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Pugmarks:
Making a marked difference
 Anirudh
Chaoji would love to have his office out in the
wilderness. But he knows it's a wild idea and
settles for a charming cubby hole. From here he
handles all enquiries pertaining to "Pugmarks",
an organisation that specialises in Ecotourism
- Wildlife tours and nature camps.
Around for just over a year, the activities of
"Pugmarks" was earlier conducted under
the auspices of Bhumata, an NGO started by Dr
Budhajirao Mulik, Hemanth Suryavanshi and Anirudh
himself. Having grown up in Amravati with
the Gugamal National Park and Melghat wild sanctuary
about 80-90 kms away, Anirudh was fortunate to
have parents who exposed him to the outdoors
at an early age.
People behind Pugmarks come from
diverse fields: landscaping, engineering, wildlife,
education. But one thing that binds them together
is, you have guessed it, their love for nature
and the intense desire to share their experience
with others.
 Students
are clearly a priority here, "We want young
people to fall in love with nature, respect it and
preserve it", sighs Anirudh. In the beginning
of every academic year "Pugmarks" compiles
a set of activities that are simple, yet effective
in communicating the message of environment protection,
"We have reverse osmosis at work here. Children
pass on Sanskaar to parents who may not be
environment conscious," says Anirudh. Thanks
to these environmental lessons, parents make sure
their PUC certificate is in place, turn down
plastic bags and make brave attempts to separate
the garbage, conscious of the major vigilance "happening"
at home. When Anirudh is asked if this sudden
awakening with regard to the Eco system is a lot
of hype, kind of a fad, he avers patiently,
"Call it a fad, a fashion, whatever you
wish". The fact is awareness is catching on
in a big way and that's a great sign. When a person
who you least expect to know or care about
environmental issues talks with sensitivity
about an environmental programme s/he watched
on television it truly warms your heart. |
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 When
asked about today's 'hep' city bred
generation and their awareness (or the lack of
it), he is quick to defend them. Every generation
is brighter, smarter and more aware than
the previous one. The media, undoubtedly, has
a big role to play here but to be fair to these
kids, most of them practice what we preach. "Pugmarks
frequently organises 2-3 days camps at "Tree
Tops" their Outdoor Education Centre situated
25 kms from Pune. Easily accessible with all the
necessary  infrastructure,
parents are comfortable sending the kids here
as it is not too far from the city.
There are lots of inspiring messages pasted on
the office wall. However, the one that is
crystal clear as the waters of Lakshadweep is
that the guys in there are doing a great job.
Address: Pugmarks, 595, Nandadeep Building,
Behind Sai Petrol Pump, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune
411 004.
Phone: 553 9078 / 400 4936
email:
info@ecotourindia.com
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