BCMCH STUDENTS PARTICIPATES IN WILDLIFE NATURE STUDY CAMP The Kerala Government “VAN MAHOTSAV-2023” provided a unique opportunity for 40 Medical Students representing the ‘Pranah Eco Club’ of the Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla to participate in a Two-Day Wildlife Nature Study Camp at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady organized by the Department of Forests and Wildlife, Government of Kerala. This Study Tour held on June 30 & July 1, was realized as part of the Social Forestry Mega Projects at BCMCH, a joint initiative of the Social Forestry Pathanamthitta Division, Believers Church Medical College Hospital (BCMCH) and the National Resource Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases (NRC-NCD). The Honourable Minister of Forests & Wildlife Shri A. K. Saseendran, who was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Function of the Social Forestry Projects & Eco Club on June 7 (which also marked the inauguration of DHRUVA College Union), seeing the enthusiasm of the Medical Students, made an official announcement that 40 Students will be invited as Special Guests of the State Level Inaugural Function of VAN MAHOTSAV-2023 being held at Thekkady on July 1, 2023 and instructed the Department Officials to make necessary arrangements for the same.. The students were accompanied by Prof. Dr Joji Joshua Philipose (Registrar BCMC & HOD Orthopaedics) and Dr. Roshin Mary Varkey (HOD, PMR). Mr. A. S. Asok (Range Officer, Social Forestry) accompanied the team throughout the camp visits and Dr Joji, who himself a nature enthusiast and adventurer guided the students. The Students attended the VAN MAHOTSAV – 2023 State Level Inauguration Ceremony and participated in various events including Public Meeting, Seminar on Man-Animal Conflict, Climate Change and Eco Development Measures led by eminent Faculties including Shri. Bennichan Thomas IFS (Principal CCF and Head of Forest Force) and Prof. P. O. Nameer (Dean, Kerala Agriculture University). It was a thrilling experience for the students to be part of the guided tour along with Forest Officials including a special Forest Trekking and Boating in the Mullaperiayar Dam Reservoir, where they could have a good view of Elephants, Gaur, Wild Boar, Barking deer, Darters, Shags, Cormorants, etc. Next morning, they were taken for Bird Watching Session, where they could identify many species including Crested Serpent Eagle, Coppersmith Barbet, Jungle Owlet, Blue-winged Parakeet, Jungle Myna and Great Wood Shrike among many others. They also visited the Ethnic Food Court and the Photo Exhibition as a part of the Van Mahotsav program. The trip was an eye opening and memorable experience for all the students. NRC-NCD @ BCMCH along with Dhruva College Union express its sincere gratitude to the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, the Honourable Minister Shri. A. K. Saseendran, who made this possible, the Officials of the Forest Department who have always been in touch with us, the BCMCH Management and to all those who have played different roles in making this Study Tour memorable. #thekkady #ecoclub #vanamahotsav #periyartigerreserve #forest #birdwatching #trekking #foresttrekking #BCMCH #Believershospital #Believersmedicalcollege