Activity Update January 2015: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Team: Saket Agasti – Assistant Conservation Officer

            Niranjan Hinge, Bandu Uikey – Field Assistants

 

Highlights

·      One voluntary work project to build a stop dam near Turia

·      One voluntary work project to prepare a soak pit near hand pump

·      One anti-plastic drive in school at Tuyepani village

·      5 nature trails for school children of Turia, Khamba, Jamuntola and Awarghani villages

·      Ten environmental education programs – attended by 281 students

·      Two film shows on nature and environment

·      Placement of one unemployed youth at local resort

·      6  medical camps at which 127 patients were treated

·      Self Help Group (SHG) formation meeting organized at Turia village

 Conservation 

On January 13, Niranjan gathered a team of 7 villagers of Turia and built a stop dam on a stream flowing along the village boundary about 800 meters from the National Park. The resultant water body will benefit both domestic and wild animals. Deer, wild boar and jackals are regularly spotted in this area. Photos below.

On January 21, Bandu joined hands with students of Tuyepani Government Primary and Middle schools to dig a soak pit next to a hand pump on the school campus. He explained to the students how such soak pits help recharge the water table.

Students digging the pit at Tuyepani

Posing near the soak pit after completion

On January 17, an anti-plastic drive was organized in the school campus of Tuyepani village. 85 children participated in the program. The drive’s motive was to clean the area and spread awareness among the students about cleanliness. Students were explained about the hazards of plastic for environment.

In January, five nature trails were organized by Niranjan for the children of Turia, Khamba, Jamuntola and Awarghani villages. On the trails, he explained to them about the various plants and common medicinal uses of those plants. He also identified birds and explained their role in nature.

Students of Turia school spotting birds on a nature trail

On January 28, a meeting was arranged at Turia village by our team on procedure relating to formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs). In the meeting, 15 women formed a group named 'Shrusti Swasahyata Samuha Turia'.  Our team will motivate this group to assist in the conservation efforts at the village level. Our team will also assist them in taking up alternative livelihoods which will reduce pressure on forests.

SHG formation meeting in Turia

Environmental Education Programme

Our team conducted 10 environment education programmes in classrooms during January. 

Niranjan explaining the food chain

Employment Cell

We helped one unemployed youth get a job at a local resort in January.

Education Van Programme

There were 2 film shows on nature and wildlife conservation during January.

Awarghani students watching a film on biodiversity

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

We held 6 medical camps in January, in which 127 patients were treated.

Dr Bhasme examines a patient at Khamba village