Environment group in Chennai provides ‘Golden Wings’ to women in Vedanthangal

Until recently, for some of the women living around Vedanthangal, the birds they saw every day were simply part of the landscape. Today, they are part of their life, even the sounds of these avians being familiar to these women’s now-trained ears. That transformation was engineered by a nature-guide training programme from Chennai-based Care Earth Trust.

With the two-fold objective of increasing biodiversity awareness and providing livelihood opportunities, the programme began with women and young people from around Vedanthangal, training them in bird identification, wetland ecology, identification of trees butterflies, and communication skills. After months of classroom lessons and practical sessions, a group of eight trained participants have come together as ‘Golden Wings’ and are now conducting guided walks at Vedanthangal.

Vedanthangal resident S. Kalaiselvi Srinivasan, now a Golden Wings guide, says the work has given her an income opportunity as well as improved her communication skills.