Thursday, August 22, 2013

Survival Kit for Volunteers

Volunteering in Wilderness areas like National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries can be exciting, full of photo opportunities and mentally and spiritually stimulating.  In order to take full advantage of these rare opportunities, one has to prepare oneself for life in the open with bare essentials, basic food and amenities.  That said, the experience can be rewarding and comfortable, if you plan your volunteering expeditions well in advance and prepare yourself mentally and physically for a life in the woods.

Step 1.  Read up everything you can lay your hand on the area you are visiting for the purpose of volunteering in a project.

Step 2. Prepare yourself by doing exercises, gymming, running, walking etc so that you are physically fit before you join the volunteering program.

Step 3.  Dress appropriately, from head to toe. You may not have thought about it, but the very clothing you wear is part of your wilderness survival kit..   Dress in layers, and always, even on warm summer days, put a jacket or poncho in your Daypack – Just In Case.

Step 3. Don’t forget to wear a hat. A hat prevents a lot of heat loss in cold weather and protects you from the heat during the really hot days.

Step 4. Take small plastic case (a soap dish will do) and put the following items in it to be taken along with you.  
A whistle
A knife 
matches
candles
water purifying tablets
a small magnifying glass ( With plenty of time in hand, look at plants and insects  through the magnifying glass to unveil nature's secrets.) 
needle and thread
band aid, some dettol, some gauze pads

Step 5.  Last but not least
Pay heed to all that the Project Manager tells you when you join the volunteering team.

All the Best! Happy Volunteering.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Why Volunteer?

Are you willing to spare a week or more for India's wilderness areas?  For an experience which will change your outlook on life forever?  Then read on.

There are a large number of issues concerning conservation of the natural environment, ranging from habitat restoration, alternative livelihoods and human-wildlife conflict, to ecosystem services and eco-tourism practices, waiting to be addressed.

These issues stand to gain tremendously from the active involvement, however small, of volunteers across different age groups and backgrounds.

A responsible and pro-active approach in volunteering is the most effective way for the citizens of India to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership towards their natural inheritance.

http://www.Indianwildlifeclub.com, in existence since 2000, has a resource group of individuals who come from Government and non government institutions working in the field of wilderness conservation.  The club also has among its members a large group of individuals with a passion to do something to protect the last vestiges of wilderness areas left in India.

We propose to offer volunteering solutions, aiming to bridge the gap between potential volunteers and exciting volunteering opportunities around the country by providing active support to conservation initiatives, both governmental and private.

Register to be part of our volunteer database today.

This blog invites posts from volunteers who may send their experiences along with photographs to susan_sharma@hotmail.com

Our vision is to create a pan-India network of motivated volunteers who will be instrumental in conservation efforts across the country.