In observance of Wildlife Week, Arulagam organised a special awareness and veterinary medicine camp in Kalithimbam and Ramaranai villages, located within the Thalamalai Forest Range of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The programme focused on vulture conservation and traditional veterinary medicine for livestock.
A key highlight of the event was the distribution of calves as compensatory support to villagers who had lost livestock to tiger and leopard attacks, helping protect their livelihoods. Mr. Raman, the village head of Ramaranai, and Mr. Badran, a resident of Kalithimbam, received calves in the first phase of this initiative.
Promoting Traditional Veterinary Medicine
The programme raised awareness about traditional veterinary treatments as an alternative to the use of banned, toxic painkiller drugs in livestock. Mr. Bharathidasan, Secretary of Arulagam, emphasised the importance of protecting both the livelihoods of communities living along forest fringes and the endangered vulture population.
Mr. Amirthalingam, Coordinator at Arulagam, outlined a plan to select individuals from the villages and train them in basic veterinary first aid. He also stressed the need to establish a Vulture Conservation Committee in each village.
Dr. Gokul from Gopals demonstrated traditional treatments for common livestock ailments, including pox, diarrhoea, bloating, intestinal ulcers and tick infestations, using natural ingredients such as betel leaves, black pepper, rock salt, cumin, drumstick leaves, pirandai (veldt grape) and tulsi (holy basil).
Mr. Balaji of the Forest Department handed over herbal medicines for livestock during the programme.
Students Learn About Vulture Conservation
The event was attended by Class 11 Commerce students from Kaumaram Sushila International School, accompanied by their teacher, Mrs. Chitra. The students learned about vultures and had the opportunity to observe White-rumped Vultures circling in the sky above the area.
Residents of Kalithimbam and Ramaranai participated in large numbers and benefited from the programme.
The event was coordinated by Sundari, biologist; Santhosh, artist; and Revathi and John, sociologists, from Arulagam.