Kipling’s Mowgli revisited at Sunderban to save the tiger

On 1ST & 2nd of May 24th Asoka Group,South Calcutta Bharat Scouts & Guides organized a camp in Sunder ban’s Bali island in collaboration with We Stand for Environment & Education ( WEE). WEE is a society dedicated to environment & education to create an awareness among the local people to save the tiger in order to save Sunder ban from further demise.

As a part of this programme, the Scouts & Rovers between the age group of 10 to 20 years hiked up to Ruby Hospital from Ballygunge Jagadbandhu Institution on bicycles. The enthusiastic group of young boys along with their mentors acted out a short skit dealing with the theme of awareness in the camp. Kipling’s Mowgli was enacted at the heart of the mangrove, through the play, to convey the message of conserving forests & its population. The local people had a mixed response to this message. Although they did not totally agree with the idea of saving the tiger, for the animal at times is really a menace for them, the play still managed to have an impact on them. Some of them also said that, now they do not frequent the forest for cutting wood or for collecting honey as slowly they are beginning to realize that the survival of the forest is directly proportionate to the survival of the people who depend on it.

The skit also focused on the impact of the Tiger on tourism and the impact of tourism on the livelihood of the people of Sunder ban. A medical camp was organized at Bali bazaar & medicine was freely distributed among the people. Veteran physician, Dr Snaggy Dasgupta gave free medical check-ups to the local people who attended the camp. The response of the medical camp was very positive. Clothes were also distributed among women.

On the whole the programme was an immense success.