Activity Update March 2014: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Saket Agasti - Assistant Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

·      One voluntary work project to clean a water hole at Ghatkukda

·      One anti-plastic programme in the buffer zone area of Pench Tiger Reserve

·      Field assistant Bandu Uikey joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols three times

·      One nature camp organized for children of Ghoti and Pathrai villages

·      Two nature awareness rallies on World Wildlife Day at Ghoti and Kolitmara

·      One nature awareness rally on World Forestry Day at Khapa

·      Celebrated World Water Day on 22 March at Pipariya  

·      Two film shows on nature and wildlife – viewed by 58 students

·      Three environmental education programs – attended by 32 students

·      Organized 12 medical camps at which 409 patients were treated

·      Organized village meetings at Ghatpendari, Ghatkukda, Kolitmara to discuss village development issues through Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC)

Conservation work

On March 3, World Wildlife Day was celebrated by our team and the occasion was used to spread the message of wildlife conservation in the villages in our area of operations. Awareness rallies were organized at Ghoti and Kolitmara villages by Dilip and Bandu respectively. Drawing competitions were also arranged, in which students drew their favorite wild animals. The programmes were used to stress the need for conservation. Photos below.

Kolitmara children celebrate World Wildlife Day

Rally in Ghoti with Forest Guard Mr Kuthariya

Rally at Kolitmara

Drawing competition at Ghoti

Drawing competition at Ghoti

Drawing competition at Kolitmara

On March 21, World Forestry Day, we organized a programme at Khapa to explain the importance of forests to the students of the village. Besides delivering a classroom lecture, Dilip Lanjewar also led the students of the village school on an awareness rally. Forest Guard Mr. Thakre participated in the programme and called upon the children to help protect forests.

Dilip addresses a gathering on World Forestry Day

World Forestry Day rally at Khapa, with Forest Guard Mr Thakre

Classroom lecture at Khapa

On March 22, World Water Day was celebrated at Wagholi village by our team which organized a meeting of villagers and forest department officials. The importance of water to both villagers as well as wildlife was discussed. Range Forest Officer Mr. Bobde (Wildlife) and Round Officer Mr. Muley (Territorial) talked to the villagers about village development through Village Eco Development Committees (VEDC) and Joint Forest Management Committees.

Wagholi - Dilip and RFO Bobde tell villagers about the significance
of World Water Day

Sapling being planted on World Water Day - Wagholi

Wagholi villagers attend a programme for World Water Day

On the same day, we also organized an essay competition at Pipariya school, with the theme being water.

March 16 and March 17 are the days when the festival of Holi is celebrated, with a bonfire on the first day and splashing of colours on the next. During this period, there is an increase in attempts to poach animals for meat for festival feasts and also to cut trees for use as firewood in the bonfires. Therefore, the Forest Department lays additional emphasis on patrolling during this period. Bandu joined these special patrols along with the VEDC members at Ghorad Round and Ghatkukda.

Patrolling at Ghorad beat

Patrolling at Ghatkukda

On 25 March, Bandu organized a programme to clean a water hole around 0.5 km from Ghatkukda, inside the jungle in the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve. Four village youths and two temporary employees of the Forest Department (van majoors) teamed up with Bandu in the programme to remove organic litter from the waterhole. Wild animals use this waterhole during the summer and there are regular sightings of spotted deer and sambar in the area. Photos below.

Environmental Education Programmes

In March, our team conducted environment education programmes in 3 schools in our area of operations. 

On March 6-7, a nature camp was organized for the students of Ghoti and Pathrai villages to promote love for nature and wildlife and inculcate an inclination for conservation. 24 students along with two teachers took part in the camp. Our team organized a range of activities for the children, including slide shows on wildlife, a game drive in Pench Tiger Reserve, nature trail and nature games.  Range Forest officer (East Pench) Mr. G.P. Bobde addressed the students during the camp. He also distributed certificates to the students on completion of the program and encouraged them to join the wildlife conservation moment.

Anoop and Dilip talk to children during the nature camp, Sillari

Sillari children visit Totladoh dam during the nature camp

IT Education Programme

Satpuda Foundation has been running a programme to introduce computers to children living in the remote villages adjoining Pench Tiger Reserve in both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Foundation has installed computers in 3 villages and hired a local trainer to impart computer skills to the children. In Maharashtra, this programme is being implemented in Sawara, with computers provided by us, and in Pipariya, using the school’s computers.

Education Van Programme

There were 2 film shows on nature and wildlife conservation in March.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 12 medical camps held in March in which 409 patients were treated.

Medical camp at Ghoti

Medical camp at Kirangisarra

Village Eco-Development Committee meeting - Ghatpendari

The meeting in progress 

The meeting in progress