Opening of Amber Eco Trail -- March 9, 2003
We recently opened Amber Eco Trail. Believed to be the first ecology trail in India, Amber Eco Trail aims to raise awareness of environmental challenges and how they can be tackled. The Trail is very practical and visitors can come away with a clear idea of what they can do to help the environment.
"We try to introduce people of all ages to basic eco concepts in a way that is accessible, enjoyable and memorable." says Dr Rashmi Dickinson of Amber Trust. "Everyone can play a role in improving the environment. But, what are the problems? And what we can do? Amber Eco Trail answers these two questions."
Amber Eco Trail is designed as a walk in the countryside - with a difference! Every so often, the visitor reaches Interpretation Stations. Each of these presents a major environmental concept such as "deforestation". The Interpretation Stations use a combination of questions and answers, photographs and explanations of the living landscape. In this interactive way, the trail covers a full range of eco topics; here we learn about saving water with water harvesting, different types of irrigation and water conservation with mulching; next, we can see the effects of deforestation; over there, we experience different habitats - such as desert and wetlands. And so on.
"More than 2500 plants have been put in and over 100 different species of birds have been logged in and around the Eco trail. We also have plentiful insects, reptiles and wild mammals. Even Pushkar, the resident camel, has a clear role; he shows visitors how traditional lime mortar can be made!"
Indeed Amber Eco trail makes the most of traditional practices and values; for example, there is a traditional desert kund and the open air auditorium is built in a traditional way. But the Trail will also introduce newer ideas such as vermi composting, renewable power (solar and wind) and recycling.
"Most of our visitors are children
in school groups. over 600 have visited the Trail so far!" adds Rashmi
"We take them into an amazing living classroom where they can enjoy
a marvellous experience whilst learning something really important. We need
to excite them and make the environment a topic of fascination and interest.
Only then will we see environmental responsibility in future generations.
We hope to replace indifference and apathy with interest and action".