Activity Update March 2013: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Anoop Awasthi – Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field assistants

Highlights

• One voluntary work project to clean and deepen waterhole
• Joined Forest Department staff in fire line work at Ghatkukda beat at Mansinghdeo Sanctuary
• Water conservation – one stop dam built at Shivkund, near Wagholi
• One anti-plastic programme at Wagholi village
• Eco-friendly Holi programme in Sawara
• Field assistant Bandu Uikey and Dilip Lanjewar  joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols on 12 occasions
• Nature trails for students and youths of Ghatkukda, Pipariya, Fulzari
• 6 medical camps – 168  patients treated
• Environment education programme in 12  villages -- covered 438 students
• Visited Kanha Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve along with dairy management expert Ravi Patil

Conservation

On March 13, Bandu led a team of 8 villagers of Ghatkukda village in a programme to clean and deepen a waterhole around 5 kms from the village, inside the jungle. The waterhole had dried up and was clogged with leaves and other organic debris. Our team cleaned the waterhole, removed all the debris and deepened it, after which water began to seep into the water hole again. Spotted deer, sambar, jackals and wild boar are regularly seen in the area.

Cleaning and deepening a waterhole at Ghatkukda

After this, the same team assisted the Forest Department staff in fire line work.

SF team assisting in fire line work at Ghatkukda

On March 15, Dilip led a team of 12 youths from Wagholi village in a programme to build a stop dam on a stream at Shivkund, around half a kilometer from the village. Spotted deer, sambhar, jackals and wild boars are regularly seen in the area. This stop dam retains water even in the peak of summer when other water bodies in the area dry up. Villagers have reported sightings of tiger and leopard at the stop dam during peak summer.

On March 10, Dilip led 16 children from Pipariya on a nature trail in the jungle adjoining the village. On the trail, Dilip spoke to the children about the importance of trees and wild life in our eco system. A similar nature trail was organized for 10 students of Fulzari on March 17. On both nature trails, Dilip spoke to the children about the need to celebrate Holi in an eco-friendly manner.

Dilip with children on a nature trail at Pipariya

Holi is a major Hindu festival and is normally celebrated by people splashing water and colours on each other. Normally, a lot of water is wasted and chemicals in the colours contaminate the soil and water bodies. Further, bonfires are lit and branches and trees are cut for firewood. In our programmes, we explained the harm that is caused to the environment by such activities and encouraged people to celebrate the festival in a more eco-friendly manner. Instead of using firewood, villagers are advised to burn rubbish and waste materials.

On March 14, Bandu led 5 youths from Ghatkukda on a nature trail in the jungle adjoining the village. On the trail, Bandu identified various species of local flora and fauna and explained the need for conservation to the youths.

On March 25, Bandu and members of the Eco-Development Committee (EDC) of Narhar village joined local staff of the Forest Department in an anti-poaching patrol. Similar programmes were organized on March 27, 28 and 29 at Ghatpendari. Normally, the Forest Department steps up anti-poaching patrolling around the Holi festival when there is a tendency among villagers to get drunk and seek fresh meat for the festivities.

Bandu and Ghatpendari EDC members on anti-poaching patrol 

Bandu and members of Ghatpendari EDC on night patrol during Holi

Khapa - members of village EDC set off on anti-poaching patrol
as part of community patrolling programme

On March 4 and March 7, Dilip Lanjewar joined local staff of the Forest Department in anti-poaching patrols. Members of the eco-development committee (EDC) of Wagholi also took part in the patrols in the jungle near Wagholi. Similar programmes were held on March 6, 8 and 27 at Sillari and at Khapa on March 13 and 21.

On March 26, Dilip joined local staff of the Forest Department on special anti-poaching patrols for Holi. Dilip took part in the patrols in the jungle near Pipariya, Ghoti and Fulzari.

         

Education

In March, our team conducted environment education programmes in 12 schools in our area of operations.

Environment education programme at Kadbikheda

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

Our team assisted Nature Conservation Society, Amravati in conducting 6 medical camps in March. 

Free medical camp at Ghatpendari