The Indo American Wildlife Society (IAWS) is an NGO (Non Government Organization), located in Chennai, India. IAWS aims at conserving biodiversity through innovative and multidisciplinary science via education and corrective action.
As the first project, IAWS is closely working with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and local stakeholders in developing a strategy for a "Kurumba" tribal community in the Sathyamangalam forest area so as to provide suitable shelters to enable them to feel secure against the inclement weather and wildlife.
This project's main aim is to achieve sustainable development of tribal living in and around the project area by providing the tribal's basic amenities such as shelter as a first phase and the education and medical help as second and third phases respectively.
IAWS strongly believes by helping the tribal and improving their standard of life will automatically lead to conserving and saving wildlife since they are the primary party who is concerned on the Eco system of the forest. Further by providing the education and alternative livelihood would get the awareness of the nature and wild life and this will positively help them to conserve the biodiversity both direct and indirect ways.
IAWS invites support from individuals, corporate companies, governments and institutions for on ground conservation.
"Saving Forest and Wildlife will make the world better for all living things"
From the time of my memories, it is always the Nature that I found easy to connect with and cherish!
My teenage nature trips within Tamilnad and my passion for hiking exposed me to the great western ghats and its wildlife! It also made a great dent in my heart and soul and I never knew that it may play a role at the later part of my life!
That said, My most favorite is the one and only gentle giant that is called “The Elephant”!
My grandma used to say that I would refuse to alight from the Elephant when I was put up on the head during the temple festivities. I cannot wait to see an elephant passing by my home when I will call the Mahout and bring them to our home and my parents particularly my Grandma would come out shaking her head with coins and some jaggery(sweet) for both the elephant and mahout but more to please me!
In due course my frequency to the Western Ghats became more and more with ever growing love for this beauty and the beast!
I am blessed to have my amalgamation with similar mind set of people who have taken me to places of virgin forest with amazing landscapes! The stories and incidents told how the elephants were being butchered for their Ivory and the pitiable living conditions of the tribal made my determination to contribute my might when I can.
I was shocked to learn that we now have only 33,000 of this great species when I thought that something to be done!
I strongly believe that our mottos and services should be beyond our lives benefiting the Society and the Earth and that is the only precise aim in creating..IAWS!
Sandy.
Quote:
"If you think about all the gains our society has made, from independence to now, it wasn't government. It was activism.
Unquote:
Ari has a doctorate in Wildlife Biology and Ph.D., in Zoology.
His doctoral degree is on the “Population dynamics of Asian Elephants in Southern India” where he was leading this research at IISC. He started his carrier as a cat man, worked on leopard human conflict in Western Ghats., later switched over to elephants. He worked as a project Assistant and Project Co-coordinator in various projects at Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore from 1998 to 2008. His keen interest in this mammoth animal took him across the country in to study in depth on their behavioral patterns. He has guided many masters students on various aspect of Wildlife Biology and he is fondly known as “Elephant Whisperer”!
Though he is leading his efforts to make Chennai’s Snake Park, to become a leading protective and research centre, his mind evolves in contributing his best to the Eiephants and preserve Bio diversity particularly at Western Ghats! Hence he has chosen IAWS and volunteering his services.
He is also a member of Asian Elephant Specialist Group (IUCN). He has published twelve-research paper, written one book and 15 interim reports on various aspects of Ecology and Conservation. He headed many government and corporate company projects.
Dr.R. Sivakumar, MD., Int. Medicine & Cardiology is one of our Trustees and a great wildlife enthusiast. Despite his busy schedule with Apollo and Fortis hospitals apart from his busy consulting schedules, he finds solace in his Bonsai garden duly created by him and his paintings on the landscapes should be admired as well! He is currently Chairman of “Thank Hospital “.He is primarily involved in providing free medical camps and consultations in tribal areas for IAWS.
He has received “The Best doctor” award from the Governor of Tamilnadu/India during 2012.
A leading chartered accountant in Chennai and with his busy schedule finds solace in helping people and particularly helping them to support their children for their education!
A philanthropic mindset that finds solace in further helping the Tribal in their education and ready to do as is necessary for their welfare. Furthermore his vivid interest in our gentle giant got him hooked to this noble cause.
An international businessman and ready to make his presence for IAWS’s goals.
His ambitious wish is to expose this wild and rugged beauty of the western ghats for the benefit of nature lovers and to earmark it in the international arena among other places ! He is willing to bring in awareness among the international community with a vivid interest in protecting our Gentle Giant and the welfare of Tribals.
Yes, he has the ball rolling on Eco Tourism and his enthusiastic support/interest to this cause is highly commendable.
IAWS –Eco Tourism- Aim:
Explore, Enjoy, Preserve the Forest and Wildlife!
In conjunction with Tamilnadu Forest Department and with the sole objective of bringing awareness among the youth, IAWS is actively involved in organizing hiking and camping all around Western Ghats!
Exploring the beauty of the Western Ghats with a IAWS Biologist or approved Naturalist from the comfort of the camping/lodging!
IAWS will day hike to Meadows, high peak Gaur and Elephant areas with spectacular waterfalls and the serene wild places!
Day hike through old-growth forests (Top slip),across meadows and to rocky peaks mountain spots to spend viewing the wild life and relaxing under the stars.(Moyar Valley)
Rewarding trail work awaits us in the high mountains with abundant wildlife, Meadows, lakes and glorious landscapes of wild plants, flowers and sacred temples.(Ramar Padam and adjoining areas)
A taste of Tribal life, Todabetta and Kurumba :
Savor the “Natural Life” while visiting with the tribal villages and explore the village and lifestyle!
Let your children not learn about tigers & elephants the way you did about dinosaurs.
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