Background of the Organisation:

Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) was established in the year 1992 by a small group of people from Chiplun, Maharasthra interested in undertaking conservation work. Mr. Bhau Katdare took the lead and announced a meeting to discuss nature conservation work and in the same meeting, the constitution and mandate of SNM was decided. Immediately afterwards, SNM was registered as a non-governmental organisation, and began its activities.

In the beginning we were engaged mostly in awareness programmes, which included nature trails, exhibitions, and contests in schools and colleges. Slowly we moved towards study and research of endangered species – and the Konkan region has a rich biodiversity. In little time we understood that this work is not sufficient; many individuals and organisations carry out research, but very little is actually done towards conservation. Hence, we decided to focus our activities on conservation oriented interventions.

Our Mission is “Nature conservation through eld protection, awareness, education and scientific base action.”

Where we Work:

SNM works throughout India but a major portion of our activities is focused along the Maharashtra coastline.

Activities:

We work towards conservation, research and awareness of the region’s biodiversity. Some of our important projects include:

• Conservation of marine turtles
• Conservation of white-rumped vultures
• Conservation of Indian swiftlet
• Conservation of white-bellied sea-eagle
• Project Mangrove
• Study of birds

Support for the Organisation:

Our organisation is supported by donations and contributions from citizens, private companies, trusts, and other non-governmental organisations in the country, some of whom work actively in the same area. As a policy, we regularly communicate with our donors and supporters, and ensure that we regularly send them annual reports, financial reports and information regarding our activities.

Role Within the Network:

With help from other members of the network, we will strengthen our efforts in conservation, research and awareness of marine turtles, and hope in return to contribute in our capacity to the best possible extent in each of the network’s activities. As the network is constituted of groups from all over the country with support from international organisations, we will certainly be bene ted as an individual organisation and as a network.

Contributed by Bhau Katdare, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra.

Contact information: Bhau Katdare, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra.
Postal address:Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra, Near Laxminarayan Temple, At & Post taluka: Chiplun, Dist. Ratnagiri – 415605, Maharashtra
Phone: +91 2355 – 253030; +91 9423831700; 9373610817
Email: snmcpn@rediffmail.com; sahyadricpn@gmail.com
Website: www.snmcpn.org