5th - 7th May 2023 | Kalinga Mane, Agumbe
For 10 to 13 year olds
Give your children a unique summer experience in the rainforest,
where they can explore and understand the thriving ecosystem and its biodiversity
HIGHLIGHTS
Come join us for an exciting event filled with:
>> Learning about the rainforest ecology
>> Exploring the ecology and habitats of reptiles
>> Spotting endemic rainforest birds
>> Delving into the fascinating life of amphibians and their habitats
>> Carrying out line transect and visual encounter surveys
>> Participating in fun explorative activities, games, and nature trails for guaranteed loads of fun!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Rainforest Ecology
Upon arrival, freshen up and enjoy breakfast before an introduction and ice-breaking session. The day’s focus is on the rainforest and activities include setting up pitfalls and drift fences. After lunch, learn about the life of reptiles and go herping exploring reptile niches and habitats. Be a part of a reflection session followed by a documentary screening. Dinner is followed by a night trail to explore nocturnal wildlife.
Day 2:Reptiles
The day starts with birding before breakfast and a session on the snakes of Agumbe. You then carry out a line transect and visual encounter survey apart from checking the pitfall and drift fence. Take part in activities focusing on snake anatomy, followed by lunch and a first aid and snake bites session. You then trek up to view an exhilarating sight of the Western Ghats and return for the reflection session. Watch a documentary followed by interaction with the team. Soon after dinner carry out visual encounter surveys during the night trail.
Day 3: Amphibians
Start the day with birding followed by breakfast. Explore the world of amphibians. Conduct a line transect survey while checking the pitfall and drift fence. An activity on frog anatomy is followed by lunch and a group activity on the frogs of Agumbe. You also examine amphibian habitats along the Stream Trail and work on project ideas before a reflection period, feedback session, certificate distribution, and group photo. The day ends with packing up, dinner, and departure.
Dr Gowri Shankar
Course Director
Herpetologist, TEDx Speaker, TEDFellow 2020
Gowri Shankar is a wildlife biologist working on king cobras for close to two decades.
He has been featured in several wildlife documentaries on channels like the BBC, Discovery, NatGeo Wild, Animal Planet, Smithsonian and National Geographic Channel.
He completed his PhD at North Orissa University and a former exchange student at Uppsala University, Sweden.
He was awarded the herpetologist of the year-2015 by the Swedish Herpetological Society.
Priyanka Swamy
PhD student, University of Mysore
Priyanka has diverse experience across ecological field and laboratory work. As part of the Phylogeography of king cobras project, she has travelled to king cobra habitats across the world and has experience with phylogenetic and population genetics tools to understand evolutionary and biogeography patterns and assist conservation prioritisation. She has also addressed questions related to diversity pattern, population structure and drivers of diversification of the Ranids of the Western Ghats and other herpetofauna.
An excellent environment educator, she has co-conducted a wide range of outreach programs for diverse audiences from school and college students, to forest officials, researchers, and enthusiasts.
She is now embarking on her PhD project on Malabar pit vipers which will mark the beginning of a topic long-awaited to be discovered.
ELIGIBILITY
Age: 9-13 years
Batch Size: 15
DETAILS
Dates: 5th to 7th May 2023
Venue: Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology, Agumbe
COST
Rs.10,950/-
INCLUDES: Pickup drop to Bangalore with an escort. Bus travel.
Accommodation in tents Food: Veg/non-veg
Program charges, and
Education materials.
EXCLUDES: Personal expenses.
Participation certificate awarded on completing the course.
REGISTER