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

Members of women's SHG from Bidgaon visit Saoner
to assess market trends

Umari - Our colleague Nilesh guides students on a nature trail

Team:

Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer
Nilesh Telang – Field Assistant

Highlights-

●      Assistance to one Self-Help Group to start food processing micro-enterprise in Bidgaon

●      One nature trail session organised in Umari

In April, Satpuda Foundation assisted Jai Seva Mahila Bachat Gat, a women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Bidgaon to start up a micro-enterprise for food processing. The group comprises 13 women who are daily wage farm workers. Earlier this year, in March, we had organised a training program for these women to train them in processing spices, food products and dehydrated vegetables.

Following the training, the group had decided to set up a micro-enterprise for spice processing. Our team organised meetings with the group during April to help them decide on various aspects of the unit they intend to set up.

A market visit was also arranged on April 26 for these women. We took them on a market visit to Saoner to help them understand the various aspects of marketing the products, the potential demand and current sale price of products comparable to what they will be producing. 

We assisted the group in applying for food registration under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This registration is mandatory for setting up food processing units. The group will receive their food registration during the first week of May. We also assisted them in applying for an Udyog Aadhaar card. The Udyog Aadhaar registration gives the micro-enterprise recognition from the central government. It will also enable the group to tap any government scheme meant for micro-enterprises.

On April 25, Nilesh organised a nature trail for children of Umari village. 6 children joined Nilesh on the trail near Kolar Lake near Umari. During the nature trail, Nilesh gave detailed information on trees and birds seen during the walk. He helped the children spot birds like drongo, black redstart, wagtails and ibis. At the end of the trail, Nilesh involved the children in a discussion about their observations. He explained that, during the summer season, the children should make arrangements for water pots for birds.