The City-dweller and the Tiger: Activity Update June 2014: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Team:

Bandu Kumare – Field assistant

Highlights

· 2 community assistance voluntary work projects – one programme to clean area around well at Katwal and one programme at Junona to clean area around hand pump

· One programme to clear a water tank near Adegaon used for drinking by both domestic livestock and wild animals

· Anti-plastic programmes in 3 villages – Bamdeli, Kutwanda and Kondegaon

· Follow-up to plantation done earlier at Kondegaon, Sitarampeth and Adegaon

· 3 programmes to place water pots for birds at Kutwanda, Moharli and Dewada

· 3 programmes to collect seeds for plantation programme at Adegaon, Dewada and Kondegaon

· 1 nature trail for students of Katwal

· Health camps in 6 villages – 227 patients treated

· 2 visits to Jamni and Navegaon(relocation village) to follow up on status of relocated villagers

Conservation

Bandu organized 2 community assistance programmes during the month. On June 12, he organized a programme at Katwal to clear the area around a well. Water, which had spilled over while people drew from the well, had stagnated, leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and insects. Our team cleared the area, removing scum and organic growth and dug a canal to drain away the water. At Katwal, 4 youths from the village joined Bandu in the programme. A similar programme was organized on June 17 at Junona to clean the area around a hand pump. 3 youths joined hands with Bandu in this programme.

On June 20. Bandu organized a programme to clean and de-silt a water tank next to a hand pump at Adegaon. The tank, which received spillover water from the hand pump, had become clogged with mud and organic waste. 2 adult villagers and one youth joined Bandu in the programme. As he hand pump is on the outskirts of the village, the water tank is used by wild animals at night and domestic cattle in the day. Villagers have spotted leopard pug marks around the tank and have also seen signs of sloth bears. Photo below.

On June 11, Bandu organized an anti-plastic programme at Bamdeli in which 8 students of the village’s Zilla Parishad Primary School (ZPPS) participated. Bandu explained the harmful effects of plastic on the environment and the need to keep plastic litter and waste buried so that they aren’t blown away into jungle areas. The children cleared the main road of the village of plastic litter and waste and later buried the waste in a pit.

Two similar anti-plastic programmes were organized - at Kutwanda on June 14 and at Kondegaon on June 26.

Clean-up drive at Kondegaon

On June 4, Bandu organized a programme at Kondegaon to follow up on plantation of saplings done last year. This is to ensure that saplings planted during the monsoon are live and have sufficient protection from grazing livestock. 12 students from the village school joined Bandu in the programme. A similar programme was organized on June 17 at Sitarampeth in which 16 students participated and at Adegaon on June 20 in which 9 students took part.

Sitarampeth plantation follow-up

As the rains have not yet started and the temperatures are still high, birds continue to struggle for water. Bandu organized programmes to put up pots with water for birds in 3 villages – Kutwanda, Moharli and Dewada.

Bandu has been organizing programmes to collect seeds for planting once the monsoon sets in. In the process, children are taught about the value of trees and the need to preserve the green cover and increase it. During June, seeds were collected by children in Adegaon, Dewada and Kondegaon.

Seeds collected at Adegaon

Seeds collected at Kondegaon. They include karanj, tendu, sitaphal
and kaner

Kutwanda: children plug leaks so water doesn't drain away, and birds
and small animals can drink from there

Environment Education

There were no classroom programmes as schools have just reopened after the summer vacation and attendance has not yet picked up.

On June 26, Bandu organized a walk in the forest for the students of Katwal Zilla Parishad Primary School. On the nature walk in the forest adjoining the village, Bandu taught the students how to spot and identify birds. He also spoke to the children about the importance of nature and wildlife and the need for conservation. 23 students joined Bandu on the nature trail

Education Van

There were no film shows in June as schools reopened only in the last week and attendance had not yet picked up.

MHU

There were 6 health camps in June.