ATREE Study tours
About ATREE
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) based in Bangalore is a scientific research
institution that works to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use of resources.
ATREE is focused on applied research on the environment conservation. The institution has a long-term
commitment to solicit innovative perspectives to meet contemporary environmental challenges. The
institution is also a capacity building facility in environment conservation and policy research for
young students and professionals. It works on biodiversity conservation and in policy analysis and
implementation in two global hotspots of biological diversity in South Asia - the Western Ghats and the
Eastern Himalayas.
ATREE activities include
(i) basic and applied research on conservation,
(ii) policy analysis and implementation,
(iii) working with local communities to promote conservation practices to improve their livelihoods,
(iv) collaboration with researchers from different parts of the world,
(v) creating information base,
(vi) environment education programs,
(vii) supporting individuals and organizations advancing conservation and sustainable development initiatives,
(viii) awareness and information dissemination, and
(ix) capacity building initiatives.
ATREE Study Tour Programme
ATREE’s Study Tour programmes are an initiative to link the people with various backgrounds, from all
around the world to environment conservation. The objective is to build awareness among the participants,
about conservation of biological diversity for a sustainable future. It is visualized that this awareness
and concern for the environment may result in a change in the mindset of people and make environment
management in our daily activities a culture. An environment friendly attitude would be a step forward
in environment conservation, which today is imperative.
We suggest study tours on a subject of interest to the participants (subjects may even range from
aeronautical engineering to classical music), at scenic locations of Karnataka for a suitable duration
of time. On getting the requirement and interest areas of the participants we would customize a study
tour programme and integrate environment conservation related programmes. The tour would provide the
pleasure of an extraordinary ecological tour fulfilling the theme programme.
The study tour programme can be arranged for any number of people or varied age groups with a common subject of interest.
Locations for the Study Tour
Karnataka has been described as India’s Theatre of Inspiration, owing to its vastness and diversity. On
its way to becoming South Asia’s most preferred tourist destination, Karnataka currently attracts the
largest number of tourists in South India. We offer to conduct study tour in any of the tourist locations
of the state.
Karnataka is an enchanting land abounding in scenic beauty, rich is flora and fauna. It has pomp and
pageantry of glorious traditions and marvels of modern engineering. The wild game sanctuaries at Bandipur,
Nagarhole and Dandeli, the Ranganathittu Bird's Sanctuary –near Srirangapatna which is itself a well
known tourist center, hill stations like Mandy Hills and Kemmannagundi and Mercara, beach resorts like
Karwar, Ullal, Malpe and Maravanthe, the world famous Brindavan Gardens at Krishnarajasagara, the
monolithic statue of Gommateshwara at Sharavanabelagola, Gol Gumbaz with its whispering gallery at
Bijapur, the Jog falls and other water falls at Shiva Samudram, Magod, Unchelli or Lushington near
Siddapur, Lalguli at Yallapur and other places indicate the variety and richness of the attractions
that Karnataka State holds out to the tourists.
There are many places of historic and religious importance. The great Acharyas, Shankara, Ramanuja and
Madhwa, preached in this region. Great reformers like Sri Basaveshwara, mathematicians like Baskaracharaya,
commentators like Sayana, saint poets like Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa, great writers like Pampa,
Harihara and Kumara Vyasa have all enriched the heritage of Karnataka. The temples at Aihole, Badami and
Pattadakal in Bijapur district have great significance for all lovers of art. The temples of Halebedu,
Belur and Somanathapura are great architectural achievements - the like of which are rarely seen in any
part of the world.
The profusion of artistic skill is bewildering in its range and exquisiteness. At Hampi one can see Indian
sculpture in all its richness and vitality. The Muslims and Christians in ages past have made significant
contribution to the enrichment of art and architecture in Karnataka. The Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim-Roza at
Bijapur, the Daria Daulat Bagh (Summer Palace) of Tippu Sultan at Srirangapatna, the Khwaja Bandenawaz
Darga at Gulbarga are some of their remarkable contributions. The churches at Mysore, Mangalore,
Bangalore and Bijapur indicate the contribution of Christians to the great repertoire of Karnataka's
culture. With all these manifold attractions a visit to Karnataka State is always memorable.
The Western Ghats is a paradise, with numerous waterfalls and rocky mountains and national parks. This
provides the inspiration for any nature lover.
Two of the most recent study tours:
1)Sri Lankan Forest Department officials visited Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Kerala, India
20 officials visited India in July, 2003. They were shown various parts of Western Ghats and were given an
exposure to: tree improvement work and clonal plantations of Karnataka Forest Department, watershed
management and agro-forestry areas, medicinal plant conservation, integrated approach to forestry with
people’s participation, sandalwood forests, national parks and ATREE field’s research station in B.R.Hills.
This training fostered several exchange programs between the two neighboring countries.
2)Study tour of Ecole Superieure du Bois and Association de Voyage de Fin d’Etudes, Nantes, France -
74 students and 5 faculty members and journalists visited South India. The objective of the program was to
understand the wood industries in India, with a focus on conservation. They also visited the plywood
factories, saw mills, furniture factories, paneling industries and wood science research institutes to
get a glimpse of the Indian wood science and technology and do a comparative study with the French
institutes and industries. The students were given an orientation to Indian culture, where they
appreciated folk dances and Indian classical dances. They also visited the Rajiv Gandhi National Park to
get an insight into Indian wildlife and forest. The students really had a memorable trip to south India
and took back home a lot of information and fond memories.
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