Nagavalli Village

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 Location  Ecosystem Type    Conservation Type    Area(hectare)  Legal status 
 Tumkur, Karnataka  Wetland Species Protection  Not Available  Not Available

Case Study (2009)

Background

Located in Tumkur district about 86 km from Bangalore, Nagavalli village peacefully co-exists with an endangered species, the slender loris, the smallest of the primates in India. Slender loris is found in abundance in and around Nagavalli village, and thanks to a government high school teacher the village is well aware and proud of this wealth in their backyard.

In 1996 some children saw two small ‘monkeys’ sleeping on a bamboo clump in the school compound. When the villagers searched the clumps, they were found to be slender loris which excited everyone, recalls the school teacher V. Gundappa . According to him subsequently several people in the vicinity started reporting to Gundappa about spotting the rare animal in their areas too. These primates are found in Lakkenahalli, Sopanahalli, Timmasandra, Pannasandra, Banavara, Bidrekatte, Dommanakuppe and Bellagere, all neighbouring villages of Nagavalli.

Today, children from schools in and around Tumkur visit Nagavalli to see the animal. Villagers’ have made friends with the loris and no one harms them. “We are used to seeing these animals throughout the day. Sometimes in the evenings we see them crossing the road or moving in the bush,’’ says Maruthi, a villager. Interestingly, slender loris can be easily spotted only during nights because it is a nocturnal animal. But, in Nagavalli, even a school kid can guide you to the tree where slender loris rest in broad daylight.

“Today, these primates are facing the danger of habitat destruction. A few electric wires which have come up in the village are also posing a threat. We have requested the government department to insulate the electric wires where the loris is usually found” says Gundappa. According to Tumkur deputy conservator of forests M. Parameshwar, the department could not make Nagavalli a popular spot as the exact number of these animals was difficult to estimate. Conservationists are now planning to put pressure on the forest department to declare the village as community conservation reserve, however that must be done with the consent of the villagers and with their full participation.” 

  This case study has been taken from Upadhye, A.S. ‘This village has an unusual friend’. The Sunday Times of India, Times City (Bangalore). Also see: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/ Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIBG&login=default&AW=1190527197187.Or write to: [email protected]  

Ameen Ahmed
Wildlife Aware Nature Club
Ghouse Buildings,
Horpet Main Road
Tumkur 572 101
Tel: 0816 2271643
Cell: 98800 00973
Website: www.wanc.org
Email:[email protected]
[email protected]

This case study was part of the Directory on Community Conserved Areas (2009), published by Kalpavriksh. The directory can be downloaded here.

Recent Updates

CCA South Asia Case Study: Nagavalli

A case study on Nagavalli, 2009, based on a field visit and other existing information which includes the case study in Community Conserved Areas – A Directory by Neema Pathak.

Related Information

Wildlife Aware Nature Club

A summary of the efforts for the protection of slender loris.

Slender Loris

Details about Slender Loris.

In search of the forest baby

An account of a person meeting the main conservationist behind the efforts for the slender loris and then seeing the animal itself.

Photo Gallery

If you wish to send us any pictures,  please email it to [email protected] and [email protected]

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