Activity Update April 2014: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Team: Saket Agasti – Assistant Conservation Officer

            Niranjan Hinge, Bandu Uikey – Field Assistants

 

Highlights

·      One programme to clean waterhole near  Turia village as part of Earth Day programme

·      One n programme to clean waterhole near Aamajhari  village

·      6 nature trails and bird-watching programmes  for school children of Satosha, Turia, Aamajhari

·      8 medical camps held, in which 269 patients were treated 

·      Installed three water pots for small animals and birds

Conservation 

On April 22, Earth Day was celebrated by cleaning a waterhole near Turia village. Our field assistant Niranjan Hinge gathered children from the village and guided them in the programme. This water body is 0.5 km away from Pench Tiger Reserve and is used by both domestic and wild animals. Cleaning of the waterhole included clearing of stagnant water and removal of organic litter from the bed of the waterhole.

Cleaning a waterhole near Turia

Cleaning a waterhole at Aamajhari

On April 15, Niranjan took 12 children from Ambadi village on a nature trail. On the trail Niranjan spotted some of the birds common to the area like Indian Roller, Rufous Tree pie, Black Drongo, Cattle Egrets, etc. He explained to the children the role of nature in human life. He also encouraged them to assist in wildlife conservation.

Niranjan identifies birds on a nature trail for Ambadi children

Nature trail for children of Satosha - explaining importance of birds

On April 18, 22, 25 and 29 similar trails were organized by Niranjan for the children of Satosha, Turia and Aamajhari villages.

With the summer heat picking up, our teams motivate villagers to put up water pots for birds and small animals in villages in our area s of operation across the landscape. In Pench, we motivated children in 3 villages to put up pots, which they will refill as and when required. Photos below: putting up water pots in Turia.

Environmental Education Programme

In April, there was no classroom programme as schools were shut for the annual summer vacations.

On April 19, Field assistant Niranjan Hinge took 11 children from Turia village on a nature trail. On the trail, various nature games were also organized for the children. These games help children learn about nature through fun-filled activities. Photo below.

IT Education Programme

Satpuda Foundation is running a programme to introduce computers to village children. The programme is run thanks to donations of computers from organisations/corporates/individuals. In Pench (M P), this programme is being implemented in Govt. Middle School, Teliya and Satpuda Foundation’s Field Office, Turia.

Till date, around 26 children from these villages are attending the classes and have got basic knowledge about using computers.

Education Van Programme

There were no film shows as schools were shut for the annual summer holiday.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

We held 8 medical camps in April in which 269 patients were treated.

Medical camp at Tuyepani