Activity Update May 2014: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Highlights

·      Assisted in fighting fires in forest on 3 occasions

·      5 awareness programmes on forest fires in  Pachmarhi and Denwa clusters

·      Putting up of pots with drinking water for birds at Anjandana and Raikheda

·      2 water conservation voluntary work projects – 2 check dams built at Almod

·      One voluntary work project to clear water body at Almod

·      Celebrated International Bio-diversity Day at Matkuli

·      Organized meetings in 7 villages on relocation

·      2 unemployed youths identified for making bags

·      2 self-help groups (SHGs) formed at Mohgaon and Mehandikheda

·  Visit to check on status of relocated villages of Birjikhapa, Nankot, Dhargaon and Parraspani  

Conservation

With the onset of summer, forest fires are a major hazard in the dry, deciduous forests across the landscape. Wherever possible, our teams make it their top priority to assist in fighting fires. On May 22, Ashfaq and Anoop Awasthi assisted in fighting a fire which had broken out in the jungle around 1 km from Matkuli. Five people employed by the Forest Department on daily wages (known as fire-watchers) and 2 youths from Matkuli joined Ashfaq and Anoop in fighting the fire.

During the month, Ashfaq organized 5 programmes in villages to promote awareness about forest fires and the need for everyone to join hands in fighting fires. In 2 of the meetings, local staff of the Forest Department joined us in addressing the villagers.

Awareness programme about fire prevention, Mohgaon

Our teams also work across the landscape to provide water to birds during the scorching summer. Ashfaq motivated villagers in Anjandana and Raikheda to put up small containers with water around the village and its outskirts for birds to quench their thirst.

On May 24, we organized programmes to build 2 check dams on a stream around 2.5 km from Almod village. 9 villagers from Almod joined hands with Ashfaq to build the two dams, which are located at different places on the same stream. The resultant water body will benefit domestic livestock in the day time and wildlife at night. Spotted deer, monkeys and other wild life are regularly spotted in the area.

The first check dam near Almod

The second check dam near Almod

After building the dams, the team also cleared up a water body in the jungle which is used mainly by wild animals. Photo below.

On May 22, we organized a function to celebrate the International Bio-diversity Day celebration at Matkuli. This programme was attended by Smt. Geeta Jaiswal (Sarpanch of Matkuli) and villagers of Mohgaon and Matkuli.

Ashfaq and Anoop talk to villagers on International Biodiversity Day

The other major work during May was related to relocation of villages from Satpura Tiger Reserve. During May, Ashfaq organized meetings of the residents of Parraspani, Anjandana, Dhargaon, Raikheda, Kukra, Nandner and Nankot villages to discuss relocation-related issues. Shri L.K. Shukla (Dep Ranger) and Shri Chain Singh Dhurve (Dep Ranger) participated in the programmes. Ashfaq was asked to organize these meetings by R P Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Satpura Tiger Reserve.

 Environment education

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

Education Van

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

Employment Cell

During the month, Ashfaq explained the potential for earning additional income by making and selling re-usable bags from waterproof material to some residents of Matkuli and Aritodiya. They were asked to make samples and will be assisted with market linkages once they are able to make products of the right quality.

Two villagers were identified as suitable candidates for this activity:

Self-Help Group

We assisted in the formation of 2 SHGs at Mohgaon and Mehandikheda on May 20 and 21.

Mehandikheda - members of Sri Sai SHG register their group
at the Gram Panchayat office

Birjikhapa Relocated village

Ashfaq visited the relocated villages of Birjikhapa, Nankot, Dhargaon and Parraspani village on May 29 and 30, to follow up on the status of the relocated villagers.

Ashfaq met the CEOs of Janpad Panchayat, Pipariya, Sohagpur and Babai to discuss issues of the relocated villagers.

Villagers were mostly busy looking for work and most of them were moving out of the village in search of employment.

Resettled villagers of Dhargaon applying for bank accounts, PAN cards

The site where the village of Nankot is being settled

Villagers of Nankot shift their possessions to the new site