Activity Update September 2017: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team: Ashfaq Aarbi – Conservation Officer

            Hameed Khan – Field assistant

Highlights

·      9 water conservation voluntary work programmes during the month –check dams built

·      1,250 saplings planted

·      Classroom visits to 12 schools as part of our environment education program – attended by 887 students

·      Assisted 35 youths in preparing and submitting loan proposals for livelihoods

·      Medical camps in 6 villages - 230 patients treated

·      Visit to check on status of 7 villages which have already been relocated

Conservation

On September 4, we organised a programme to build a check dam in the forest some distance from Pisuwa village. A team comprising 18 villagers and Hamid built the dam. The resultant water body will benefit wildlife at night. Tigers, spotted deer, monkeys, leopards and other wild animal are spotted in the area.  

To take advantage of the monsoon, our teams have been working to motivate villagers to plant saplings. In September, our team organised the planting of saplings in Almod, Barud, Dundi, Chandanpipariya and Matkuli villages. A total of 1,250 saplings of amla, kosam, maidachal, lemon, jamun and amrud were planted with the support of Eco Development Committees, school administration and Forest Department staff.

Education 

During the month, our team organised 12 lectures to educate students about nature and wildlife conservation.

Employment Cell

During this month, we assisted 35 unemployed youths in preparing and submitting loan applications for livelihood programmes covered under the Mukhayamantri Aarthik Kalyan Yojna. On September 20, Satpuda Foundation submitted these proposals to CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Hoshangabad, on behalf of the youths.

Shri A.K. Mishra, Joint Director (CF), STR has asked Satpuda Foundation to focus on youths from relocated villages in our livelihood activities.  Satpuda Tiger Reserve management will approach the concerned government agencies to implement livelihood training programmes under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Mobile Health Service (MHS)

Satpuda Foundation organises medical camps at which villagers get free treatment and medicines. These camps, whose schedule is set in conjunction with the management of the Tiger Reserve, are run by the Mobile Health Service (MHS) of Satpuda Foundation.

There were health camps in 6 villages in September.