Activity Update January 2019: Pench Maharashtra

Wildlife film screening at Dahoda

Ghoti - Our colleague Dilip discusses conservation issues
with members of the women's SHG

Kadbikheda - Check dam built by volunteers

Kolitmara - Dr. Khode treats patient at our free medical camp

Wildlife film screening for villagers at Nimtola

Sawara - Trainer Sita Uikey conducts a computer education programme

Wagholi - Members of the women's SHG learn to make paper bags

THE FULL REPORT

Team: Abhijit Dutta – Assistant Director (Conservation)

Bandu Uikey – Conservation Officer

Dilip Lanjewar, Balkrishna Bagmare – Field assistants

                                                                                             

Highlights

·      Two foot patrols

·      One check dam built near Kadbikheda

·      One anti-plastic voluntary work program

·      Two awareness meetings about village eco-development committee (VEDC)

·      Four nature trails for students; 58 students participated

·      Two celebrations to mark important days in the ‘eco-calendar’

·      17 school education programs conducted; 370 students participated

·      Eight film shows; 792 students participated

·      IT education program at Sawara

·      Four young villagers placed in jobs

·      Three meetings with self-help groups (SHGs) to assist them with livelihood initiatives

·      Six free medical camps; 216 patients treated

Conservation Action and Awareness

On January 1, a check dam was constructed in Kadbikheda by Dilip and volunteers from the village to ensure that water is available for nearby agricultural fields and for livestock in the village throughout the year. The check dam will also be a water source for nocturnal wildlife in the region.

On January 24, Balkrishna organised a plastic litter collection drive in Chargaon.

During the voluntary work program, Balkrishna explained the hazards of plastic waste for both environment and human health. He explained to the students that plastic and non-degradable waste was causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem and adversely affecting birds and other life forms.

On January 6, Balkrishna led a team of four VEDC members from Dhawlapur village on a foot patrol in the forest area near their village. The team was on the look-out for signs of illegal tree felling or poaching during the patrol.

Separately, Balkrishna also joined the Forest Department staff on a foot patrol in the Ambazari beat in compartment no. 211 on January 13.

On January 26, Dilip organised a meeting in Dahoda to make the villagers aware about the formation process and benefits of a Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC). Dilip read out the Govt. Resolution (GR) and explained how VEDC formation in some villages has helped in village development and in reduction of conflict through funds utilized from Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Jan-Van Yojna.

A similar program was organised by Balkrishna on January 26 in Chargaon.

Environment Education

In January, Balkrishna conducted a total of 17 school education programs in which students were given lectures on man-animal conflict, biodiversity conservation, climate change and other issues related to nature conservation.

A total of 370 students attended these programs.

School Education Programs

Dilip conducted a nature trail program for school children of Pipariya on January 15. He spoke to the students about the importance of conserving local flora and fauna and their role in wildlife conservation. He spoke to the students about spiders, their dwelling, types of spiders and how spiders are useful to humans.

Similar programs were carried out by Balkrishna in Ghatpendari, Narhar and Shiladevi.

On January 26, an awareness program was conducted by Dilip in Ghoti School regarding forest fires on the occasion of Republic Day.

A similar program was conducted by Balkrishna on January 26 at Chargaon, where an awareness rally was carried out.

IT Education Program

Satpuda Foundation has donated desktops as well as laptops to the Zilla Parishad School in Sawara village and has been conducting IT education program for the students free of cost since 2013. Basic computer skills are taught to the students to make them feel comfortable with technology and improve their IT skills. Sita Uikey, a resident of Sawara village, works on an honorarium basis for Satpuda Foundation to impart IT education to students. Four such classes were held in January in ZP School, Sawara for the students of this village.

Education Van Program

The education van conducted eight wildlife movie screenings in January. Eight school programs were conducted in which movies like “The girl gang of Teliya”, “Truth about Tigers”, “Tiger Song” and a movie on Hemalkassa were screened.

A total of 792 students attended these programs.

The education van started its operations in three new schools in the Pench-Nagzira corridor. These schools were in Mangarli, Rongha and Khapa khurd villages.

Employment Cell

During January, we assisted 4 young villagers in getting jobs locally. These young villagers were earlier trained in driving and motor mechanic trade in programs organised by us.

Placement

On December 9, Dilip conducted a meeting with SHG members in Ghoti. He discussed cloth bag making, paper bag making and mushroom cultivation initiatives with the SHG members.

On December 12, Balkrishna conducted a meeting with SHG members in Shiladevi. He discussed mushroom cultivation and its economic benefits with the SHG members.

On December 20, Dilip conducted a meeting with SHG members in Wagholi. He discussed cloth bag making and paper bag making initiatives with the SHG members. He also provided training to SHG members on paper bag making.

Livelihood activities & meetings:

Mobile Health Service (MHS)

Six free medical camps were organised in January in which 216 patients were treated. During this camp, general checkups were done for Kolitmara school students and vitamins were distributed to needy students on request by the school supervisor.