Highlights
·
6 water conservation voluntary work projects
during the month – 2 check dams built, 2 water bodies cleaned and 2 soak pits dug
·
10 awareness programmes on forest fire
·
13 awareness programmes on need to provide
water for birds and putting up of 150 water pots/containers
·
Organized 13 nature trails for village
school children – attended by 315 students
·
Medical camps in 6 villages - 210 patients
treated.
·
Organized 5 meetings in villages scheduled
for relocation to help villagers understand issues
·
Visit to check on status of 4 villages which
have already been relocated
·
Socio-economic surveys at Mehandikheda,
Maili and Chandanpipariya
Conservation
During April, we organized 6 programmes related to water
conservation.
On April 13, we organized a program to dig a soak pit at the
Government Primary School (GPS), Karer. 11 students from the school joined
hands with Ashfaq 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.
A similar programme was organized
at GPS, Mohgaon on April 23.
On April 21, we organized a programme to clean a water body
in the jungle around 2.5 km from Almod village. The water body, which is
located in the buffer zone, was covered with leaves and organic litter and
animals were finding it difficult to drink. Our team, consisting of field
assistant Hameed Khan, 2 adult villagers and 16 students from Government
Primary School, Almod, cleared the litter and made the water body accessible to
the animals again. Spotted deer are regularly spotted around the water body
while there are occasional sightings of sloth bears and leopards.
On April 22, a similar programme was organized at
Mehandikheda to clean a water body in the jungle around 3 km from the village.
A total of 17 people participated in this programme, which was led by Hameed
Khan. Photos below.
On April 24, we organized a programme to build a check dam
on a stream around 3 km from Matkuli village. The site is known as Matkuli
nallah. A team comprising of 5 adult, villagers, 40 students from Government
Middle and Higher Secondary Schools, Matkuli and Ashfaq and Hameed built the
dam. The resultant water body will benefit domestic livestock in the day time
and wildlife at nights. Spotted deer, monkeys and leopards are spotted in the
area. Photos below.
On April 29, we organized a programme to build another check
dam on the same stream at a site called Maili Nallah, around 2 km from Matkuli
village. 7 adult villagers and 13 students of GPS, Maili and GMS, Matkuli joined
hands with Ashfaq and Hameed to build the dam. The resultant water body will
benefit domestic livestock in the day time and wildlife at nights. Spotted
deer, monkeys and leopards are seen in the area. Photos below.
Our teams also work across the landscape to provide water to
birds during the scorching summer. Hameed khan motivated villagers in Tekapar,
Chirrai, Khari, Chandanpipariya, Chillod, Mohgaon Almod, Khanchari, Karer,
Aaditoriya, Jhirpa, Dundi and Bandhaan to put up small containers with water
around the village and its outskirts for birds to quench their thirst.
 |
| Water pots at Almod |
 |
| Water pots at Karer |
During the month, Ashfaq also organized 10 programmes in
villages to promote awareness about forest fires and the need for everyone to
join hands in fighting fires. In 2 of the meetings, local staff of the Forest
Department joined us in addressing the villagers. Details are given in the table
below.
Education
During the month, our team made classroom visits to 5
schools. We also organized 8 nature trails for students to educate them about
nature and wildlife conservation.
Mobile Health Service (MHS)
Satpuda Foundation organizes medical camps at which
villagers get free treatment and medicines. These camps, whose schedule is set
in conjunction with the managements of the respective Tiger Reserves, are run
by the Mobile Health Service (MHS) of Satpuda Foundation. There were health camps in 6 villages in March.
 |
| Free health camp at Matkuli |
 |
| Free health camp at Mehandikheda: pharmacist Siddharth Kale dispenses medicines as prescribed by the doctor |
Employment Cell
During the month, our team organized
meetings with unemployed youths in 2 villages to discuss livelihood options
with them. Details are given in the table below.
 |
| Discussing livelihood options with unemployed young villagers, at Chandanpipariya |
 |
| Discussing livelihood options with unemployed young villagers at Mohgaon |
Proposed relocation
Our team organized meetings of the residents of Jamandhonga,
Chakar, Muhar, Mongra and Raikheda villages to discuss relocation-related
issues. Ashfaq was asked to organize these meetings by Shri R.P. Singh (Field
Director), and Shri Sanjeev Sharma (Range Officer Pachmarhi Range), Satpura
Tiger Reserve.
Of these, the process of identifying villagers eligible for
relocation assistance was completed in Raikheda and Mongra on April 18 and 30
respectively. Photos below.
 |
| Mongra |
 |
| Mongra |
 |
| Raikheda |
No comments:
Post a Comment