Activity Update September 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• 3 check dams constructed – 22 young villagers participated
• 2 garbage management programs to prevent human- animal conflict –75 villagers participated
• 2 foot patrols in buffer – 19 local young villagers participated 
• 3 nature games - 62 children participated  
• 3 women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings were organised - 34 members attended
• 4 Village Eco Development Committee (VEDC) meetings - 46 members attended
• 3 Primary Response Teams (PRT) sensitisation meeting - 15 team members attended
• 4 livestock management meetings - 59 villagers attended
• Assisted 2 villagers to claim compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 

Conservation Activities: See Table 1

During  September, we organised garbage management programs with villagers of Khutwanda. After the garbage collection, Conservation Officer Ajay Poddar gave a talk on cleanliness and precautions to be taken during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Programs were also organised in order to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-wildlife conflict. We also collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (shramdaan). 75 children volunteered for the programs. 

During the month, we constructed 3 check dams at different locations in the buffer area which will provide water to wildlife that often venture towards villages during dry weather spells. 22 villagers volunteered to construct the check dams.  

We also organised foot patrols during the month. Our team consists of local young villagers, who have been supporting Satpuda Foundation and the Forest Department in forest and wildlife conservation activities.  We organised patrols with our team at Khutwanda and Mudholi forest beats with forest and beat guards. During the patrol, our team observed a tiger’s (probably a sub-adult’s) pug mark around Mudholi beat and informed the range forest officer. Camera traps have been deployed by the Department after our information.   

Environment Education: See Table 2

During  September, we organised a students sensitisation drive through wildlife conservation awareness and environmental education programs in Mudholi and Bhamdeli villages. We engaged children in interactive nature game where they learned about identification of wildlife and importance of their conservation. 62 local children participated in the activities. Nature and birdwatching trails will be organised after the monsoon.   

Employment Cell: See Table 3

Due to the current lockdown situation, most of the forest dwelling communities are going through hardship. Members of women’s SHGs requested us to conduct livelihood awareness sessions, especially about oyster mushroom cultivation. During the meetings, we also discussed various articles which can be sold online.  Members also agreed to take online craft making courses with the assistance of Satpuda Foundation. 

In VEDC meetings we talked about how to prevent electrocution of wild animals. The meetings also involved primary response teams (PRTs) and Forest Department. We also discussed grazing issue and spoke about increased livestock killings by large carnivores. Some villagers have set up cattle sheds and are not allowing their cattle to graze in forest land in buffer. Types of grasses and fodder plantation were also discussed during the meetings.  

We also discussed the rising number of free-ranging unowned dogs in the village that often pose a threat to small to medium wild animals and also carry diseases with them. These dogs will be marked to be neutered by a related department/organisation.

Activity Update August 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• 2 garbage management programmes to mitigate human-wildlife conflict –68 villagers participated
• 2 foot patrols – 19 local young villagers participated 
• 2 plantation drives- 270 saplings planted 
• 2 Nature games - 44 children participated 
• 1 nature trail- 25 children participated 
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 35 members attended
• 4 VEDC meetings- 53 members attended
• 5 livestock management meetings- 61villagers attended
• Assisted 4 villagers in filing claims for compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 

CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES: SEE TABLE 1

During  August, we organised garbage management programmes with villagers of Mudholi and Khutwanda. After the programmes, Conservation Officer Ajay Poddar gave a talk on cleanliness and precautions to be taken during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Programmes were also organised to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-wildlife conflict. We collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (shramdhaan). 68 villagers volunteered for the programmes. 

We also organised plantation drives with villagers. 270 saplings of different species were planted during the drives. 

We have formed groups of local young villagers who have been supporting Satpuda Foundation and the Forest Department in nature and conservation activities. During August, we organised joint foot patrols with them at Khutwanda and Mudholi along with Forest Guards. Following a recent tiger mortality case, we patrolled the beats adjoining farmlands. Patrolling teams also noted water levels of water bodies, hoof and pug marks, presence of birds etc. The young villagers were also taught about floral indicators of a biodiverse forest. 

ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION: SEE TABLE 2

During  August, we organised wildlife conservation awareness and environment education programmes in Mudholi and Bhamdeli villages. We engaged children in interactive nature games through which they learned to identify wild animals and the importance of their conservation. 44 local children participated in these activities. Nature and bird watching trails will be organised post-monsoon.   

EMPLOYMENT CELL: SEE TABLE 3

Due to the current lockdown situation, most of the forest dwelling communities are going through hardship. Members of women’s SHGs requested us to conduct programmes on alternative livelihood options, especially on oyster mushroom cultivation.  

In VEDC meetings, we talked about preventing electrocution of wild animals. The meetings included primary response teams (PRTs) and staff from the Forest Department and Electricity Board. We also discussed the issue of domestic livestock grazing in the forest which leads to increased conflict with wild animals. Some villagers have set up cattle sheds and are not sending their cattle to graze in forests area in the buffer area. 

We also discussed the rising number of free-ranging stray dogs in villages that often pose a threat to small and medium-sized wild animals. These dogs often spread infections. Such dogs will be marked to be neutered by a related department/organisation. 

Activity Update July 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT:

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• 2 garbage management programmes to mitigate human-wildlife – 55 villagers participated
• 2 foot patrols in buffer area – 19 young villagers participated 
• 2 plantation drives- 250 saplings planted 
• 3 nature games - 97 children participated 
• 1 nature trail- 25 children participated 
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 31 members attended
• 2 VEDC meetings- 33 members attended
• 3 livestock management meetings- 41 villagers attended
• Assisted 2 villagers to claim compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 
• Global Tiger Day 2020 celebration

Conservation Activities (See Table 1)

During  July, we organised garbage management programmes at Mudholi and Khutwanda. After the programmes, Conservation Officer Ajay Poddar gave a talk on cleanliness and precautions to be taken for COVID19. The programmes were organised in order to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-wildlife conflict. We also collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (shramdhaan). 55 villagers volunteered for the drives. 

                       

Our team consists of local  young villagers, who have been supporting Satpuda Foundation and the Forest Department in nature conservation activities. 

We organised joint foot patrols at Khutwanda and Mudholi forest beats with Forest Department staff and volunteers from the villages. Keeping in focus the recent tiger mortality case, we patrolled areas adjoining farmlands. Patrolling teams also noted water levels of water bodies, hoof and pug marks, presence of birds etc. The young villagers were also taught about floral indicators of bio-diverse forests. 

Environmental Education (See Table 2)

During the month of July, we organised students’ sensitisation drive through wildlife conservation awareness and environment education programmes in Kondegaon, Ashtha, Katwal and Bhamdeli villages. We engaged children in interactive nature games through which they learned about identification of wildlife and importance of their conservation. After the wildlife conservation session, we spoke to children about the COVID19 pandemic and its impact. 122 children participated in the activities. 

Employment Cell (See Table 3)

Due to the current lockdown situation, most of the forest dwelling communities are going through hardship. Members of women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) requested us to conduct programmes on alternative livelihood options. Some members agreed to join an online craft making course with the assistance of Satpuda Foundation.

In Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings, we talked about preventing electrocution of wild animals. We involved primary response teams (PRTs), the Forest Department and the Electricity Board. We also discussed issues associated with domestic cattle grazing inside forests and resultant attacks on cattle by wildlife. Some villagers have set up cattle sheds and do not allow their cattle to graze in forest areas. We discussed the benefits of fodder plantation and different types of grass during the meeting. 

Global Tiger Day 2020

On July 29, Global Tiger Day, we organised a plantation drive with villagers of Khutwanda and a rally to promote awareness about tiger conservation at Katwal. During the rally, children chanted slogans and displayed placards about tiger conservation. Children also put on tiger masks while rallying through the village. Villagers selected a barren spot outside the village and planted saplings of various trees.  After the rally and plantation, our colleagues Ajay Poddar and Kishor Dudhbarai spoke to participants about the significance of the day. 75 villagers participated in the rally and plantation drive. 

Activity Update May 2020: Pench Tiger Reserve

 Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT

Team:
Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer
Bandu Uikey – Assistant conservation Officer
Dilip Lanjewar – Field assistant
Balkrishna Bagmare – Field assistant 

Highlights

• Assisted 1 villager to file claim for compensation for cattle killed by leopard
• Assisted 1 villager to file claim for compensation for cattle injured in attack by tiger
• Assisted Forest Department staff in 8 forest patrols; members of village eco-development committees and Primary Response Teams from Khapa, Ghoti, Ghatpendari, Narhar and Suwardhara villages participated

Activity

On 6 May, a foot patrol was conducted in Hattigota and Datizira areas of west range of Pench Tiger Reserve. This is the same area where a human was killed by wildlife in April this year. During the patrol, water bodies such as streams, rivulets, ponds and artificial waterholes were inspected. The team searched for indirect signs of wildlife along the forest roads, claw marks on tree trunks, etc. They also checked for signs of human intrusion inside the forest so as to prevent any illegal activity and human-wildlife conflict. Our colleague Bandu Uikey assisted Forest Guard V.R. Mehar and two seasonal laborers in the patrol. The team started the patrol at 9.30 a.m. and traversed 5 km till 12.45 p.m. Following the patrol, Bandu met Range Forest Officer (RFO) Ms Telang at Kolitmara to share observations about the patrol and to discuss the next patrolling plan. 

On 10 May, at around 15:30, a calf was attacked and injured by a tiger near Markadhari Nalla in a forest patch adjoining Ghatpendari village. This region is a part of West Range of Pench Tiger Reserve. The cattle owner, Mr Dukdu Uikey, informed our colleague Bandu that his wife had taken their cattle for drinking water when a tiger attacked the cattle. The incident took place in a farm on the fringe of the forest. Due to the frenzy, she could not clearly identify whether it was a male or female tiger that attacked. She ensured her safety first. A calf was injured but managed to save itself from the tiger’s clutches. The tiger made a run towards the forest after the failed attempt. Forest Guard Mr S.D. Bele immediately reached the spot and registered the case. First aid was provided to the calf as advised by the veterinary doctor. RFO Ms Telang has also spoken and assured Mr Dukdu Uikey of speedy and appropriate compensation for the treatment. Bandu Uikey and RFO have urged the villagers to inform the Forest Department about such incidents and not to resort to any retaliation. Tiger movement in this region has increased in the past few months and a human kill was recorded on 13 April when a person from the village was mauled to death by a tiger when he went into the forest to collect mahua flowers. Villagers have been repeatedly alerted and warned by Forest Department staff and our staff not to enter forest areas in order to avoid any conflict with wildlife, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown.

On 14 May, under the guidance of Satpuda Foundation staff, 3 members of Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) and Primary Response Team (PRT) from Khapa assisted Forest Department staff in a forest patrol. During the COVID-19 pandemic, forest protection, firefighting, prevention of human-wildlife conflict has become a priority for the Forest Department. As the COVID 19 pandemic has reduced the availability of temporary/seasonal employees, this has become a challenge. Fortunately, the members of VEDCs and PRTs have taken up the challenge to protect their forests and wildlife. These teams are helping forest guards keep a check on poaching. During the patrols, they ensure that water holes are not poisoned or left unclean. They also check for snares or electric wires that are used in poaching. These teams assist in tackling any friction with villagers that might arise in cases of human-wildlife conflict. These villagers are now assisting Forest Department staff in the compensation process for cattle kills. During the summer season, these teams are also ready to assist in fighting forest fires. There have been no cases of major forest fires in Pench so far this year.

On the night of 14 May, a leopard attacked and killed two goats belonging to Mr Jhamlya Uikey of Zinzeriya village of Paoni Unified Control buffer area. The leopard, suspected to be an adult male, attacked the goats inside a shed and dragged out the male goat while leaving the dead female goat behind. When our team was informed on the morning of 15 May, our field assistant Dilip Lanjewar reached the spot along with Forest Guard Ms Bhelave who recorded the case. Dilip explained the compensation process to Mr Uikey and asked him not to try to harm the leopard. Dilip, along with Forest Department staff, patrolled the area and found pugmarks of a leopard. The team also found pugmarks and scat of a tiger in the region. They also observed that women from the village were using this same area for collection of charoli fruits. Dilip and Forest Guard Bhelave alerted the women to avoid this area in order to avoid any conflict with either leopard or tiger. Earlier this year, a woman from Zinzeriya was injured in a leopard attack. Members of Primary Response Team (PRT) have been asked to create awareness amongst the villagers. Regular monitoring has been planned in this area and RFO Mr Modwan along with his staff is keeping a close eye on the situation.

On 17 May, foot patrols were carried out in a forest patch near Salai tola, Thuyepani Camp and Ghatpendari under west range of Pench Tiger Reserve. A tiger had attacked a calf in this area the previous week and the tiger was seen moving around in the area. Forest Department staff had intensified patrolling, and camera traps were also installed in the area. During the patrol, the team inspected wells and natural water sources near the forest area. The team also took the assistance of the Forest Department staff from adjoining Madhya Pradesh (MP). The MP staff exchanged details of tiger movement on the MP side with our team. Forest Guard V.R. Belle, our colleague Bandu Uikey and 2 seasonal labourers participated in the patrol which started at 8.30 a.m. and lasted till 11.45 a.m. covering a distance of 5 km.

On 24th May, the members of the Primary Response Team (PRT) from Ghoti (Lahan) participated in a foot patrol with the Forest Department staff to inspect electrical transmission lines, water holes and the forest. The team did not come across signs of any suspicious activity. PRT members Maroti Baban Salaam, Ranjit Deepak Chafle, Vishal Yuvraj Rohankar and Pankaj Sheshrao Bhandari participated in the patrol. Our colleague Dilip Lanjewar co-ordinated with the Forest Department staff and PRT members in planning and executing the patrol.

Late on the night of 24 May, our staff received news that a leopard had been killed on a bridge over Pench river on state highway SH249 near Naikund village. Bandu Uikey visited the spot on the morning of 25 May and inspected the spot. The local villagers claimed that the leopard was hit by a speeding truck and died on the spot. Bandu observed that the leopard was frequenting the area under the bridge, possibly in search of food from waste disposed under the bridge.

On 27 May, Balkrishna Bagmare assisted Forest Department staff on a foot patrol in Narhar beat of west range of Pench and near Suwardhara lake area on 29 May. During these patrols, the team searched for signs of illegal activities like the placing of snares, electric wires etc for poaching or any encroachments on forest land or illicit tree felling. However, no such activities were observed. The team came across numerous signs of wildlife like pugmarks, scat etc, suggesting unrestricted movement of wildlife. The team also visited spots which are regularly affected by fires during this time of the year. 

On 30 May, patrols were carried out in Bodkimatta, Jamunnala under the west range of Pench adjoining the Madhya Pradesh border. During the patrol, the team used litmus paper to check water bodies for signs of poison. They checked forest trails for signs of wild animals such as tigers, leopards and sloth bear. The team checked for signs of illegal logging or encroachment but did not find any such activity during the patrol. Members of the patrol included our colleague Bandu Uikey, Forest Guard V.R. Belle and 6 members of the Special Tiger Protection Force. The team patrolled the area for 2 hours starting the patrol at noon and covered 4 km.

Activity Update May 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• 1 garbage management programme to mitigate human-wildlife conflict –32 villagers participated
• Seed collection drive – 34 children participated
• 300 saplings prepared - 22 children participated
• Nature game - 25 children participated 
• Helped 2 villagers claim compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 

Ahead of the monsoon, we organised seed collection drives and local children collected a variety of endemic seeds during the drive. We also finalised the location for this year’s plantation drive during the monsoon. Our team also spoke to the children about the floral diversity of the landscape. The children  prepared 300 saplings from the collected seeds to be planted during the monsoon. 

We organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Bhamdeli. Programmes were organised in order to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and are a potential cause for human-wildlife conflict. 

We also collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation. 32 villagers volunteered for the programmes. 

Environment Education Programme

During May, we organised students’ sensitisation drive through wildlife conservation awareness and environment education programmes in Kondegaon village. We engaged children in an interactive nature game where they learned about the identification of wildlife.  25 children participated. 

Activity Update January 2020: Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve

Foot Patrol in Compt. No. 109 
with Special Tiger Protection Force staff

Stduents from Mangezari on safari during our nature camp

 Students from Kodelohara are taught about nature and wildlife
 at our nature camp

Students from Kodelohara learn about role played by termites
in the ecosystem

Students from Kodelohara school on our nature trail

Students from Mangezari learn about termites on our nature trail 

Kurhadi - Kitchen garden set up in the village school 
under our guidance

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Mukund Dhurve – Assistant Conservation Officer

Highlights - SEE TABLE 1

• Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 2 occasions
• 1 voluntary work program to clean water hole 
• 3 voluntary work programs to clean area next to hand pumps
• 3 anti-plastic programs 
• Organised 2 one-day nature camps at Nagzira  attended by 61 students and 6 teachers from 2 schools
• 1 youth identified for driving training 
• Workshop on crop damage by wild animals

Our team organised a program on January 27 to clean and de-silt a water hole at Compartment No. 109. 

Our team organised 3 community assistance programs on January 2, 16 and 20 to clear areas around hand pumps at Asalpani, Thadezari and Sodlagondi. 

Water had spilled over while people drew from the hand pumps and had stagnated, leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and insects. Our teams cleared the area, removing scum and organic growth and dug canals to drain away the water.

Unemployed young villagers from Mangezari participated in all the programs, led by Mukund. 

During the month, our team joined the Forest Department in day and night patrols in Compartment No. 109 and Compartment No. 56. Besides our staff, volunteers from a youth club at Mangezari also joined in the patrols. The youth club was set up with our assistance and is mentored by our Conservation Officer Mukund Dhurve.

During the month, our team organised 3 anti-plastic programs to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on January 2, 16 and 20 at Asalpani, Thadezari, and Sodlagondi villages respectively. Mukund organised the programs, which were attended by villagers and Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) members. The plastic litter has been kept in our Mangezari office and will be sent to Tiroda for recycling. 

Education: SEE TABLE 2

There were 6 education programs in January 2020.

On January 15, we organised a workshop at Mangezari on the study and evaluation of the loss caused by wildlife to farms and crops. 26 farmers of Mangezari, Kodebarra and Jindatola took part.

On January 20, Satpuda Foundation along with Forest Department organised a 1-day nature camp at Nagzira for 30 students and 4 teachers of Harikrushna High School, Kodelohara. In this camp, we organised nature trail, nature game and a jungle safari for the participants. 

A similar camp was organised on January 22 for 31 students and 2 teachers of Z.P.P.S. School, Mangezari. 

Employment Cell Training activities: SEE TABLE 3

We identified 1 young villager to attend a driving training program at Ashok Leyland Driving Training Centre, Chhindwara. The expenses for the month-long training program will be borne by the Forest Department.