Volleyball Tournament - A Vulture Awareness Initiative in the Nilgiris | January 1st 2026
When Youth, Sport, and Conservation Unite : A Vulture Awareness Initiative in the Nilgiris - Volleyball Tournament on January 1st 2026
Arulagam is a nature conservation organisation with over 23 years of experience in safeguarding ecosystems and working closely with communities across Vulture Safe Zones in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The organisation has been deeply involved in vulture conservation, addressing the rapid decline of vulture populations through field research, awareness programmes, and strong community partnerships.
On 1st January 2026, the Allimoyar youth of the Nilgiris organised a Volleyball Tournament, bringing together 18 teams from tribal villages across the Nilgiris and Erode districts. Recognising this gathering as a valuable outreach opportunity, Arulagam leveraged the event to spread awareness about vulture conservation among the local communities.
For the past three years, Arulagam has been supporting this event by sponsoring the third prize cash award of ₹5,000, recognising the tournament as an important platform for community engagement. In 2026, the tournament saw the participation of 18 teams from the Nilgiris and Erode districts, with a gathering of youngsters and community members. Recognising the strength of this collective presence, Arulagam decided to integrate a vulture conservation awareness programme into the event, transforming a sports gathering into a meaningful space for learning, and shared responsibility.
The event was coordinated by Mr. Paraman, Field Coordinator, Arulagam, who worked closely with the local community members and encouraging active participation throughout the programme. The presence of State Street volunteers added further strength to the initiative, creating an opportunity for meaningful interaction between corporate volunteers and the local tribal community.
At the beginning of the programme, Arulagam team addressed the gathering at Thengumarahada and introduced the organisation and about Arulagam’s long-standing work in vulture conservation, explaining the ecological importance of vultures and the serious threats they face. He also shared information about Arulagam’s efforts in sand dune conservation, livelihood support, and tribal education, helping the audience understand how conservation is closely linked to community well-being. This introduction created a strong foundation for the day’s activities and helped the community connect conservation issues with their own lives.
Following the awareness session, the Arulagam team distributed vulture-printed awareness T-shirts carrying a conservation message (T-shirt with the quote of பாறு செழித்தால் பாரும் செழிக்கும்- "For the World to Flourish, the Vulture must Prosper.") to the volleyball players, including winners, runners-up, and participants. The T-shirts served not only as a token of appreciation but also as a reminder of the importance of protecting vultures and maintaining ecological balance. This approach ensured that the conservation message continued to travel beyond the event.
To further deepen community engagement, a fingerprint painting activity was organised, encouraging participants to take part in conservation through art. The vulture outline was designed by Mr. Santhosh, Artist, and the activity was initiated by the State Street volunteers, who participated alongside community members. Using their fingerprints to fill the vulture’s body, both volunteers and local people symbolically expressed their responsibility in protecting wildlife. The activity created a joyful and inclusive atmosphere, with participants actively engaging and expressing pride in contributing to the artwork.
In addition to this, wall paintings were carried out at Kuzhithuraipatty at Forest Department building. The vulture outline was drawn, and the painting was completed jointly by Arulagam team members and State Street volunteers. These wall paintings now stand as permanent visual reminders of vulture conservation, reinforcing awareness among the community and visitors alike.
Overall, the event successfully brought together sports, conservation awareness, art, and community interaction into a single platform. The presence of young participants, active community involvement, and volunteer participation made the programme impactful and meaningful. The collaboration between Arulagam, State Street volunteers, and the local community strengthened relationships and reaffirmed the belief that conservation efforts are most effective when people come together with shared purpose and commitment.
Through such community-driven and creative initiatives, Arulagam continues to strengthen local stewardship for vulture conservation, ensuring that awareness translates into long-term protection for these irreplaceable guardians of ecosystem health.