Activity Update November 2014: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Team: Saket Agasti – Assistant Conservation Officer

            Niranjan Hinge, Bandu Uikey – Field Assistants

 

Highlights

·      One voluntary work project to build a check dam near Khamba

·      One voluntary work project to repair a check dam  at Turia

·      4 nature trails for school children of Turia and Satosha

·      Nine  environmental education programmes – attended by 336 students

·      7  film shows on nature and wildlife – viewed by 336 villagers and students

·      7  medical camps at which 161 patients were treated

·      Self Help Group (SHG) meetings organized at Khamba and Satosha

Conservation

On November 19, Niranjan led a team of 11 people of Khamba in a voluntary programme to build a check dam on a stream. The location of this dam is just outside the village and the stream is used by villagers in day time and at night by wildlife. Many natural water holes have not been replenished this year due to scanty rainfall. This check dam will help in retaining some water for animals when the summer arrives. Photos below.

On November 26, Niranjan and team of 15 villagers and students repaired a check dam near Turia village. This dam was built by villagers in a programme organized by us 2 months ago. A flash flood had damaged the dam walls.

 On November 4 and 14, Niranjan organized nature trails for the children of Turia village. On the trail he explained to them about the various birds and common wildlife sighted in the area. Similar trails were organized at Satosha village on November 14.

On November 18 and 26, meetings were organized at Khamba and Satosha respectively to form Self Help Groups (SHGs). In these meetings, our team explained to the villagers how to form the SHGs, the benefits to be gained and how the groups could develop further.

To help them get started, Satpuda Foundation will provide support to start poultry farming and vegetable cultivation. Proceeds from these activities will go towards initial funding of the SHGs.

Environmental Education Programme

There were 9 environment education programmes in classrooms during November.

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 Madhya Pradesh. This programme is being implemented on a pilot basis in Teliya and Turia.

Employment Cell  

There were no training programmes or placements in November.

  

Education Van Programme

There were 7 film shows on nature and wild life conservation during November.

Khamrith: children watching wildlife film

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

We held 6 medical camps in November, in which 161 patients were treated.

Dr More checking patients at Durgapur village