SHRI SHIVAJI SCIENCE COLLEGE, AMRAVATI
DBT STAR COLLEGE PROJECT ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY REPORT
On field training on “Animal taxonomy, biodiversity survey techniques and documentation”
Activity Dates: 28/03/2025 & 29/03/2025
Type of Activity: Outreach Activity
Organizing Department: Department of Zoology
Program Coordinators: Dr. G. A. Wagh & Dr. A. R. Rajoria
Head of the Department: Dr. J. D. Dhote
External Collaborator (if any): Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) & Wildlife and Environment Conservation Society (WECS)
Objectives:
- 1. An introduction to animal taxonomy, non-chordate and chordate.
- 2. To acquaint students about different biodiversity survey techniques
- 3. To demonstrate the different on field survey techniques.
- 4. To engage students in on field biodiversity collection techniques.
- 5. To inform students about different biodiversity documentation techniques.
No of Beneficieries: 27
Classes Involved: B. Sc. IInd Year Students
Venue of the Activity: Amzari campus, Chikhaldara, Melghat
Activity Report:
On field training workshop on “Animal Taxonomy, biodiversity survey techniques and documentation” was organized and conducted by Department of Zoology on 28th & 29th March 2025 for undergraduate students in Amzari campus near Chikhaldara, Melghat, catalyzed by DBT Star Project Scheme 2024 and as per university curriculum.
On 28th March, 2025, 27 Students accompanied with 3 teaching and non-teaching staff proceed for the destination at 7.30am from college campus to amzari, melghat. Following are the Aims, Objectives and outcomes of the visit:
Aims and Objectives:
1. An introduction to animal taxonomy, non-chordate and chordate.
2. To acquaint students about different biodiversity survey techniques
3. To demonstrate the different on field survey techniques.
4. To engage students in on field biodiversity collection techniques.
5. To inform students about different biodiversity documentation techniques.
Outcomes:
1. Students acquiring deeper knowledge of animal taxonomy, non-chordate and chordate.
2. Students will learn how to collect data on animal populations using methods like transect surveys, quadrant sampling etc. Students potentially develop interest in related research and careers.
3. Students should be introduced to techniques such as mark-recapture, pitfall traps, mist nets, and direct observation for surveying different animal groups.
4. Students will learn the importance of accurate field notes and the use of digital tools (such as GIS software, photography, or spreadsheets) to document survey data.
5. Students should understand how biodiversity surveys contribute to conservation efforts and the management of protected areas or species.
After reaching amzari at 11.30am, inauguration of the on field training workshop started sharply at 12 noon in presence of Sh. Yashwant Bahale, DFO, Melghat Tiger Reserve as chief guest and inaugurator of the function, Dr. Pawan Rathod, Odonate Expert, Amravati, Sh. Kiran More, regional expert e-bird, Mr. Manish Dhakulkar, Medicinal plant expert, Amravati, Dr. G. A. Wagh, Prof. & Dept. DBT Star Project Coordinator, Dr. A. R. Rajoria, Asstt. Professor and Activity Incharge with Mr. Abhijit Solanke, Mr. Mangesh Solanke and undergraduate student participants. After the floral welcome of all the dignitaries, Dr. Wagh addressed the participants about the workshop through his introductory speech followed by inaugurator’s address by Sh. Yashwant Bahale. Sh. Bahale shared his views and experience working in the field of forest, challenges faced while doing conservation works and planning.
Dr. Pawan Rathod, odonate expert, briefly explained about the dragonflies and damselflies. Sh. Kiran More, briefed about different bird species present in Maharashtra. This inaugural function ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Anuradha Rajoria and lunch break was given.
After lunch, technical session of Dr. Pawan Rathod started with detailed information about dragonflies and damselflies, their identifying features, life cycle and pictorial collection of different species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dr. Rathod also answered the different questions of the participants.
Sh. Kiran More continued the second technical session on birds. Sir explained in details about different types of bird, their habit and habitat as well as distribution. He showed images of different birds and also briefed by e-bird app. and how one can contribute to e-bird database? Students find both the technical sessions very interesting and the participants were directly taken to field for demonstration of different biodiversity survey techniques. Dr. Wagh demonstrated the quadrant survey method as well as how to use to camera for photography in the wild, Dr. Rathod explained about net sweeping method for dragonfly, damselfly, butterfly collection and Sh. More explained how to identify bird species by using binoculars and bird field guide. Dr. Rajora, showed pitfall trapping method and beating method by using umbrella to collect different invertebrate species especially focused on Araneids. Mr. Dhakulkar explained different types of medicinal plants cited in the quadrant and how to note it down.
Sh. Manoj Kumar Khairnar, DFO, Melghat Tiger Reserve, has given an unexpected visit to this workshop, discussed certain points with the participants and after giving best wishes departed for his work.
A short high tea break was given and then at around 5.30pm, students were taken to Bhimkund trek area where Mr. Dhakulkar showed the different modifications done in order to enhance ecotourism in the area which include high swing (100feet), line trekking with bicycle etc. students were amused by seeing these adventurous activities and got excited to try out in future visit to the place. A very silent zone for 10-15 mins. was maintained by the students to hear different callings at evening time which included callings of night jar, owl ect. At 7.15pm , students departed for amzari campus. A night session regarding Astrophotography was scheduled for the students for which Nagpur based astrophotographer Mr. Prajwal Lonare was contacted. Before that, Dr, Wagh gave a presentation on camera handling and wildlife photography, followed by ppt session by Mr. Lonare about basics of Astrophotography. At around 9.30pm, dinner was served and Mr. Lonare started with his practical session at 10.30pm by clicking photos of Jupiter using the software and advanced camera attachments and showed the moons of the Jupiter, followed by images of mars planet. This session of clicking photos, asking questions continued till 12.00 midnight. Students were briefed for 10mins regarding tomorrows schedule and were directed to their dormitories.
Early morning of 29th March schedule started with tea and biscuit at 6.30am for trekking in the inner regions of the Melghat forest and noting down the different biodiversity cited during this nature trail. This trekking was accompanied by forest ranger Mr. Mukesh, his colleagues. During the trail of about two to two and half hours, students seen the different machaans built for monitoring, facilities for tourists, different birds and dragonfly species, spiderwebs especially trapdoor spiders. Mr. Mukesh explained about building a number of water holes for the wildlife in the regions and their importance w.r.t. wildlife survival as well as monitoring.
Mr. Mukesh also explained about the different illegal activities which are carried including poaching, smuggling etc., and how their team is working tirelessly to stop and reduce these activities in the forest area. It was a very pleasing and same time emotionally disturbing experience as how humans have crossed the threshold of brutality against wildlife.
After taking breakfast, workshop was concluded in valedictory session and verbal feedbacks of the students and how they enjoyed this workshop and willing to participate in future in this type of workshops. Departure at around 11.30am from Amzari to Amravati started and students safely reached the college premises at 1.30pm, from there they dispersed to their respective places.
This on field training workshop on “Animal Taxonomy, biodiversity survey techniques and documentation” was organized and conducted under the guidance of Dr. J. D. Dhote, Prof. & Head, Department of Zoology and Dr. G. A. Wagh, Prof. & Departmental DBT Coordinator, Dr. A. R. Rajoria, Asstt. Prof. & Activity Incharge and teaching and non-teaching staff of department of Zoology.
Outcomes:
- 1. Students acquiring deeper knowledge of animal taxonomy, non-chordate and chordate.
- 2. Students will learn how to collect data on animal populations using methods like transect surveys, quadrant sampling etc.
- 3. Students should be introduced to techniques such as mark-recapture, pitfall traps, mist nets, and direct observation for surveying different animal groups.
- 4. Students will learn the importance of accurate field notes and the use of digital tools (such as GIS software, photography, or spreadsheets) to document survey data.
- 5. Students should understand how biodiversity surveys contribute to conservation efforts and the management of protected areas or species.
Photos:
 Different on field biodiversity survey techniques shown by the expert |  Field expert explaining students during trekking in forest of Melghat |
 On field biodiversity survey techniques demonstrated by the expert |  Water hole preparation explained by the expert |
 Inaugural function of on field training workshop at Amzari Campus, Melghat |  Astrophotography session by the expert |
Attendance Sheet:
 |
 |