Activity Update July 2014: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Team: Ashfaq Aarbi – Conservation Officer

            Hamid Khan – Field assistant

Highlights

·      10 awareness programmes on plantation in Pachmarhi cluster

·      Sapling distribution to 50 farmers and plantation in 3 programmes

·      6 awareness programmes on vermi-compost

·      Classroom visits to 15 schools as part of our environment education program – attended by 703 students

·      17 films shows on wildlife and nature conservation – attended by 801 people

·      Organized meetings in 2 villages on relocation

·      Visit to check on status of relocated village of Birjikhapa

·      Socio-economic survey of Mohgaon village

· Assisted Sahitya Academy of Bhopal in conducting cultural and educational  programme at school in Matkuli

Conservation




















With the monsoon setting in across the landscape, our teams have been working to motivate villagers to plant saplings. In July, our Satpura team organized distribution and planting of saplings in Pachmarhi cluster. The details are given in the table above. The saplings were provided free of cost by the Social Forestry wing. Species distributed and planted included amla, lemon, amrood and kosam.

Matkuli - students and staff of Government Boys Residential School
pose for a photo before planting begins

Plantation in Matkuli

Mohgaon - staff and students of Govt Primary School plant saplings

Education
During the month, our team visited 15 schools to educate children about nature and wildlife conservation.

Matkuli - Anoop Awasthi speaks to students at Saraswati Shishu Mandir

Tekapar - Field Assistant Hamid Khan talks to children about conservation;
at Govt Middle School

Education Van

During July, our team conducted a total of 17 film shows on nature and wildlife conservation.

Jhirpa - students of Govt Middle School watching a wildlife film

Mehandikheda - villagers watching a nature film

Employment Cell

During the month, our team explained the potential for earning additional income by making and selling re-usable bags. Two villagers were identified for this activity and were asked to make samples. They will be assisted with market linkages once they are able to make products of the right quality. Indore-based non-government organization (NGO) Symbiosis will provide technical and financial assistance to this activity. Five youths will be sent to Symbiosis in August for training.  In the coming months, once a team of trained youths is in place, Symbiosis will provide a machine to make the bags.

Two SHGs were identified as suitable for this activity:

Relocation

During July, Ashfaq organized meetings of the residents of Jamandhonga and

Raikheda villages to discuss relocation-related issues. Shri Rupesh Gadwal, Head Master of Government Primary School, Jamandhonga participated in the programmes. Ashfaq was asked to organize these meetings by R P Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Education and cultural programme

On July 15, Hamid Khan assisted Sahitya Academy Madhya Pradesh Sanskriti Parishad, Bhopal in conducting a cultural and educational programme for school, students at Matkuli. Various programmes were organized including an essay-writing programme on local culture and customs, drawing contest and singing of tribal songs. The programme was held at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Matkuli. Photo below.