EDUCATIONAL TRIP ORGANIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT  OF ZOOLOGY

The Department of Zoology organized an Educational Trip to various institutes on 15/04/2024, 16/04/2024 and 17/04/2024 for VI^th semester students. The team consisted of 29 students and four staff members.

OBJECTIVES

-To study and understand wildlife and its richness.

-To identify wild animals.

-To study of forest ecosystem.

-To know procedures involved during wildlife research.

-To know the technology and the equipments used in wildlife census.

Day 1: 15/04/2024

The team departed from St Philomena’s College (Autonomous), Mysuru  campus at 05:30 AM and reached Bandipur Wildlife Reserve at 7:30 AM. Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It’s known for its lush forests and diverse wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and numerous bird species. The students went for a safari from 8:15 AM to 10:30 AM. Sightings of majestic tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and other wildlife species are common. After the breakfast we left Bandipur National Park at 11:30 AM and headed for the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation – Community Agrobiodiversity Centre.

We arrived M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (MSSRF CAbC), Puthurvayal, Wayanad at 12:30 PM. It was established in 1997 at Wayanad district of Kerala, as one of the regional centres of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, India. It was envisioned by Professor M. S. Swaminathan, renowned agriculture scientist. The Foundation aims to accelerate use of Science for sustainable agricultural and rural development. MSSRF focuses specifically on tribal and rural communities and is a member of Botanical Garden Conservation International since 2006.In 2010, the Garden was recognized as the Lead Garden for RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened )  plants of Western Ghats by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India. In 2013, MSSRF joined IUCN as a member organization. MSSBG bagged the best Green Institution Award 2008-09 from Kerala State Biodiversity Board. The arboretum in MSSBG recognized with Level 1 Accreditation under the ArbNet program promoted by the Morton Arboretum in Lisie, Illinois.

Post lunch, Mr. Joseph John, the Programme Officer at MSSRF CAbC delivered a talk on importance of conservation of native crop species and about the activities of the organization in the areas of research, extension and advocacy. After the session the students visited the botanical garden where about 300 varieties of native crops are conserved. They also visited mushroom cultivation and spawn production units, thematic areas of the center like butterfly garden where the students spotted butterflies like Blue Tiger, Striped Tiger, Great Egg fly and Common Lascar.

The team left the institute and headed for the Karapuzha Dam and reached there by 4:30 PM. Karapuzha Dam is one of the biggest earth dams in India. Karapuzha Dam is located in the greenish and natural regions of Wayanad, Kerala on the Karapuzha River,  tributary of Kabini River. Construction on the dam began in 1977 and it was complete in 2004. This captivating destination offers a harmonious blend of utility and beauty, making it a must-visit attraction in Wayanad. We left the dam at 6:30 PM and reached Bridgettine Convent, Sulthan Bathery at 7:00 PM where the stay facility was arranged.

Day 2: 16/04/2024

After the breakfast we departed Bridgettine Convent at 8:15 AM. We arrived at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode, Wayanad at 09:15 AM. It has a multidisciplinary mode of functioning with veterinary doctors, wildlife biologists, social scientists, molecular biologists, and climatology and forest law experts involved in the training of students. The University has explored productive academic and training collaborations with reputed academic institutions in India and abroad, most notably, University of Edinburgh, University of Western Australia, University of Connecticut, University of Minnesota, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, etc.

Dr. George Chandy, the Director of the Centre gave a talk on the ‘One World One Health’ concept which was followed by session on methods and equipments used in wildlife census. The resource persons explained the working of various tools, diseases of animals, identification of wild animal through their hoof mark, pellet groups, scats, pug marks etc. Then we visited the rehabilitation units for injured and old animals.

In the afternoon, the team visited En Ooru Tribal Heritage Village Kunnathidavaka, Wayanad. En Ooru Tribal Heritage Village plays a significant role in the tribal cultural demonstration. The centre of attraction at the village is prototype tribal huts that offer a glance at tribal lifestyle and tribal architecture. We spent time seeing Western Ghats from the top view and enjoyed tribal music played by local artists. We left En Ooru at 04: 00 PM and reached the stay facility at Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) Sub-station, Nilambur at 8:30 PM.

Day 3: 17/04/2024

The team visited the biodiversity garden at KFRI from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The Kerala Forest Research Institute Sub Centre (KFRI Sub Centre) is situated in the fringe area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is about 5 km away from the Nilambur town. The institute has contributed significantly to research in tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation. Founded in 1975, the institute is envisioned as a Centre of Excellence in Tropical Forestry to provide scientific support for decision making on matters related to forestry, with particular emphasis on conservation, sustainable utilization and scientific management of natural resources. KFRI became a part of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)  in 2002.

Dr. G. E. Mallikarjun, Senior Scientist of KFRI explained about history and current status of KFRI, he also gave route map to visit bio-resource nature park of KFRI. He explained about different varities of endemic orchid plants and its maintenance. Around 101 species of birds including resident birds such as Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, Plum Headed Parakeet, Redspur Fowl, Spotted Dove and migratory birds such as Indian Red Rumped Swallow, Indian Pitta. Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Eurasian Golden Oriole can be spotted in the campus. The expert team of KFRI took our students to various areas of KFRI and explained about fern house, xerophytes house, rock garden, medicinal plant, star and rashi garden, palm garden, taxonomic garden, hydrophytes garden and the watch tower.

The students were taken near Megalithic Burial sites. This provided an opportunity to learn more about the megalithic civilization and culture in Kerala and highlight the archaeological and historical importance of Nilambur. The team also visited the Teak Museum at KFRI. After lunch we started to Mysore and reached the St. Philomens’s College (Autonomous), Mysuru by 07:00 PM.