Jhargram: A novel initiative has been taken to try and involve children of local communities in curbing hunting in the forests of south Bengal.
A truck loaded with cameras, microscopes, wildlife films, books and virtual-reality experiences is taking a new conservation message to the doorsteps of children of traditional hunting communities — that the forest can be explored through a lens rather than a catapult.
The Jungle Truck, launched at Lalgarh Ramkrishna Vidyalaya ahead of Wildlife Week, is part of the ‘Catapults to Cameras’ programme of Kolkata-based conservation organisation Human & Environment Alliance League’s (HEAL).
It seeks to change how children growing up in hunting communities engage with wildlife, combining nature education with HEAL’s wider efforts against illegal hunting.
British deputy high commissioner Andrew Fleming, the chief guest at the launch, described the initiative as one of the most remarkable stories he had encountered during his career.
“This has been one of the most incredible single stories I have come across in my 40 years as a civil servant,” he said, as reported by The Times of India.
Special guest Tim Bowles, the first mayor of the West of England, also highlighted the role the children could play in shaping their communities.
“The people that inspire me the most are the children who are sitting in front of me — they are going to be the leaders in their community,” he said.
A simple experiment by internationally acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Ashwika Kapur gave birth to this project. Instead of telling five boys from hunting communities in Jhargram not to hunt, Kapur gave them cameras.
Ajoy, Tarash, Surajit, Lalu and Raja became the original participants of ‘Catapults to Cameras’, which has since reached more than 120 children. The five are now junior mentors to a new generation.
The Jungle Truck was conceived to bring an immersive wildlife experience to children who may otherwise have limited access to nature education, Kapur said.
“We’ve tried to create something truly extraordinary for these children — a Disney-level experience that brings the wonder of wildlife straight to their villages,” she said.
The larger goal For HEAL co-founder Meghna Banerjee is to prevent hunting from becoming an inherited way of life. “Our objective is to try and end widespread wildlife hunting in south Bengal, and we hope this is the generation that will end it,” she said.
The effort has also brought together several partners around the conservation effort. Nicco Park, whose much-loved mascot ‘Sheroo’ joined children and delegates at the launch, provided key equipment including the projector, microscopes, VR equipment and cameras.
The British Council donated a collection of wildlife and nature books, with children even using AI technology to translate some English-language titles into Bengali during the launch.
Reaching children between eight and 12 was crucial, as many begin joining seasonal hunts around 14, HEAL co-founder Suvrajyoti Chatterjee said.
The programme has already shown signs of influencing families: father of Raja said he no longer hunts birds, while the initiative has begun including its first cohort of girls.
For eight-year-old Mala Kisku, the truck has already created a dream: “I want to drive this truck when I grow up.”
