The City-dweller and the Tiger: Activity Update June 2013: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Anoop Awasthi – Conservation Officer

Saket Agasti – Assistant Conservation Officer

Bandu Uikey – Field assistant

Dilip Lanjewar – Field assistant

Highlights

One voluntary work project to clean area around hand pump at Sawara
One voluntary work project to clean water hole at Chopannala [Narhar Round]
One voluntary work project to create small dam to conserve the water overflowing from water hole at Ghatpendari
Assisted Forest Department in patrolling along with members of Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC) of Sillari, Khapa, Wagholi, Ghatkukda and Ghatpendari
Celebrated World Environment Day at Khapa, Wagholi and Ghatpendari
Meetings about relocation of villages at Kirangisarra, Fulzari, Ghatpendari
Participated in LPG gas distribution program at Khapa & Wagholi.
3 VEDC meetings at Ghatpendari, Ghatkukda, Kolitmara
3 nature trail for children of Ghoti, Sillari and Ghatpendari
6 medical camps – 165 patients treated.

Conservation

On June 14 Bandu led a team of 7 villagers of Narhar in a programme to clean an artificial water hole in the jungle around 3 km from the village. Organic litter and scum covered the water body, making it difficult for animals to drink water. The team cleaned the water hole, collected the waste matter and disposed of it in a pit. Picture below.

On June 17 Bandu led a team of 8 VEDC members of Ghatpendari in a programme to build a small dam next to an artificial water hole in the jungle. A solar-powered water pump had been installed at this waterhole recently. As the pump is solar-powered, it pumps out water throughout the day and water starts spilling out of the waterhole. To prevent the wastage of water, our team built a small check dam. Pictures below.

On June 26 Dilip and Saket led a team of 22 school children to clean the area around a hand pump in Sawara. Plastic, grass, weeds and other organic matter had accumulated in the area and water was stagnating, leading to health risks. The team cleaned the area surrounding the hand pump, collected the waste matter and disposed of it in a pit. Picture below.

We organized 2 nature trails in eastern Pench in June - on June 6 for 14 children from Sillari and on June 24 for 10 children from Ghoti. Field assistant Dilip Lanjewar led both the trails during which he spoke to the children about the importance of trees and wild life in our ecosystem.

Nature trail, Ghoti

On June 18, Bandu led 8 children from Ghatpendari village 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 children.

Dilip joined local staff of the Forest Department in anti-poaching patrols on June 4, 11, 19 and 22. Members of the eco-development committee (EDC) of Wagholi, Khapa (twice) and Sillari and Dilip took part in the patrols in the jungle. Anoop and Saket joined the patrols at Sillari and Khapa.

Khapa - Anoop and Dilip lead VEDC members on patrol

Sillari - VEDC members on anti-poaching patrol

On June 15 and 23, Bandu joined local staff of the Forest Department in anti-poaching patrols. Members of the eco-development committee (EDC) of Ghatkukda and Bandu took part in the patrols in the adjoining jungle. 4 members of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) also joined these patrols. Picture below.

Our team joins STPF on anti-poaching patrol

On June 26 field assistant Bandu Uikey joined local staff of the Forest Department in anti-poaching patrols and investigation of nomads in areas adjoining the MP border. The team interviewed Police Patil, Sarpanch and shepherds of respective villages.

On June 5, World Environment Day was celebrated at Khaapa, Wagholi and Ghatpendari. In east Pench, Dilip and Anoop met villagers and explained the significance of the day to them and spread awareness about the environment. To celebrate World Environment day, LPG gas connections were issued to villagers through VEDC. MLA of Ramtek Mr.Ashish Jaiswal and ACF, Pench Tiger reserve, Mr. A. Pillariseth were present for the function.

Wagholi - Meeting to distribute free LPG connections being addressed

by local MLA Jaiswal

Khapa - LPG connections being distributed by MLA Jaiswal
and ACF (Pench) Pillariseth on World Environment Day

In Ghatpendari, Bandu organized a meet to create awareness amongst the villagers about environment.

VEDC meetings were organized on June 1, 6 and 15 at Ghatkukda, Kolitmara and Ghatkukda respectively. Bandu Uikey participated in these mentioned meetings.

On June 12 Anoop, Saket and Bandu participated in a workshop at Nagpur on relocation of villages. At the workshop, the Government Resolution (GR) on relocation was explained to the participants so that they could, in turn, explain the same in detail to villagers. Picture below.

On June 19 Anoop, Saket and Bandu participated in the meeting at Ghatpendari on relocation of the village. Round Officer Mr. Kamble joined them in explaining the GR to villagers. Picture below.

On June 20, a meeting was held at Kirangisarra village on relocation. Anoop, Saket and Dilip participated in the meeting along with Range Forest Officer (RFO) Mr. Pokle. Anoop and Mr. Pokle discussed the issues with the villagers and explained to them the terms of the GR on relocation.

On June 18, Anoop and Saket went on an anti-poaching patrol with RFO Pokle at Chorbauli Range of Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. The team inspected the artificial water holes and met STPF guards. Picture below.

Education

We are running a programme to introduce village children to computers. A pilot project has been running at Sawara where classes are held every Sunday. The children are taught basics of computers. This year, we are planning to add modules which cover the prescribed school syllabus.