Activity Update May 2014: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Saket Agasti - Assistant Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

• One check dam built near Khapa
• Three voluntary work project programmes to clean water holes at Kirangisarra, Datizira and Pipriyapani
• Field assistant Bandu Uikey joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols five times
• Two nature trails organized at Sillari and Kolitmara
• Organized 8 medical camps at which 303 patients were treated
• Assisted 5 unemployed youths in getting temporary jobs
• Survey carried out to prepare micro-plans of Ambazari  and Pardi
• Organized village meetings at Ghoti, Ghatkukda, Kolitmara to discuss village development issues through Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC)

Conservation

On May 23, Dilip and Saket joined Forest Department staff and VEDC members in a programme to clean the man-made waterhole in Tuyapar beat near Kirangisarra. This waterhole is situated 3 km from Kirangisarra inside the forest in the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve and is used by wild animals. The programme helped in clearing the stagnant water. Such programmes also help in keeping a check on any illegal activity around the water body.

Cleaning the man-made waterhole at Kirangisarra

On May 25, SF’s staff Bandu and Saket joined forest department staff and VEDC members in a programme to clean 2 natural waterholes at Datizira beat of Ghatpendari, West Pench. Both waterholes are situated inside the Tiger Reserve, around 5 km from Ghatpendari village and are used by wild animals. The programmes helped in clearing the water bodies of organic growth and residue from the stagnant water. As both water bodies are inside the core area of the Tiger Reserve, various wild animals are seen here regularly including herbivores and predators.

Removing organic matter from the waterhole at Datizira

Cleaning the waterhole at Pipriyapani

On May 23 Dilip organized a voluntary work project to build a check dam with the help of VEDC President Mr. Kashinath Kumbhre of Khapa village. Adult villagers, children and VEDC members teamed up with Dilip to build a check dam on a stream adjoining the forest, around 500 meters from Khapa village. The water body will be useful for wildlife, as there is a scarcity of water bodies in this area. Photo below.

On May 25, Bandu and Saket joined members of the village eco-development committee (VEDC) of Ghatpendari to assist the Forest Department staff on patrols in the forest. Old tiger scat was encountered on the route of the patrol of the team. Presence of herbivores was also observed near waterholes. No illegal activity was observed by the team on these patrols.

Patrol with forest guard Mr Maate - inspecting tiger scat

Patrol in West Pench

Bandu on a machaan during the waterhole census

On May 22, Bandu took youths from Kolitmara village on nature trails to teach them the basics of spotting and identifying wild animals and birds. He spoke to them about the signs of wild animals and how to identify them. He also talked about the various trees found in the area. This trail helped many youth from this area, as they intend to join as tourist guides for safaris in West Pench area.

Explaining pugmarks to the participants

SF is preparing micro-plans for villages in buffer zone area of Pench Tiger Reserve. These plans will help in sustainable, eco-friendly development of the villages. This process is also intended to reduce the dependence of villagers on the forest. In May, Bandu carried out surveys in Ambazari and Pardi villages of Saleghat Range of Pench Tiger Reserve.

Carrying out survey for the preparation of a micro-plan
for Pardi

Range Forest Officer Deshpande discusses issues with villagers
at a meeting arranged by us - Ambajhari

In May, the Forest Department and VEDC, Ghatpendari organized a programme to distribute cooking gas connections to villagers of Ghatpendari and Salai. We helped identify the beneficiaries, assisted the villagers in preparing the required documents and explained to the villagers how to use the stoves and the precautions which need to be taken. Our field assistant Bandu handed over some of the connections personally.

Bandu supervising distribution of gas cylinders, Ghatpendari

Pressure cooker units were also distributed and a demonstration was arranged for the villagers.

Saleghat - pressure cookers being distributed 

Environmental Education Programmes

In May, there were no environment education programmes in schools as they were shut for the summer vacation. 

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 Maharashtra this programme is being implemented in Sawara, with computers provided by us, and in Pipariya using the school’s computers.

Employment Cell

In May, we assisted 5 unemployed youths in getting temporary jobs with the Forest Department. All these youths are active in anti-poaching patrols and other conservation activities organized by Satpuda Foundation. Thanks to Bandu’s contacts with the local officials of the Forest Department, he got to know of the vacancies and forwarded the names of the youths through the VEDC. The details of the youths are below. They will be employed on daily wages for six months.

Education Van Programme

There were no film shows on nature and wildlife conservation in May as schools were shut for the annual summer holiday.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 8 medical camps held in May in which patients were treated.  

Medical camp at Ghoti