Voluntary Nature Conservancy (VNC)

Large herbivores, like the Indian wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch, often encroach on nearby cultivation, impacting human well-being and diminishing wildlife tolerance. This strains both humans and wildlife. VNC is dedicated to comprehending and mitigating conflicts in this region. Farmers around the Wild Ass Sanctuary report severe crop damage. While herbivore numbers increase with enhanced protection, it threatens the unique Indian wild ass population surviving solely in this area. VNC’s project aims to: (1) grasp crop depredation patterns, (2) pinpoint hotspots and create a risk map, (3) understand human-wildlife interactions. Findings guide in identifying conflict-prone zones. Interview surveys enhance the understanding of farmer perspectives, aiding policy formulation for effective conflict management.

Urban trees hold value for recreation, aesthetics, pollution control, tranquility, biodiversity, and overall well-being. Inadequate protection and monitoring lead to unlawful tree felling by authorities and unaware individuals. Tree inventories, like registers, are common for urban tree management.
VNC introduced an innovative geospatial method to map urban tree traits and update a tree inventory in Vallabh Vidyanagar. This town, with trees carefully chosen by its founders, houses around 4,500 street trees of 75 species. An updated register streamlines maintenance tasks and guides urban infrastructure upkeep.

VNC's initiative, "Conservation of Mugger Crocodiles in Charotar Region," safeguards the thriving mugger crocodile population. This region in Gujarat houses one of India's largest mugger populations, harmoniously existing in man-made wetlands amidst agriculture. This coexistence is exceptional as wildlife often faces human threats.
The project involves monitoring populations, assessing habitats, and understanding human-crocodile dynamics for species' long-term survival. VNC educates schools and communities, promoting awareness. Preserving Charotar's mugger crocodiles is crucial for species survival and ecological balance. VNC admirably maintains man-animal coexistence, ensuring this unique and captivating species thrives in the wild.

Students in urban areas often lack nature experience due to classroom constraints. VNC advocates outdoor activities for better environmental education. The collaboration with ANALA Outdoors Pvt Ltd redefines teaching, providing ongoing experiential learning.
The nature camps, developed with ANALA Outdoors Pvt Ltd, introduce urban schoolchildren to nature's intricacies, fostering awareness, empathy, and understanding. These immersive camps offer enriching activities, team building, and self-discovery amidst serene settings. Detached from electronics, children engage in birdwatching, photography, trekking, stargazing, conquering fears and fostering exploration. These experiences shape character, nurture friendships, and kindle an adventurous spirit. Such encounters inspire nature appreciation and conservation, fostering positive environmental action among young explorers.

Croc Watch, initiated by VNC, is a citizen science endeavour collecting data on India's three crocodilian species. The aim is to build a comprehensive database supporting research and conservation, fostering a shared space for knowledge exchange among students and researchers. This project thrives on contributions from individuals, gathering sightings and related data.
By amassing this data, it not only depicts the current distribution of these species but also pinpoint pivotal conservation regions nationwide. This knowledge informs decisions regarding their lasting protection and management in India. The information benefits interested individuals and institutions devoted to species research and management.

Water resources hold significant environmental, social, health, and economic value. Their health, intertwined with the environment, hinges on water quality. Excessive land and water resource use, along with pollution from urban, industrial, recreational, spiritual, and agricultural sources, deteriorates water quality. This detriment affects people's health and the ecosystem.
Understanding how human activities impact water resources is crucial for prevention. VNC takes a pivotal role in monitoring urban drinking water quality. It also evaluates wetland health and invasive species' impact, such as Water hyacinth, on aquatic ecosystems. These efforts assist water managers and agencies in mitigating potential water source impacts.

A study suggests that snakebite deaths in India could reach a staggering 50,000 annually, with survivors facing amputations or severe injuries. Underreporting has hindered intervention efforts. Consequently, snakes, even threatened species, are needlessly killed. Gujarat experiences high snakebite incidence. Most envenoming are preventable through basic precautions, education, first aid, and prompt medical care. This project targets several thousand potential snakebite victims yearly in Gujarat by pinpointing high-risk areas, educating rural communities, and using specialized educational tools. A dedicated local network supports our objectives to curtail snakebite impact.

VNC initiated a transformative venture, Bridging Urban Living and Nature, through Promoting Organic Kitchen Gardening. In modern urban life, the connection between children and the farms nurturing our sustenance has waned. This endeavour rekindles that bond. At its core, this journey imparts organic farming knowledge to urban youth.
Central to this project is the notion of letting children cultivate their organic vegetables. Amid expanding cityscapes, this effort nurtures curiosity and wonder in children. As they touch the soil, they cultivate both vegetables and a deep connection with nature's harmony. Witnessing seeds flourish into plants, these young gardeners explore life's rhythms and learn the art of nurturing the Earth.

After 113 years of being considered extinct, the forest owlet was rediscovered in India. Despite this, its population remains small and scattered, rendering it an endangered and dwindling species. With fewer than 12 recent sites, VNC's project aims to gather vital data about the owlet's population, distribution, suitable habitats, and conservation requirements across protected and non-protected areas in Gujarat. This initiative pinpoints priority zones for future conservation actions. By monitoring populations and habitats, VNC safeguards the forest owlet from further decline, ensuring its survival for future generations. This effort is a significant stride in preserving this distinctive and endangered avian species, securing its thriving existence in the wild.