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SOUTH SUBURBS
TAMBARAM: Sharing space with Nature
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Preston Ahimaz, State director, World Wildlife Fund, is doing his best to make his locality a nature-friendly zone. A profile...
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"SOME OF the rarest species of snakes that I have come across were in my backyard. Now I guess they would have been wiped out of this area," says Preston Ahimaz, State director, World Wildlife Fund (WWF). A resident of Tambaram, he feels that the process of urbanisation has led to the extinction of many species in the city.
"I have been trying to make people understand that we should share space with our fellow living beings. I have built a fence instead of a compound wall around my house, planted more trees and grown tall grass in the garden so that the few animals left can feel at home," he says.
He has worked with the WWF for almost two decades. "In 1983, I was the lone staffer at the WWF office in Madras — a table, cupboard and a typewriter were all what I had for company. I was on fieldwork most of the time to create awareness about conservation. And I loved going into the forests," reminisces Preston.
Now the WWF has enough staff in each of its departments and conducts trekking camps regularly. The organisation conducts slide shows and workshops on conservation and charges members an annual fee. "The trekking season has just started in Chennai and there are lots of weekend treks coming up." Preston says the conservation efforts have created an increased awareness about the environment. "Even children are sensitive towards these issues. I have realised it during the Nature Club programmes we conduct in schools. However, there is no organised set up that could constantly help the youngsters sustain their conservation efforts. Every small initiative needs financial backing these days. And as an NGO, we are always short on resources. Yet, we are trying to recover as much land as we can for wildlife."
Talking about the awareness in his locality, he accepts that there has been a change in the attitude of his neighbours, "but this is not enough. We keep conducting awareness programmes for the people in the colony. Today, even if they see a snake in their house, they do not kill it as they used to. They call me for help. This is a positive step towards conservation."
The Panchayat School near his house has taken up cleaning and tree plantation programmes. Slide shows are conducted in the school on the importance of protecting the wildlife. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to take it up in other schools in the vicinity. We will feel inspired if the schools themselves show interest."
He adds that Tambaram has not yet lost its charm. Some houses still have huge gardens and share their space with these creatures by providing a semi-wild environment. "I am sure this area is still home to at least 40 species of birds and butterflies and a few species of snakes."
For more information about forthcoming events at the WWF or to report the existence of an interesting species in your locality, contact the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, State Office, 123/5 TTK Road, Alwarpet, ph: 24994827/24997107.
PRASSANA SRINIVASAN
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