Activity Updates May 2019: Pench Madhya Pradesh

Highlights:

Amajhiri - Students learn about nature through a game

Awarghani - Sanjay at his new job
in Village Machan Resort

Chirrewani - Loose boulder-based water and soil conservation
structure repaired

Durgapur - Children collect seeds for planting during the monsoon

Potiya - Village children on a nature trail 

Turiya - Mango pickles made by Shristi Self-Help Group,
which was started and is mentored by us

Turiya - SHG meeting organised by us to discuss new ideas

THE FULL REPORT

Team:

Conservation Officer – Sumit Kumar Kar

Field Assistant – Niranjan Hinge (Turia cluster)

Field Assistant– Kamlesh Pawar (Khamarpani cluster)

Major highlights of the month

• ·      Voluntary work activities on soil and water conservation
• ·      Biological Diversity Day celebration on 22nd May
• ·      Two nature trails
• ·      Birdbath preparation and installation
• ·      Seed collection and nursery preparation
• ·      Anti-plastic drive at Satosha
• ·      Two livelihood-related meetingsSHG meetings at Turiya and Kundai

(See Table 1)

On May 24, Kamlesh assembled a group of volunteers at Chirrewani to repair a loose boulder-based soil and water conservation structure around village farms. Such structures help in conservation of soil by preventing soil erosion and also help to arrest water runoff. Kamlesh had earlier explained to villagers the concept of water management; how such structures help in soil and water management and the need for their maintenance. With monsoon rains due soon, proper maintenance of water and soil conservation structures could help in maintaining fertility of the soil and ensuring adequate water availability.

On May 5, Niranjan assembled a group of volunteers to construct a soak pit for percolation of waste water from a hand pump. Niranjan had earlier explained to the villagers the concept of waste water management and augmentation of ground water resources by proper recharge though soak pits and other structures.

Seeds are the source of regeneration for the forest. They are the means through which trees pass on their genetic information. During the month of May, Niranjan organised wild seed collection with children of buffer zone villages. The objective of the activity was to familiarise children with the shape, size and appearance of various types of seeds such as mahua (Madhuca longifolia) found in the forest, and create a nursery by planting the collected seeds. The saplings generated would be used for plantation during the monsoon.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated across the globe on 22nd May to increase awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. Satpuda Foundation celebrated this occasion by organising awareness sessions for young students. Niranjan arranged an education session at Durgapur village to celebrate the occasion.

Water scarcity during summer can led to avian (bird) mortality. In order to involve students in the conservation of avifauna, our team organised the making of bird baths in villages of the buffer region. During the month of May, Niranjan and Kamlesh held activities in various villages to install bird baths with the help of students and villagers. The bird baths were installed by the students. The students also volunteered to regularly fill up the bird baths during the summer.

The abundance of cow dung in rural India is tapped via biogas plants to convert the organic material into biogas which mainly consists of methane. Biogas is a sustainable form of energy used mainly for cooking, reducing the need for fire wood and thereby reducing pressure on forests. Biogas is produced from slurry of cow dung through anaerobic decomposition. Various biogas plants have been constructed in the past by government and private entities but, due to poor maintenance, many have been abandoned. Satpuda Foundation has been undertaking repair activities of faulty biogas production units and stoves and restoring them. During May, Niranjan repaired two units at Turiya village.

Plastic, due to its non-degradable nature, creates waste management issues. With availability of plastic packing in numerous daily use products, the rise of plastic waste is significant. The plastic litter not only makes the surroundings look dirty, it is often mistaken by herbivores as a food source. This results in death in some instances due to blockage of the digestive tract. Plastic waste often finds its way into water and results in water pollution. Satpuda Foundation regularly organises anti-plastic drives in which volunteers help in gathering plastic waste and dispose of it properly. Niranjan organised an anti-plastic drive on May 6 in Satosha village near the primary school premises.

In May, Niranjan organised two nature trails for students of Aamajhiri and Potiya. During the nature trails, Niranjan spoke about the various birds found in the vicinity of the villages and their role in the ecosystem. Both nature trails were along water bodies, providing opportunities for spotting various water birds. Niranjan also explained the role of water conservation.

An awareness program on forest fires was organised by Niranjan at Durgapur village. The agenda of the meeting was to increase awareness on the various causes of forest fires and their impact. Various measures to prevent such fires were discussed and volunteer groups to fight forest fires were formed to help the Forest Department.

Environment Education

Kamlesh organised an environment awareness session for school students at a coaching center in Khamarpani on 18th May in which 16 students participated.

Nature games (Table 2)

Nature games are useful as they impart important conservation-related messages through interesting and simple games. They are more interactive than traditional lectures and are more effective in capturing the attention of young minds. During May, two such nature games were organised.

Employment Cell (Table 3)

Satpuda Foundation has been assisting local young villagers in obtaining employment by connecting them with potential recruiters. During May, a young villager from Khamba village was placed at the Village Machan Resort in the utility department with our assistance.

Sanjay Modabi at his new job in Village Machan Resorts

Employment meetings (Table 4)

One of the Foundation’s activities related to employment is supporting women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in starting and sustaining new ventures which can give them adequate financial returns. During the month of May, three SHG meetings were organised in which ideas to generate revenue for the groups were discussed, and progress made since previous meetings was reviewed. One of the SHGs has started mango pickle production for sale in local markets. Satpuda Foundation has been assisting in better marketing of the product and in quality control.

During the month of May, two employment-related meetings were organised in Turiya and Khamarpani clusters. The objective of the meetings was to increase awareness of various skill-development programs of the government as well as local employment opportunities.