Activity Update July 2015: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Anoop Awasthi - Assistant Director

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

·      Two voluntary work projects to dig soaks pits at Khapa and Ghatpendari  

·      One voluntary work project to clean waterhole at Sitanahani round, Ghatpendari

·      Celebrated World Nature Conservation Day at Khapa and Ghatpendari

·      Celebrated  Global Tiger Day at Ghoti and Salai

·      Five nature trails held for students of Ghoti, Ghatpendari, Salai, Kolitmara

·      Bandu and Dilip joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols 3 and 2 times respectively

·      Organized village meetings at Ghoti, Kadbikheda, Wanera, Saleghat  and Salai to discuss village development issues through Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC)

·      Organized classroom lectures in 16  schools which were attended by 436 students

·      Organized 6 medical camps at which 194  patients were treated

Conservation

On July 2, Bandu organized a voluntary work project programme at Ghatpendari to clean a waterhole near the village. 4 villagers participated in the programme. The water had become unfit to drink due to the falling of leaves and organic matter on the surface and subsequent decomposition of the same. The approach had also become slippery, making it dangerous for wild animals. This waterhole is the only source of water in the area. Photos below.

On July 12, Dilip led 12 youths from Khapa village in a programme to prepare a soak pit to collect spillover water from the hand pump on the school campus. He explained how the pit helps recharge the water table and the importance of water conservation to the participants. Photo below.

On July 28, World Nature Conservation Day, Bandu led a team of 12 youths, forest staff and 16 students of Ghatpendari on a rally through the village to spread awareness about conservation. The team then participated in an anti-plastic programme and dug a soak pit on the school campus. Bandu explained the significance of the day and the purpose of the soak pits to the participants.
Photos below of the different activities.

In East Pench, Dilip organized 30 youths and students of Khapa village in a rally with conservation message to celebrate World Nature Conservation Day.  After the rally, they participated in a plantation programme in which they planted jamun and mango saplings. Photos below.

On July 29, Global Tiger Day, Anoop and Dilip led 55 students of Ghoti in a rally with conservation message. They explained the significance of the day and the need to save tigers. Photos below.

To celebrate Global Tiger Day, Bandu led 16 students of Salai on a rally with conservation message. He then organized an anti plastic programme and later led the children on a nature trail.
Photos below.

Dilip joined VEDC members and Forest Department staff on patrols on July 10 and 27 at Khapa and Wagholi villages. The team patrolled the borders of the villages for illegal activities. Bandu joined similar patrols on July 5 and 30 in West Pench Range. No illegal activity was detected on these patrols.

Community forest patrol near Khapa

VEDC members on patrol near Ghatpendari

In July, Bandu and Dilip took students on a total of 5 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 identifies pug marks on a nature trail

Dilip with students of Khapa on a nature trail

In July, a number of meetings of villagers, VEDC members and unemployed youths, were organized by our staff to discuss conservation and employment issues in the area.

Meeting at Kirangisarra

Environmental Education

Classroom lecture at Wagholi

Classroom lecture at Khapa

Classroom lecture at Sawara

Ms Lili Menon, a well-wisher and supporter of Satpuda Foundation, donated a harmonium to Zilla Parishad Upper Primary School, Sawara. The students and staff of the school have now started to learn the use of the harmonium. Photos below.

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.

Photos below: Sawara computer classes

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 6 medical camps in July in which 194 patients were treated.

Dr Govardhan Bhasme with a patient at Khapa