Social Work - Dholes Den

BIRTH OF OUR IDEA

Bandipur, 15th April 2012 Dhole’s Den has from its inception as an idea has been always a home to new thoughts, ideas, views and sparks. It was our wish to give the work that we do for the community and the areas we are in, a name a form and a purpose and of course a future.

Thus The Dhole’s Den Research Foundation has been found. Now many of you would ask why another one when there are already so many in the scene. But we hope to make a difference in our field in our own way.

WHAT DOES DDRF DO ?

The foundation as its name suggests is born out of a sheer love for the Dholes and animals in general and to facilitate research in knowing them better as knowledge has no end. This knowledge and the information that we can get from the result of the research should allow us to understand the world of the wild so that we don’t do more harm. The foundation sees its work also in working with the new generation. Awareness is already there but implementation and practice is the need of the hour.

We had our first program with the Mangala School and it was to collect plastic and glass bottles from the Huliamma Temple, a small temple on the edge of Bandipur National Park. The temple gets regular visitors once a week every Tuesday and we were glad that our visit coincided with that. In full sight of the temple visitors the boys and girls who were divided into groups by Sukanta and given bags to segregate plastic, glass and paper.

DDRF

DHOLE’S DEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION – The foundation as its name suggests is born out of a sheer love for the Dholes and animals in general and to facilitate research in knowing them better as knowledge has no end.

Community Work

Community work through the years – We at Dhole’s Den will be very actively involved in the activities organized by the foundation and are excited about the work that we will be involved in. Here are few of the initiatives organised by the foundation

MAY 2012

• Ambulance service for villagers.
• Night drops for villagers (even Forest officials) up to Bandipur NP check post during medical emergency.

JUNE 2012

• Distribution of notebooks for 81 school students of Mangala School
• Geometry box distribution to needy students

JULY 2012

• Introduction of Classical & Folk Dance teacher (Mr. Niranjan Saha) for Mangala School (12/7/12)
• Regular exercise to keep the students fit for Independence Day programme.

AUGUST 2012

• Independence Day celebration and Dance & Drama performance byMangala School students.
• Bird Watching session introduced with the joint help of WCF (Mr. Rajkumar D) & Vanam Foundation (Mr. Srikantha & Ms. Banu) – 19/08/12.
• Bird Watching trip to Kaniyanapura Waterhole area with team leaders (group A-F) 20/08/2012 (6:30 am)

SEPTEMBER 2012

• Fill Pre Metric Scholarship Applications online for over a 100 students. Use of computers and internet facility provided together with staff from Dhole’s Den.
• Bird Watching session introduced with the joint help of WCF (Mr. Rajkumar D) & Vanam Foundation (Mr. Srikantha & Ms. Banu) – 19/09/12.
• Bird Watching trip to Kaniyanapura Waterhole area with team leaders (group A-F) 20/09/2012 (6:30 am)

APRIL 2013

• DDRF assisted in organising the “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” (Save the Childhood Movement) programme on the 6th of April 2013. The programme was inaugurated by a dance performance by the students of the Mangala school. DDRF arranged for transportation for students from nearby villages in Lokkere, Yelchetti, Jakkahali for an awareness rally, which took place during the latter part of the day.
• On the 23rd of April, 2013 DDRF, in collaboration with the Mangala General Hospital, organised a free Medical Camp for the villagers around Bandipur.

EVENTFUL FIVE MONTHS IN AND AROUND BANDIPUR

• On 14th November 2012, Children’s Day, five plants were taken from DDRF & planted in the Mangala school.
• On December 21st and 22nd , 2012, DDRF organised day-trips for the students of Mangala and other schools.
• In order to motivate children from the tribal communities to attend school regularly, the entire school-team from Lokkere, Guddakere, Karamala, Harinakarme was taken to visit the BR Hills and GS Betta on a Sunday in January 2013.
• The month of February, 2013, witnessed dynamic interactions between the students and teachers at the Mangala school with the guests visiting Dhole’s Den homestay.

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2015

Independence Day was celebrated at Dhole’s Den followed by a longer celebration at the Kaniyanapur Tribal Primary School. The kids of the school joined in and participated with fervour. After hoisting the national flag the staff of Dhole’s Den distributed required stationary and material to the children together with sweets. This was followed by a light meal that was cooked at Dhole’s Den and was enjoyed by old and young alike. I thank my staff especially Mr. Rajesh Shankar, manager at Dhole’s Den, Mr. Sachin Gowda, manager of Davey’s Townhouse and trustees Vinod Kumar and Rajesh B.N. for organising the day in every detail and Mr. Rajkumar Devaraje Urs from WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, Mysore who graced both the occasions and active participation.

LETTER ON OPEN CAMP

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Dear Friends,

2013 brings with it a new development for us. Dhole’s Den who has been our main Sponsor and provides all Support has come up with a new idea and we are very excited about it.

How about pitching your own tent at the premises in Dhole’s Den? A Chance to stay out in the open and have a puristic experience. Guests of this facility can either bring in their own tents or use the ones provided by us. Basic facilities like toilets and a open shower are already there at Dhole’s Den and can be utilised by you.

A large Portion of the proceeds will go straight into the Dhole’s Den Research foundation and yes you will be able to enjoy the Food and facilities at Dhole’s Den.

All you pay is INR 3000 per Person. And a full 50% of it goes into the Dhole’s Den Research Foundation. This money goes in supporting our local school with books, compass boxes, excursions for children and other help that Dhole’s Den Foundation has been extending on a regular basis. The idea is to fund as our name suggests research on the flora and fauna of Bandipur in specific.

How about showing your true colour? Do you tick green and socially responsible? Then call Dhole’s Den and get more Information.

Karthik Davey & Sukanta Das