Activity Update May 2014: Kanha

Team: Amit Awasthi – Conservation Officer

            Sampathlal Dhurve – Field assistant

           

Highlights 

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

·      3 awareness programmes on forest fires and bio-gas

·      4 new waterholes dug and 2 existing waterholes cleaned

·      2 vermi-compost tanks constructed in 2 villages

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

·      Water pots for birds in 3 villages

·      2 unemployed youths placed in local jobs

Conservation          

Batwar - children burying plastic trash collected during a clean-up drive

Cleaning the well in Bhagpur

In community assistance work, our team organized a programme on May 9 to clean the area next to a well at Bhagpur. There was substantial water stagnation from water spilt when villagers filled up buckets and vessels from the well. This had created a small marsh and water was spreading to the village road. Insects were also breeding in the water, creating a health hazard. Four youths, one male adult and two ladies from the village joined Amit and Sampath in clearing the area and in filling up the marsh with mud and gravel. Once this sets, a canal will be dug to drain future spill over water to a soak pit.

A similar programme was organized on May 25 to clear the area next to a well at Batwar. Photos below.

A similar programme was organized on May 21 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 the summer. Sometimes villagers start fires as they believe that tendu leaves sprout better after burning the area. 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. The programmes were attended by Forester Shivcharan Thakre and Forest Guard Shaymlal Dhurve (Batwar) and Forest Guard Devendra Tiwari (Chapri).

We also used the programmes to promote awareness of bio-gas and its benefits. The awareness programmes were held on May 16 at Batwar, on May 17 at Sautiya and on May 19 at Chapri.  

During the month, our team organized programmes to dig/create 4 new waterholes. All of these were located inside the jungle in the buffer zone.

We also organized programmes to clean 2 existing waterholes inside the jungle, which had become clogged with organic litter. Photos below.

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 May, we helped 2 villagers build vermi-compost tanks -- Guman Markam of Sautiya on May 7 and Mansingh Markam of Chapri on May 30.  

Batwar - a vermi-compost tank being dug in Mansingh Markam's yard

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 30 pots were put up in 3 villages.

Water pot being put up in Manegaon

Education

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

Amit and Sampath led children of Samaiya and Dhamangaon on nature trails on May 17 and May 23 respectively. On the trails, they helped children identify various species of plants and animals and explained the importance of preserving our environment. Photo below: nature trail with children of Samaiya.

                                                              

Education van programme

There were no film shows in May as schools were shut for the annual summer holidays.

Employment Cell

We helped two youths get jobs in May.

Chapri - Doulat Vyam got a job at Tiger Wood Resort

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.

Chapri - Kura Bai sells vegetables grown with our assistance