Activity Update April 2015: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Saket Agasti - Assistant Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

·      Two voluntary work project programmes to clean waterholes at Kadbikheda and Ghatpendari

·      Two nature trails for youths of villages in buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR)

·      Bandu and Dilip joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols twice and 3 times respectively

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

·      Conducted 2 meetings of local self help groups (SHGs) on capacity building at Kolitmara and Ghatpendari

·      Conducted surveys of unemployed youths in the buffer zone villages of PTR

·      Organized 4 medical camps at which 90  patients were treated

Conservation

On April 21, Bandu organized a voluntary work programme at Ghatpendari to clean a waterhole in the jungle around 0.5 km from the village. 8 villagers participated in the programme. The waterhole was covered with leaves and clogged with other organic litter, making it difficult for animals to have access to the water. This waterhole is the only source of water for animals in the area and it is important to maintain it, particularly as water is scarce in summer. Deer, wild boar, gaur and monkeys are regularly spotted around the waterhole while tigers and leopards are sighted occasionally. Photo below.

In April 25, Dilip and team of 12 villagers of Kadbikheda village cleaned a waterhole and the area around it. The water hole is on the outskirts of the village in the buffer zone, around 100 meters from the boundary of the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve. The water body provides water to domestic animals in the day and to wild animals at night. Deer, wild boars and jackals are regularly spotted in this area. Photos below.

Dilip joined VEDC members and Forest Department staff on patrols on April 5, 28 and April 30 at Wagholi and Khapa villages. The team patrolled the borders of the villages, checking for signs of illegal activities. Bandu joined similar patrols on April 5 and 30 in West Pench Range. No illegal activity was detected on these patrols.

Patrol in Khapa

In April, Bandu and Dilip took students on 2 nature trails during which they spoke to the students about birds, trees and forests. The impact of degradation of natural resources was explained to the students.

Bandu shows spotted deer droppings to the children

Ghatpendari children on a nature trail

In April, our team organized 5 meetings of VEDC members and unemployed youths to discuss village development, conservation and livelihood issues.

Forest guard Mr Bangar (left) and Bandu address VEDC members

Bandu handing over cooking gas connection to a villager as part of the
VEDC activities

Environmental Education Programmes

There was no education programme in April due to annual examinations at local schools.

Employment Cell

In April, 19 youths were sent for livelihood training programmes at Montfort Integrated Education Center of Patansawangi, Maharashtra. SF identified the suitable candidates with the help of its Employment Cell survey data. Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation will provide financial assistance to the candidates to meet the programme fees.

Education Van Programme

There was no film show conducted in April due to annual examinations at local schools.

Mobile Health Service (MHS)

There were 4 medical camps held in April in which 90 patients were treated.

Dr Shekhdar examines patients at our health camp at Ghatkukda