SAIIER Annual Report 2014-2015: Aranya

Aikiyam School		Arka
Aranya

Introduction

Aranya is a reforestation site and wilderness preserve that today includes more than 80 acres of indigenous forest. The forest is a living gene bank of threatened and endangered species of plants and trees, many of which are valuable for their medicinal properties. Birds, mammals and butterflies have taken up residence in the forest, forming a complete and rich ecosystem.

Activities of the year

This year Aranya continued conducting awareness programs for school students, Self-Help Groups and panchayats, with a focus on learning about the landscapes of seashores and forests. Visiting students and teachers participated in preparing lists of the plants and trees they know of that are found in the two habitats.

A special project this year was research into the 5 Sangam Tamil landscapes. We prepared a list of the original plants and trees that were found these landscapes, and created materials used to spread awareness about the Sangam landscapes among students, teachers and self help groups.

We continued growing the plant nursery for propagating rare species, and continued with the reforestation work, planting suitable species along the bunds, foreshore, terrain and slopes.

Outcomes

Over 2500 children visited Aranya and participated in our programs this year.

Date	Name of school	No. of Students
04.04.14	Transition School, 4th grade students	21
15.04.14	Udavi School, Auroville	55
06.04.14	Agalan Foundation, Villianur, Pondicherry	25
12.05.14	CPD Forest, Bangalore	26
19.05.14	Arulvazhi Education Centre, Promesse	32
20.05.14	NABARN, Pondicherry	39
08.06.14	Yoganjali Natyalaam, Puducherry	28
15.06.14	Mohanam Cultural Centre School, Sanjeevinagar, Puduvai	55
26.07.14	Name?	110
27.07.14	Kannagi Govt. Higher Sec School, Villanur	73
13.08.14	Sri Raghavendra Middle School, Cinnamudaliarchavadi	55
23.08.14	Pondicherry University, M.Tech Environmental Eng students	29
31.08.14	Puduvi Nadagkalazar	40
14.09.14	Semppadugai Nanneeragam NGO, Pondicherry	106
26.09.14	Govt. Middle School, Thiruchitrambalam Kootroad	78
29.09.14	G H S S, Sedarapet, Puducherry	63
03.10.14	Ilongo Adigal Govt. H S S, Muthirapalayam	58
05.10.14	Maruthi H S School Nss students, Lawspet	62
08.11.14	Puduvi Govt Nss coordinator	69
20.11.14	Ahash Animation College, Pondicherry	46
20.11.14	TLC, 3 days Auroville Nature Camp	23
02.12.14	Pudukotai District Govt. Agri Training Centre, Pudukotai	50
03.12.14	Govt. Sec School, Gadhinagar, Puduvai	76
05.12.14	Govt boys H S S, Valavanur, Villupuram	78
07.12.14	Govt Saw & Wct School students, Puduvai	27
10.12.14	Transition School, 4th grade students ("Unicorns")	23
14.12.14	Oulgarai Puduvai Consumer Forum	110
21.12.14	Puducherry Kalvikalzgam	89
26.12.14	The Mathera International School, New Delhi	60
01.01.15	The Mathera International School, New Delhi	55
03.01.15	Science Forum, Pondicherry	34
17.01.15	Yoganjali Natyalaam, Puducherry	26
22.01.15	Transition School, 3th grade students ("Unicorns")	23
23.01.15	TLC, 3 days Camp Auroville	50
28.01.15 to 30.01.15	National Nature Camp, Govt. of Puducherry schools	60
02.02.15	New Era Secondary School	35
03.02.15 to 05.02.15	National Nature Camp, Govt. of Puducherry schools	65
03.02.15	Govt HS School, Poornakuppam, Puducherry	78
14.02.15	New Era Secondary School	35
28.02.15	Vallalar G G H S School, Lauspet, Puducherry	40
06.03.15	Govt High School, Reddiarpalaym, Puducherry	76
08.03.15	Indira Gandhi College of Arts & Sciences Kathirkaramam, Puducherry	54
20.03.15	Saravana Paramedical Institute, Karaiyamputhur, Puducherry	40
20.03.15	Dr. Radhakrishna Teacher & Nursing Institute, Kandamagalam, Villupuram	28
20.03.15	Modern Technical Training Institute, Cuddalore	36
23.03.15	Christ College of Engr and Technology, Pitchaiveeranpat, Pondicherry	68
27.03.15	Mohanam Cultural Centre School, Sanjeevinagar, Puduvai	56
28.03.15	Govt Middie School, Poothurai	82