Activity Update February 2015: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Saket Agasti - Assistant Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

·      One voluntary work project to built check dam at Wagholi

·      One voluntary work project to clean area next to water tank

·      Organized village meetings at Kolitmara,  Ambazari,  Salai to discuss village development issues through Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC)

·      Assisted in LPG gas distribution programme at Pench Kukda

·      Bandu and Dilip joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols twice each

·      Organized nature camp for students of Ghoti, Pipariya, Sillari, Kolitmara, Ghatkukda, Ghatpendari

·      Two  nature trails held for youths of villages in buffer zone of PTR

·      Conducted  9 environment education programmes -- attended by 270 students

·      Organized 4 Film shows which were attended by 212 students

·      Organized 5 medical camps at which 116  patients were treated

·      Organized Training of four wheeler driving for 40 unemployed youths from Ghoti, Salai, Pipariya, Wagholi, Sillari, Khapa, Sawara, Maudi, Khumari villages.

·      SHGs members of Ghatpendari  were identified by us for vocational training

·      Assisted Kirti Chavan for IT education Initiative at Sawara

Conservation 

On February 25, a check dam was built by Dilip and team of 15 villagers of Wagholi village. The dam was built with the help of sand filled gunny bags, and is situated on the fringe of Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. The water body created by the dam is going to provide water to domestic as well as wild animals. As the water levels of the region are very low this season, people were made aware about such dam structures to retain water. Deer, wild boars and jackals occasionally Tiger are spotted regularly in this area.

      

On February 5, Bandu organized a cleanliness program at Ghatpendari near the water tanks in the village. The villagers/students from the school cleared the plastic and other waste around the tanks. Awareness about village cleanliness was also spread on this occasion among the villagers.

A nature orientation program was organized on February 20^th and 21^st by Satpuda Foundation for 26 students from 6 villages of buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve. Children were taken to Kolitmara Nature Interpretation Complex, where they were taught about various aspects of nature through nature games, presentations, films and lectures. Participants were also taken on a safari and a nature trail in the reserve. 4 teachers assisted in the event.

Jyoti explains biodiversity to the children

On a nature trail with Jyoti

Taking notes on the nature trail

Working on a project during the camp

Dilip joined VEDC members and Forest Department staff on patrols on February 5 and 27 at Wagholi and Khapa respectively. The team patrolled the borders of the villages for illegal activities. No illegal activity was detected on these patrols.

Bandu joined similar patrols on February 1 and 8 near Kolitmara and Surera of West Pench Range.

Bandu checking pug marks on one of the patrols

In February, Bandu took students of Kolitmara village on nature trails twice, during which he spoke to the students about the birds, insects and forests. The impact of degradation of natural resources was explained to the students.

Bandu helping distribute LPG cylinders through the VEDC, Kukda

Environmental Education Programmes

In February, we visited 9 schools to conduct programmes on environment conservation in schools in our area of operations.

Interactive activities to explain conservation issues - Ghatpendari

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 both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Foundation has installed computers in 3 villages and hired a local trainer to impart computer skills to the children. In Maharashtra, this programme is being implemented in Sawara, with computers provided by us, and in Pipariya, using the school’s computers.

        

Employment Cell

Satpuda Foundation organized a four wheeler driver’s training program for 40 youths of buffer zone villages. Youths come from 9 villages namely Pipariya, Sillari, Khapa, Wagholi, Sawara, Maudi, Khumari, Salai and Ghoti. The participants will be trained to drive and will be assisted for obtaining a transport level motor vehicle driving license. Training will help them to get employment in cities as well as areas near their villages. A few of the youths plan to buy safari vehicles to operate in the park.

CCF & FD Mr Reddy flags off the training vehicle for the driving course

Education Van Programme

There were 4 film shows on environment conservation in February.

Conservation film screening during nature camp, Kolitmara

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 5 medical camps held in February in which 116 patients were treated.

Wanera - villagers collect free medicines from our MHS

Ghatkukda - free health camp