Activity Update January 2018: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Highlights:

Participants at our nature camp at Karmajhiri

Briefing the participants before the nature trail at Karmajhiri

Playing a nature-themed game

Overgrown area near the hand pump at Khamba

Volunteers clearing the wild growth to prevent its use by snakes
and scorpions

The area after clearing

Mohgaon: Conservation Officer Amit Awasthi conducts an awareness
programme on organic farming, livelihood training and conservation

Nature education class at Pupuldoh, conducted our Field Assistant
Kamlesh Pawar

Conservation awareness rally at Tuyepani

Kamlesh briefs students before a nature trail

THE FULL REPORT

Team: Amit Awasthi – Conservation Officer

            Niranjan Hinge, Kamlesh Pawar – Field Assistants

 

Highlights

• One community assistance program to clean area next to hand pump
• One rally with conservation message
• 2 biogas units repaired
• Compost pit prepared in Middle school, Thuyepani
• 7 awareness programme on organic farming, livelihood options and conservation
• 4 nature trails – attended by 45 students
• 13 classroom education lectures organised – attended by 429 students
• 6 film shows with conservation message – attended by 514 students
• Organised nature camp in Aamajhiri
• 3 tribal dance programmes at resorts
• Organised meeting with Shrushti women’s SHG, Turiya
• 6 medical camps organised – 272 patients treated

On January 6, Amit and Niranjan led a team of 7 people in a programme to clear wild growth around a hand pump  at Khamba. Wild growth had proliferated around the hand pump and access to the pump was affected. Our team, which comprised 7 youths from the village, removed the wild growth and cleaned the area.

On January 26, Kamlesh organised an anti-plastic program in Thuyepani village. 

During the programme, 68 students of Government Middle School went on a rally and chanted slogans on the ill effects of plastic waste. During the rally, the students collected plastic waste along the main road in the village. Plastic waste like wrappers, polythene carry bags and plastic bottles were collected.

The students also requested the local shop owners to stop using polythene bags. A ban on plastic carry bags has been imposed in Madhya Pradesh by the state authorities and the rally helped spread awareness on this issue amongst the villagers.

On January 8, Niranjan repaired a defective biogas unit in a house in Aamajhiri village. The stove unit had waste material accumulated in the gas outlet which had blocked the gas flow. Niranjan also checked the biogas digester tank for faults. 3 villagers assisted him.

On January 8, Niranjan performed similar repair in another house in Aamajhiri.

Our team encourages organic farming as part of our strategy to reduce the impact of chemical fertilisers on fields adjoining prime wildlife areas. Part of our work includes assistance to villagers in setting up compost pits. During January, we helped prepare one compost pit in Middle School, Thuyepani. 

During the month, Amit organised 7 awareness programmes on organic farming, livelihood options and conservation. Details of the programmes are given in the table above.

In January, a total of 4 nature trails were organised by Kamlesh and Niranjan for the children of Kundai, Thuyepani, Mohgaon and Khamba villages. On the trails, our staff spoke to the children about the various local plants and common medicinal uses of those plants. They also spotted and identified local birds during the trails and explained their role in nature.

Education  

There were 13 environment education programmes in classrooms during January.

Education Van

There were 7 film shows on nature and wildlife conservation in January.

Nature Camp

We conducted a nature camp for 20 students and 3 teachers from 4 villages. The camp was held on January 30 and 31. During the camp, the children were taught about the bio-diversity of the area and the need to conserve the same. The activities included a drawing contest, park safari, film shows on nature and wildlife, nature games and a nature trail in the adjoining jungle.  Forest Department officials Sonal Choudhri  and  Kamlesh Karolker  both attended the camp and spoke to the children. 

Employment Cell

Tribal Dance Group Programme

We assisted the Saila Tribal Dance Group in getting 3 programmes during January. The group earned 18,000 /- rupees from the performances. The group, which is based in Sawara, was set up by us and is mentored by our team.

Medical Health Service programme