Students to conduct research at Bannerghatta

BANGALORE: In a move to recognise the importance of forest that supports the city, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Karnataka Region, is roping in students from city schools and colleges to conduct research and study about forest resources. The study forms part of the national campaign of WWF to save urban forests.Cynthia Sinclair, Programme Coordinator, WWF (Karnataka Region) said, “We will be taking the students to the forest area, where they can conduct surveys, collect details and then they prepare a scientific report about how it is affecting birds, animals and human habitat.” Sinclair said that they have selected that Bannerghatta forest region for their initial study as it is the closest to the city. The campaign will be on till October first week (the week commemorated world over as wildlife week). Sinclair said that as of now students from few colleges like Mount Carmel and St Josephs’ have already joined the project.Students will have to record the experience and findings in the form of stories, essays, reports, poems, videos, songs, photo stories, presentations, even sketches, paintings, and any other creative forms.“The findings of the various groups of students or individuals from each city will be presented to key decision makers, local politicians, experts of the city’s government who can build a positive pressure and reach out to those who can bring about a change” she added.Meanwhile, with United Nations declaring 2011 as the International Year of Forests, the WWF has planned a global campaign called ‘Cities for Forests’ across 20 major cities in the country which is being launched simultaneously on July 30.Sinclair said, “WWF in association with the State Horticulture Department, BCIL, Red Cross Society and Cubbon Park Mitra Sangha is organising the campaign which is aimed at mobilising youths and NGOs for raising awareness on the intrinsic link between forests and human well-being.”