December 2012 Activity Report: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Team:

Bandu Kumare – Field assistant

Highlights

·      1 water conservation voluntary work project – check dam near Sitarampeth

·      Follow-up to plantation done during the monsoon in 4 villages

·      Anti-plastic programmes in 2 villages, 2 village cleanliness programmes

·      2 nature trails for village children

·      One voluntary work project to clean area surrounding hand pump

·      Environment education lectures in 10 schools – attended by 317 students

·      10 film shows on nature and wildlife – attended by 425 people

·      1 village youth placed in job locally

·      Medical camps in 6 villages  - 341 patients treated

·      Two visits to Bhagwanpur to follow up status of relocated villagers

Conservation

As part of our water conservation efforts, Bandu organized one voluntary work project programme during December to construct a check/stop dam on a stream.

On December 12, Bandu lead a team of 24 people including 4 village youths, 6 ladies from the village and students of Zilla Parishad (ZP) Primary School, Sitarampeth in a programme to build a check dam on a stream around one kilometer from the village, adjoining the jungle. The resultant water body will benefit domestic livestock in the day and wild animals at night. Wild boar, spotted deer, nilgai are spotted regularly in the area while sloth bears are seen more occasionally. There have been tiger sightings also in this area.

Sitarampeth - after completing the check dam

During the month, Bandu also 4 organized programmes to follow-up on plantation done during the monsoon months. Earlier in the year, we had arranged for planting of saplings in different villages. Now, we are following up to ensure that the saplings get enough water as well as protection from grazing livestock. Details are given in the table above.

On December 13, Bandu organized an anti-plastic programme at Kutwanda in which school students cleaned up the main village road of plastic litter and waste. They then cleaned up the school premises. The litter/waste was then buried in pits. A similar anti-plastic programme was organized on December 15 at Chorgaon.

Kutwanda clean-up and anti-plastic drive

On December 16, Bandu organized a programme at Moharli as part of our focus to promote public cleanliness and hygiene. Seven village youths joined Bandu in cleaning the main village road of litter, which was then buried in a pit. A similar programme was organized on December 20 at Katwal.

During December, Bandu organized 2 nature trails for school students of Dewada (December 11) and Kutwanda (December 20). On the trails Bandu helped the children identify various birds, plants and spoke to them about nature and wildlife conservation.

Dewada - nature trail for children

Education

In December, our environment education programme covered 10 schools.

Bamdeli - Bandu Kumare conducting an environment awareness programme

Employment Cell

One youth got a job in December with our help.

Education Van

There were 10 film shows on nature and wildlife in December.

Sitarampeth - film show on nature and wildlife conservation

MHU

There were health camps in 6 villages in December.

Jamni - villagers register for treatment at our free health camp

Karwa - doctors examining patients