Projects for Volunteer / Interns (MSc, Phd, MSw)

1. Document human wildlife conflicts
2. Document faunal biodiversity (animal, bird, insect, reptiles and aquatic species)
3. Document floral biodiversity (plant and tree biodiversity list)
4. Green / Carbon credit system
5. Document pros and cons for Eco-tourism
6. Accompany Harini mdm for Socio economic survey
7. Build a cabaña with massage / therapy table PDK
8. Build massage / therapy table KTV viewpoint
9. Build a river side enclave PDK
10. Build a bio toilet PDK, KTV viewpoint
11. Build a platform in a tree PDK
12. Build a barbeque grill for the community kitchen PDK
13. Build a wood fired pizza oven PDK
14. Build a outdoor 'rain' shower PDK, KTV
15. Yoga & Meditation
16. Paint motifs on walls
17. Install nets around multipurpose sports pitch
18. Night watch towers for animal and bird observation
19. Forest area benches, swings, play areas

Google Maps - Location Kanthavara Forest basecamp

Google Maps - Location, Deca Mini Farm - Mangalore Max 2 nights stay

Getting in to Kanthavara:

If you want transport other than bus or if you are afraid of being cheated by local Auto/taxi please contact

1. 7 seater minivan Robin 8888712724 Eg: 15-20Rs/km, waiting extra
2. 3-seater auto rickshaw Rakesh 8105949543 or Kiran 9902692695 or Ravi 9980738770
3. Bike Taxi Suresh 8762927811

Bus timings in Kanthavara/Paladka:

• Moodbidri (MB) - Varnabettu (VB) 8am, 11.45am, 4.45pm. (Note: Paladka (PDK) Ashwata katte Jxn)
• Varnabettu (VB) - Moodbidri (MB) 8.40am, 12.20pm, 5.20pm
• KTV highschool to MB 7.30am, 8, 8.45, 10.20,1.10pm, 4.30, 5.00
• KTV Highschool to Karkala 9.30am, 11, 11.35, 2.30pm, 4.15
• MB-Udupi-MB or MB-MLR-MB every 20mins
• MLR bus stops at SBI main busstop, Bunts hostel, Nantur

7 Seater minivan daily timings:

8.15am 5cents, 8.30am RR, 8.45am Basecamp, 9.00am VB, PDK ashwata katte jxn, 4.30pm RR, 4.45pm Basecamp, 5.10pm VB, 5cents, PDK Ashwata katte 

On Arrival in Kanthavara/Paladka: 

Please Check-in and whatsapp a copy of your ID to Puru +91-9108066377 after which you will be given a tour of facilities, an introduction to site staff and their respective work. Our regular site teams work Mon-Sat 9am - 1.30pm and 2.30 - 5pm. Volunteer assistance is appreciated Mon-Fri 9am-1.30pm for at least 2 weeks but no one on will ever ask you to do any work. It is entirely up to you to come forward and assist with day to day work. If you face any difficulty please discuss the matter immediately and openly with Puru. Separate from the day-to-day ongoing work, volunteers often have new proposals such as painting a wall, building a tree house, outdoor swings, making a video, installing a machine etc etc. Please write down / sketch your proposal and then discuss it with Puru. If we accept your proposal then you will be provided with the material and help required to execute the proposal. 

Volunteer dormitory accommodation, veg meals, wifi, washing m/c once a week, parking is FREE for the duration of your stay. If anyone asks for money please report to Puru. However things such as non-veg food, bike rental (see below), auto rickshaw rental, bike taxi, pick/drop will be extra. Consumption of Alcohol and drugs on the property is prohibited, even during free time / holidays. If you wish to drink there are local bars nearby. Aqua guard UV treated drinking water will be provided in Jerry cans in the canteen. Kindly segregate garbage before disposing in the designated pits. a) Decomposable - Bio / food throw in 'Compost' pit b) Non-decomposable - Plastic, metal, sanitary pads, diaper's throw into 'Plastic Well' c) Electronic waste give to Puru. If you find anything dirty or damaged please bring to attention of Puru immediately. To avoid rats and cockroaches - we request not to eat in the rooms / dorm. You can munch away happily in the sit-outs, canteen or on several of the picnic spots on the property. Please empty your respective garbage bins daily. Switch off the fan, light, water heater when not in use. Do not dry clothes inside the room, or using the fan. Please use clothes stands and lines provided. You can order food via Swiggy/Zomato. For help with pick/drop our tapper Suresh/Ramesh might be willing to help for a small fee.

On Arrival at Deca Mini Farm Mangalore: 

Please Check-in and whatsapp a copy of your ID to Arun +91-9535081000. Consumption of Alcohol and drugs on the property is prohibited, even during free time / holidays. If you wish to drink there are local bars nearby. Aqua guard UV treated drinking water available. Kindly segregate garbage before disposing a) Decomposable - Bio / food throw in 'Compost' pit b) Non-decomposable - Plastic, metal, sanitary pads, diaper's throw into 'Blue Plastic Drum' c) Electronic waste leave on kitchen counter. If you find anything dirty or damaged please bring to attention of Arun immediately. To avoid rats and cockroaches - we request not to eat indoors. You can munch away happily in the sit-out. Please keep blue plastic drum at end of road on Saturday morning for garbage collection. Switch off the fan, light when not in use. You can order food via Swiggy/Zomato. Within walking distance you can find Kudla (Bar and restaurant), Bhats nursing home Cafe (Veg- Popular), Anmol (Veg) and Decathlon/Taj cycle repair services.

Things to do in free time:

1. Things to Do in the area/region
2. Visit our RR - Plantation Owners House
3. Visit our Mangalore Mini Forest Cabin Farmville - Mangalore
4. Visit our Kanthavara Forest Basecamp

Emergency & local Restaurant/Bar:

Anti-venom: Fr. Mullers Hospital 9483508502, Jain Medical 9008349397, Alva's 0825-8238104, Karkala Govt. Hospital 0825-8230204, Ambulance 108, Snake/Animal rescuer's Bhuvan 9113028944 Sharanya 6362054698, Police 112, Padiwals Veg (Moodbidri) +91-825-8237065, Saniddhi village Bar and Restaurant (Non-Veg) Mr. Umesh Kotian 9967481670, Local village grocery shop at Varna bettu Mr. Umesh 9740767747

Before you say goodbye:

Many have come, stayed and enjoyed the place but often forget to leave a review. I request you to take some time to leave a review on all three places listed below. It would help us a greatly.

1. Provide feedback in register
2. Provide review and pic on Google - Kanthavara Forest Basecamp or Deca Mini farm
3. Provide review and pic on Workaway / Warmshowers etc  

Strictly No Tips / Gifts

If you want to tip / gift / acknowledge / thank a member of our staff please ask Puru for Staff Welfare Register

Bike and Auto rickshaw Rental:

Bikes will be offered only after volunteers have completed 1 week volunteering. We offer 1 day FREE Bike or FREE stay in Mangalore at Forest Cabin on completion of 1 week volunteering

Video 1

• Sample Video - On Simarouba
• Audience: Students between the ages of 16-24 (i.e. 1st PUC to Degree) from within 50km i.e. Mangalore, Udupi wishing to conduct Field Trip or Study tour for a day only
• Story board: