Bhargava,
It is unfortunate, that tourists feed deers and other animals on that road. The problem is most of the tourists don't know, so they feed animals. Of course a few wildlife photographers feed and then click pictures, but that is another story.

Raising awareness is fine. I don't think the pamplet distribution and returning etc idea is workable. Putting that to action is a logistics issue. I don't think we need to get into complicated solutions.

However, a few messages like "Feeding animals is a crime and the car numbers will be tracked via remote cameras. Penalty 20,000 rupees." That will reduce the problem.

For raising awareness, I will not support printing more papers which will be dumped into the roadside (not even a waste paper basket).

I am happy that some amount of effort is put in by the JLR drivers. However, they need to be trained to deliver the right message. These tour lodges charge so much of money, that even our well placed members find it difficult to afford it. So why can't they take the responsibility? All the resorts should be pitching in with their efforts.

As far as writing to members of IndiaWilds for funds, I disagree. As a matter of principle, I will only encourage activities where I am sure that I can put in efforts to raise funds and in case funds are not raised, I should be able to take care of the requirement monetarily.

You guys talk about conservation as if it is some kind of coffee corner discussion in a college. I have been trying to raise funds for sponsoring a biologist for a course abroad to learn census techniques. Till now the people who have contributed are very serious members, and hardly a handful of them are wildlife photographers with expensive Canon L series lenses. Sponsorship requirement for a workshop abroad - Indiawilds: Land of the Tiger. Conservation, Wildlife Photography, Communities

Also, I don't want to get involved in any fund raising where I don't have any control over implementation, lest my hard earned reputation and integrity is lost for ever. I can't ask people to contribute where I am not sure that their hard earned money is put to good use. If I take up a cause, I do so, whether anyone supports it or not.

As IndiaWilds, we will definitely do many on the field activities in the future. All those activities will be carefully chosen so that it makes significant contribution to the conservation arena.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi