟ was led by Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese and Sri.PA Vinayan, from WWF-India. An interactive „Quiz on Wildlife‟ was led by Sri. A.K.Sivakumar in the afternoon session.

2.9 Participation in Seminars/ Workshops/ Symposiums

2.9.1 Senior Education Officer, Ms.Rajalekshmi Sukumaran and Ms.Rahana Iqbal, Project Associates attended the two day “Workshop on Environmental Laws and National Green Tribunal” held at Coimbatore on 3rd and 4th May 2014 organised by CEL, WWF-India.

2.9.2 Senior Education Officer represented WWF-India in the First Antappan Commemoration Meeting held at Edathwa, his native place, on 3rd June 2014.

2.9.3 As WWF-India is planning to expand on our Volunteer Engagement especially among youth, a workshop was organized in the WWF-India Sectt led by Pravah – the agency to whom the task has been assigned to chart out the roadmap for the same on 16th January, 2015. The State Director was invited to attend and contribute to the discussions and deliberations. We had earlier also given our inputs and volunteer experiences through mail.

WORKSHOP ON CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND INITIATIVES FOR THE WESTERN GHATS

CLASS ON ENERGY CONSERVATION AT OLATHANNI

Technical session by State Director Technical session by Sri. P.A. Vinayan

Senior Education Officer gives away the awards

State Director in the programme

Quiz programme by Senior Education Officer

Students during the session

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2.9.4 Our project proposal submitted to MoEF through the Regional Resource Agency i.e. CED has been accepted under the National Environment Awareness Campaign. In this regard the Pre-Programme Orientation Workshop was organized on 16th January, 2015 at YMCA, Thiruvananthapuram. On behalf of WWF-India Ms. Pushpakumari, A&AO attended.

3 Networking

3.1 Rotary Club - The State Director was the special invitee to the monthly meeting of Rotary Club Thiruvananthapuram on 19th May and delivered a talk on „Protection of our Water Resources‟. Around 40 Rotorarians were present.

3.2 ATREE - Senior Education Officer attended the 7th Vembanad Fish Count, the participatory documentation of fish fauna of India‟s largest Ramsar Site Vembanad-Kol wetland on 29th & 30th May 2014 organised by ATREE-CERC at Alappuzha. The team led by him noted 42 species of fishes.

3.3 KFD - Senior Education Officer and Mr.C.Harikumar attended the State level Meeting on 12th July 2014 at College of Forestry, Thrissur of the Green Partnership Programme, a combined effort to document the avifauna outside the forests in the State. The review on Common Bird Monitoring Programme, Pelagic Birding, Kerala Bird Race 2014 were the key agenda points of the meeting.

3.4 EMC - The State Director participated in the event organized by Energy Management Centre (EMC), Government of Kerala on 14 November at Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram with Mr. Kandeh K Yumkella UN Special Secretary (Energy) giving his talk on Energy Security highlighting the role of renewable energy sources contributing towards the same. After the talk the State Director interacted with Yumkella and updated him on WWF initiatives in India and Kerala, mainly in the sector of energy conservation.

3.5 MBAI - The Marine Biological Association of India organized the International Symposium „Marine Ecosystems – Challenges and Opportunities‟ at Dream Hotel, Kochi from 2-5 December, 2014. WWF-India was a co-sponsor of the event. The State Director and Mr. Vinod Malayilethu, Senior Co-ordinator, Marine Programme attended the seminar. WWF-India put up an exhibition stall also to showcase our work in the coastal and marine sector and also to display our conservation products.

3.6 CGIT - The State Director was invited to give a guest lecture on the topic of „Fundamentals of Geoinformation Technology and its Applications in the field of Natural Resource Management‟ in the training organized by CGIT at Rajagiri School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kochi on 13th December, 2014

3.7 TERI - The Inter-University Competition on Water Resource Management was organized by TERI, TERI University and Department of Zoology, Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha on 19

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Dec, 2014. The State Director was invited as Resource Person for the event. Nine teams participated. The State Director delivered a talk titled „Multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and solving water problems‟.

3.8 ELDF - The Enviro Legal Defense Firm, New Delhi as part of their programme on reviewing Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in India organized a half-day workshop in Thiruvananthapuram on 23 December, 2014 at the Conference Hall, Forest HQ. The State Director was a special invitee to the workshop.

3.9 TKMIM - The State Director was invited by Dr. Sulphey, Associate Professor, TKMIM to address the batch of MBA Students on 8th January, 2015 on the topic of Ecological Footprint and Sustainable Development and also on our recent work related to Kerala Going 100% RE by 2050‟. Around 80 students attended the two sessions.

3.10 USC, UoK - The State Director was invited by Dr. Shalom Gnana Thanga, Professor & Head, Dept. of Environmental Studies, Kerala University to deliver two lectures on 13th January, 2015 on the topics „Human Animal Conflicts‟ and „Our Wetland Ecosystems in Peril‟ in the Refresher Course in Environmental Science at University Staff College. Around 60 college teachers from different colleges in Kerala attended.

3.11 NFF-KSMTF - The State Director attended the workshop on the Dr. Meenakumari Report on Deep Sea Fishing organized by NFF, KSMTF and ADSGAF in Thiruvananthapuram on 16 Sept, 2014. The workshop also discussed on Shark Conservation.

The State Director attended the „Workshop on the Challenged Coast of India‟ organized on 16th February 2015 at Press Club Hall organized jointly by NFF and KSMTF and contributed in the discussions and deliberations as this is a common agenda shared by us also as outline in the Coastal and Marine Conservation Strategy of WWF-India. The speakers were Ms. Jessu from Chennai and Mr. Probir from Pondicherry.

3.12 SIRD - The State Director was invited to lead a class on ‘Biodiversity Resources and its Conservation Challenges’ as part of the Training Programme for Government Extension Officers organized by SIRD, Kottarakara on 25th February, 2015.

3.13 CWRDM - The State Director was a Special Invitee to the World Water Day observation event organized by CWRDM on 23rd March, 2015 at the Govt. Guest House, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram

3.14 SLS, MGU - The State Director was specially requested to prepare a note on ‘Deforestation and its direct and indirect impacts’ to be part of the course curriculum of the students of the School of Legal Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

3.15 Thanal - The Kerala Solar Policy was declared in 2013. To understand its status and analyse the bottlenecks and hurdles in its implementation, Thanal, an advocacy agency based in

Workshop on PFM in Kerala Forests & Wildlife Dept. HQ organized by ELDF, New Delhi

Class at SIRD, Kottarakara NFF- KSMTF Workshop on Challenged Coast of India

Publications

Inter University Competition on Integrated Water Resource Management by TERI University organised at Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

Exhibition Stall in MECOS 2 at Kochi

Class on Geoinformation Technology in NRM at Kochi

International Symposium MECOS 2

Students with UN Special Secretary (Energy) Kandeh K Yumkella

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Thiruvananthapuram in association with others has carried out the review of its implementation based on a WRI Framework on Climate Change Mitigation. A review meeting was organized at ANERT, Thiruvananthapuram and the State Director was also specially invited in the background of our study on Kerala Going 100% RE by 2050. The State Director attended the meeting with the Chairman, KSERC, Chairman & MD, KSEBL, Dr.RVG Menon and many others and contributed in the discussions and deliberations.

4 Publications

4.1 The State Director contributed a small write-up titled ‘It’s not how long you lived that matters, but how well you have lived it’ to the memorial book being brought out by Green Community on the occasion of the First Death Anniversary of our beloved Green Comrade Shri. Andappan Ambiyayam.

4.2 Kerala Tourism Magazine has invited an article on the great work that WWF is doing in the State. In this regard, an article in two parts – ‘WWF efforts to save ecosystems and species, for a living planet, for today and tomorrow’ explaining our projects and ‘WWF molding the younger generation of today to be better green citizens of tomorrow’ detailing our environment education, awareness and outreach programmes were prepared and submitted.

4.3 The State Director prepared and published a brief write-up on e-waste management in The Hindu explaining the huge quantity of e-waste generated by our modern lifestyles and the dangers behind its careless disposal and the need for a proper collection, disposal and management system.

4.4 The State Director prepared a write-up titled „Where we stand on resolving our issue of SWM in our Capital City’ on the critical review of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation carried out as part of the internship by Mr. Vishnu, Student from Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram.

4.5 Multimedia presentations on World Environment Day, Wildlife Week, Salim Ali Day and World Wetlands Day were published and sent to our entire network for the purpose of conducting awareness sessions in connection with these days in affiliated schools and associates.

4.6 A new multimedia presentation incorporating relevant text and images have been compiled on the theme of „Environmental Concerns of Kerala‟. This presentation will now be further on used in various venues and platforms to advocate sustainable development.

5 Internship

5.1 Mr. Vishnu, Student, BA LLB, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram underwent internship at the Kerala State Office for a period of one month. During his

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internship, he mainly worked on preparing a position paper on the municipal solid waste management in Thiruvananthapuram – looking at what has been done over the past few years, critically evaluating why each strategy failed and charting the way forward.

5.2 Ms. Chandini Venugopal, Student, BA LLB, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram underwent internship at the Kerala State Office for a period of one month. During her internship, she mainly worked on preparing a position paper on the human – stray dog conflict in Thiruvananthapuram – which has escalated very much over the past few years, looking at the timeline of the issue, severity, measures adopted to control it, critically evaluating what worked and what failed and charting the way forward.

5.3 Mr. Sudhi, Student, BA LLB, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram underwent internship at the Kerala State Office for a period of one month. During his internship, he mainly worked on assessing the effectives of the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo with regard to nature education and ex-situ conservation. He did thorough library referencing to understand the concept, prepared, tested and refined the survey questionnaire, conducted the questionnaire survey and came out with the findings, observations and the suggestions.

5.4 Mr. Athul Prasad, Student, SIMC – Pune has done his internship at the Kerala State Office and he has been assigned the work of preparing hoardings on conservation issues to be put up in the newly erected bus stops inside Thiruvananthapuram City. He is also preparing a short video clipping on the work of WWF-India Kerala State Office.

5.5 Ms. Norin Salim, Student, SIMC – Pune is undergoing her internship at the Kerala State

Office and she has been assigned the work of preparing the content and layout for the 20 exhibition panels to be prepared on the themes related to the book „Silent Spring‟. She is also preparing other materials like powerpoint presentation on the theme of Climate Change for WED 2014.

5.6 Ms. Anita Ann George, student of BBA LLB (Hons) of School of Indian Legal Thought, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam underwent her internship with us during the period from 29th May to 18th June, 2014.

5.7 Ms. Annie Chirayath, student of MA Applied Sociology of Christ University, Bangalore underwent her internship at World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF-India), Kerala State Office, Thiruvananthapuram during the period from 7th April to 16th May 2014.

5.8 Mr. Jeffin John, student of BBA LLB of CMR Law School, Bangalore underwent his internship at World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF-India), Kerala State Office, Thiruvananthapuram during the period from 5th to 30th January, 2015. He participated actively in all the bird documentation programmes like Asian Waterfowl Census.

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6 Policy and Advocacy Level Interventions

6.1 Save Attakulangara School Campaign

This is a campaign being headed by Tree Walk Thiruvananthapuram and such like minded individuals to save the Attakulangara Govt. School Campus proposed to be taken over for the major construction of bus stand and bus bays and also a commercial complex. The Senior Education Officer attended the open forum on 16 July, 2014.

6.2 Coastal Regulation Zone

National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) and Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) organized a meeting on the proposed CRZ relaxations and amendments proposed by the State Government in the name of fishermen community, but actually with the vested interest to help the tourism and other construction lobbies. The State Director attended the meeting and contributed actively in the discussions and deliberations.

6.3 Humans - Stray Dog Conflict in Thiruvananthapuram

Humans-Stray Dog Conflict is one of the burning issues in the Capital City, Thiruvananthapuram. The State Government and the Local Administration are not in terms with each other and both have been turning a blind eye to this issue since long. With no municipal solid waste management programme in place and the people dumping food waste and other garbage on the road side and this in turn providing adequate food to the stray dogs, the issue is getting worse day by day. Sree Satya Sai Trust has started dialogues with the State Government to intervene in the issue fruitfully. WWF has also been invited to this network with the request to take care of the IEC programme as part of the same.

6.4 Conservation of Ithikkara River

Under the SGP of WWF-India earlier given to HELP Foundation, a network of schools and LSGIs has been mobilized to form the River Watch Group. Now that the project funding is over, we need to ensure that we take this forward and sustain the network on long term. A discussion was organized in our office on 10th March 2015 with the State Director, Senior Education Officer, Prof. Peter Pradeep, Director, HELP Foundation and Mr. Rejith P.G., Environment Programme Manager, Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, GoK. After much discussion and debate, it was decided that, rather than touching upon the sensational issues now, we would identify areas where we can positively intervene and establish a rapport and then extend to other sectors. In the days ahead, Prof. Peter Pradeep will take this forward and do the necessary to co-ordinate this.

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6.5 Bird Menace of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

The Kerala State Biodiversity Board had convened a meeting of experts on addressing the issue of bird menace in and around the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The State Director attended the meeting and participated in the discussions and deliberations. The main reason attributed to the increasing bird menace is connected to careless waste disposal since there is no municipal solid waste management system in place in the Capital City now. The State Director shared the photographs of waste dumping, especially fish waste dumped along the Chackai ITI – All Saints College stretch.

6.6 Mangrove Nursery and Afforestation Programme along the banks of Paravur Lake

HELP Foundation is one of our close associates working in Ithikkara River and Paravur Lake. They have embarked on raising mangrove nursery and afforestation of the same along the banks of Paravur Lake. The necessary discussions were taken up with Dr Corrie PCCF (SF), Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department to mainstream this activity and provide possible technical and financial support for the same by the Social Forestry Division, Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department.

6.7 National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for Marine Turtles

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in association with Wildlife Institute of India organized the meeting in Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur on 19 Oct 2014. The State Director attended the meeting on behalf of WWF-India and contributed to the discussions and deliberations.

6.8 Discussion meeting on Solar City Project in Corporation of Kochi

A.K.Sivakumar and Sri.Vinod Malayilethu attended the half day discussion meeting on the implementation of the Solar City Project in Kochi organized by Kochi Corporation on 19th January 2015. They contributed actively in the discussions and deliberations on how to effectively implement the project.

6.9 Proposal for Ashtamudi Interpretation Centre

The State Director, Mr. Vinod Malayilethu and Dr. Apukuttan met the Fisheries Joint Director Kollam and visited the Fisheries Office in Neendakara on 14 May 2014 and carried out a recon survey of finding a suitable space for an Ashtamudi Interpretation Centre as advised by Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO during his visit to Kollam few months back. A draft concept note on the themes and layout of the facility has been prepared by the State Director and is being circulated to the concerned for comments and suggestions. The final plan will be forwarded to WWF-India Secretariat to look for possible funding.

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7 Proposals Prepared and Submitted

7.1 Concept notes and proposals as per the Conservation Strategy of KLSO

Based on the 3 year Conservation Strategy prepared for Kerala, concept notes on the various activities identified under the „Conservation of Western Ghats‟ were prepared and sent to the PCCF (IHRD), Forests and Wildlife Department and the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

7.2 Concept Note on Marine Turtle Conservation

As per the request from WWF-India Secretariat based on the interest shown by HDFC, a detailed concept note on Participatory Marine Turtle Conservation in Kerala was sent to WWF-India Secretariat.

7.3 Project brainstorming at ATREE CERC, Alappuzha

Over the past many years, we have a very good rapport with ATREE CERC based in Alappuzha. A project brainstorming session was conducted on 5th March, 2015 in their office to identify species, landscapes and themes that are in common interest to both the organizations and we can put forward joint proposals. The session was led by the State Director and was attended by Mr. Jojo T.D., Program Co-ordinator, Mr. Anu Radhakrishnan and others. The session was very useful and we have identified some conservation projects

7.4 Allianz Bird Point at Museum premises

A new proposal for installing a bird point including 10 bird huts, 3 bird feeders and 3 bird baths was prepare and discussed with Director, Dept of Museums and Zoos. He agreed to proceed and Allianz Cornhill authorities also are to support the programme.

7.5 NEAC 2014-15

MoEFCC has called for inviting proposals as part of the National Environment Awareness Campaign 2014-15. CED being the Regional Resource Agency of MoEFCC organized the regional level sensitization workshop which was attended by the Senior Education Officer. The proposal in the prescribed format titled „Improvement of the Padmabhooshan K. Sukumaran Memorial Park (under the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram) located in front of the Pettah Railway Station‟ was prepared and submitted to CED along with other relevant documents.

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8 Sales/ Fundraising

8.1 Promotion of sales of conservation products

The Conservation Products Catalog 2015 Jungle Jamboree have been received in the office in both hard copy and soft copy. The necessary covering letter have been drafted and the same was sent to our network of previous and prospective customers. Possible follow-up was done by mail and phone also. Based on the many orders received for our Conservation Products, necessary servicing was carried out by doing the overprinting and delivering the products to the customers. With the objective to promote sale of Non-Seasonal Conservation Products of WWF-India, individual letters along with the brochure has been sent to the DFOs. Necessary follow-up will be done over phone and email.

8.2 Nature Trail proposals for Zyxware and Softnotions Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

A single day nature trail proposal was prepared and submitted as requested for their due consideration.

8.3 Earth Hour 2015

Proposal for technical and financial support for Earth Hour 2015 was prepared and submitted to Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, Kerala State Electricity Board, Energy Management Centre and NIMS.

9 Participation in Exhibitions

9.1 Swasraya Bharat Exhibition as part of SSM 2014

The exhibition titled „Swasraya Bharat‟ as part of Swadeshi Science Congress organized by Swadeshi Science Movement in Kasargod from 14-19 Nov, 2014 in association with Central University and CPCRI and WWF was invited to put up our exhibition stall.

9.2 Exhibition Stall in Chaithanya Karshika Mela 2014

The Kottayam Social Service Society organized the Chaithanya Karshika Mela from 26 – 30 Nov, 2014 at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Kottayam. WWF was invited to put up our exhibition stall and two stalls were given free of charge.

9.3 Indian Biodiversity Congress 2014

The Third Indian Biodiversity Congress organized by CISSA, CPREEC and Navdanya was held at SRM University, Chennai from 18-20 December, 2014. The State Director attended the congress. The technical paper on „Carbon Sequestration Capacity of the Mangrove Ecosystem of Kannur District of Kerala and its Comparison at Ecosystem and Species level‟

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was accepted for oral presentation. WWF was also given an exhibition stall in the venue itself free of cost.

9.4 Sustainable Development Congress of Kerala in Kottayam

People‟s Forum for Sustainable Development in association with others organized Kerala‟s First Sustainable Development Congress in Kottayam from 13-14 December, 2014. WWF was specially invited to attend the seminar and put up our exhibition stall. Mr. Visanth, Volunteer represented WWF-India in the event.

9.5 National Biodiversity Congress 2015

WWF was invited to be part of the NBC 2015 organised by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board and National Biodiversity Authority with various events spanning from 23 – 28 Feb, 2015 at Kanakakunnu Palace Ground and adjoining venues. WWF put up an exhibition stall and also arranged display and sale of our conservation products. The State Director was invited to be Judge for the Children‟s Biodiversity Congress and also contributed in the discussions and deliberations as part of the three days National Biodiversity Conference from 25 – 28.

10 Other Activities

10.1 Nomination to P.S. Gopinathan Nair Award

This year WWF nominated Mr. Vava Suresh, Snake Rescuer for the Ernakulam Karayogam „P.S. Gopinathan Nair Award‟. WWF‟s nomination was considered and the award was given in a function organized at Kochi.

Indian Biodiversity Congress at Chennai

Sustainable Development Congressorganized in Kottayam

National Biodiversity Congress – WWF Exhibition Stall

WWF Exhibition Stall in IBC venue

Exhibition Stall in Chaithaya Karshika Mela at Kottayam

Swasraya Bharat 2014 Exhibition Stall

World Wide Fund for Nature – India(WWF-India)Kerala State OfficeVanchiyoor P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695035, Kerala State, IndiaPh: 91-471-2302265 Email: wwfklso@gmail.com Web: www.wwfindia.org

To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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