EARTH
EXPEDITIONS
INDIA
Species Deities Communities
it all started in 2014...
Considering that 6% of global biodiversity lies in the mere 0.2% landmass of India, and the Northern Western Ghats are a global biodiversity hotspot, India has been in the travel plans of Earth Expeditions since a long time. AERF’s then 19 year long work in the Western Ghats of India helped build the bridge between Earth Expeditions and the prospective India Programme. Over two years of talks and reconnaissance visits by Earth Expeditions’s Chris Myers to India and meetings with AERF’s Archana Godbole and Jayant Sarnaik in the USA, the Earth Expeditions India programme was given shape and eventually realised in July-August 2014.
AERF’s community-centric biodiversity conservation work laid the foundation for the participants of the programme to achieve the mission of executing an inquiry-driven, community based learning for the benefit of ecological communities in the Northern Western Ghats. Since AERF also works with the local educational institutes within the target sites, building alliances with the on-ground educators, and future community leaders and conservationists was also possible for the participants.
Some of the themes explored during the Earth Expedition India course are:
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Religion, spirituality and conservation
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Ethno-ecology
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Community-based conservation
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Access and benefit sharing mechanisms
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Traditional ecological knowledge
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Inquiry driven learning
Experience the Western Ghats
in all its monsoon glory through an ever-evolving expedition!
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INCREASE YOUR CONSERVATION IMPACT
Get to know the intricate relationship between culture and ecology through experiential learning
Actually help us regenerate our forests and leave your green footprint back in the Western Ghats.
Concise reading material specially curated for the programme, designed to prepare for the expedition
EVOLUTION
This is how we have been learning from experience to give you the best experiential learning!
ponderings...
"Science is not the reason why 'community-deity-conservation' relation exists. It has existed before, and it will continue to exist without requiring reasoning from science."
- Mr. Jayant Sarnaik on the need of a connect between science and faith.
“When asked by our grandchildren as to what reason is there to believe in the sacred groves and other such traditions in a technology-driven age where the sound of the bat hitting the ball in a cricket match in England can be heard right at our homes in Devade village, I only say - when you fail to find answers to all your questions in technology, then you will understand the power of belief and faith.”
- Mr. Dhondu Dawlat Lad on the loss of faith in younger generations.
"Philanthropy is just one small aspect of on-ground conservation work. The bigger and more fulfilling part is working with the communities and developing practical sustainable solutions to their forest dependency using their superior understanding of their own ecosystem."
-Dr Archana Godbole
“We cannot compete with money. Somebody will always be richer”
-Mr. Jayant Sarnaik on giving monetary incentives to the forest land-holders and on the importance of sustainable incentives in the long run.
"Hinduism is more a way of life rather than a doctrine."
- Dr. Archana Godbole
"Myths are important to remember. They are often called the footprint to the ancient world"
- Dr. Arundhati Dasgupta Singhal on connecting conservation and myths.
"Good intentions alone are not enough to do groundbreaking work. It takes time to earn the trust of people with and for whom you are going to work"
-Dr Archana Godbole on earning the respect and trust of people during the course of AERF's 24 year journey