Activity Update March 2018: Tadoba

Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team:

Conservation Officer: Mr. Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant: Mr. Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month:

·      2 anti-plastic drives and programmes to prevent man- animal conflict - 48 villagers participated

·      2 check dams built through voluntary work projects - 20 youths participated

·      2 foot patrols in Tadoba buffer with 11 youths of Khutwanda

·      2 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 23 members attended

·      3 VEDC meetings were organised - 42 members attended

·      8 environmental education programmes including presentations, nature trails in Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools - 517 students attended

·      Celebrations: World Wildlife Day, World Sparrow Day, World Forest Day, World Water Day

·      Seed collection with students of Zilla Parishad (ZP) school, Katwal - 25 students participated

·      5 unemployed youths from Katwal village sent for backhoe operator training at Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh

Conservation 

On March 7^th and 24^th, we organised cleanliness and anti-plastic programmes with villagers and students of Zilla Parishad (ZP) school of Katwal village. Programmes were organised to clean the area in and around the village and around the hand pumps and wells, as they choke the drainage. Wild growth and litter provide shelter to snakes and scorpions and attract scavengers.

On 10^th and 22^{nd March}, we constructed check dams in Mudholi and Katwal villages through voluntary work project. 20 youths from Katwal village participated in the programmes.

On March 17^th and 29^th, we organised foot patrols in forest area around Khutwanda village involving 11 local youths from the village to monitor predator movement and threats like snare traps, electric fencing, etc. The youths were taught to identify scrape marks on trees, scats (predator and prey), plants, birds and insects.

Environment Education

On March 8^th and 19^th, we organised classroom lectures and presentations for students of Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools of Khutwanda and Kondegaon. Presentations and talks were organised about forest fires -- causes, impact and prevention. After the classroom sessions, nature-oriented games and nature trails were also organised for the students. A total number of 60 students participated.

On March 12^th, 13^th and 14^th, our team visited Kondegaon, Khutwanda, Dewada, Adegaon, Mudholi and Moharli with our education van. During these visits our team interacted with students and organised lectures and presentations on forest fires. Various documentaries and film shows on wildlife conservation were shown to the students. A total number of 457 students attended.

On March 30^th, we also organised a walk for students of ZP school Katwal. During the walk we have collected over 500 grams of mixed seeds of local trees. A total number of 25 students participated.

Education Programmes:

Celebrations:

World Wildlife Day: On March 3^rd, on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, we organised wildlife conservation awareness rallies with students of Mudholi, Katwal and Khutwanda. A total number 180 students participated in the rallies.

World Sparrow Day:  On March 20^th, on the occasion of World Sparrow Day, we visited ZP schools of Khutwanda and Katwal and prepared bird feeders with students. Students also learnt about avifaunal diversity and its importance in our eco-system. 90 students attended the programme.

World Forest Day: On March 21^st, on the occasion of International Day of Forests, we organised a meeting with villagers of Khutwanda village and discussed various issues relating to forests and their dependence on forests. We also encouraged farmers to adopt cattle sheds, fodder plantation and organic farming.

World Water Day: On March 22^nd, on the occasion of World Water Day, we visited a perennial water body south-west of Katwal village with students of ZP school, Katwal. Students learnt about water crisis and water conservation during the visit. 22 students participated in the programme.  

Employment Cell

We organised 2 self-help group (SHG) meetings and 3 village eco-development committee (VEDC) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods which would reduce dependence on the forests. 65 villagers attended these meetings.

In VEDC meetings, we discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation, cattle stall feeding to reduce grazing pressure on forest areas. We also discussed and encouraged farmers to adopt organic farming.  

We introduced the villagers to district-level vocational training and employment schemes like four wheeler driver training and hospitality courses under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojna (DDUGKY) etc.

Details of the programmes are given below:

We also sent 5 youths from Katwal village to Confederation of Indian Industries, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh for one month’s residential training as backhoe operator.