Volunteer abroad in environmental conservation in India

VTINENV1 - Goa turtle conservation

Volunteers here are welcome for a minimum of 4 weeks.

Please note: This project is 1 hour away from the main accommodation camp and the beaches of Goa. Please refer to the accommodation section.

Marine turtles are among the most threatened animals in the World. These turtles are a fragile species and face many natural risks – only around 1 in 1000 turtles born grows to adulthood. After tourism and commercial development has penetrated their nesting grounds, man-made obstacles are placed in the way of the survival of the species. It is well reported that marine turtles are declining everywhere in Asia and especially in Goa, this decline is rapid. One nesting site has been reduced from 35 annual turtle nests to only 7 in just the past decade.

Crowds and noisy activity on the previously untouched beaches cause the turtles to retreat back into the ocean and not reproduce. As development expands, so does artificial light, which causes the turtles that are born to crawl in the wrong direction, never making it to the sea. Furthermore, some locals collect the turtle eggs and illegally sell them. Finally, the abundant plastic material reminds turtles of their favourite food – jellyfish and when trying to eat the plastic they often choke or become sick.

Local government authorities and small NGOs in the area have identified the three main beaches in the Goa vicinity where Olive Ridley marine turtles come to nest, and have committed themselves to protecting them from disturbance or harm. From September to March (the turtles’ nesting season) workers and volunteers guard these beaches, identifying and protecting the areas where turtles have laid their eggs, removing plastic or other hazardous material, blocking off artificial light, and even shielding the new born baby turtles from predators as they march back into the sea.

Please note that while there is a very wide range of activities available, volunteers will be engaged is only as many activities as the project management may ask of them. For the benefit of the project and for purposes of consistency and efficiency, this may be just one or two tasks. Please keep in mind that the needs of the project come first, and it is not the project's responsibility to entertain volunteers or satisfy their need for varied work.

The local authorities also work closely with the surrounding community to promote awareness about the turtles’ struggle and inform the public on ways they can help improve the situation. The organizations attempting to run a well organized and effective campaign are in need of volunteers that can help in two main areas:

Beach Protection

• Identifying areas where turtles have laid their eggs.
• Sealing off the nesting areas and guarding from harm by humans or predators.
• Removing all litter and plastic from beach area.
• Creating obstacles to block direct artificial light from shinning on the beach.

Beach protection will occur in 6 hour shifts – all beaches must be protected, 24 hours a day.

Community Awareness

• Leading awareness campaigns.
• Planning for “Turtle Fair” and other events.
• Working with local students to spread awareness.
• Talking to tourists and owners of tourist shacks on the beach about the damage light can do.
• Preparing posters and signboards against artificial lights.
• Helping to make the protected beaches a “Plastic Free Zone”.
• Handing out refillable bottles.
• Educating about the damage plastic bags do to turtles.
• Placing garbage bins on the beaches.

Accommodation

From Monday to Friday volunteers are accommodated at the sanctuary, where they volunteer. During the weekends, they are brought to the main volunteer accommodation so that they can have free time and relax.

VTINENV2 - Goa wildlife protection

Volunteers here are welcome for a minimum of 4 weeks.

Please note: This project is 1 hour away from the main accommodation camp and the beaches of Goa. Please refer to the accommodation section. The number of large animals that can be found and see in Indian sanctuaries are very limited as compared to African wildlife sanctuaries. While some African sanctuaries are privately owned and operated, leading to much better management and income from visitors, Indian wildlife sanctuaries are essentially operated by the government and do not have access to the same level of staff resources necessary to complete their work.

While Goa is most commonly known for its stretches of white sand beaches, not too far from Goa’s coast line lies a stunning, expansive wildlife sanctuary, preserving a natural and sustainable environment for many endangered species. The project allows international volunteers to work with the reservation’s ranger and staff towards improvement in wildlife data collection and research, promotion of environmental and animal friendly practices for local villagers and tourists, as well as providing basic care for animals.

The project may be particularly appealing for anyone with an interest in wildlife protection or a desire to spend some time working in a peaceful natural environment. It is located in the south of Goa and is a sanctuary of 8 square km of mostly forest and hills that includes a small museum and zoo. The nearest town is 10 km away. The current staff is simply not large enough to provide for all the needs of a wildlife sanctuary of this size.

Please note that while there is a very wide range of activities available, volunteers will be engaged is only as many activities as the project management may ask of them. For the benefit of the project and for purposes of consistency and efficiency, this may be just one or two tasks. Please keep in mind that the needs of the project come first, and it is not the project's responsibility to entertain volunteers or satisfy their need for varied work. Among the tasks available to volunteers are:

• Feeding. This is done every day, and includes feeding deer with tree branches or grass that needs to be collected, feeding ducks with boiled rice that needs to be prepared, feeding snakes and crocodiles with live prey like frogs and lizards that also needs to be collected.
• Cleaning of enclosures and surroundings. There are enclosures for animals and reptiles, which must be cleaned every other day. This entails taking animal droppings out and also removing any foliage or leftover food. Cleaning the enclosures of reptiles is challenging work and is only done under the supervision of guards.
• Collecting fodder. In the mornings fodder is prepared using materials from the surrounding jungle and includes collecting tree branches, cutting grass, and to making sure enough water is available.
• Hand-rearing of orphan animals. This is a taks that is not regularly available, and is necessary when a rescue of infant animals is made. It is a time consuming activity, but can be a very exciting and rewarding opportunity. The need presents itself once or twice in a fortnight, and lasts for as long as the animals need care and observation.
• Help in rescue operations. The sanctuary sends a rescue team whenever they receive a call about wildlife at risk. This is mostly about snakes entering houses, but may also involve other animals such as crocodiles. After a rescue, the animals are kept for some time in the sanctuary for medical help, observation or study purposes, with which volunteers may also be called to help.
• Help in release operations. After treatment, the rescued animals are released back into the jungle. Volunteers assist the officials with this about twice a month.
• Maintenance of the museum. There is a small museum that is maintained by the sanctuary and it needs work to maintain it properly. The work may include tasks such as cleaning the display boxes, labeling objects, collecting of new objects from the jungle, and more.
• Data Collection. Information is gathered to educate th visitors of the sanctuary. Photographs are taken to study the changes in animal behaviour, to gather and compare information about age of plants and trees, and to provide information for the sanctuary records.
• Collection of pugmarks and droppings. In order to research different species that have visited the area, their footprints and droppings need to be collected. This helps to study biodiversity and create awereness of the wildlife in the area.
• Digging and refilling water holes in the jungle (summer). There are artificial water holes inside the sanctuary area in order to provide water for animals to drink. During the summer the waterholes need to be refilled manually twice a week. In the beginning of the summer new holes need to be dug or old ones maintained.
• Planting vegetation. During the monsoon season medicinal plants are planted in the sanctuary. After planting them all plants need to be tagged with their scientific names in English and Hindi to also educate visitors of the sanctuary.
• Food preparation and collection. Food for the ducks is cooked twice a day, while live prey for the reptiles (toads, frogs, fishes, insects, lizards etc) needs to be found under logs or other foliage. Once found they need to be brought alive and placed in the reptile enclosures.
• Running educational programmes. This may include preparing sign boards, maintaining exhibitions, assisting the ranger in giving lectures to school groups, posting tree tags and more. School groups visit the sanctuary to learn about wildlife through photography galleries, lectures and handouts prepared by the project staff and volunteers.

Accommodation

From Monday to Friday volunteers are accommodated at the park, where they volunteer. During the weekends, they are brought to the main volunteer accommodation that is closer to the beaches, so that they can have free time and relax.