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- Cricket match set to raise further funds for Bandhavgarh tigers -

 - Responsible tourism has raised £35,000 for National Park -

Win a chance to visit tigers in their natural environment,
plus a game of cricket!

While the 20/20 World Cup has been and gone, a local side from India are heading straight back in to training in preparation for the annual fundraiser, the Exodus Bandhavgarh cricket match. 

Since the first match in 2006, the annual event sees Exodus travellers and tour guides support both the National Park and the local School in Tala by holding two games of cricket.  Until last year, the locals were the reigning champions but the game, scheduled for January 2010 is sees Exodus defending the International Tiger Trophy. 

The Bandhavgarh Project has raised almost £35,000 through donations from Exodus clients and the efforts of Exodus staff with all money going towards the Bandhavgarh National Park and local town of Tala.  The National Park will benefit from the purchase of three jeeps and lighting to aid conservation activity and patrol the park in efforts to stem the consequences of poaching in the region. The donations will also contribute to rebuilding the secondary school for the local 500-strong student population. 
The school is a focus for many of the village residents so the aim is to communicate that this investment is only possible with the existence of the tigers in the park and tourism they encourage.  It’s crucial that the local people recognize that they can benefit directly from the sustained presence of the tigers. 

The simple message is that if it is good for the school, it is good for the park and therefore good for tourists and tigers alike.

• Win a photographic safari in Bandhavgarh National Park – see the tiger in its natural environment and play cricket with the locals

Other great cricketing nations such as Sri Lanka, whose team was runner-up in the 20/20 World Cup final last weekend, are also benefiting from the Exodus ‘responsible travel’ initiative.  The Sri Lanka Project recently saw the final completion of 25 new homes for families displaced by the tragic Tsunami disaster of 2004.  At a special hand-over ceremony, held by NGO ‘Back to Life’ on 9^th January 2009, Exodus was credited for raising the final £5,000 needed to complete the homes.  The money was raised by encouraging support from Exodus clients returning to the island.

The last of the new homes was filled in April 2009 with a total of £5,000 remaining spare.  Back to Life decided to put this money towards humanitarian aid for the thousands of families who fled their homes in the North East of Sri Lanka due to the clashes between Government forces and the Tamil Tigers.   Essential supplies were provided, such as bottled water, toothpaste, soaps and milk powder. In addition, with no form of entertainment in the refugee centres, a request was made for 30 television sets. All equipment was delivered to the Ministry of Tourism and installed at the end of May 2009.

Other Exodus projects include:

• Himalaya Social & Education Fund
• Himalaya Environment Fund
• Kenya School Build Project
• PAN Parks Project
• Ethiopia Project
• Morocco Tijhza Village Project
• Peru Rainbow Centre
• Tanzania Porter Project
• Tanzania Smokeless Stove
• Morocco Terre des Jeunes
• The Vietnamese Orphanage

This 10 day trip with Exodus departs on Thu 7 Jan – Sat 16 Jan 10 with prices from £1,965 per person including flights, all scheduled activities and meals. For more information or to book, visit www.exodus.co.uk or call 0845 863 9601

Tags: 20/20, Bandhavgarh, Cricket, Exodus, India, National Park, Photography, Responsible tourism, Safari, Sri Lanka, Tigers, Travel