Activity Update February 2015: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Highlights

·      4 water conservation voluntary work projects during the month – 3 new soak pits dug and 1  check dam built

·      5 awareness programmes on vermi-compost

·      Classroom visits to 14 schools as part of our environment education program – attended by 759 students

·      Organized SHGs livelihood training programme

·      Medical camps in 6 villages - 239 patients treated

·      Village meeting for relocation work

·      Visit to check on status of relocated villages

Conservation

During February, we organized 4 voluntary work project programmes related to water conservation.  

On February 6, we organized a programme to build a check dam on a stream around 3 km from Jamandhonga village. 45 children from Government Middle School Jamandhonga and Government primary school Chakar joined hands with Ashfaq to build the dam. 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. Photos below.

On February 10, we organized a program to dig a soak pit at the   Government Primary School, Jamandhonga. 15 students from the school joined hands with Hameed in digging the pit, which will take spillover water from a hand pump on the school premises. The pit will help to recharge the water table around the hand pump. Photos below.

On February 12, we organized a program to dig a soak pit at the Chirrai village. 12 students from the school joined hands with Hameed Khan in digging the pit, which will take spillover water from a hand pump located in public space. The pit will help to recharge the water table around the hand pump.

On February 28, we organized a program to dig a soak pit at the   Government Primary School, Chandan Pipariya. 10 students from the school joined hands with Hameed in digging the pit, which will take spillover water from a hand pump on the school premises. The pit will help to recharge the water table around the hand pump.

As part of our efforts to reduce villagers’ dependence on forests for firewood, we organize programmes to promote the use of bio-gas. We also encourage villagers to use vermi-compost to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in areas adjoining wildlife habitats. As part of this strategy, we organized 5 programmes in February to promote the use of vermi-compost and bio-gas. The details are given in the table below:

Education

During the month, our team made classroom visits to 14 schools to educate children about nature and wildlife conservation.

Students' rally in Tekapur to create awareness about the harmful effects
of plastic

Ashfaq talks to students during an nvironment education class at Matkuli

MHS

There were health camps in 6 villages in February.

Free health camp at Chandanpipariya

Medical camp co-ordinator Siddharth Kale dispenses medicines from our
ambulance - Malli health camp

Employment Cell

Chillod - Ashfaq discusses livelihood options with unemployed young men

On February 7, a senior Manager of the Chetak Enterprises Nimbaheda (Rajasthan) visited villages in our area of operations. The official, Mr. Mahesh, Manager based at Hoshangabad, asked Ashfaq to arrange for a meeting with youths who could work as toll collectors in our area. Ashfaq organized a meeting of 31 youths from 2 villages where we work.  

On February 22, Hameed Khan organized Self-Help Group livelihood training programme at Matkuli. This programme was attended by 7 SHGs. The focus was on record management, loan distribution and repayments, selection of livelihood units, self-dependent livelihoods. This programme was organized with the support of Janpad Panchayat Pipariya. Photo below.

Proposed relocation

Hameed Khan organized meetings of the residents of Jamandhonga, Chakar, Muhar, Mongra and Raikheda villages to discuss relocation-related issues. Our team has been asked to organize these meetings by Shri R.P. Singh (Field Director), and Shri Sanjeev Sharma (Range Officer Pachmarhi Range), Satpura Tiger Reserve.