Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Meeting of State Wildlife Board, June 28, 2011 - TOI Pune

Green pigeon stays as state bird



PUNE: The Forest Owlet, a critically endangered species, will not be the state bird. Instead, the green pigeon will continue to hold the pride of place.

A proposal tabled by the Bombay Natural History Society to give the honour to the Forest Owlet was unanimously rejected by the State Wildlife Board on Tuesday.

The meeting, chaired by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, resolved that there was no need for the change, but agreed to initiate steps to conserve the Forest Owlet.

Several NGOs felt the bird would be better protected if it was given the status.

Chavan said he would soon forward the state government's proposal to declare five new sanctuaries to the union government. These are Rajmachi in Thane-Alibaug, Sudhagarh-Tamni in the Western Ghats, Tipagarh in Gadchiroli, Kopela-Kolamarka in Gadchiroli and Isapur bird sanctuary in Yavatmal.

The meeting cleared the proposal to recruit forest guards, provide vehicles to range forest officers and granted them permission to use ammunition after sunset.

The State Board for Wildlife, Maharashtra government comprises prominent conservation NGOs like Satpuda Foundation, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun and the BNHS.

"The decision to recruit more forest guards and provide vehicles to forest range officers is welcome. The chief minister also talked about purchasing 100 vehicles for the forest range officers," Nishant Kale, member of Satpuda Foundation, told TOI.

It was also decided to allow forest guards and forest officers to fully focus on wild life conservation and forest safety and not manage eco-tourism.

Kale said that the proposal for a nature interpretation centre, a leopard rescue centre and laying of electric lines in Ahmednagar district inside the bustard sanctuary will be taken up after the denotification process. The area is proposed to be reduced from about 8, 500 square km to around 1,222 square km.

The proposal to laying a transmission line through Sanjay Gandhi National Park was rejected and the members said renewable energy sources should be explored. The proposal to lay a 400 KV transmission line in Matheran was not decided upon.

"This is an eco-sensitive zone and it is not under any sanctuary. The Wildlife Board of India will take a decision," he said.

A proposal from a private company seeking forest land near Phansad wildlife sanctuary was also rejected.

The meeting granted permission for repairing the electric lines passing through the Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary. The proposal will now go to the Central Wildlife Board and has to get an approval from the Central Empowered Committee. All development projects in the 10 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries have to get a nod from this committee constituted by the Supreme Court, said Kale.

Bhau Katdare, founder of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra of Chiplun, said the board will meet twice in a year. Tuesday's meeting was held after 28 months.

Link to the article.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sunday, June 26, 2011

IT education programme: Assessment and appeal

A review and request by Kirti Chavan, our volunteer in charge of the IT education programme. Please share!



The summer holidays are over and children are back to school hungry for more!

After a year long involvement with the school in Sawra, we and the children have come a long way in our IT education program. I would say the children have taught us more than we have taught them. Of course we knew the software and how technology makes life easy for people and all that jazz. But the children taught us many deeper things like: dedication is not just a word in dictionary, it's a habit. Challenge is not for others but for yourself. And last but not least, will power, it's in their will to change the future.

Now I have not written all this to make my article a nice read. I really mean it. I have seen dedication in some of the children here which is beyond praise. The children run this school, it doesn't matter if the government funds come in time or not. The school garden, equipment, books and even building paint are well looked after by these dedicated children. Every where children love holidays or a day off from school; but at Sawra students are always in campus either doing extra reading, drawing something on the computer or just watering the plants.

I am really glad we started the IT literacy program from Sawra. Because this made us realize that if you give people what they really need, they will take the lead and out-perform your expectations.



Review and plans:

After working on various levels for one year and introducing computer education at Sawra school we have realized the children are quick to finish off what's on their plate and are always looking for more. They have been grabbing every possible opportunity to get extra time on the computer to do what they like to do or help their classmates by sharing what they know. But now we have reached a level where we need to raise the bar and go next level of training and make children more competitive and skilled, so they will not hesitate to brush shoulders with children from city schools.

We have started work on building a custom assignment book which will ensure children use computers to do school projects, assignments and other learning modules. This will help us measure success and the extent of IT literacy in their mind.

Results begin to show:

One of the indications that we are on the right track is Sachin, a school dropout who had to spend all his time on farming. He has now decided to attended a training course on Desktop Publishing and in less than 6 months he has got a full time job as a DTP operator in a nearby town. Rest assured Sachin and his family will now be less dependent on the forest, hence reducing the pressure on the little remaining tiger forests of India.

The problem: downtime

Plans look good, feedback sounds encouraging but all is not well as every now and then the IT program goes in indefinite pause due to computer downtime. The major cause of this downtime is software crash and at times hardware malfunction, all because of frequent power failure. Once the computer is down, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for it to be fixed as Sawra is a remote village close to tiger habitat and the nearest town where a computer can be fixed is a three hour drive away.

We require:

To solve this problem we have realized that a good UPS for each computer is needed, so when there is a power cut, the children have enough time to save their work and shut down the computer hence reducing the risk of any damage.

We would need 5 UPS systems to ensure the IT literacy program is running effectively and we are able to help these under-privileged children secure a better tomorrow.

We would like to send out this appeal to individuals and corporates. If you can sponsor new or donate used UPS for computers in Sawra school, it will make a world of difference to the children and the volunteers working for this cause.

While we were thinking that we were able to match the expectation and excitement of children in Sawra, the hunger for learning had already spread far and wide and neighbouring villages had started investigating what's turning Sawra into a talent mine. It did not take too long for the schools of Teliya and Zinzeriya to approach us and insist that we start the IT program in their schools too. So now the IT education program is being carried out in a total of three villages.

Read about the IT education programme in these earlier posts.



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Hidden tiger



Aarti was in Tadoba earlier this month, and we did one safari together - check the images in Summer morning in Tadoba. After that I left for Nagpur, and Aarti stayed on for two more days.

Here's a large crouching tiger she saw after I left, and her description:

"The next day we saw a big male sitting behind the bamboos just off the road. In some ways this sighting was more thrilling since he wasn't coming to drink water in man-made tanks, and was just sitting by himself hidden by the foliage!!"

Look at that camouflage - is it surprising that the forests around Tadoba have been a notorious conflict zone for several years now? Humans often disturb hidden tigers when they enter the forest to collect firewood or cut bamboo; and they get nasty - and sometimes lethal - surprises in turn.

Thanks for the photo Aarti.

See also: In the tiger's footsteps.

Photo: Aarti Phatarphekar
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Kanha: April and May 2011 Updates

Team: Amit Awasthi - Conservation Officer
Sampatlal Dhurve - Field Assistant

April highlights:

· Two shramdhaans for water conservation – cleaning of soak pits

· One waterhole dug at Chapri, which can be used by small animals, domestic livestock and birds for

· Four anti-plastic campaigns, including one in which Forest Department staff participated

· Water pots put up for birds in 2 villages

· Two nature trails

· Assisted Forest Department in fighting fires in forest on 2 occasions

· 2 unemployed youths assisted in getting jobs locally

· 8 film shows on wildlife and nature, attended by 434 people




Conservation:



With the start of the summer months, forest fires have become a major hazard. As part of our conservation efforts, our team assisted the Forest Department by conveying information to them about fires in the forest and also by assisting them in fighting fires on 2 occasions.


On April 16, Amit Awasthi noticed smoke rising from the jungle near Batwar Ghat. He called up the local forest Department staff and started fighting the fire in the meantime. Subsequently, 8 local Forest Dept staff joined in the fire-fighting.


On April 18, Amit and Sampath were returning from Samaiya village, where they had motivated the villagers to put up pots with water for birds to drink from. Around 4 kms from Samaiya, they noticed a big fire in the forest, which was beyond their ability to fight. Amit called up the local forest guard and informed him of the fire and its location.


As part of an ongoing programme during the summer months, we organised awareness programmes in all villages in our area of operations to explain to villagers the causes of forest fires, how these can be contained and the duty of villagers in tackling this danger to the environment.


Our team has also been motivating villagers to put up pots with water for birds to quench their thirst in the hot summer months. This programme is an ongoing one in all the villages in our area of operations.






On April 7, Conservation officer Amit Awasthi and field assistant Sampathlal Dhurve led a team of 11 students of Government Primary & Middle School, Patpara in a programme to clean the surroundings next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. The area had become a mini-swamp, with stagnant water providing a breeding place for mosquitoes and insects. Our team cleaned up the area of litter and debris which were clogging the canals dug to drain water away and also cleaned up the adjoining soak pit.

A similar programme was organised on April 29 at Chapri in which 12 students from Government Primary School and Employment Guarantee Scheme School from the village joined hands with our team.






On April 8, we organised an anti-plastic campaign in Bhagpur in which plastic litter and waste was picked up from all over the village and buried in a pit. 13 students from EGS School, Bhagpur joined hands with Amit and Sampath in the programme.


Similar programmes were organised at Dhamangaon, Sautiya and Chapri. In the programmes at Sautiya and Chapri, staff from the Forest Department joined us.







Litter picked up during anti-plastic drive in Chapri

On April 3, Sampath led 12 students of GPS, Dhamangaon on a nature trail through the jungle adjoining the village. On the trail, Sampath talked to the children about nature and wildlife and the need for conservation.


On April 16, a similar programme was held at Patpara for 14 students of the Govt Primary School. Amit led this trail.



Field Assistant Sampath Dhurve talks to children of Patpara during a nature trail

On April 9, we organised a programme to dig a small waterhole under a tree near the Forest Dept.’s local office at Chapri. The waterhole will be useful for birds and monkeys.






Employment Cell:

Two youths were placed in local jobs.






Education Van:


A total of 8 film shows took place between April 13 and April 15.






May highlights:

· Cleaning of surroundings next to hand pump at Sautiya

· Cleaning of surroundings next to well at Batwar

· Programmes conducted in 4 villages to train villagers to make smokeless chullahs

· Two nature trails

· Two anti-plastic campaigns

· Water pots put up for birds in 4 villages

· 2 unemployed youths assisted in getting jobs locally



Conservation:



Our team organised a community meeting on May 28 at Chapri which was attended by the Sarpanch

of the local Gram Panchayat, local officials of the Agriculture Department and Ajeewika and around 30 villagers.

The meeting discussed conservation activities which are to be taken up, plantation programme for the monsoon, the schemes of the Agriculture Department and other issues that the villagers are facing.


Community meeting on conservation and development issues, Chapri


Our team has been motivating villagers to put up pots with water for birds to quench their thirst in the hot summer months. This programme is an ongoing one in all the villages in our area of operations. In May, around 35 pots were put up in Samaiya, Dhamangaon, Chapri and Manegaon.



On May 16, Conservation officer Amit Awasthi and field assistant Sampathlal Dhurve led a team of 6 students of Government Primary School, Batwar and 8 unemployed youths in a programme to clean the surroundings next to a well used to draw drinking water. The area had become like a swamp, with stagnant water providing a breeding place for mosquitoes and insects. Our team cleaned up the area of litter and debris which were clogging the canals dug to drain water away and also cleaned up the adjoining soak pit.

A similar programme was organised on May 24 at Sautiya in which 10 students from Government Primary School in the village joined hands with our team to clean up the surroundings next to a hand pump.





On May 11, we organised an anti-plastic campaign in Samaiya in which plastic litter and waste was picked up from all over the village and buried in a pit. 13 students from the Education Guarantee Scheme School in the village joined hands with Amit and Sampath in the programme.


A similar programme was organised on May 13 at Manegaon in which 11 students joined with our team.




On May 8, our team led 12 students of GPS, Batwar on a nature trail through the jungle adjoining the village. On the trail, Amit and Sampath talked to the children about nature and wildlife and the need for conservation.

On May 22, a similar programme was held at Chapri for 9 students of the GPS and EGS.


Our team also organised a visit of village children to a nursery at Chapri on May 27. The visit helped the children understand how saplings are nursed and how they eventually become full-grown trees and plants. The nursery was set up by local village youths with assistance from the Forest Department.




During the month, we conducted awareness programmes about smokeless chullahs or stoves. These stoves will result in lower smoke and will also require less wood for burning. Ajeewika, a MP government agency for rural livelihoods, will provide some material assistance to the villagers in making these stoves. Along with Ajeewika, we selected 4 women, 2 each from Manegaon and Chapri, to attend a training programme on smokeless chullahs at Nainpur. The programme was funded by Ajeewika. These women, on their return, trained local villagers in making the smokeless chullahs. A total of around 150 such chullahs have been made so far in Manegaon, Patpara, Sautiya and Chapri.






Employment Cell:

2 youths were placed in local jobs.




Santosh Yadav of Dhamangaon, who got a job with our assistance

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Satpura Tiger Reserve - April 2011 Updates

Team: Ashfaq Aarbi – Conservation Officer

Vikram Parte and Umashankar Yadav – Field assistants


April Highlights

  • Six shramdhaans for water conservation –2 bori bandhaans for check dams, 4 soak pits dug
  • Programmes to create awareness about forest fires in 9 villages
  • Classroom visits to 18 schools to give lecture on nature and wildlife conservation, attended by 690 students
  • Total of 5 unemployed youths placed in jobs at Jabalpur

Conservation:




During April, we organised 6 shramdhaans to promote water conservation

- On April 13, field assistant Vikram Parte led a team of 21 students of Government Primary School, Suplai in a shramdhaan to build a stop/check dam on a stream in the jungle around 1-2 kms from the village. The resultant water body will provide water to wildlife. Spotted deer have been spotted in this area.

- On April 17, Conservation Officer Ashfaq Aarbi led a team of 48 students from Government Middle School, Anjandana to build a check dam on a stream in the forest around 2 km from the village. The resultant water body will recharge the water table and also provide water to wildlife and domestic livestock. Gaur have been spotted in the area.

- On April 10, field assistant Umashankar Yadav led a team of 10 villagers from Kukra village in a shramdhaan to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. This will help recharge the water table.

- On April 12, field assistant Vikram Parte led a team of 12 students of Government Primary School, Sakai in a shramdhaan to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. This will help recharge the water table.

- On April 17, Umashankar Yadav led a team of 15 villagers from Nandner village in a shramdhaan to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. This will help recharge the water table.

- Separately on April 17, Vikram Parte led a team of 13 students of Government Primary School, Malni in a shramdhaan to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. This will help recharge the water table.




Above, below: Soak pit near government primary school at Sakai, STR









In other conservation-related activities, our team organized programmes in 9 villages to promote awareness about the harmful effects of forest fires and the need for villagers to join in efforts to fight such fires. Local officials from the forest department joined in the programme in one village.


Education:


Our team visited schools in all the 18 villages of our area of operations to give lectures on nature and wildlife conservation.




Employment Cell:


5 youths were provided with jobs thanks to our efforts.

Details of the placement are as follows:


Pench Madhya Pradesh: April and May 2011 Updates

Team: Anoop AwasthiConservation Officer

Niranjan Hinge, Bandu Uikey Field assistants


April Highlights

  • 1 shramdhaan for cleaning of well at Satosha
  • Two bird-watching trails for children of Satosha and Turia
  • Conducted unemployed youth survey in 7 villages
  • 2 unemployed youths provided with jobs through our assistance
  • 2 medical camps -- treated 67 patients

Conservation



Our team organised a shramdhaan in Satosha on April 20 to clean a well used to draw drinking water. The well had become clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris. Conservation Officer Anoop Awasthi and field assistant Niranjan Hinge led a team of 7 villagers in a programme to clean the well and make it fit for use again.




On April 18, Niranjan Hinge led 11 children from Satosha village on a bird-watching trail in the jungle near the village. Hinge, a former guide at Pench National Park, talked to the children about birds, their role in nature and the need for conservation.


A similar trail was organised on April 29 for 6 children of Turia village.



Employment Cell:


During the month our team assisted two unemployed youths in getting jobs locally.



Mobile Health Unit:

We assisted Nature Conservation Society, Amravati in holding two medical camps in April.




May Highlights:
  • 1 shramdhaan for creating a water hole for domestic livestock at Turia
  • One bird-watching trail for children of Turia
  • Assisted in fighting fire in forest near Kumbhpani
  • Updated data on unemployed youths in 7 villages
  • 10 medical camps -- treated 458 patients

Conservation:


Our team organised a shramdhaan on May 22 to create a water hole for domestic livestock on the outskirts of Turia village. There is a leakage from underground pipes which take water from a bore well to an overhead storage tank at Turia. As a result, the area around the bore well had become swampy with stagnant water. Our team organised a shramdhaan to clean the area and dig a waterhole so that the water collects in it and domestic livestock can drink from it. Four unemployed youths joined hands with Anoop Awasthi and Niranjan Hinge in the programme.




Above: The waterhole before the shramdaan




On May 1, while running a health camp at Kumbhpani, we received information that there was a fire in the jungle around half a kilometer from the village. Niranjan left the camp in the charge of the rest of our team and went to assist in fighting the fire. Two local Forest Department staff were already engaged in fighting the fire. It took around 45 minutes to bring the fire under control.



On May 20, Niranjan Hinge led 8 children from Turia village on a bird-watching trail in the jungle near the village. Hinge, a former guide at Pench National Park, talked to the children about birds, their role in nature and the need for conservation.



Employment Cell:


During the month, our team updated details of unemployed youths in 7 villages – Turia, Awarghani, Potiya, Durgapur, Kohoka, Aamajhari and Tuyepani.


Mobile Health Unit:

We assisted Nature Conservation Society, Amravati in holding 10 medical camps in May.