Chidi Kho wildlife sanctuary in Narsinghgarh region of Rajgarh district, 70 km from Bhopal, has become a ‘school of nature’ for future citizens of the country. So far, about 1000 children of various schools of Narsinghgarh have participated in the first phase of nature education camp started there since last year.
The seventh camp of two-and-a-half days is underway in which 30 students of class IX to XII of Vinayak Higher Secondary School, Narsinghgarh are participating. This month, three camps for students will be held in the sanctuary on April 6, 7, 8, April 10, 11, 12 and April 15, 16 and 17. Beginning with students of home district, gradually, students from all districts of the State will be included in this school of nature.
Objective the camps is to educate schoolchildren about conservation of forests, wildlife and environment, which is not possible in classroom. Beginning of nature camp was made in February 2014 as daylong camp. But in this camp, students remained deprived of watching birds in the morning and experience wildlife activities in the evening.
In view of it, duration of camp was increased to two-and-a-half days. Students are lodged in orientation centre Chidi Kho hall and alpine tents. On the first day, students are apprised of general introduction of sanctuary, wetland, nature trail tour, environment, eco-system and bio-diversity activities to be undertaken next day.
A film is also screened to properly acclimatise students with forest. In the morning of the second day, children are taken to jungle for bird watching, nature trail tour and given detailed information about wildlife, vegetation, bio-diversity and wetland. They are also apprised of first aid. Information about nature and environmental conservation is given through various activities and entertaining nature games. So far, these camps have cast good impact on children.
Students have known through the camps as to how they can conserve environment by becoming eco-friendly. On the third day, students return home after imbibing education about environment, volunteering labour, giving feedback and receiving certificates. Famous as hunting place during British rule, the forests spread over 57.19 square km area and rich with wildlife was declared as sanctuary in year 1974. Vast lake Chidi Kho built by Narsinghgarh’s Maharaja Vikram Singh in 1935 is its main attraction. Including Madhya Pradesh’s State Bird Doodhraj, 175 species of bird (50 species of migratory birds) are found in the sanctuary.
Special species like Red Spur Foul, Plum-headed Parakeet, Hariyal and during winter migratory birds Brahmani Duch, Common Teel, Fob Duck, etc can be easily seen. Besides, the sanctuary has also leopards, jackals, antelopes, Sanbhar, Neelgai, Chinkara, Krishna Mrig, wild boars and 160 species of plants and trees, 18 of grass and 11 species of aquatic plants.
