Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra

Lesser-known Species Grant 2018

Project Name:

Conservation of Indian pangolin through community participation in Konkan region of Western Ghats, Maharashtra

Project Brief:

Across the country, the Indian pangolin is greatly threatened due to illegal poaching and international trafficking for its scales and demand for its meat as a delicacy. The species is arguably one of thea least studied species globally, due to which scientific literature reveal minimal valid information about species ecology, habitat, breeding biology, and distribution in wild, in thise region. Through this project, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra worked on educating and trainings the local community towards conservation of Indian pangolin.

Project objectives:
  • Community participation and engagement in conservation efforts.
  • Assessing the ecology and present status of the Indian pangolin.
  • Developing a monitoring system to control poaching and hunting.
Highlights from field:
  • Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra has completed 3,822 camera trap days of monitoring the Indian pangolin under the project.
  • Their work has reached 479 villages in Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra. They have also provided livelihood support and training in these villages. 165 villagers have benefited through their alternate livelihood training programme.
  • A total of 2,758 schools in Ratnagiri District have been covered under their awareness programmes about the species. Through their work, stories about the Indian pangolin have been included in the primary school curriculum of Maharashtra State.
  • Wild Apis cerena relocation training has been given to villagers in Devrukh town with the aim of making their apiculture activities self-sustaining.
  • With the help of education and awareness, the local community in the Konkan region helped the Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra Team and Forest Department rescue and release 13 Pangolins.