Description

Just among the many ways you can help protect the environment in India:

* Solar elephant-proof fencing, Anaikatty - This environmental project is based in this tribal village, home to indigenous communities. Volunteers will be helping to construct solar powered electric fences and dig elephant-proof trenches around the villages and cultivated lands to prevent elephants and humans clashing in an attempt to prevent loss of life on both sides.

These communities are dependent on collection of non timber forest products and agriculture for their livelihoods. But there is significant pressure on the forests and elephants and wild boar are frequently leaving the forest to forage for cultivated crops, which represent easier pickings than increasingly scarce food sources in the forest. This creates conflict between man and wildlife, and in particular elephants. Both elephants and people are killed or seriously injured regularly in violent encounters and the problem is very serious.

* Ranger station environmental project, Bandipur - Raleigh, in partnership with Karnataka Forest Department, will refurbish a 100 year-old guest house deep inside Bandipur National Park. The guest house was constructed in 1908 by the Maharaja and has laid empty, falling into disrepair. Volunteers will completely renovate the guest house adding sanitation and water services in order for it to be utilized by the Forestry Department as a permanently manned ranger station serving the Chowdhalli Range - an important habitat for tigers, elephant and many other key species.

Raleigh volunteers will be camping in the national park and working together on this environmental project to provide sustainable hides for Park rangers and environmental scientists to monitor natural habitat and wildlife. By volunteering on this project, they will be helping to prevent, and catch illegal poachers who poach both wildlife and wood.

Help protect the environment in India with Raleigh.

Raleigh International is a youth and sustainable development charity that inspires people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Based in India's National Parks and indigenous communities, volunteers live and work in a remote forest environment. These environmental projects allow volunteers to see the best that Indian wildlife has to offer, understand the politics of conservation and develop an environmentally founded conscience.

Highlights

* Our permanent presence in India means that we know what is needed to really make a positive difference out there. Because of this all of our volunteer projects are sustainable and genuinely needed by the communities we work in.

* Work in a remote forest environment where you'll see India's most fascinating wildlife

* Learn about the politics of conservation and develop an environmentally founded conscience.

"I relished getting my hands dirty and doing a hard day's work. I enjoyed the real sense of team building and being part of a group that provided a worthwhile and sustainable solution to a serious problem." Charles Arnot, venture, India

Travel Types

• Camping
• Environmental Studies
• Volunteering

Qualifications

* Venturers must be aged between 17 and 24 and up for a challenge!

* Our expeditions are tough, but enable you to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance and leadership, all of which are sought by universities and employers and will help set you apart from the crowd.

* We advise venturers to sign up between 6 and 12 months before the expedition departs, the reason being the earlier you apply the better chance you have of getting your first expedition choice. This also gives you more time to raise funds and you'll benefit from our training workshops.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,500 GBP - 2,995 GBP

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

* Travel and Medical insurance (excluding personal belongings cover)
* Training and preparation
* Support before you go and when you're there
* Food and accommodation
* Specialist equipment
* In-country transport

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

17-24

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Raleigh International's Mission Statement

We are a youth and sustainable development charity. Since 1984 we have inspired over 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on our overseas expeditions. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Year Founded

1984