The World Land Trust eBulletin Issue 29, June 2005

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In this India Special issue:
India Update: WLT to Protect More Elephant Corridors
Support the India Project and Receive a Report on Wildlife Corridors
Elephant Slideshow Evening Raises Money and Awareness
Thoughts on India and Foreign Aid
India News in Brief
Other News in Brief

India Update: WLT to Protect More Elephant Corridors

Project success prompts decision to raise funds for other corridors

A herd of elephants near the Elephant Corridor project area. Photo © Stacey Manley

Support for the Wild Lands Elephant Corridor between the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary and the Rewak Reserve Forest in north-east India has been encouraging and WLT is on target to raise the £25,000 pledged to the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) earmarked for this project. This means that we are now able to start looking at other potential elephant corridors in other parts of the country.

The next corridor to be protected will be in Kerala, south India, where the owners are anxious to sell and move out to make way for the elephants. The local Forest Department have agreed to warden the land, and include it in the management plans for the adjoining forests.

Supporting the Elephant Corridor Initiative really will achieve positive results. Our Indian colleagues have also informed us that many of the corridors will cost as little £10,000 to £20,000 to buy and protect in perpetuity – so if you are feeling extra generous, you could buy your ‘own’ elephant corridor. Or buy one for an elephant-loving friend or loved-one.

John Burton, CEO of the World Land Trust says about the new initiative:

"Compared with practically any other elephant conservation project, this has to be excellent value for money – providing a lasting solution to a serious conservation issue, that is affecting one of the most endangered species in Asia. And of course elephants are not the only species that will benefit: monkeys, gaur, bats and dozens of other species will use the corridors too."

Support the India Project and Receive a Report on Wildlife Corridors

The Wildlife Trust of India are currently publishing “The Elephant Corridors of India” which is a comprehensive, scientific study identifying and documenting critical wildlife corridors throughout the country. They have promised to let us have copies when it is available and we will be offering these to supporters of the Indian Elephant Corridors project. We will publish more details when we have them in stock.

Read more about WLT's project in India
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/india.htm

Make a donation to support the Indian Elephants
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/donation.htm

Elephant Slideshow Evening Raises Money and Awareness

This young elephant was very inquisitive about Stacey’s camera. Female elephants produce about seven calves in a lifetime. Photo © Stacey Manley

Local Slideshow evening documents WLT's work in India

On Earth Day, April 22nd, the World Land Trust held an event 'Saving the Indian Elephant; A Photographic Tale' in Halesworth, Suffolk. The evening aimed to raise funds and profile of the Wild Lands Elephant Corridor project and was organised by former WLT Intern Andy Blyth.

Following an introduction to the Elephant Corridor project guests were shown a slide presentation of the photographic artwork produced by Gareth West and Stacey Manley, two photography students who accompanied Kirsty Burgess on her visit to India in November 2004. The event attracted an audience of 80 people and, in Andy's words, "the amazing photography and informative and entertaining presentation was the key to the success of the evening."

Elephant Photographic Prints

On the evening of the event, the Trust took orders for photographic prints of the images shown in the slideshow, with the proceeds going to the Elephant Corridor project. We are currently investigating the feasibility of selling these prints online to raise more money for the project. As a first step, we would like to gauge the level in interest for prints such as these. Two of the images feature in this issue of the eBulletin and these and others can also be viewed in larger size on the WLT website. If you would be interested in purchasing one for yourself, or as a gift, please contact the Trust.

We would especially like to know:

• What format you would prefer (photographic print or postcard);
• What size you would prefer (4" x 6", 6" x 9", 10" x 15", 12" x 18");
• How much you would expect to pay. (Packs of 8 full colour postcards would cost £1.95 + P&P.)

See a collection of the images on the WLT website
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/elephant-images.htm

Thoughts on India and Foreign Aid

John Burton visited India on a 10-day tour in April 2005. His visit included investigation of possible land acquisition sites for both mangrove protection/reforestation and elephant corridors. He also visited some of the tsunami affected areas and witnessed the negative effects that international aid was having on some small communities, with people giving up work and simply waiting for hand-outs and companies profiting from making products that are not actually being used.

Read more about John's India visit in his Green Issues web log (The views expressed are personal, and do not necessarily reflect those of the WLT):

Making Poverty History
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2005/04/making-poverty-history.htm

More thoughts on Foreign Aid
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2005/05/more-thoughts-on-foreign-aid.htm

Elephant Corridors
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2005/05/elephant-corridors.htm

India News in Brief

This poster by Bob Linney is now available for schools and other fundraisers.

Elephant Wall Chart

A new wall chart for the Wild Lands Elephant Corridor project has been designed by local artist Bob Linney. The colourful poster is the size of an A3 sheet (12" x 17" = 30 cm x 42 cm) and is great for schools wanting to raise awareness or help raising funds. (See image to the right, and the banner at the top of this newsletter, which shows a detail of the chart.) If you would like a free copy, contact the WLT office.

Wildlife Trust of India visits the UK

Vivek Menon (Exec. Director, WTI) visited the UK in May and spent a day in the WLT office. He will be joining us again in October when we will be holding an ‘Evening of Elephants’ in Norwich. Please let us know if you would like further information.

Other News in Brief

OBE for WLT Trustee

WLT Trustee since 2002, Dr Nigel Simpson, was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, published on June 11 2005. It was awarded for "services to environmental conservation and the local communities in Ecuador". Nigel was one of the founders for the Fundación Jocotoco (FJ) in Ecuador, and his generous funding of the land acquisition programme enabled critical habitat for several endangered birds to be acquired by FJ.

World Land Trust Trustee Honoured in Queen's Birthday List
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2005/06/world-land-trust-trustee-honoured-in.htm

Just how green are biofuels?

Gasohol is presented as green petrol; the concept is superficially attractive - carbon is recycled from sugar cane to car to atmosphere and back to cane - but just how environmentally beneficial is it? WLT Trustee Professor Renton Righelato asks, and answers, this question in his guest article in Green Issues.

Just how green are biofuels?
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2005/06/just-how-green-are-biofuels.htm

Meet the WLT at the Bird Fair

Here is an 'advance notice': The British Birdwatching Fair takes place from August 19th to 21st at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water and caters for every bird and wildlife enthusiast. The World Land Trust staff and representatives from WLT partners, Programme for Belize and the Jocotoco Foundation will be present at the fair, so if you are planning on visiting, do come and see us at Stands number 14 and 15.

Bird Fair 2005 - Meet the World Land Trust at the British Birdwatching Fair
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/bird-fair-05.htm