PARAMBIKULAM TIGER CONSERVATION FOUNDATION REPORT FOR THE PERIOD FROM 01-04-2017 TO 31-03-2018 Introduction Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation (PaTCoF) was established vide G.O (MS) No.87/2013/F&WLD dated 20.09.2013 and as per Section 38 X of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in observance of the procedures laid down in Notification No. S.O.1008 (E) dated 22.06.2007 of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Government of vide G.O (Rt) No.473/2013/F&WLD dated 22.11.2013have also approved the Regulations of the Foundation. Subsequently, the Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation was registered by the Board of Trustees under the Charitable and Religious Trust Act, 1920 on 6th January 2014. Vide G.O (MS) No.38/2014/F&WLD dated 22.04.2014, Government of Kerala has also authorizedPaTCoFto augment and mobilize financial resources including recycling of entry and such other fees received in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve to foster stakeholder development and eco-tourism in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and also in observance of provisions contained in G.O (MS) No.87/2013/F&WLDdated20.09.2013. Accordingly, a Bank Account (No.33824089274) with State Bank of India at Anamalai Branch was opened in the name of Secretary, Executive Committee (Deputy Director, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve) of the Foundation. From 03.05.2014 onwards, the receipts from the Tiger Reserve are being collected in this Account. The following two expert members have been appointed by the Government to the Governing Body of Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation. 1. Shri. E. Kunhikrishnan, Professor (Rtd) Expert in the field of wildlife and biodiversity conservation 2. Shri. James Zacharias, Retired Forest Officer and Expert in the field of Social Science

1 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

The Governing Body of the Foundation in their third meeting held on 13.07.2016 approved the nomination of the following members to the Executive Committee of the Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation. a. Representatives from EDCs 1. Shri. Haridasan K, President, Earthdam EDC 2. Smt. Shyamili A, Member Sungam EDC b. Members of Frontline Staff 1. Range Forest Officer, Sungam Range 2. PFM Divisional Coordinator The Governing Body in their first meeting held on 26.06.2014, also approved the following members as representatives of Executive Committee to the Governing Body of the Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation. a. Representatives from EDCs 1. Shri. Haridasan K, President, Earthdam EDC b. Members of Frontline staff 1. Range Forest Officer, Sungam Range

Activities of the Foundation I. Administration a. Meetings of Governing Body and Executive Committee: During the reporting period, one meeting of the Governing Body (4thmeeting held on 30th June 2017) and threemeetings of the Executive Committee (14th meeting on 16.05.2017, 15thmeeting on 31.08.207,16th meeting on 06.03.2018)were held. b. Resource Mobilization:During the reporting year, Foundation has received a total amount of Rs. 71,56,336/- by way of entry fees and rent from IBs and Dormitory,fund from Tourism Dept, Bank Interest. Of this, an amount of Rs. 45,81,814/- has been spent for the various activities as below:

2 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

Receipts Expenditure Sl. Amount Amount No. Items Activities (Rs) (Rs) 1 Opening balance 2,57,937 Loans & Advances 6,50,000 Interest received 5,36,280 Impact monitoring and 2 7,17,824 research Revenue from 39,14,998 Check post 3 Training & capacity building 4,00,639 collection and Rent from IBs Fund received 15,00,000 Administrative overhead 4 from tourism 12,72,891 charges department Refund of 5,00,000 Improved protected area 5 advance management & staff 2,71,256 welfare Loans and 4,36,621 6 Eco development Activities 7,51,182 Advances Received cash 10,500 7 due to cheque ACA 998522 returned Bank Charges 678

Total Expenditure 50,62,992

Closing Balance 20,93,343

Grand Total 71,56,336 Grand Total 71,56,336

c. Administrative Support:PaTCoF provided administrative support to the management of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in the form of recoupable advances and technical inputs.

3 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

d. Staff: The Forest Development Agency, Parambikulam has offered to hire and engage the following contracted professionals for the Foundation till the Foundation become financially sound. a. Conservation Biologist (1 No) b. Ecotourism cum Marketing Specialist (1No) c. Accountant (1 No) e. Office Assistant (1 No) The above mentioned staff were appointed on contractual basis. Currently all posts are filled up.

II. Improved PA Management As part of monitoring of wildlife and habitats of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, the Foundation has assisted in conducting four species surveys during the reporting period.

1) All Kerala monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators and Prey Populations Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation started the work related to above programmeduring the month of July 2016 and continuing. State level meeting of all DFOs and Wildlife Wardens was held in Thiruvananthapuram under the chairmanship of Chief Wildlife Warden to provide orientation about the programmeand to plan for its implementation in a coordinated manner. For this programme the entire forest area were grouped in to 10 landscape units namely Thiruvananthapuram, Periyar I, Periyar II, , Parambikulam I, Parambikulam II, Silentvalley I, Silentvalley II, Wayanad I, Wayanad II, covering24 territorial divisions and 11 wildlife divisions. The entire programmeincludes two aspects; (a). 8 day Protocol or sign survey and transect survey and(b). Camera-trap exercise. a) 8 day protocol or Sign Survey &Transect Survey: This exercise was carried out during this financial year in eight landscapes covering nineteen territorial divisions and nine wildlife divisions.A series of training

4 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

programmes were organised for the field staff and the anti-poaching watchers in all these divisions to build their capacity for conducting the survey. The analysis of the data is in progress. b) Camera-trap Exercise:This exercise was carried out during this financial year in eight landscapes covering nineteen territorial divisions and nine wildlife divisions. This is the first time that the entire forest area of Kerala is covered under camera-trap exercise.A total number of 1200 cameras were fixed in different locations over a period of time to collect the images of Tiger, other carnivores and herbivores. The process of analysing the images is in progress. 2) Butterfly Survey A butterfly survey has been conducted in Parambikulam tiger reserve from 13 to 16 October 2017. A total of 201 species of butterflies were identified during the survey. Four rare species of rare butterfly species namely Nilgiri grass yellow, Purple spotted flitter, Indian awl king and Autumn leaf. Purple spotted flitter was recorded first time in the southern parts of gap. Volunteers from various parts of the Kerala participated in the survey. Eighteen interior camp sheds were selected for the survey, a team of four members including forest guard and watcher were engaged in each camp sheds for the purpose. Camp sheds were selected according to the vegetation types and elevation. Line transect method was used in this survey. An existing trek path, river side or forest roads were considered as a transect.

5 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

III. Capacity Building and Training Programmes A total of 20training /capacity building programmesand workshops were conducted during the reporting period. The details are given in the table below. No. No. of Sl. Date of Subject Location Partici No. Days pants May Kalari – three day art camp for 1 3 Anappady 90 28,2930 students 2 Aug 26 2 Career Development Program Parambikulam 45 Training program on monitoring of 3 Jan 22-23 2 outstanding universal values of Anappady 45 natural world heritage sites Mar 15- 4 3 Training for Naturalists Anappady 45 17 Mar 20- 5 2 Career Development Program Parambikulam 40 21 Mar 24- Training for naturalist on bird 6 4 Anappady 30 27 watching

7 PSC Coaching Elavancherry 6

Three Day Training Camp for the Students – ‘Kalari’ A Three day camp was conducted for the local tribal students in association with Lalithakala Academy, Thrissur from May 28

to 30. Students are engaged in learning about drawing and painting art. Camp was inaugurated by

6 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

Deputy Director Anjankumar IFS, in the presence of Range Officers. From 6 tribal settlement, around 100 students participated in the camp. At the end of the program, paining exhibition by the participants has been organized at Anappady. During the camp, Lalithakala Academy chairman visited and addressed the students. Career Development Program  Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation along with FDA Parambikulam conducted a two Career Development Program in association with District Employment Office on August 26 at Tiger Hall, Parambikulam. Experts from various field of knowledge,took classes in various aspects such as job opportunities, entrance tests, interviews, online services,

personal skills etc and motivated the students with motivational stories and plays. After the workshop, employment registration program started for the local tribal students.

a) Jan 22-23 Training Program on Monitoring of Outstanding Universal Values of Natural World Heritage Sites A training program was conducted at Nature Study hall, Anappady on the monitoring of outstanding universal values of natural world heritage sites on Jan 22-23, 2018. Wildlife Institute of India conducted the program and

7 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

PaTCoF organized it. Staffs from various division attended the program. It explained about the importance of natural heritages and its conservation.

b) March 15-17 – Training for Naturalists Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized three day training for the naturalists at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in association with KITTS. In these three days various experts in the field of nature tour guiding, significance of ecotourism, interpersonal and soft skills, customer relation, time management, green protocol and guiding skills. All the participants are provided with essential materials and certificates. Training was inaugurated by Parambikulam Tiger reserve Deputy Director P.V. Madhusoodanan IFS.

 Parambikulam Tiger reserve organized an employment exchange registration camp and career development workshop for the local natives of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on March 20 2018, in association with Chittur Employment exchange. Around 40 participants were gathered for the career development program.

8 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

March 24-27 Training for the Naturalists Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized a three day training on bird watching to the naturalists in association with KITTS, Thiruvananthapuram on March 24 to 27, 2018. About 40 naturalists working in the Parambikulam Tiger reserve participated in the workshop which was conducted at Nature Study Hall, Anappady. Workshop was inaugurated by Deputy Director, P.VMadhusoodanan IFS. Workshop was designed with a mix of class room session and field session. Trainers Training Programme on All India Tiger Population Estimation A trainers training programme has been conducted for the successful implementation of All India Tiger Population estimation in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. Assistant conservator of forest, Deputy Directors of wildlife education, Range forest officers, Biologists and Wildlife assistants from various forest divisions of Kerala were participated in the training. sessions were taken by wildlife experts and participants were undergone various discussions regarding the finalization of data books, plan of implementation and their concerns and queries regarding the completion of the population estimation process. Familiarization of MSTriPES, a unique software package developed by wildlife institute on India by the direction of National Tiger Conservation authority; among the participants was an important

9 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18 session in the training. They were also taken to the field to understand the actual procedure of the field work during eight day protocol. About 40 participants were participated in the training programme.

PSC Coaching PaTCoF organized full time in campus training to the graduate tribal students. Training is for the 6 months and supported the students financially for their PSC training. 2 males and 4 females are supported by the PaTCoF for their PSC training.

Awareness Programmes

World Environment Day World Environment Day, June 5th was celebrated at the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. An awareness rally was conducted at Parambikulam, which was flagged off by Deputy Director Anjankumar IFS in the presence of Assistant wild life wardens. Along with the staff, 80 Student Police Cadet Police from Palakkad, participated in the rally. After the rally, members participated in the cleaning of Parambikulam Area. There after members planted trees at Parambikulam. Program started in the morning and ended after the lunch. Jul 29 - World Tiger Day Celebration

10 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

On the day of World Tiger Day, July 29, an awareness procession was organized at Koduvayoor, Palakkad. Staffs and students from GHSS, Koduvayur participated in the procession. Various local tribal art forms are included in the procession. Students and staffs participated in the procession with awareness placards. Sri. Babu, MLA, Nemmara flagged off the procession in the presence of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Deputy Director and Assistant wild life wardens. After the procession, there was quiz competition for the college students. 9 teams participated in the quiz program. Deputy Director presented the awards to the winners. Sep 29 World Tourism Day Celebration Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation conducted World Tourism Day Celebration on September 29, Anappady in association with Tourism Promotion Council. 60 Tourism students from Palakkad was invited to visit Parambikulam Tiger Reserve as we are a model of sustainable tourism, same as the tagline for the years tourism celebration. Students participated in the cleaning of premises and collected signature from the visitors as an agreement to be a

11 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18 responsible tourists. Bags made from the jute were distributed to the tourists and staffs as part of sustainable tourism.

Dec 21-22 Visit to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve by MLAs - Kaadariyaan

PaTCoF organized a two day camp, Kaadariyaanfor Members of Legislative Assembly,

Kerala on December 21 – 22. Hon’bleSpeaker, Minister for Forests & Wildlife and Zoo and 24 MLAs visitedParambikulam Tiger Reserve as part of Kaadariyaanprogramme. This programme was successful in creating an awareness among MLAs importance of forests and wildlife. The whole team visited and addressed few tribal settlements and listened to their complaints and feedbacks. March 3 World Wildlife Day

12 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized World WildLife Day celebration on March 3rd 2018 at Anappady. An awareness rally was conducted which was flagoff by Deputy Director P.V

Madhussodanan IFS in the presence of Assistant Wildlife Warden, Sungam Range. Deputy Director addressed the gatherings of staffs and tourists and explained the importance of wildlife and its dependency.

Fire Awareness Rally

13 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

On March 13, Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized a fire awareness rally at Parambikulam. Assitant wildlife wardens of Sungam,

Parambikulam and Orukomban lead the rally and addressed the gatherings of staffs and local natives. Prevention of forest fire was the main theme of this campaign. T-shirt with stop forest fire were distributed among the participants. March 21 World Forest Day Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized World Forestry Day celebrations on March 21st 2018. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Deputy Director inaugurated the celebrations by planting seedlings. Assistant Wildlife Warden, Sungam Range addressed the staff and tourists with a speech on importance of forest.

14 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

March 22 World Water Day Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation initiated the launch of two bamboo raft on the day of World Water Day on March 22nd in the presence of Deputy Director P.V. Madhusoodanan IFS. First twenty tourists were allowed with free bamboo rafting as part of awareness on the world water day and water pollution.

Wildlife Week Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation organized wildlife week celebrations at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve as part of awareness in wildlife conservation with active participation of local natives and tourists for the protection of wildlife and

15 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18 forests. Programmes were carried out from October 2nd to 5th. As part of celebration, various sports and games completion and arts performance by the local natives were arranged. On the end day, prizes were distributed to the winners. Releasing of Postal Stamp - Kannimaara Teak PaTCoF supported for the release of postal stamp which contains the picture of special attraction of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, kannimaara teak, a 650 year old Teak. Through this stamp, Kannimara Teak and ParambikulamTiger Reserve will get a maximum outreach and publicity.

VI. Eco Development Activities Educational Assistance to Meritorious students at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. Cash awardswere arranged to students, who passed 10th, 12th and degree successfully, from the settlements of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve as an inspiration and support for their future studies. Exposure visit for the EDC members PaTCoFconducted exposure visit for the EDC members to other protected areas for learning good practice followed by them. Training on handicrafts to the Earth Dam EDC members As part of empowerment, 10 womens from the Earth Dam EDC were trained on handicrafts making. These women’s were trained on making handicrafts using bamboos and canes, raw materials being collected from the fringe areas. These skills increase their livelihood opportunities. Parambikulam Tiger reserve helps them to market their product through the eco shops. Distribution of materials to Tribal school  Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation distributed uniforms and study materials to the students of Thekkady tribal LP school as an inspiration.  Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation assisted the Thekkady LP

16 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

School for renovation of the building.  Also as part of the up keeping of the tribal LP school, Thekkady, did the painting works.

Akshaya Centre As part of reducing the digital divide among the local natives of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, PaTCoF coordinated and supported to start a JanasevanaKendram, anGovernment authorized digital service center at Parambikulam. Hotel Management Skill development PaTCoF organized a camp for the local tribal students along with the Aethos, hotel management skill development firm at Palakkad. 3 students are selected for the training and Under the Government scheme.Aethos will train the selected students and place them at their ventures. Field visits for the students of Tribal LP School PaTCoF organized a one day visit of the students at Tribal LP School, Thekkady for an exposure visit to Palakkad. Students visited Palakkad collecterate, Tippu’s Fort and Dam. Around 24 students participated in this exposure visit.

VII. Staff welfare As part of the staff welfare activities, four LPG connections were issuedand field ration were provided to the staff of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. Award for Best performing Staff Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation arranged awards for the best performing staff of various categories such as SFO, BFO, Watchers, Drivers etc as a motivation. Award includes cash prize and a memento.

17 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18

Field Visits Visits made by other organizations

As part of study tour and exposure visits, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve had the following visitors during last year. Technical/professional inputs for these exposure visits were provided by PaTCoF. Sl. Name of Organization Date of visit No. of No. Participants 1 Kerala ShasthraSaahithyaParishath, Palakkad 29.05.2017 36 &30.05.2017 2 AranalloorGramaPanchayat Staff 15.07.2017 & 36 16.07.2017 3 70th Batch BFO trainees, SFTI, Arippa 14.08.2017 & 20 15.08.2017 4 98th Batch BFO trainees, SFTI, walayar 5.8.2017 & 62 6.8.2017 5 Exposure visit from South Division Staff 27.8.2017 & 12 28.8.2017 6 Exposure visit to Student Police Cadets 5.11.2017 54

7 Exposure visit for the staff of Timber Sales 13.1.2018 & 25 Division, Kottayam 14.1.2018 8 Exposure visit for the staff of the Additional 27.1.2018 & 16 Private Secretary 28.01.2018 9 Exposure visit for Wayanad wildlife sanctuary 11.2.2018 & 43 staff & EDC Member 12.2.2018

18 | Annual Report of PaTCoF - 2017-18