Activity Update April 2014: Kanha

Team: Amit Awasthi – Conservation Officer

            Sampathlal Dhurve – Field assistant

           

Highlights       

·      3 new waterholes dug and 6 existing waterholes cleaned

·      3 awareness programmes on forest fires and bio-gas  

·      Two voluntary work projects for community assistance – area next to well cleaned at Batwar and area next to hand pump at Chapri

·      One bio-gas plant repaired in Chapri

·      2 conservation rallies with women’s SHGs in 2 villages

·      1 vermi-compost tank constructed in Chapri

·      Water pots for birds in 3 villages

·      3 nature trails for village children to promote awareness about nature and conservation

         ·      2 unemployed youths placed in local jobs                

Conservation  

In community assistance work, our team organized a programme on April 6 to clean the area next to a well at Batwar, which had become overgrown with weeds and other wild growth. Four youths, one male adult and two ladies from the village joined Amit and Sampath in clearing the area.

Batwar well with wild growth around it

Team cleaning the area

A similar programme was organized on April 25 to clear the area next to a hand pump at Chapri. Photos below.

During the month, Amit also organized 3 awareness programmes on forest fires. Fires are a recurring hazard during summer. Sometimes, villagers start fires as they believe that tendu leaves sprout better after such fires. Collection of tendu leaves takes place during May. In our awareness programmes, we explained the dangers that such fires cause to the forest and to wildlife and how they could harm villages if they blazed out of control.

We also used the programmes to promote awareness of bio-gas and its benefits. The awareness programmes were held on April 5 at Manegaon, on April 7 at Samaiya and on April 19 at Chapri.

During April, we also organized 2 rallies by women’s self-help groups (SHGs) to promote awareness about forest fires and the need to fight fires. On April 8, 4 SHGS took part in a rally at Batwar  - Maa SHG, Durga SHG, Gondwana SHG and Tiranga SHG. 

A similar rally was held on April 13 at Dhamangaon in which 4 SHGS participated – Baiga Krushak SHG, Jyothi SHG, Deep SHG and Durga SHG.

Women's SHGs on a rally in Dhamangaon, to create awareness about
forest fires

In order to reduce the dependence of villagers on forests for firewood, we encourage them to use alternative sources of energy. As part of this programme, we assist villagers in repairing bio-gas units (set up by the Forest Department and Ajiwika) which have fallen into disrepair. On April 23, we helped one villager, Amarsingh Markam of Chapri restart his unit.

Chapri - repaired biogas-powered stove being fired up by villagers

During the month, our team organized programmes to dig/create 3 new waterholes in the jungle. All of these were located inside the jungle in the buffer zone, between 3 km and 5 km from the nearest village.

Sampath briefing the children before starting to dig - Batwar

Batwar - young volunteers digging a waterhole

We also organized programmes to clean 6 existing waterholes inside the jungle, which had become clogged with organic litter.

Our team encourages organic farming as part of our strategy to reduce the impact of chemical fertilizers in fields adjoining prime wildlife areas. Part of our work includes assistance to villagers in setting up compost and vermi-compost tanks. During April, we helped Ratiram Dhurve of Chapri to set up a vermi-compost tank.

Chapri - vermi-compost tank at Ratiram Dhurve's house

With the heat rising in the summer, our team has been motivating villagers to put up pots with water so that birds and small animals can quench their thirst. Around 50 pots were put up in 3 villages.

Manegaon children filling water pots for birds

Education

There were no classroom programmes as schools were shut for the annual summer holidays.

Amit and Sampath led children of Patpara and Kutwahi on nature trails on April 6  and April 10 respectively. On the trails, they helped children identify various species of plants and animals and explained the importance of preserving our environment.

Sampath with children on a nature trail

Employment Cell

Balveer Singh at Kanha Resort, Mocha - his new place of work

We helped two youths get jobs in April.

We have been encouraging villagers to take to vegetable farming on a commercial scale to help them generate additional income and reduce their dependence on forests for income. Over the past 3 years, we have distributed seeds and helped 15 farmers set up vegetable patches. They are earning 200 to 500 rupees a week in additional income through this effort.

Bhagpur - villagers and Women's SHGs discuss livelihood options
with Amit