October and November 2011 Activity Updates: Pench, Madhya Pradesh

October

Team: Anoop Awasthi - Conservation Officer
Niranjan Hinge - Field Assistant
Bandu Uikey - Field Assistant

Highlights:

• 1 conservation rally at Potiya
• 1 shramdaan programme to clean a water tank at Potiya
• 4 classroom lectures on nature and wildlife conservation, attended by 298 students
• 2 unemployed youths placed in jobs
• 8 medical camps – 310 patients treated

Conservation:

On October 18, Anoop and Niranjan led a team of 7 students from Government Middle School (GMS), Potiya in a programme to clean an open water tank next to a hand pump in the school campus. The tank collects the run-off water from the hand pump and is used by livestock for drinking. Due to negligence, it had become clogged with debris and food materials were decomposing in the tank. It was a health hazard as it had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Our shramdaan cleaned it up.

On October 19, Niranjan led 54 students and four teachers of GMS, Potiya in a conservation rally. The participants went through the village, chanting slogans in favour of conservation. Rallies are part of our programme to sensitise communities living close to protected on the need for nature and wildlife conservation.

Education

During the month, our team visited 4 schools to deliver lectures on nature and wildlife conservation.

Employment Cell

Two youths got jobs in October thanks to our efforts.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

We assisted Nature Conservation Society, Amravati in holding 8 medical camps in October.

November

Team:

Anoop Awasthi - Conservation Officer
Niranjan Hinge - Field Assistant
Bandu Uikey - Field Assistant

Highlights:

• 1 conservation rally at Telia
• 1 shramdaan programme to construct soak pit at Khamba
• 1 nature trail for students at Telia
• 13 classroom lectures on nature and wildlife conservation, attended by 552 students
• 1 unemployed youth placed in a job locally
• Education van programme - 6 film shows on nature and wildlife, attended by 667 people

Conservation work:

On November 20, Anoop and Niranjan led a team of 7 children from Khamba village in a programme to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump used to draw drinking water. Spillover water had stagnated around the hand pump, creating a small bog which had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Our team cleaned up the area and dug a pit to take the spillover water. The soak pit will help recharge the surrounding water table.

On November 11, Niranjan led 55 students and 2 teachers of Government Middle School (GMS), Telia in a conservation rally. The participants went through the village, chanting slogans in favour of conservation. Rallies are part of our progamme to sensitise communities living close to protected on the need for nature and wildlife conservation.

On November 25, Niranjan led 10 children from Telia village on a nature trail in the jungle adjoining the village. On the trail, Niranjan identified various species of local flora and fauna and explained the need for conservation to the children.

Education

During the month, our team visited 13 schools to deliver lectures on nature and wildlife conservation.

Employment Cell

One youth got a job in November thanks to our efforts.

Education van programme

There were 6 film shows in November.