Maitrivan

Environment and Animal Welfare Educational Park And Sanctuary

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man” - Mahatma Gandhi - 1869 – 1948

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

2. MISSION STATEMENT

3. OBJECTIVES  

i.       Animal rights and animal cruelty issues

ii.      Environmental issues

iii.     Health aspects 

i.       Daily programmes

ii.      Weekends

iii.     Summer camps

iv.     Internships 

6. PROPOSED LOCATION

7. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

8. STAFF 

9. DETAILED BUILDING PLAN

10. SUSTAINABILITY

11. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS 

12. CV OF THE PROJECT COORDINATOR

Summary 

Maitrivan - Environment and Animal Welfare Educational Park and Sanctuary

Introduction:

There is much animal cruelty and environmental degradation due to lack of education or motivation, and commercial interests. The object of this park will be to cultivate in the visitor a genuine compassion for animals and motivation to preserve the environment. Emphasis would be on healthy living and healing various illnesses through healthy diet. These topics will be presented in a fun and interesting way. Homeopathy will be given a prominent role as a form of treatment to be used only when required.

Project descriptions:

The proposed park would be based on at least 20 acres of land, between Mumbai and Pune so that it would be easily accessible from these 2 cities as well as a major airport.

Land would be allowed to regenerate and be conserved. Buildings would be built simply and ecologically, in the original style of the area. There would be

1. An area reserved for forest.
2. An area reserved for rescued domesticated animals including chicken, geese, goats, cows, buffalo, horses, donkeys, rabbits etc. Future projects would be a large aviary for rescued birds, which could be treated and if possible released back into the wild and area where rescued monkeys could be grouped and released into the wild. If possible other animal areas could also be included.
3. An area reserved as grazing grounds for animals.
4. An organic farm area that will serve the needs of the staff and restaurant.
5. A theatre cum auditorium.
6. An exhibition hall where various NGO’s related with environmental and animal welfare could display information about themselves to allow visitors to join those organizations, which interest them, or subscribe to various magazines.
7. A library and bookshop where books would be available regarding these subjects.
8. A vegan restaurant and kitchen.
9. A dormitory type accommodation for children and school groups.
10. Guest cottages for visitors.
11. Veterinary clinic.
12. Residential complex for staff.

Sustainability

The project shall be built up initially by donations. After this it is expected to be sustainable through entrance fees and fees for summer camps, as well as income from the guesthouses and hotels.

Mission Statement 

To cultivate compassion for all species and this planet, and to promote environmental consciousness, and promote naturally healthy lifestyles and diet.

Objectives 

To promote compassion for animals and to deal with animal rights issues

Reduce animal suffering. Animals are subjected suffering in various areas such as those listed below -

1. Zoos. Cases have been documented where animals have suffered severe emotional distress in zoos. The very fact that their life span diminishes and they do not breed as easily in captivity confirms this. Few people realize that zoos amount to life imprisonment for these animals, who are torn away from their environment, their social structure, and often maintained in an unsuitable climate.
2. Farms – poultry farms, dairies and other breeders of animals used as food often deprive the animal of basics rights such as a clean environment and enough place to move around.
3. Science – animal experiments are often conducted which are unnecessary such as: 
   (i) Dissection in schools and colleges. Excellent alternatives are now available. 
   (ii) Experiments which are conducted, but whose results are already available. 
   (iii) Those experiments which when done on animals do not yield any results because to translate them in human terms 
         is not possible.

In those conditions where animal experimentation is necessary, it should be   conducted in a humane way, making the animal as comfortable as possible.

4. Items made from animal products. Often the items made from animal products are not necessities and also alternatives are available.
5. Entertainment – animal abuse is prevalent in the cinema industry, advertisements, as well as various festivals and games. Race horses who are not up to the mark are often put to death after years of hard work. Elephants, snakes, camels, bears are a few of the many examples of animals that are abused on our streets
6. Pets – Pet owners are often unaware of the animal’s care needs. Pets often suffer in the homes of their owners from lack of care or lack of understanding. Keeping birds in cages is an inconsideration on the part of the owner for the need of the animal. ‘Pet factories’ also are involved in inhumane practices like inbreeding and destroying less attractive animals as well as ill treatment of animals in their custody. Owners are often unaware that a purebred animal due to the inbreeding is more vulnerable to medical problems than mixed breeds.

In order to help reduce animal suffering we will do the following:

1.   The park shall provide a permanent shelter to a large variety of rescued domestic   animals that have been abused in various ways by the industry – cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, horses, chicken, ducks, turkeys, pigs, rabbits etc. These animals will be our ambassadors and will provide an opportunity for visitors to interact and learn about the feelings of other sentient beings.

2.   We will inform about animal cruelty through films and theatre.

3.   Hold discussions about what every citizen can do individually to avoid cruelty.

4.   Explain Indian laws regarding animal rights and animal welfare and promote the implementation of these laws.

5.   Explain to children their own rights regarding dissection.

6.   Instruction about whom to report incidents of cruelty to, and how to do it effectively.

7.   Initiate compassion clubs in schools.

8.   Hold contests and award prizes related to animal compassion to promote awareness. Poster competitions and essay competitions, debates and elocution competitions.

9.   Collaborate with other animal welfare organizations.

10. Conduct animal care internships, para-veterinary courses and animal welfare courses for people who would like to work in this field. We will research and use as far as possible homeopathic medications for the animals, and conduct workshops in the use of homeopathy in animal care.

11. Take legal action against animal rights offenders. 

To promote awareness about environmental conservation –

Various issues such as: 

1. Soil conservation.
2. Composting.
3. Kitchen gardens.
4. Vermiculture
5. Water harvesting.
6. Reafforestation.
7. Natural farming.
8. Pesticide problems and alternatives
9. Recycling

    will be dealt with through -

1. Films and theatre, discussions.
2. Practical training sessions on the land.
3. Essay and poster competitions. Debates and Elocution competitions
4. Internships in land regeneration and natural farming.
5. Outreach program educating local farmers on sustainable practices.

To promote healthier lifestyles:

Visitors will be advised on healthy diet based on Natural Hygiene principles, and explained what they can do to take their health in their own hands. They will be explained through workshops and lectures about –
1.      Organic food, healthy cooking.
2.      Food combining.
3.      Vegan lifestyle – questions regarding food deficiencies and health aspects of these.
4.      Once the hotel facilities come up we will allow patients to come and live, be monitored and given specific diets for their          complaints. This may be complimented with homeopathic treatment. The aim will be to cure them and to help them
         reorganize their diet so that they do not have recurrences.
5.      To research and document the effective use of homeopathic medicines on animals.

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that is ecological, non polluting, non invasive, economical and based on natures laws. It reaches the deepest level, the energetic level of our existence. 

As all the above topics are inter- related, we will have an exhibition hall where all animal rights, and environmental organizations can display a poster explaining their work so that interested people may join, donate, etc.

Target audience  

Environmental education has become compulsory in India, so a visit to the park would be a good educational trip for schools.

Daily programmes

Weekdays would be for school groups and all activities and programs would be arranged in various languages and levels depending on the needs of the visiting class or group.

Weekends would be for families and groups and the program would be one of a more general nature with a timetable and options for different tours in different languages.

Holiday programmes

During summer holidays there would be 2 - 3 week long summer camps for small groups of older children and young adults, age-wise, where the registrants would participate in the farming and animal care activities and study more about ecology. Effort would be made to promote the idea that looking after animals and the environment can be fun, and not a deprivation, and to explain the necessity of conservation for our own future.

Senior Citizen’s programmes

To guide them to promote environmentally friendly practices in their areas like vermiculture, garbage separation, composting.

Internships

These would be for one to several months and would be according to the need of the intern. He / she would be required to join in the work and would be taught in the process.

Internships would be in the area of animal care, ecology or health depending on the needs of the intern.

Special Events

The park could be booked for special events such as birthdays and parties where the event would be celebrated in the special environment. Educational programs would be specially chosen for the event.

Workshops for local farmers and residents

These would be held periodically and would be free of cost. We would provide assistance and guidance to local farmers who want to turn organic and we would also hold animal care check ups for the animals of local farmers and advise them on animal care and respect.

Homeopathic and health workshops

Area descriptions 

The theme park would be based on about 20 acres of land initially and would be expanded when possible. The land would be allowed to regenerate and be conserved. Buildings would be built simply and ecologically, in the original style of the area, using natural materials as far as possible. 

The land would be divided into several zones –

1. An area reserved for forest.
2. An area reserved for the domesticated rescued animals. After expansion of the area, there would be a large aviary for rescued birds, which could be treated and if possible released back into the wild. And an area where rescued monkeys could be collected to form a group that could be released into the wild. If possible other animal areas could also be included.
3. An area reserved as grazing grounds for the animals.
4. An organic farm area that will serve the needs of the staff and restaurant.
5. Area where most buildings will be concentrated. The main buildings will be  -

i.  A theatre cum auditorium.

ii.  An exhibition hall where various NGO’s related with environmental and animal welfare could display information about themselves to allow visitors to join those organizations, which interest them, or subscribe to various magazines.

iii.  A library and bookshop where books would be available regarding these subjects.

iv.  A vegan restaurant and kitchen

v.  A dormitory type accommodation for school groups children

vi.  Guest cottages for visitors.

vii.  Veterinary clinic

viii.  Residential complex for staff

Proposed location  

Between Mumbai and Pune - as this area usually gets adequate rainfall and there are several lakes and rivers, (a body of water on the land is required for the animals). This would serve two big cities, and would be near a major airport. Bombay – Pune road is one of the roads with the heaviest traffic. A large number of people pass by daily.

Stages of development 

The project would be built up in 3 stages –

Stage 1  - Animal areas and Land preparation 

1. Preparing the land – forest area, improving the land for the organic farm, and grazing area. Fencing.
2. Building sheds for the animals.
3. Staff quarters
4. Veterinary clinic and rooms.
5. Store rooms and kitchen.

After this stage the rescued animals can be homed and cared for. Visitors would be allowed on prior appointment. 

Stage 2 - Buildings for visitors  

1. Auditorium
2. Exhibition hall
3. Restaurant and kitchen
4. Bookstore and library
5. 2 sets of toilets
6. More staff quarters
7. Entrance, reception, ticket office

After this stage, day trips and internship programs as well as special programs would begin.

Stage 3 -   Residential Facilities

1. Dormitory for students
2. Guest house and hotel
3. Snack bar

Completion of this stage would allow long term visits for the summer camps and health visitors.

(Stage 4 – Expansion. This would be according to the needs, and could include expanding grazing areas, farm lands, forests with aviary and monkey enclosure. This stage is not included in this proposal)

Staff

Watchmen - 4
Administrative staff – 2
Caretakers for animals – 6
Natural farming professionals and Forestry Professionals - 2
Gardeners and Forestry workers – 6
Consultants and Advisors - Advertising and web master, accountant, lawyer.
Veterinarians – 2
Cleaners - 6
Guides for visitors - 4
Receptionists – 2
Head cook - 1
Kitchen staff - 6
Serving staff - 6
Technical staff - 2
Theatre staff - 2
Staff for the bookstore and exhibition area. - 2

Architectural Plan 

All buildings will be single storied or two-storied. The buildings for humans will be compactly grouped around a courtyard and the animal shelters, species specific, will be spread out. There will be a common courtyard and separate areas for different species. Materials used will be traditional. The architectural style will be inspired by the surrounding vernacular using ecologically sound materials. The energy and waste disposal systems will be designed using environmentally friendly processes. A hybrid power system using power from the local grid, solar panels and biogas generator will serve the needs in an optimum manner. Passive solar system will be used throughout to provide hot water. 

Stage 1 (All estimates are on a per square meter basis in rupees. Rs 100 is approx US$2.20, or about Euros 2.00 and 1lakh Rs is approximately US$2222, and Euros 2000) 

1. Cost of the land near a water source (lake / river)  50 lakhs

2. Fencing.                                                               12 lakhs

3. Sheds for animals -
    The sheds will be species-specific. The structures will be open with easy to clean floor and proper drainage. The area for   
    horses and cows will have facilities to collect the urine and dung to convert to biogas. Water and feed areas will be
    constructed.
    10 nos. x 100 sqm x Rs. 5000 =                           50 Lakhs

4. Food and Fodder Store for Animals
    100 sqm x Rs.8,000 =                                            8 Lakhs 

5. Staff quarters
    These will be single and two-storied structures grouped around a common open space. These units will house core staff 
    and the rest will commute from nearby villages.
    2 nos. x 150 sqm x Rs. 10000 =                             30 Lakhs
    2 nos. x 100 sqm x Rs. 10000 =                             20 Lakhs
    10 nos. x 60 sqm x Rs. 10000 =                             60 Lakhs

6.  Veterinary Clinic
    This will have two treatment rooms and one air-conditioned operating theatre. A doctor’s room and storerooms for 
    medicines and equipment will be provided. There will be sheds for sick animals and animals recovering after operations.
    200 sqm x Rs.10000 =                                           20 lakhs

     Total land and building costs –                    Rs 2, 50,00,000

Stage 2

1. Auditorium
The auditorium will hold 200 people with simple seating and high quality acoustics and modern audio-visual equipment like LCD projectors, plasma screen etc. It will be designed in such a way that it can be partitioned in the middle to hold two groups at a time. An open-air amphitheatre will be attached to the outside so that the stage and sound facilities can be shared.
   500 sqm x Rs.12,000 =                                           60 lakhs

2. Exhibition Hall
The exhibition space will be in the form of a large courtyard with verandas all around. There will be a permanent section and another part will house traveling exhibitions. The inner space, open to sky, can be used for gatherings and get-togethers.
   200 sqm x Rs.8,000 =                                              16 lakhs 

3. Restaurant and Kitchen
This will cater vegan food to about 200 people. The kitchen will be designed with materials that are long lasting and easy to maintain. The kitchen will be visible from the dining area so that it is kept clean and uncluttered all the time.
   700 sqm x Rs. 10,000 =                                           70 lakhs

4. Bookstore, Library and Multimedia Centre
This building will be a two-storied structure with a skylight. The entrance will be through a reception area with a bookstore to one side. The books will be arranged along the outer walls and seating will be in the middle.
   150 sqm x Rs. 10,000 =                                              15 lakhs                                                                      

5. Reception
Reception with ticket office and snack bar will be grouped together with the auditorium, library, restaurant and the exhibition area.
    150 sqm x Rs. 8000 =                                                 12 lakhs 

    Total Stage 2                                                    Rs 1,73,00,000 

Stage 3

1. Dormitory for Students 

This will accommodate about 100 beds with common toilets and bathrooms.  

    300 sqm x Rs. 8,000 =                                                 24 lakhs 

2. Guesthouse with Cottages

The cottages and the hotel will be in a separate section of the property away from the crowd to function as a resort for patrons and guests wanting to spend a quiet time in aesthetic surroundings. These will be designed in ethnic style with high quality bathrooms and a small kitchenette with private patios. 

    10 nos. x 50 sqm x Rs. 12000 =                                    60 lakhs

3. Hotel (25 rooms) 

This will be a high-class hotel built and run ecologically with its own kitchen and dining facilities, which can also be shared by the cottages. 

    1000 sqm x Rs. 12,000 =                                               120 lakhs   

     Total Stage 3  -                                                    Rs 2,04,00,000

Additional Expenditure - Infrastructure
Infrastructure and landscaping                                               20 lakhs
Vehicles and ambulances                                                      30 lakhs
Furniture and equipment, lump-sum                                       50 lakhs
Unforeseen and contingencies (consultancy fees)                    50 lakhs
Total infrastructure and contingencies –                     1,50,000,00

Total projected expenditure

                                                            Stage 1               2,50,00,000
                                                            Stage 2               1,73,00,000
                                                            Stage 3               2,04,00,000
                                                            Infrastructure      1,50,00,000
                                                                                  _____________
                                                                                        7,77,00,000

Sustainability

The money for buying the land, developing and building will be raised through donations. Once built, the project is expected to be self- sustainable. Most of the food for the animals and also much of the vegetables for the restaurant will be grown on the land. We will charge each student Rs. 100 for the visit and will be able to take at least 2 groups of 100 students each per day, on weekdays. On weekends we will charge more – Rs. 250 per head for adults and Rs. 150 for children. Summer camps would be for Rs. 500 a day, as they would include instruction and food and lodging. There will be special scholarships from donations to the ill-affording. This money would be used in the everyday maintenance of the place and salaries.

Income from the hotels and guesthouses will be used for repairs and upgrading.

Donations will be used to extend the area and be able to restore more land or rescue more animals. 

Financial Requirements 

Buildings

Salaries 

PROJECTED INCOME  

The minimum projected income from visitors will be Rs 37,85, 000

The total yearly salaries will be                                  Rs 29,74,000

This should leave a balance of  Rs   8,11,000 to cover  other expenses such as water, electricity, medicines, additional food, seeds, irrigation system, petrol, cooking gas, etc. Besides this at the end of the 3^rd phase the hotel and guest house will start generating income.  

STAGE 1 expenditure

STAGE 2 expenditure

STAGE 3 expenditure

The project coordinator will not ask for a salary until the sanctuary is completely self sustainable at which time, if needed she will get a salary equal to that of the highest paid full time worker on the premises. All other workers will be paid workers except volunteers. After the 3^rd phase it is possible that there is more income from the hotels. This will be utilized to increase in size the forest, the farm area and increase the capacity of the animal shelter.

Various schemes to promote the sanctuary and invite donations will be organized such as 
Adopt an animal.
Leave an inheritance
Donate a building

CV of Project Coordinator 

Name: Nandita Shah

Date of Birth: 15/2/ 1959

Address: 22 Matru Chhaya, 70 Marine Drive, Mumbai 400 020 India.

Telephone: +91 22 22814949
Alternative number: 0413-2623007

Qualifications:

Registered Homeopathic Medical Practitioner LCEH from Chandaben Mohanbhai Patel Homeopathic Medical College, Mumbai, graduated 1981.

Experience:

1. Private practice from 1981 to present; 1981 – 1999 in Mumbai and from 1999 – 2004 at Quiet Healing Centre, Auroville, Tamil Nadu.
2. Teaching and public Speaking : Since 1989 teaching homeopathy in India. Since 1992 giving seminars, workshops and speaking at conferences  in (Germany, Austria, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Finland, UK, Slovak republic, and Russia), Israel, USA, Brazil. Papers published in several homeopathic journals.
3. Teaching and advocating a diet based on Natural Hygiene principles as a form of healing and maintaining health to patients and students, and also in the form of a lecture a for senior citizens club.
4. Attended and assisted in several workshops held by Fukuoka and his assistants about Natural farming.
5. Have basic training in Yoga and yogic sciences.
6. Member of several animal organizations including PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals) BWC (Beauty without Cruelty), IDA (In Defense of Animals) in Mumbai, Blue Cross of Hyderabad, SPCA of Pondicherry. Worked actively with SPCA of Pondicherry in the animal shelter, and ABC program.
7. Given animal compassion program at elementary village schools in the Auroville region based on PETA’s Compassionate Citizen program.
8. Taking active action in the form of letter writing for campaigns for various animal organizations like WWF, Farm Sanctuary (USA), Humane Society (USA), Fund for Animals (USA), Compassion over Killing (USA), Defenders of Wildlife (USA) since 1996
9. Organized and held a Flea Market for Animals in Mumbai in June 2003, as a way to recycle used goods and educate people on animal welfare. Funds were divided between 3 animal organizations, namely BWC, PETA, and Karuna  Trust, Mumbai, and materials were handed over to WSD (Welfare of stray dogs).
10. Member of several environmental organizations and taking active action in the form of letter writing for campaigns – Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council since 1996.
11. One month internship done in June 2004 at Farm Sanctuary, NY, USA. This is an organization with 175 acres of land and approximately 500 rescued farm animals, promoting similar ideals of veganism for health, environment and animals.