The document summarizes the transformation of the village of Dethali, India from an agriculture-dependent community to one focused on avian tourism. Key points: - The village constructed a large lake over 8 years to store water, addressing drought issues. Additional small lakes were also built. - An area near the lake, called Jambuvan, was developed with trees to shelter and feed birds. Over 80 trees were initially planted representing the age of a local monk. - Jambuvan now attracts many migratory and resident bird species, including cranes, storks, herons, ducks, and more. Islands were also created in the lake as bird habitats. -

1. Introduction to a Typical Indian
village transformation from
agriculture to Avian Tourism
16-Oct-2012
-By Mayur Shah –
-Dethali Gram Vikas Mandal

2. Where is Dethali
90KM from Ahmedabad, Population of 1300 people, 40% live below
poverty line. Many occupation is Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

3. Dethali Gram Vikas Mandal -
- Selfhelp group and their activities -
• Water conservation Digging a main lake and 10 more
surrounding small lakes.
• Main lake is in 30 Acres of area and can hold upto 90
million litre of waters.
• Was dug over a period of 8 years. Water can store
upto two years even without rains.
• Dairy development
• Road building and School Infrastructure improvement
• Ground water channel replenishment
• And many more….

4. Picture of Lake filled with Water - 2011
A draught prone area
converted to water surplus by
storing surface water.

5. Concept of Jambuvan
• Once digging was over the lake front had to be
developed to keep the lake intact.
• An idea was conceived to create a beautiful forest
by growing tree on the bank of Lake.
• The trees will give enough strength and conserve
water both in their roots and canopy will help
reduce evaporation
• Jambuvan in the memory of late Jain Monk
Jambuvijayji (A globally renowned scholar and
strong believer in Jivadaya) was planned.

6. Initial Plan
Based on the principles a plan was drawn to grow 87 trees (87 years was his mortal
age) which will attract birds, give them shelter, food and peace. People will get
peace while praying here.
Jambuvan
Gate Deri Trees
(Temple)
Which was later evolved into a bigger project

7. Project Jambuvan (Natural chabutaro)
in revised avatar
Jambuvan
Sustainable
Tourism
Spirituality
Environment (Village uplifting
(Making of unique and awareness for
pilgrim place) (development of
Lake, lakefront and birds)
birds)

8. What is Chabutaro
Dethali’s Chabutaro
An Oasis for granivorous birds. People keep grains and
water on elevated platform with shelter

9. Ariel shot of Jambuvan and Lake
Shallow
DEEP

10. A shape similar to Maharashtra

11. Grand Entrance

12. From Entrance to Deri

13. Place for deri (temple for Jambuvijayji)
under Banyan Tree

14. Work Under progress for strengthening Lake
front and defense wall

15. Creation of JambuDweep (Islands in lake)
as an oasis for birds

16. Migratory and Resident patrons of
Jambuvan
• Saraus cranes • Oriental Honey Bazzard - Male
• Painted Stork • Black Ibis or Red nipped Ibis
• Eurasian Spoonbill • Woolly-necked Stork
• Cattle Egret • Common Teal
• Cattle Egret with orange • Little Green Bee-Eater
neck • Purple Sunbird
• Little Cormorant • Common Hoopoe
• Spot billed Duck • Baya Weaver
• CombDuck • Chestnut headed Bea-Eater
• Mallard • Common Kingfisher
• Black Winged Stilt • Grey Plover
• Painted Stork • Drongo Birds
• Indian Pond Heron • Pied (white) Wagtail
• Black headed IBIs or Asian White IBIS
• Purple Heron
• Lesser Whistling duck
STILL A LOT OF THEM TO BE INDETIFIED……

17. 6 Ft Saraus Crane pair with cub

18. COMB-DUCK

19. Painted Storks

20. Urasian Spoonbills

21. Lake filled with water
As on Sept-30-2012

22. Future Plans – more Trees around Lake
front and more Islands within Lake

23. Involving next generation
- Art work by Dethali Primary School kids-
CLEAN VILLAGE--CLEAN LAKE
ART COMPETITON.
The participation by Village kids and their pious
thoughts for cleanliness, Environment and Jeevadaya
was an eye-Opener

24. Ms. Meera Sanyal CEO Royal bank
of Scotland, India at Jambuvan site Joint meeting with Trustees and
on her visit to Dethali on villagers at Jambuvan – May-6-
18-march-2012 2012
Visit by Distinguished guests
Renowned Scientist Dr. Arvind Patel
and Mr. Sakuma of Daiwa Securities
Japan at Dethali to talk on modern
and sustainable agriculture
July-7-2012

25. Towards Avian Special Zone…
• Awareness towards each species
• Realization of using non-toxic chemicals in farms
• Involving Kids as Avian Ambassadors and clean
village
• Move towards putting Dethali on Avian-Eco tourism
map.
Bird nest
Avian
Ambassadors

26. Contact Us
Dethali Gram Vikas mandal
somchandshah@gmail.com