Editor’s note
Dear Reader
Greetings from Care Earth Trust ! If you are receiving this email, it is because you subscribed to our newsletter (thank you!).
We had an eventful quarter in Oct-Dec - eventful as in also literally filled with many events. Work has kept us busy but that didn’t mean that we couldn’t find time to put together our flagship Margazhi walks (now in its 6th year!) - something we spend a lot of time planning and executing every year. So here they are - all our project and event updates.
Before that, on behalf of the trustees, management, and staff of Care Earth, we wish you and your loved ones the very best for the New Year 2025 - may it be filled with lots of time walking outdoors, plenty of free time to stop and spot your local insects and worms, and many winged visitors to your balcony.
Thanking you for your support,
The Ainthinai Team
For All Living Things
our first time collaborating with ALT - EFF
This Nov - Dec also saw us collaborating for the first time with the All Living Things - Environmental Film Festival (ALT-EFF). We conducted screenings in 6 locations across Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts. These screenings featured an array of narrative and animated films focusing on wetlands, forests, ecological significance, habitat exploration, environmental pollution challenges, and the vital role of women in conservation. These screenings reached over 800 individuals, with some participating in open mics to share their experiences with nature through folk songs, drama, dance and poetry.
Thriving Together
a livelihood project in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Our work in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, now ongoing for over a decade, continues with the support of the Small Industries Developmental Bank of India (SIDBI). This project, aiming to supplement incomes through livelihood training, is currently working with 153 individuals across the 5 hamlets - Badripadugai, Attanai, Uginiam, Nagalur, Ganagondhur. Thus far, trainings have been provided in machine processing of tamarind, processing of seemaru grass, and aari embroidery.
Wetlands Corner
bite sized news from three sites
Vengathur
Care Earth Trust is spearheading the restoration of the 300-acre Vengathur Wetland, encircled by a 2,400-meter bund. Two canals connect the wetland, with the West-to-East canal extending 1.5 km. Restoration of 841 meters of this canal was completed, increasing its width from 2-3 meters to 10 meters and dredging it to a depth of 2-3 feet. This enhances water flow and storage.
Unamancheri
The Natwest ExCo Board from United Kingdom visited our restoration site in Unamancheri and were led on a walk by the Care Earth team to explain the restoration work as well as the local flora and fauna. The Board members had a chance to interact with the Panchayat President CG Mahendran and school teacher Rosanna Selvakumari, before proceeding to plant saplings with the MGNREGA workers.
Therthangal
We are working with the Tamilnadu Forest Department for the restoration of the Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Ramnathapuram district. As part of the restoration program, we led a nature walk for the Therthangal Government School students to the Sanctuary. Pictured here is the improvised classroom to introduce them to wetlands and birds. This project is supported by the Guru Krupa Foundation.
It’s Margazhi Migratory Season !
and that means our walks are up and about
Our sixth year of leading walks to appreciate the biodiversity of Chennai has started on a great note. This year we have been walking at Pallikaranai Eco Park, Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, Pallikaranai Okkiyam Maduvu, Unamancheri Wetland, and Vengathur Wetland.
We post highlights from each walk at our Instagram page - check it out here.
Projects nearing the finish line
Care Earth Trust prepared a draft working plan for the Dadra & Nagar Haveli (DNH) Forest Division and a draft working scheme for the Daman & Diu (DD) Forest Division as per the National Working Plan Code 2023, in consultation with the Department of Forests & Wildlife, UT Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. The salient features of the plan for increasing forest and tree cover and sustainable forest management were presented before the Standing Consultative Committee of DNH & DD.
One of our projects is a study to collect the basic profile and assess possible reuse of the selected depleted quarries available within the Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts. Of the 60 depleted quarries listed by the Department of Geology and mining, 16 are located in Kancheepuram, and 44 in Chengalpattu. All 60 sites have been assessed under the guidance of Department of Mines and Geology.
Grants and Publications
Dr Dhaneesh Bhaskar has been awarded a grant by the Rufford Small Grants Foundation U.K., for his project “The crocodile grasshopper, ecology and conservation of semi amphibious grasshoppers in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India”
Anjana Vencatesan writes for the India Development Review on insights from our nature education program. You can find the article here.