Activity Update October 2018: Tadoba

Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team:

Conservation Officer: Mr. Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant: Mr. Kishor Dudhbarai

Leave: Nil

Highlights of the month:

·      5 anti-plastic and cleanliness drives - 220 villagers participated

·      2 check dams built through voluntary work project- 35 villagers participated

·      7 environmental education programs- 455 students attended

·      4 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 90 members attended

·      7 VEDC meetings were organised to discuss increasing grazing pressure in buffer zone - 205 members attended

·      1 meeting to select the candidates for four wheeler driver’s training- 40 young villagers attended – 23 candidates selected

·      Man-animal conflict survey carried out in buffer villages

·      Wildlife Week 2018 Oct 1^st to Oct 7^th  

Conservation

On October 17^th, 18^th, 23^rd, 25^th and 31^st, we organised cleanliness and anti-plastic programs with villagers of Katwal, Adegaon, Khutwanda and Mudholi. Programs were organised in order to sanitize the area around villages, as litter often leads wildlife to venture into the village and leads to man-animal conflict. We also collected over 15 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (Voluntary work project). A total of 220 villagers volunteered for these activities.

On October 16^th and 30^th, we constructed check dams near Mudholi and Junona villages through Voluntary work project. 35 villagers volunteered for these activities.

Education Program

On October 11^th ,12^th and 13^th, we visited and organised environmental education  programs in Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools of Bhamdeli, Sitarampeth, Katwal, Mudholi, Khutwanda and Chorgaon. A total of 420 students along with their teachers participated in the activities. We organised film shows, skit, documentaries and talks on wildlife conservation.

At Bhamdeli, during our program, students performed a skit on co-existence between humans and wildlife

On October 12^th, a film show was organised in the night on the request of villagers of Katwal and we had a chance to interact with a larger number of villagers who were present there for show. 65 villagers attended.

On October 20^th and 27^th, nature clubs of students of ZP school Khutwanda and Katwal participated in nature and bird watching trails where they identified several forest birds and learnt about biodiversity. Students participated in ‘eco-friendly Rangoli’ competition as well. A total of 55 students participated in nature club activities. The nature clubs were set up by us and our team mentors the clubs.

Employment Cell

During October, we organised 4 Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings and 7 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods which would reduce dependence on the forests that leads to man-animal conflict and degradation of forest.

295 villagers attended these meetings and shared their thoughts. Newly-appointed Range Forest Officer, Moharli buffer, Mr. Moon also attended one of the meetings and spoke to members of SHG, Katwal. Mr. Moon took an overview of the SHG’s work since its formation and discussed setting up a skill development centre.

In VEDC meetings, we discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation. We also discussed about increasing man-animal confrontation in Moharli buffer and how to prevent it by adopting cattle sheds and stall feeding for cattle, which often fall prey to medium and large carnivores in the area.

Following our meeting with newly appointed TATR Chief Conservator of Forests/Field Director Mr. N.R. Praveen, we started counselling the selected candidates for a four wheeler drivers training program to ensure that most of the trained candidates get placed in jobs after completion of the course. 40 young villagers from Katwal, Khutwanda, Mudholi, Kondegaon, Sitarampeth, Bhamdeli, Moharli, Junona, Dewada and Adegaon attended this meeting and we selected 23 from among them for the training. We are listing 30 candidates for it.

Details of the programs are given below:

List of candidates (four-wheeler driving training)

Wildlife Week 2018 – Tadoba- Andhari Tiger Reserve

Day 1: Bicycle and awareness rally

On the inaugural day for Wildlife Week 2018, we organised a bicycle and awareness rally. Students from Zilla Parishad School Moharli, Katwal, Mudholi, Khutwanda and Kondegaon participated in the programs along with their teachers. Forest Department officials, local law enforcement officials and Sarpanch also participated in the rally organised from Moharli gate. Over 250 students participated in both of the programs.  Programs were organised in order to kickstart the Week and underline its importance.

Day 2: Drawing competition and skit

On October 2^nd, we organised a drawing competition for members of women’s Self-Help Groups from buffer zone villages and a skit competition for students of Zilla Parishad schools.

30 members from different Self-Help Groups participated in the drawing competition and created interesting artworks. It was the first such program organised for SHGs in villages.

Students of Zilla Parishad School, Mudholi and Katwal performed a skit, where they portrayed co-existence between humans and animals from past ages and anthropogenic pressure on forests nowadays.

Day 3 & 4: 'Catch the tail' kabaddi tournament

On October 3^rd and 4^th, we organised a 2-day Kabaddi tournament titled ‘Catch the tail’ in Mudholi.  8 teams with 7 players each participated from Mudholi, Katwal, Kondegaon, Khutwanda, Adegaon and Sitarampeth villages.  We organise sports events for local children in order to develop competitiveness and resilience from a young age.

Day 5: Voluntary Work Projects (Anti-plastic drive and check dam construction)

On October 5^th, we organised anti-plastic and cleanliness drives in Adegaon village followed by a check –dam construction through voluntary work project.  More than 60 villagers, including children, participated in the activity.

Day 6: Essay writing and drawing competitions on environmental and wildlife themes

On October 6^th, we organised drawing and essay writing competitions for students of Zilla Parishad School, Chorgaon. The theme was wildlife and environmental issues.  40 students participated in the competitions. 

Day 7: Prize distribution and closing ceremony

On October 9^th, we organised prize distribution and closing ceremony of Wildlife Week 2018.  On the occasion, Mr. R.G. Moon (Range Forest Officer, Moharli buffer) was invited along with Sarpanch, Mrs. Gajbhe of Katwal village and principal of the school, Mr. Rajgire. 

Mr. Moon addressed the participants and the attendees and spoke about the need to protect biodiversity. Our Conservation officer Ajay Poddar also addressed the villagers about wildlife conservation involving local communities and thanked them for their participation.  The invited guests then distributed the certificates of participation and prizes to the winners and runner-ups. 

Wildlife Week 2018: TATR