Wildlife Week 2013: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Highlights

·      Three oath taking ceremonies were held on the occasion of wildlife week, children took an  oath to protect the forest near their villages

·      Four awareness rallies were conducted in which around 430 students participated

·      Seven drawing and painting competitions were held in which more than 600 students participated

·      Two essay competitions were organized in which students wrote on wildlife and its conservation

·      Three nature trails were organized for the students to know the importance of nature around them

·      6 medical camps were held for free health checkups and treatment, through the patients the message of wildlife conservation was spread in the villages 

DAY ONE

At Khamreeth village (Pench MP), an oath-taking ceremony was arranged by Satpuda Foundation’s Field Assistant Mr. Niranjan Hinge. Students took an oath to save forests and conserve wildlife. After the ceremony an awareness rally and drawing competition were held jointly with the MP forest department. Around 80 students participated in the events. The students were very excited about celebrating this day with Forest staff and village heads.

Deputy Ranger s Mr. Soni and Mr. Katre; Forest Guard Mr. Dhurve, Sarpanch Mr. Tekam and EDC President Mr. Salame actively participated in the program. Booklets on Pench Tiger Reserve and birds, provided by the Forest Department, were given to the students on this occasion. The principal of Khamreeth school Mr. Bahe and his staff supported the event.

At Tuyepani village (Pench MP), drawing and essay competitions were arranged in the school by Satpuda Foundation’s Field Assistant Mr. Bandu Uikey. Children also participated in a wildlife-related quiz competition. From the MP Forest Department Mr. Choudhary (Forest Guard) and Mr. Kokode (Forest Guard) joined the events. Around 300 students of Govt. Middle School participated along with the school staff.

DAY TWO

At Turia, a drawing competition was organized by Satpuda Foundation’s Field Assistant Mr. Niranjan Hinge. Children who participated in the competition were from a computer awareness initiative that Satpuda Foundation run for the children and youth of buffer zone villages. Around 13 students participated in the event.

DAY THREE

At Doodhgaon (Pench MP) drawing, quiz and essay competitions were held by Satpuda Foundation’s Mr. Bandu Uikey. A classroom lecture on wildlife conservation was also held in Govt. Middile School. From the Forest Department Forest Guard Mr. Malviya and Deputy Ranger Mr. Kusram were present for the programs and appreciated the childrens' work. Around 185 students participated in the competitions. Gifts were also given to children to increase their enthusiasm for conservation topics.

At Turia, a drawing and essay competition was held in the Govt. middle school. Students actively participated in the competition to draw their favorite animal. Children were also given gifts on the occasion.

DAY FOUR

Scheduled programmes were cancelled due to heavy rains in the area of operations.

DAY FIVE

At Teliya village various programs were held for the school children. First students took an oath to protect the wildlife near them, then a rally was organized through the village. Drawing and essay competitions were also held at the venue. Satpuda Foundation’s Assistant Director Mr. Anoop Awasthi, volunteer Mr. Kirti Chavan, Asst. Conservation Officer Mr. Saket Agasti, Field Assistant Mr. Niranjan Hinge, Dr. Ravi Morey and NCSA’s Mr. Sanjay Pundekar actively participated in the event and guided the children.

DAY SIX

At Potiya and Durgapur, various competitions were held in schools. A medical camp was also held in these villages. Nature Conservation Society, Amravati’s Mobile Health Unit helped in diagnosing patients and free medicine was also provided.

DAY SEVEN

A closing ceremony was organized with prize distributions for the children who participated in the events of wildlife week at Turia.