Welcome to SNM!

Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) is a leading non-government organization (NGO) in India, engaged in conservation of, education about and research on nature. In the year 1992, SNM started its work in the pristine region of Konkan on the western coast of Maharashtra state in India.

SNM has successfully organized various projects in nature conservation, protection and education with its limited resources.

Our current major projects include:

• Conservation of Marine Turtle
• Study of Whiterumped Vulture (Gyps bengalenses)
• Conservation of Indian Swiftlet (Collocalia unicolor)
• Study and conservation of Whitebellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
• Breeding biology of some bird species

Velas Turtle Festival 2008

Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra had organized a Turtle Festival on 16th and 17th March 2008 at Velas, Tal. Mandangad jointly with the Forest Department and Grampanchayat Velas. The main aim of this festival was to get a better involvement of local people in the Turtle Conservation Project.

About the event

On 16th, nature lovers and tourists descended at the site from various parts of Maharashtra and even neighbouring states. Nearly 250 visitors comprising of housewives, students, doctors, engineers, journalists, photographers, social workers, nature researchers, teachers etc. attended the festival.

Following activities took place on that day:

• Dr. Ramdas Mahajan of Kolthare, nominated for the 3rd Turtle Friend Award, was felicitated by the chief guest Mr. M. N. Pawar, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Ratnagiri
• Mr. Parthiv Sanghavi, who translated the Marathi booklet on turtles into Gujarathi, was felicitated and the book was formally released
• A road show on turtles was enacted by the students of Velas school
• Turtle hatchlings were released into the sea, initiated by the chief guest
• A debate was held amongst tourists and SNM workers on the Turtle conservation movement
• Some more hatchlings were released during the afternoon session
• At night, visitors enjoyed viewing 2 films - one on the overall work done by SNM and a second called "Gharatyatil Pakshi" (Birds in Nest), which is about breeding of birds

The release of hatchlings into the sea was again carried out in the morning and evening on second day. A total of 121 hatchlings were released during the two days.

Summing up

One of our goals was to create a source of income for the locals by getting them to participate in the festival.

This goal was achieved due to the multitude of jobs at the festival site such as:

• Working as volunteers and sponsors for events
• Arranging food and accomodation for tourists
• Setting up of the program venue and canopy, erecting refreshment stalls, etc.

The participants of Velas village in the festival arrangement included 3 Mahila Bachat Gats, 2 youth mandals, Grampanchayat members, 12 local villagers engaged in looking after lunch/dinner and lodging arrangements and 5 youths for erecting the refreshment stalls.

There was an approximate turnover of Rs. 50,000/- during the two day festival in the small village of Velas. A lot of confidence and awareness about turtles has been created among villagers as they believe that Velas is becoming famous due to turtles and the Turtle Conservation project must be implemented at their village.
This we feel is a great achievement of this festival!

What's new?

Shri. Vishwas (Bhau) Katdare of SNM received the Vasundhara Mitra award at the hands of Shri. Atul Kirloskar in Pune in March 2008.

Click here to view the current status of Marine turtle.

Watch this short video clip (from YouTube.com) on the beginning of a young turtle's journey to the sea.
Velas... a magical journey