Category

Talk/Workshop

Artists

Sangeetha Kadur

Chayant Gonsalves

Sandeep Nanu.

Dr. Vishnupriya Sankararaman

Surya Ramachandran

Date

August 4th 2024

Wild Malhar Lenscape

Wild Malhar made a triumphant return with a weekend special on the 3rd and 4th of August, celebrating Courtyard Koota’s 6th anniversary. Wildlife enthusiasts enjoyed a range of events, and residents marveled at the Wild Malhar Lenscape Photography Exhibition, which showcased breathtaking images of our local flora and fauna captured by residents of GoodEarth properties. The exhibition was open all day at Courtyard Koota from the 2nd to the 6th of August 2024.

Bioblitz

Our BioBlitz event was a thrilling dive into nature, offering participants a day of exploring biodiversity right in our own backyard. From majestic trees to tiny insects, attendees uncovered hidden gems under the guidance of seasoned naturalists. They learned to observe, identify, and document plants, animals, fungi, and more using the iNaturalist citizen-science portal. Whether experienced nature-lovers or curious beginners, everyone enjoyed a day of fun and insight, celebrating the rich tapestry of life around us! 

Nature Journaling Workshop

we held a Nature Journaling Workshop that ran from 10am to 1pm. The workshop celebrated nature’s diversity, offering participants the chance to observe, acknowledge, and respect the natural world through journaling. Attendees embarked on an exploration walk, capturing their surroundings in sketchbooks. This introductory session focused on the art of seeing, sketching, and note-taking, allowing participants to fill their journal pages with interesting observations and nature stories.

The Secret Lives of Amphibians

Most people have seen a frog or toad at least once, even if they have lived in a big city all their lives. Many of us have even played with tadpoles in a pond as children. Despite this, we often know more about charismatic species like tigers or whale sharks than amphibians! India is a fascinating destination for amphibian biologists due to the incredible diversity of amphibians in our forests and wetlands. Recently, we had an enlightening talk with Dr. Vishnupriya Sankararaman from the Wildlife Conservation Society – India. We explored the world of these little-known creatures, learning about their adaptations to living in water and on land, how they communicate, and their roles in our lives and the environment. Dr. Sankararaman, who earned her PhD in Ecology from Penn State University in 2022, focuses on amphibian community structure in the Western Ghats and uses quantitative approaches to study amphibian populations and communities. After the talk, we went on a walk to observe frogs in our vicinity and witnessed the secret lives of amphibians.

Malhar Bird Walk

On the first Sunday of the month, we gathered for our regular bird walk around the community. Guided by experts Sangeetha, Chayant, and Nanu, participants explored and learned about our avian friends.

Into the World of Whale Sharks

We dove into creativity on Whale Shark Day! Wild Malhar hosted an extraordinary celebration of the majestic giants of the ocean with a captivating art workshop for children.

Event Highlights:

    • Discover: Participants learned fascinating facts about whale sharks and their importance in the marine ecosystem.
    • Create: They engaged in hands-on art activities, from drawing and painting to crafting unique whale shark-themed artwork.
    • Enjoy: Fun and educational games taught them about marine conservation and the role we can all play in protecting these incredible creatures.

Snakes at Malhar

Our community proudly coexists with snakes, thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals ensuring peaceful living with all creatures. Recently, we had an enlightening session where participants learned about common snakes, debunked myths, and discovered important dos and don’ts regarding these often misunderstood species. The session was expertly facilitated by Chayant and Nanu.

A Naturalist in India

We recently enjoyed an insightful talk by Surya Ramachandran, an engineer-turned-naturalist with a profound passion for wildlife. Surya, known for his explorations across India’s diverse landscapes and for authoring the Photographic Guide to Central Indian Wildlife and the Wildlife of South India field guide, shared his experiences and expertise with us.

During the talk, Surya highlighted the indispensable role of local communities in wildlife conservation. He emphasized their crucial role as custodians of wildlife, their direct conservation efforts, and the influence of citizen scientists in preserving landscapes and wilderness. The audience was captivated by stories of conservation, wildlife experiences, and the remarkable efforts of individuals and communities in maintaining India’s wildlife heritage.