Nagpur: In an effort to strengthen the relationship between forest and student staff, Reserve Penh Tiger (PTR), Maharashtra, launched ‘van adhyapak yojna’ (forest teacher scheme) on the occasion of the teacher’s day.
Van Adhyapak, an innovative scheme, first started in 2016-2017, at NaveGaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) but it was not implemented on a full scale.
Ravikir Govekar, CCF & Field Director, said that the front-line staff in uniform, directly from forest guards to higher officers, will regularly visit the nearest schools and educate students about the importance of wildlife, forests, environment and conservation.
“Unlike celebrating certain days based on ad-hoc, this is a sustainable activity carried out by trained / teacher forest staff.
Moto is ‘Van Rakshak-van Shikshak’ which will be a future conservation ambassador,” said Prabhunath Shukla, Deputy Director , Pest.
The right input, at the local level, in local languages with local examples will help build a conservationist generation.
Apart from forest staff, some green teachers from school are being trained to make this program more inclusive, broad-based and sustainable.
The formal launch was held in Sillari in the presence of Ravindra Thakary, an additional tribal commissioner, Nagpur, and Yogesh Kumbhojkar, CEO of ZP, Nagpur.
Participants enter frontline staff, school teachers, students and other officers.
Kumbhojkar said that in the background of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, these programs must be promoted.
Thakary is filling in the good initiative where the Ministry of Forestry tries to join hands with other stakeholders.
“For the success of government policy, coordination between departments and shared actions must be,” said Thakary.
The Commissioner appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Forestry to reach rural and guaranteed students to support this program in various schools in the tribal area under his jurisdiction.
“If the results are positive, the scheme will be replicated in the area of other tiger bearings and wildlife areas in the state.
At present, there are around 35 adhyapaks vans in Penh, besides 15 in Tiger drill reserves and Umred-Karhandla-paoni wildlife reserves,” Govekar said.
Some other activities such as the development of nurseries, plantations, field-based learning activities etc.
will be taken.
On Sundays, Van Adhyapaks selected is given an induction certificate.
Two Van Adhyapaks – Forest Guard Varsha Jagtap and Chute Ajay from School Ashram School made a presentation.
Pengh’s van adhyapaks to educate students on wildlife
