Activity Update November 2016: Pench Maharashtra

Highlights:

Team: Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer

Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field assistants

Highlights

·      One voluntary work programme to clean waste from a stream near Ghatpendhari village

·      One anti-plastic and cleanliness drive with students of Kadbikheda village

·      Bandu Uikey accompanied forest department staff  thrice on forest patrols while Dilip led village eco-development committee (VEDC) members twice on patrols

·      16 classroom nature education sessions held for 327 students

·      Dilip Lanjewar took a total of 48 students on 3 nature trails

·      109 patients treated in 6 free health camps

·      Two youths from Ghatpendhari village placed as daily wage laborers with Forest Department

Conservation

Field assistant Bandu Uikey joined local staff of the Forest Department in anti-poaching patrols on November 6, 13 and 27. Members of the village eco-development committee (VEDC) of Ghatpendari and Kolitmara took part in the patrols in the jungle near their respective villages. Similarly Dilip Lanjewar led 5 members of Khapa VEDC and 6 members of Wagholi VEDC on anti-poaching patrols on November 4 and 6 respectively.

On November 22, Dilip Lanjewar led 30 students of Zilla Parishad school of Kadbikheda village in a programme to clean the school premises and collect plastic waste during anti-plastic drive. Dilip explained the harm caused to the environment by the plastic waste and also taught the students the importance of cleanliness for better health. The students then volunteered to clean their school premises and collected plastic waste. They also pledged to keep their school, surroundings and village clean henceforth. 

On November 25, Bandu Uikey organised a voluntary work programme to clean waste accumulated in the Katpuriya stream near Ghatpendari village. Bandu along with VEDC members and other village youths cleaned the waste from the stream that had reduced the flow of water. The stagnant water had collected lot of biodegradable waste like leaves and grass which had started to rot. This had left the water inappropriate for drinking by the wildlife. The farmers who used the water for irrigation downstream were unable to get water due to the reduced water flow. After the waste was cleaned, the farmers were able to use the water downstream while wild animals like axis deer and sambar deer were seen drinking water upstream.

On November 20, Dilip Lanjewar took 19 students of Zilla Parishad Middle School of Ghoti village on a nature trail to teach them about nature and wildlife conservation. During the nature trail, Dilip helped students spot and identify various birds like rufous treepie, racquet tailed drongo, scarlet minivet and shikra among others. He also taught the students about various tree and plant species found in the forest nearby and their importance for various life forms. Earlier Dilip had organised similar nature trails for students of Zilla Parishad Middle school of Sawara and Primary school of Khapa on November 12 and 14 respectively.

On November 28, Dilip Lanjewar accompanied Forest Department staff and VEDC members of Ghoti, Khapa, Wagholi and Pipariya to Dahegaon village for an exposure visit. During the visit to Dahegaon, the VEDC members were able to learn about farming medicinal herbs found locally. These medicinal herbs are in great demand for Ayurvedic medicines and can help earn a good income. This will benefit the farmers financially and help improve their social and economic status in the near future.

Education

Employment Cell

During November, two unemployed youths got jobs with our assistance.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 6 camps in November.