Report on Online Certificate Course in Field Study of Himalayan Terai Zoology
In times of Covid 19, when academics, especially fieldwork is much circumscribed, the Department of Zoology, Kirori Mal College, New Delhi and Karavan Heritage and Nature Society organized an in-depth Online Field Study Certificate Course in the Zoology of Himalayan Terai from 6th to 12th January 2022.
For this program, we adopted an informal and adventurous methodology to gain insight into zoological treasures of Himalayan Terai in the vast campus of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve that spreads far and wide across forests, farms, orchards and villages. It even extends into a neighbouring country!
Dudhwa located in District Kheri of Uttar Pradesh is one of the best-preserved forests of the Terai Arc Landscape that spreads out on the southern edge of the Himalayas on the Indo-Nepal border.
Our methodology enabled 30 research scholars, PG and UG students to gain the experience of a hardcore naturalist. In this weeklong program, we explored the ecology of the Himalayan Terai forest in totality. We shed light upon the habitats, flora and fauna (insects, reptiles, birds, mammals and endangered species). We delve into forest management and man-animal conflict. The topic that interested participants the most are the green careers that aspiring zoologists can pursue.
This online field study is action-packed.
The daily program incorporates:
i) a synoptic briefing;
ii) an extensive field exploration by way of adventurous nature walks, photography expeditions, bird watching, jungle safari and boat cruises;
iii) informed discussions with resource people having long field experience in this field. This is followed by a question and answer session, stimulating brain teasers and recap.
Online Field Study of Himalayan Terai Zoology is a unique program that blends fun, adventure and discovery. The underlying objective of this program is to enable participants to appreciate the challenges of zoological studies in situ and understand the importance of management of natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity