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A A ROCHA ROCHA INDIA INDIA e
Hello everyone,
We are now half way through 2009 and there has been lots going on here at A Rocha India. One of the
highlights of this issue is the Sunfeast Marathon 10K, in which we were represented by 35 volunteers.
We also were able to combine a leadership training programme and environmental awareness for
Bethany High school students. A Rocha India is now more connected to all of you through ‘Facebook’
and we also have uploaded a video on ‘Youtube’. Who knows, we could give you a virtual tour of
Bannerghatta National Park in the next e news issue!! For other interesting happenings, in the last 2
months, you will have to read through!
Sunfeast Marathon 2009, Bangalore
e -news news
May & June - 2009
The Sunfeast World 10K was a major event for the city of
Bangalore, held on the 31 st of May 2009 and A Rocha India
was very excited to take part in the event, to raise
awareness on the conservation of the Asian elephant. The
event gave A Rocha India a great platform to bring to light
the crisis that is facing the elephants in Bannerghatta
National Park. People living in the city of Bangalore were
made aware of the problems that urbanization was creating for the
wildlife.
A Rocha India was well supported by 35 volunteers, with a wide sociodemographic
range. There were 10 volunteers from Walmart,
students from schools and colleges within the city. Charles Melwyn,
an A Rocha volunteer and associate with Ernst and Young, participated
in the 10 km run completing the long distance run. All the volunteers
sported a A Rocha T-shirt.
Sunfeast World 10K was a major event with 23,000 runners
participating out of which 104 were international athletes. The
marathon was promoted by Procam International.
Sunil Kotian
A Rocha India would like to congratulate Mr. Joshua Shadrack, Ms.
Anisha Sangar and Mr. Gopalakrishna for their untiring efforts to
organise the A Rocha run for the Sunfeast World 10K event. The
pledge website setup by Ashok Kakulla and Babita Verma yielded Rs.
64,000 as donation. We thank Ashok & Babita for their support. We thank all the participants, volunteers
and donors for supporting us through this event.

Back to School - Bethany High Leadership Programme
A Rocha India conducted a one day an Environment Education and
Leadership Training program for the staff and students of Bethany High
school. The program was organised at the A Rocha Field Study Centre. The
resource person for the training programme was Ms. Daphne Bastion. A
total of 53 students and 8 teachers attended the program. The children
were from the 7 th to 10 th grade and were leaders of different school related
activities.
The day started out with a trek at the Bannerghatta National Park. The trek
was around 4 km with the last part of the trek quite challenging (almost
vertical climb). The children were made aware of the environmental
issues that are facing the present generation. At the end of the trek
they were challenged by Dr Vijay D. Anand to make a difference
around by being environmentally responsible.
After lunch at the Field Study Centre Ms Daphne Bastion took over
the afternoon session and made the leadership training very interesting.
The interactive sessions were a hit with the students who wanted more
of it. After tea and snacks the day wound up with a feedback session.
One of the students while evaluating the day’s events said that replacing
wildlife areas with a concrete jungle was very miserable and that they
would ensure, in small ways that it would not come to that.
Trek in Bannerghatta Gym team-A Rocha team
Fourteen members from the Fitness First gym,
Bangalore joined A Rocha volunteers and friends for a
trek in Bannerghatta National Park in the last week in
June. The trek route was rugged and very challenging.
The day began with a light breakfast at 8:45 am and
everyone was pumped up for the trek. It was lovely
weather for getting outdoors, mostly cloudy and very
pleasant. The trekkers were made aware of
environmental problems surrounding such pleasant
locales. The human-elephant conflict was highlighted to make the city slickers environment conscious.
The trek ended at 1:00 pm.
Congratulations! A Rocha India applaud and congratulate Senior
Researcher, Mr. Gopalakrishna S. P on being awarded with cash and a
Certificate of Reward from the Karnataka Forest Department on his
outstanding contribution in providing valuable information in conserving
wildlife and habitat in Bannerghatta National Park. The award was presented
by Deputy Conservator of Forest Mrs. Vanashree Vipin Singh IFS and Mr.
Jaganath Rao, Asst. Conservator of Forest.

Speaker at International Biodiversity Day
The Karnataka Biodiversity Board and the Department of Zoology of Christ University, Bangalore jointly
arranged a symposium on the eve of International Biodiversity Day. Dr Vijay D. Anand was one of the
speakers at the event. Dr Anand spoke on the topic of the extinction crisis. Other speakers and
dignitaries joined by him were, Mr. Gopalakrishna S. P, Senior Researcher A Rocha India, Shri. Ananth
Hegde Ashisara, the Chairman, Western Ghats Task Force, Shri A. K. Verma, Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests & MD, KSFIC Government of Karnataka, Prof Chandresekharan . K. A, Dean Sciences, Christ
University and Dr R. C. Prajapathi, Addl. PCCF & Member Secretary Karnataka Biodiversity Board. The
symposium dealt with primarily biodiversity and Invasive Alien Species.
Preaching at St. Andrew CSI Church, Bangalore
Dr Vijay D Anand was also invited to preach at CSI St. Andrew Church,
Bangalore on the 14 th of June on World Environment Sunday. He spoke
on 'How does the Bible see our responsibility towards other creatures'.
The response was overwhelming. We thank Rev. Prem Mitra, A Rocha
India Chair and Presbyter-in-charge of St. Andrews Church for the
opportunity.
Academics – Survey on Ecologically Sensitive Area
In May, A Rocha was requested to conduct an ecological survey around Bannerghatta National Park by
the Karnataka Forest Department for the purpose of declaring an Ecologically Sensitive Area
surrounding the Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore. A report on the status of the area was
submitted to the Department, which was a very important document for the Karnataka Forest
Department.
The 3 main objectives of the survey were to
1) Assess the geo-morphology, economic potential and bio-geography of the villages within 2 km area
surrounding the park.
2) Ascertain the Vulture occupancy in and around the Bannerghatta National Park.
3) Assess the floristic diversity within 2 km area surrounding the park.

The field survey was extensive and took 5 days to complete. On an average per day, there were 10
people collecting data from the study location. The A Rocha team and volunteers lead by Senior
Researcher Gopalakrishna S. P were accompanied by Forest guards and watchers. The team undertaking
the mammoth task included Dr. Vijay D Anand, Gopalakrishna. S. P, Prof. Antony. P. U, Pradeep S,
Jayashankar. M, Avinash. K, Manijeevan Rao. G, Joshua Shadrack, Anisha Sangar and Forest Staff, BNP.
People Involved
RACHANA PATWARDHAN is a 3 rd year undergraduate student at St
Joseph’s college of Arts and Science, Bangalore. She is studying
Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Her passion for wildlife conservation
led to volunteering with A Rocha India and now she has completed a
year with us. She is a team player and brings a good work ethic. Other
than wildlife she is also involved in teaching, drama etc. Her other
interests include debates and group discussions. She has been an
integral part of the A Rocha team and has assisted in trail surveys to
verify elephant habitat utilisation. Her career plans are set on joining the Indian Forest Service, which is a
civil service, to help wildlife conservation and serve the people.
How did you come to know about A Rocha?
I was always interested in wildlife conservation and was searching for a good platform to learn and get a
good exposure to wildlife conservation. That’s when my lecturer told me about A Rocha and their
exceptional work in and around Bannerghatta National Park. I was part of the team on different trail
surveys and habitat surveys and it has been a wonderful experience!
What have you been doing with A Rocha?
As a student learning about plants and animals, I am glad I can volunteer in field and habitat surveys.
These surveys help to understand elephant habitat utilisation. On weekends, if I am free, I like to help
out with treks to Bannerghatta National Park and chip in wherever necessary. Working with them has
been great, it’s a close knit group and I always feel welcome.
What is your experience working as a volunteer?
I must say that the experience has been a wonderful mixture of fun, knowledge and learning. The whole
A Rocha Team has been so friendly and it has always given me new opportunities to learn and work. I
would love to continue this relationship with A Rocha and give my best.

SUNIL KOTIAN
When I first heard about A Rocha India and the work they were doing in
Bangalore I was surprised by what they did and their ‘mission for the world’. The
word that popped into my head was ‘unique’ and that’s what A Rocha is. I have
worked with A Rocha India now for almost a month and some of you might
recognise me from the emails you have received. My name is Sunil Kotian and I
work in IT. Dr Vijay D Anand and I worship at Richmond Town Methodist Church,
play music in the worship team and our friendship was instantaneous. I had
mentioned to Dr Anand that I had some time on my hands and if he needed any
help I would like to be of assistance. In a few months I was getting my hands dirty with A Rocha India
working alongside Gopalakrishna and Dr Anand.
My work for the last month has been varied to say the least. I have helped with setting up technology,
writing, doing office administration, and basically just filling up with an extra pair of hands. Though I am
not from a research background, Dr Anand and Gopalakrishna were happy to let me learn.
I volunteered with A Rocha India for a month and now I will be getting back to my IT job but I will still be
volunteering with A Rocha India, when time permits and I wish all the best to A Rocha and the people I
worked with! God bless!
Dissertation Work
We introduced Pavani Chowdary in the last e news. We are pleased that
she has completed her dissertation successfully leading to the award of
Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from the Bangalore University.
She has now moved out of Bangalore to join her husband. A Rocha India
wishes her the best in her endeavours.
Any Comments or feedback regarding this Issue are most welcome.