Activity Update April 2019: Navegaon-Nagzira

Highlights:

Our colleague Jivraj leads volunteers on a patrol in Compartment 110

Volunteers clean waterhole in Compartment No. 110 

Bodalkasa - The tribal dance group, formed and mentored by us,
performs for tourists 

Bolunda - Programme to celebrate World Earth Day 

Jindatola - Water container for birds put up by our volunteers

Kodebarra - Village youths engaged in an anti-plastic programme 

 Mangezari - Agriculture Officer briefs farmers on Government-run schemes

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THE FULL REPORT

Team:

MukundDhurve          -Asst.  Conservation Officer

Jivraj Salam                 - Field assistant

Highlights

·      Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 7 occasions

·      3 voluntary work  programs to clean water holes

·      6 voluntary work  programs to clean area next to hand pumps

·      6 anti-plastic programs

·      Installed 26 water pots for birds

·      Organised demonstration workshop for farmers

·      2 young villagers got job as daily wage forest laborers with our assistance

·      Assisted folk dance troupe to perform and earn Rs 6,000 at MTDC Resort Bodalkasa

·      Assisted 2 young villagers in going for hospitality training program at PACE Academy, Sillari

·      Organised 5 environment education programs - 706 students present

·      Celebrated World Earth Day - total of 108 students and teachers participated

Conservation work: (see Table 1)

On April 9, 10 and 20 we cleaned up artificial water holes in Compartments no. 109, 110 and 111 respectively. Our volunteers from Kodebarra and Magezari participated in the voluntary work  programs. Our team along with Forest Department staff cleaned the leaf litter and scum from the water holes.

Wildlife in these areas will now have access to clean water during the dry summer season. If these water holes were not cleaned, then the wild animals may wander close to human habitation in search of water giving rise to potential conflict.

Our team organised 6 community assistance programs on April 3, 5, 8, 16, 17, and 19 to clear areas around hand pumps at Asalpani, Kodebarra, Bagadban, Pitezari, Sodlagondi and Bhajepar. Unemployed young villagers from Mangezari participated in all programs which were led by Mukund and Jivraj. Details of the programs are given in the table above.

Water had spilled over while people drew from the hand pumps and had stagnated, leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and insects. Our teams cleared the area, removing scum and organic growth and dug canals to drain away the water.

Our team joined the Forest Department in day and night patrols in Compartment. No. 109, on the road from Mangezari to Asalpani, Compartment No.110, Compartment No. 111, Compartment No.121, Compartment No. 111, and Compartment No. 96. Besides our staff, volunteers from a youth club at Mangezari also joined in the patrols. The youth club was set up with our assistance and is mentored by our Conservation Officer Mukund Dhurve.

During the month, our team organised 6 anti-plastic programs to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on April, 3, 5, 8, 16, 17 and 19 at Asalpani, Kodebarra, Bagadban, Pitezari, Sodlagondi, and Bhajepar villages respectively. Mukund and Jivraj organised the programs which were attended by villagers and village eco-development committee (VEDC) members. The plastic litter has been kept in our Mangezari office and will be sent to Tiroda for recycling.

On April23, Satpuda Foundation organised a meeting of farmers with District Agriculture Officer Mr. Sanjay Chowdhary. He gave information about Government schemes and latest farming technologies. 29 farmers from Mangezari, Jindatola, Govindtola and Kodebarra attended the meeting. 

Satpuda Foundation had helped 12 villagers from Bodalkasa village to form a folk dance troupe last month. On 15^th April, we helped the troupe to perform ‘Dandaar’ folk dance at Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Resort, Bodalkasa during a workshop for doctors from Maharashtra. The troupe earned Rs 6,000/- for the performance. This troupe will help villagers earn additional income and also preserve and showcase the rich local folk culture.

On 22 April, we celebrated World Earth Day at Z.P.P.S. school, Bolunda. During the celebration 103 students and 3 teachers were present. On this occasion students were made aware about issues like climate change, deforestation, water scarcity and other nature conservation issues. Students were also made aware about the actions they can take to help preserve nature and earth.

During April, we installed 26 water pots for birds at Mangezari, Kodebarra, Jindatola, Bagadband, Asalpani and Balapur. During summer season, birds and small animals will make use of these water pots. Eco-development committee members and our volunteers from these villages helped install these water pots and contribute to conservation of avifauna.

Education (See Table 2)

There were 5 education programs in April 2019. 

Employment Cell activities (See Table 3)

1 unemployed youth from Sodlagondi and 1 youth from Thadezari got jobs with our assistance. 

Training activities (See Table 4)

In April we identified and sent 2 youngsters to attend hospitality training program organised by Pratham Arora Center for Education (PACE) and funded by Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation at Sillari.