Activity Update February 2013: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Team:

Bandu Kumare – Field assistant

Highlights

• 1 water conservation voluntary work project – check dam near Chorgaon
• Follow-up to plantation done during the monsoon in 4 villages
• Anti-plastic programmes in 4 villages
• 2 nature trails for village children
• Two voluntary work projects to clean soak pits
• Environment education lectures in 10 schools – attended by 323 students
• 10 film shows on nature and wildlife – attended by 487 people
• Medical camps in 6 villages  - 250 patients treated
• Two visits to Bhagwanpur to follow up status of relocated villagers

Conservation

As part of our water conservation efforts, Bandu organized a voluntary work project during February to construct a check/stop dam on a stream. On February 12, he led a team including 5 teachers, 4 unemployed youths from the village and 76 students of Zilla Parishad (ZP) Primary School, Chorgaon in a programme to build a check dam on a stream around 1.5 kms 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 and leopards are seen regularly in the area with occasional sightings of nilgai.

Chorgaon - site of the check dam

Filling bags with sand

The new water body

During the month, Bandu also organized 4 programmes to follow-up on plantation done during the monsoon months. Last year, during the monsoon, 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. Photo below.

On February 11, Bandu organized an anti-plastic programme at Sitarampeth 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. 3 more anti-plastic programmes were organized during the month at Kutwanda (Feb 15), Dewada (Feb 16) and Chorgaon (Feb 18).

Kutwanda: plastic trash clean-up

On February 13, Bandu organized a programme to clean a soak pit at Adegaon, next to a tap on the school premises. Litter had clogged up the pit and water was spilling out from it. The team cleaned up the pit and removed the litter. A similar programme was organized on February 25 at Chorgaon.

During February, Bandu organized 2 nature trails for school students of Kutwanda (Feb 8) and Mudholi (Feb 14). On the trails, Bandu helped the children identify various birds and plants and spoke to them about nature and wildlife conservation.

Mudholi children spotting birds

As part our community assistance effort, Bandu organized a public cleanliness programme on February 13 at Junona. Nine villagers joined hands with Bandu in clearing the litter on the main approach road to the village.

Education

In February, our environment education programme covered 10 schools.

Dewada - Bandu conducts an environment education class

Education Van

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

Mudholi - students and teacher watch a film on wildlife

MHU

There were health camps in 6 villages in February.

Navegaon - villagers wait their turn for treatment at our free health camp

Zari - members of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)
come to our free medical camp for treatment