Gir to have new Wildlife Conservation Centre

Gir to have new Wildlife Conservation Centre
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, NOV 24: In about 16 months from now, India will have a new Wildlife Conservation Centre (WCC) near the Gir National Park sanctuary in the westernmost tip of the country. Apart from being an NGO working towards conserving the ecology, the WCC will also have its own educational centre with post-graduate courses, and possibly undergraduate studies as well, in various environmental subjects.

This announcement was made by the Vanishing Herds Foundation India at a press conference held at the Cricket Club of India here today. Vanishing Herds is an NGO concerned with conservation of environmental resources and has recently set up one of its centres in India.

The foundation has already purchased more than 20 acres of land in the forest area and is looking to purchase an additional 30 acres. The centre will consist of state-of-the-art infrastructure for imparting advanced courses in eco-management and eco-tourism.

The prime focus of the institute though, will be conducting research work in different fields and produce specialists who can work with different industries and NGOs concerned with the environment.

Announcing plans for setting up the institute, senior spokesperson of Vanising Herds, Divyabhanusinh Chavda, said that post-graduate specialisation would be given special emphasis. Chavda has previously been a member of the Expert Committee with the Ministry of Environment for the Government of India and was Director of UP State Tourism Development Corporation in 1993-94.

``The institute will have affiliations with other universities in America and the United Kingdom. We are currently working towards that,'' said Chavda. When asked why they had not thought of working in collaboration with Indian universities, Chavda said, ``We have not yet found that level of expertise in Indian universities,'' he said, but quickly added that they had never ruled out the idea of hiring faculty from Indian universities since ``they were good and specialised in their own way''. The members of Vanishing Herds have so far visited nine universities in this connection.

In reference to affiliations with foreign universities, Chavda said talks were on with Nottingham and Oxford universities in the UK, but refused to divulge further details. The foundation is mainly looking towards private parties and corporates for the project funding. After the construction phase is complete, the VHF will require an annual funding of at least Rs 1.5 crore to ensure continued operation of the centre.

``If we try to go to the government for funding, they will prescribe a set of do's and don'ts which will eventually result in setting up a university that will be totally different than what we want it to be,'' Chavda said.

The VHF is planning to introduce regulation three year degree courses and research programmes of the duration suitable to its students. ``The idea is to set up a self-sustaining research institute with minimum of rules and restrictions,'' he said.

Located in southern Saurashtra, the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over an area of 1153 square kilometres and is said to be the last home for the Asiatic lions. About 307 lions, 26 species of reptiles and 28 other mammals reside at the sanctuary.

After the press conference, the media was also given a look at a breathtaking exhibition of rare wildlife photographs by Harshad Patel. A preview of prominent wildlife painter Ramakant Juwarker's work was held as well.