Nature Education Camp at Govt. Arts & Science College, Calicut
Nature Education Camp at Eravikulam National Park – Report
To attend the Nature Education Camp at Eravikulam, Idukki district, we departed from the college at 9:30 PM on 04/09/2024. There were 38 students and 2 staff members in the group. The students had been briefed about the camp’s significance beforehand. We arrived in Munnar at 10:00 AM on 05/09/2024. Since the camp was scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM, we decided to explore the area. We visited Mattuppetty Dam and Kundala Dam, enjoying the lush green hills of Munnar.
During our visit to Kundala Dam, an unexpected incident occurred when a monkey attacked some students. Startled, they were unable to fend off the monkey, and one of our students, Arya K P, sustained injuries. She was promptly taken to a hospital in Adimali, 30 kilometers from Munnar. It is unfortunate that Munnar lacks a government hospital. The remaining members of our group arrived at the camp by 4:00 PM. After settling in, Beat Forest Officer Sri Rahul Rajan introduced the camp schedule. Following tea, we attended an informative session led by Sri Ajeesh, a Wildlife Assistant. The session was both interactive and engaging, enriched by Sri Ajeesh’s sense of humor. The Bhoomithrasena club members listened attentively throughout.
After dinner, the group retired for the night at 10:00 PM. It was remarkable how the students maintained complete silence during and after the session.
The highlight of the second day was our trek to Eravikulam National Park. We set out for the park after breakfast, though it was raining when we arrived. The surrounding greenery was striking, with mist occasionally obscuring the views. Our guide took us through the shola forest, where the rain made the path slippery, causing several of us to slip. At one point, our guide paused, sensing the presence of an elephant nearby. We waited briefly before returning to the main road and then continued our trek to Rajamala. From the top of Rajamala, the view was spectacular. We observed Nilgiri Tahr from a distance, including a family of Tahrs moving between rocks. The hills were lush, with visible waterfalls and frequent mist that cleared after a few minutes.
Post-trek, we visited the Tahr Information Centre, where we learned about the Nilgiri Tahr and observed rare plants, including tree ferns, Cicus plants, and ground orchids. Our guide explained the significance of these plants and the role of Shola forests and grasslands in groundwater replenishment and stream formation.
We returned from the park at 3:00 PM, had lunch, and then attended a class by Sri Rahul Rajan. After evening tea, we spent time organizing a cultural program. The program was a success, with both students and teachers participating. After dinner, we went to bed at 10:00 PM.
On the third day, we had a feedback session after breakfast. Many students shared their experiences from the camp. As most students were participating in a nature education camp for the first time, they expressed their enjoyment and eagerness to participate in future camps. The accommodation, food, and classes received positive feedback. We recorded our feedback in the provided register. The camp concluded, and we returned home on 07/09/2024.
The camp’s most significant outcome was the increased interest in nature among the students. Many are now looking forward to future camps and are poised to act as ambassadors for the Kannanthali Bhoomithrasena Club at the college.
Programme Expenditure
| Sl | Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | 43000 |
| 2 | Food expense | 13660 |
| 3 | Fresh up on 5/09/24 | 3800 |
| Total | 60460 |
Report of the programme Download