Activity Update August 2019: Pench-Bor Corridor

Members of Gayatri Mahila Bachat Gat of Telgaon attend
a skill-development programme in Nagpur

Badegaon - Students of Lokmanya High School get
our field guide books on birds

Telgaon -The Sarpanch of Telgaon distributes our field guide on birds 

Umari - Students of Sarvoday High School
at our environment education programme

Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer

Highlights

• Gayatri Mahila Bachat Gat of Telgaon gets Rs 50,000/- under Hirkani scheme 
• Distributed 836 books on birds to students of 6 villages 

Activity details:

On 13 August, Gayatri Mahila Bachat Gat, a women’s self-help group (SHG) from Telgaon was awarded Rs 50,000 under the Hirkani scheme being implemented by the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department of Maharashtra State. The scheme aims to encourage women’s SHGs to take up entrepreneurship and improve their earnings. Gayatri Mahila Bachat Gat was one of 10 such SHGs from Kalmeshwar taluka which applied for the award.

The group was started in March 2018 and is mentored by Satpuda Foundation as part of the livelihood initiative under Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program funded by IUCN and Maharashtra Forest Department. Satpuda Foundation had provided training on making paper and scented candles to the members of the group and helped them set up a micro-enterprise. The group is being provided regular support for marketing their products in Nagpur, Pune and Mumbai by us. 

On 27 and 28 August, Satpuda Foundation distributed 836 copies of ‘Olakh Karuya Pakshyanchi’ books to students of 6 schools in the Pench-Bor corridor. 

The book is a pictorial guide to 100 bird species found in Central Indian Landscape. Information on habitat requirements, breeding and feeding habits is provided in the book. The book also serves as a guide for bird watching. Dos and don’ts while bird-watching are listed in the book. The book is prepared and published by Satpuda Foundation.

Mandar explained to the students on how to use the book and prepare a list of birds found near their village. He explained that birds are excellent indicators of the health of the ecosystem and that we must strive to protect birds for our survival. 

During the program, audio visual presentations were also made providing more information on birds. (Details in table above.)