Activity Update March 2019: IUCN Project in the Pench-Bor Corridor

Highlights:

On visit to Nagpur market, members of
the Women's SHG identify ornamental items that they can make and sell

Bidgaon - Villagers learn to weigh and seal food produce
at our food processing training programme

Bidgaon - Villagers watch film on dehydration techniques
at our food processing training programme

Telgaon - Display board

Telgaon - Our colleague Nilesh briefs students during a nature trail

Telgaon - Our colleague Nilesh helps students spot birds
 near Kolar lake on a nature trail

Our colleague Nilesh prvides information on local plants
to students on a nature trail 

Umari - Display board

THE FULL REPORT

Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer
Nilesh Telang – Field Assistant

Highlights:

·      Organised a training program on food processing and packaging for women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) from Bidgaon - 21 ladies underwent training

·      Organised exposure visit for 7 women on market linkage to jewellery market in Nagpur

·      15 students of Telgaon took part in a nature trail, learned about local biodiversity

·      Assisted one villager from Telangkhedi village to file for cattle kill compensation

Activities:

Satpuda Foundation organised a 3-day workshop on 'Food processing and packaging ' for women of Bidgaon, a village of Pench-Bor corridor. As part of the IUCN Pench-Bor corridor project, this workshop was aimed at skill development to provide self-employment opportunities to the women. Maharashtra Center for Entrepreneurship Development (MCED), Hingna provided resource persons for the training program, which focused on food processing and packaging techniques, various licenses and registrations needed to start cottage industries and the preparation of a project proposal.

21 women, 12 belonging to Jai Seva Bachat Gat, and 9 not belonging to any Self Help Group, participated in this workshop. These women are currently working as daily wage labourers.

On the first day Mr. Pradip Ingle, officer in-charge of MCED, provided information regarding business opportunities in food processing through case studies shown in short films. Mrs. Aparna Kolarkar, a renowned chef from Nagpur, taught the women numerous recipes on the first day of the training.

On the second day, Mrs. Smita Babhare, Food Safety Officer (Saoner district) taught the trainees about food licensing and registration. The trainees also learnt about food and hygiene standards, use of permitted preservatives and food colouring, standard packaging of different types of food items etc.

Later, the trainees were taught about registrations and permits required to start a business, benefits of Udyog Adhar, a government scheme, and the subsidy and loan application process. Ms. Yerme, Gram Sevak for the village, also visited the training and encouraged the aspiring women entrepreneurs to make the most of the opportunity of the training workshop.

On the third and final day of the program, Mr. Deshmukh taught the trainees different packaging techniques. The trainees got hands-on experience in using an electronic weight machine, heat sealing machine, bottle sealing and hot air gun machine. They learnt ways to pack both dry and liquid food items. Mr. Wankar later taught them how to prepare a project proposal and to estimate various costs, equipment and raw-material procurement.

The members of Jai Seva Bachat Gat have decided to start a spices processing micro-enterprise after undergoing the training.

Mr. Rewatkar, Round Officer for Kelwad Territorial Forest Range, also interacted with the trainees. The ladies thanked IUCN, Maharashtra Forest Department and Satpuda Foundation for providing the skill development training and livelihood opportunities. They assured us that they will assist Forest Department staff in the conservation of wildlife and the forest near their village.

Satpuda Foundation took seven women from 3 Self Help Groups of Telgaon (Kalmeshwar) for a market visit to help them learn about current market trends in artificial jewellery and fancy items. These women had taken part in the jewellery making training program organised in their village by Satpuda Foundation last month and have decided to take up this art as a means of livelihood. During the field visit, the women were able to see current designs and fashions. They interacted with the shop owners and tried to understand the cost at which the women can sell their products. The women then learnt about procurement of raw materials and wholesale prices at which these raw materials are available.

Two trainees, Ms. Salma Mansoori and Mrs. Manisha Thakare, said "We had bought artificial jewellery from the market but never thought about things such as who made the jewellery, where did the raw material come from and so on. But now after the training and field visit, we feel that we can certainly make such jewellery items and earn money."

The trainees also said that thanks to this visit, they now have a clear idea about where to get raw material from, what sort of designs to make and sell, what quality level needs to be maintained and where and how to sell the end products.

Mandar Pingle and Nilesh Telang provided guidance during this visit.

Nature trails were organised for students of Telgaon village near Kolar Lake on March 17 and 24. Students from Telgaon are now regularly participating in nature trails organised by Satpuda Foundation every Sunday morning. They are collecting information on trees seen near their village. They wish to prepare a booklet containing brief information along with a sketch or actual sample of leaf, bark, flower and seeds.

They are also learning bird identification using our field bird guide 'Maitri karuya pakshyanshi'.

Nilesh provided detailed information on the trees and birds during these nature trails.

On March 8, Mr. Devendra Kanhere from Telangkhedi village of the Kalmeshwar range contacted Mandar Pingle and said that one of his cattle had been killed by a leopard. He requested Satpuda Foundation to assist him in applying for compensation for his losses.

Nilesh, along with Round Officers Mr. Tibole and Mr. Dahake visited the spot. The Forest Department staff prepared the 'panchanama' and collected necessary documents from Mr. Kanhere.
Nilesh and the Forest Department staff explained to the villagers the benefits of ensuring that their cattle are tied up in secure sheds to avoid such losses. They also urged villagers not to venture out alone in the forest after sunset and to avoid defecation in the open to prevent any attacks on humans.