Activity Update April 2017: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Highlights:

Our free health camp at Khamrith: Dr Zanzal examines a patient

Employment Cell: Our Conservation Officer Mandar Pingle addressing
young villagers who completed the 4-wheeler driving course

Our Field Assistant Kamlesh Pawar, talking to students
on World Earth Day

Satosha - villagers clean the water trough for livestock

Satosha - villagers with water pots for birds

THE FULL REPORT

Team: Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey – Conservation Officer

            Niranjan Hinge – Community Officer

Kamlesh Pawar – Community Officer

Highlights

·      Organised voluntary work programme to clean water tank in Satosha village

·      Organised voluntary work programme to prepare a soak pit in Dewari village

·      Celebrated World Earth Day at Linga and Khamba

·      Installed water pots for birds in Turiya, Thuyepani and Durgapur villages

·      5 nature trails for school children – attended by 52 students

·      Organised 6 medical camps - 165 patients treated

·      Assisted 28 students in 4- and 6-wheeler driver training at Ashok Leyland Driver Training and Research Institute, Chhindwara

·      Assisted 2 unemployed youths in getting jobs

·      Assisted Saila Tribal dance group in earning through a performance

·      Repaired 2 defunct biogas units in Turiya village

Conservation 

On April 28, Niranjan Hinge and 8 villagers of Satosha cleaned a water tank near a hand-pump. During the summer season, water scarcity makes cattle wander to the forest in search of water. There is a high risk of the cattle being killed by carnivores like tigers or leopards leading to human-wildlife conflict. Also diseases like “foot and mouth” can also be transmitted from the cattle to wild herbivores.

Hence, Niranjan encouraged the villages to clean a water tank near a hand pump inside the village. Now the cattle do not have to venture close to the forest.

On April 3, Kamlesh organised a voluntary work programme to prepare a soak pit near a hand pump on the school campus in Dewari village. 10 villagers including some children, volunteered to prepare the soak pit. Kamlesh had earlier explained to the villagers the importance of water conservation and need to improve ground water level with the help of soak pits. The villagers prepared the soak pit near a hand-pump from which the excess water now percolates into the ground effectively.

On April 3, Niranjan along with 4 children of Turiya village installed water pots in their village for birds during the summer season. Niranjan motivated the children to regularly fill up the water pots with so that the birds can drink water during dry summer season. Immediately after the pots were installed, the children were able to spot various birds like bulbuls, sunbirds, shrikes, sparrows, magpie robins etc enjoying themselves at the water pots.

Similar programmes were organised by Niranjan on April 26 in Durgapur village and by Kamlesh on April 26 at Thuyepani village.

In April, Niranjan Hinge repaired 2 inoperative biogas units in Turiya village. Biogas helps reduce the dependency of villagers on fuel wood from forest areas and also reduces health risks as less smoke is generated.

In April, we organised a total of 5 nature trails for the children of Aamajhiri, Khamba, Pulpuldoh, Doodhgaon and Thuyepani villages. On the trails, our staff spoke to the children about the various local plants and common medicinal uses of those plants. They were also taught how to spot and identify birds. The importance of birds in nature was also explained to the children.

On April 22, Satpuda Foundation organised various programmes to celebrate Vishwa Vasundhara Diwas (World Earth Day) in buffer areas of Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Niranjan Hinge organised a meeting with villagers of Khamba to discuss various issues pertaining to soil, water and forest conservation. He also spoke to the villagers about organic farming practices. Niranjan also installed water pots for birds along with 5 children of the village.

Kamlesh Pawar celebrated the day at Ashok Leyland Driver’s Training and Research Institute in Linga near Chhindwara. We had identified and sent 28 students to the institute to be trained in driving 4- and 6-wheeled vehicles.

Employment Cell  

During April, we helped 2 youths get jobs with local resorts.

On April 22, Niranjan Hinge assisted Saila Tribal Dance group from Sawara village to perform at Mrignaynee resort in Turiya. The Saila Tribal Dance group is famous for its Gond tribal dance performance amongst the tourists visiting Pench National Park. The group is invited by the resorts during the tourist season. This helps them earn livelihood during slack agricultural season and thus reduces their dependency on the forest area. They can also preserve their rich cultural heritage. Satpuda Foundation had motivated villagers to form this group and has been mentoring them.

In March, Mandar Pingle, Bandu Uikey and Kamlesh Pawar had assisted the Forest Department in selecting candidates to be trained in driving 4-wheeled and 6-wheeled vehicles. The training was provided by Ashok Leyland Driver’s Training and Research Institute located in Linga near Chhindwara. Satpuda Foundation had assisted 28 youths from 11 villages of Khamarpani area of Priyadarshini Pench Tiger Reserve in getting selected for the programme. On April 29, the month-long training concluded and a certificate distribution session was organised at the training institute. Assistant Conservator of Forests Mr M. B Tiwari and Range Forest Officer, Khamarpani Mr Jatav were present during the function. The forest officers encouraged the youths to continue with this profession and earn a better livelihood.

Mobile Health Service (MHS)

We held 6 medical camps in April, in which 165 patients were treated.