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Sprouting an ecologist in you & me

Anand Pendharkar quit his job to create awareness about environment among people.

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Today terms like global warming, energy shortage, eradication of species have entered the lexicon of the common man. But how many of us can really dream of quitting our cushy and high-paying jobs to save the environment?

Anand Pendharkar chose to give up his job to get liberated from the shackles of a six-digit paycheck and an urban life. In 2001, he realised he was comfortable outdoors and wanted to reconnect with the environment. He’s never looked back since.

The beginning
It all started in 1995. He was a teacher at the picturesque Doon School in Dehradun. One fine day, he was bitten by the ‘wildlife bug’. That’s it. His friends and students then set up a platform organisation called ‘Sprouts’. What started as a vacation club soon became a regular weekend activity.

In 1999, Anand shifted to Mumbai for personal reasons, but Sprouts didn’t die. “My job gave me the luxury to continue organising weekend workshops, give lectures or help other NGOs,” said Pendharkar, who is the director of Sprouts. Soon, the organisation saw many environmental enthusiasts joining in. And then there was no stopping them.

Journey, so far
Like any other non-profit organisations, Sprouts faced challenges. However, all of that didn’t affect Pendharkar’s morale. “It’s been like white water rafting — undertaken at will, wild and thrilling but at such breakneck speed that sometimes we tend to wonder if we are heading for a fatal crash,” says Pendharkar.

What started as a seven-member team now has more than 350 members and seven trustees. They have worked with groups of people from various backgrounds, from international tourists to tribals, from teachers to children. Their expertise as educators, environment communicators (including photographers) as well as trained researchers was sought by many schools, colleges, corporate groups as well as tour operators to educate and spread awareness about the earth’s changing environment.

However, their knowledge became their biggest drawback. This is because many volunteers — after training and gaining knowledge — moved on in life by either joining other NGOs or getting high-paying jobs. Apart from this, funding and marketing their projects has been tough. “Besides an inherent problem faced by many entrepreneurs, we are here working for our passion are constantly magnetised by corporate cushy jobs and non-field based jobs. So, keeping oneself on track under such high financial lure is a tough job,” adds Pendharkar.

Projects undertaken
In 2008, Sprouts launched an ‘Earth Mela’ because they felt a need to focus on the issues of conservation and bring about a mass movement. This year the central theme for the event is biodiversity. “Mumbai being a part of the Western Ghats has a very rich biodiversity. However, this is rapidly changing due to multiple problems such as urbanisation, increasing population, loss of green cover, mining and power plants. Therefore this year’s Earth Mela will focus on ways and methods to conserve our biodiversity,” Pendharkar added.

From film screenings and documentaries to discussions, photo exhibitions on flora and fauna found in our city to activities like face painting, poster and T-shirt painting will be part of the event. Eco-friendly products by organisations such as Matsya Crafts, Hide Out, Urban Leaves will also be sold. A cycle rally will also be held to motivate people.

Apart from this, they will also organise various activities such as nature trails, workshops, eco-leadership programmes, volunteer training programmes and nature camps to educate people and spread awareness about wildlife and environment conservation.
Earth Mela 2010 will be held at the Maharashtra Nature Park on April 24 and 25.

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