Activity Update November 2019: Priyadarshini Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Team:

 Bandu Uikey – Assistant Conservation Officer

 Niranjan Hinge– Field Assistant

Highlights

• Organised 1 anti-plastic drive and 1 programme to clean area around hand-pump in Satosha village - 14 villagers participated
• Two  biogas units repaired  in Turiya village - 6 villagers  participated
• Organised 6 education programs  in village schools - 130 students present
• Organised nature trail for 22 students from Kohoka and Ambadi villages
• Organised one nature game in P.S School Ambadi for 10 students 
• Organised 6 medical camps - 133 patients treated free of cost    

Activity: SEE TABLE 1

On November 27, we organised a garbage management program in Satosha village. During the program we conducted an anti-plastic drive and cleared the area around the hand-pump. 14 villagers participated in the activity.

On 11 November, Niranjan organised a nature trail for 12 students of Kohoka village. During the nature trail, Niranjan taught the students how to identify various birds and trees in the forest area in the vicinity of the village. Nature games were arranged during the trail to effectively teach concepts of ecosystem, habitat and biodiversity. Niranjan also taught students to identify pug marks, hoofmarks etc. of various wild animals during the trail. By learning to identify such signs, the students will be able to identify areas being used by wildlife and avoid them, thus reducing human-animal conflict. Nature trails also help to sensitise the students about the rich local biodiversity and encourage them to protect it. 

Similar nature trails were organised on 20 November for 10 students and on 24 November, both from Ambadi village.

On 1 November, Niranjan helped a villager to repair his defective biogas unit in Turiya village. Niranjan, with the help of 3 volunteers, repaired the unit. Alternative sources of fuel help to reduce the need for fuel wood collection, and so reduce the problem of humans venturing into forest areas. This will also help to avoid human-animal conflict.

Niranjan similarly assisted another villager from Turiya village to repair a biogas unit on 24 November.

Classroom education: SEE TABLE 2

In November, we organised 6 classroom awareness sessions. 130 students of Govt.  Primary Schools (PS) and Government Middle Schools (MS) were present. Niranjan taught students about various issues related to wildlife, soil and water and biodiversity conservation.  

Livelihood activity

On 8 November, Bandu Uikey met with members of Srushti Mahila Bachat Gat, a women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) mentored by us in Turiya village. This group is operating a restaurant in Turiya under the guidance of Satpuda Foundation. Bandu provided information regarding oyster mushroom cultivation and suggested ways to promote mushroom food products through their restaurant. He explained that by taking up mushroom cultivation and by introducing mushroom recipes to tourists, the group can improve their income. 

Mobile Health Unit: SEE TABLE 3

There were 6 medical camps held in November, at which 133 patients were treated. 

During the medical camps, patients were sensitised on human-animal conflict issues such as crop depredation, cattle kills and attacks on humans venturing into the forest. The patients were provided information regarding the compensation schemes and the process to file for compensation in case of such incidents. 

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

Telkamthi - Members of women's SHGs who were trained in food processing

Chandikapur - Team looks for signs of tiger presence,
 to reduce human-animal conflict

Telkamthi - Women from Lohgad, Telgaon and Umari
attend food-processing training workshop

Telkamthi - Women learn food processing techniques during workshop

Umari - Members of Durga Mahila Bachat Gat cultivating oyster mushrooms

 Umari - Members of SHG Durga Mahila Bachat Gat
preparing pickles for sale

Umari - Oyster mushroom crop
at Durga Mahila Bachat Gat unit

Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer

Highlights

• Assisted Forest Department staff in monitoring tiger movement and sensitising villagers to prevent human-animal conflict
• Organised 2-day food processing workshop for women from 3 villages; 37 women participated
• One farmer and a women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Umari successfully cultivated and marketed oyster mushrooms
• Assisted Durga Mahila Bachat Gat of Umari to start food processing micro-enterprise 

Activity

Satpuda Foundation assisted Forest Department staff from Katol Range of Nagpur district in regularly monitoring tiger movement near Chandikapur, Malegaon and Gondikhapa villages. On 28 October, a cow was killed by a tiger in Randhoda area of Isapur round, and villagers had encountered the tiger in their farms. In order to prevent any human-animal conflict, Satpuda Foundation and Forest Department staff regularly patrolled the area till 13 November. Pug marks were seen in a cotton farm in Malegaon village. The team also collected GPS locations of open wells in the region. Villagers were sensitised through meetings and one-on-one interactions. The villagers were instructed to avoid open defecation, grazing of cattle in forest areas, and to avoid disposal of dead cattle in the open in order to avoid human-animal conflict.

On 6 November, Satpuda Foundation organised a 2-day workshop to train members of women’s SHGs in food processing. 37 women of 7 SHGs from Umari, Telgaon and Lohgad villages participated in the program. Mrs Savita Dhongade, trainer for the workshop, is associated with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), Nagpur. During the program, the women were taught to make pickles, sauces, chutneys, jams and squashes. Packaging, marketing and setting up of cottage or micro-enterprises was also taught during the program. Officials from Gram Panchayats and Maharashtra Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) visited the workshop and provided information regarding various schemes for SHGs being implemented by the Panchayat Samiti. During the program, the women were also sensitised about human-animal conflict and ways to prevent it.

On 22 November, Durga Mahila Bachat Gat of Umari village cultivated its first crop of oyster mushrooms. The group was trained in a program organised by us in October, and had set up a unit at Mrs Sangita Ghugal’s home. Mrs Ghugal is the president of the SHG. Satpuda Foundation assisted them in selling the mushrooms in Nagpur. We also provided them market linkage by introducing them to wholesale dealers in Kalamna market in Nagpur. The group is now cultivating and selling fresh mushrooms. They are also selling dried mushrooms. Dnyaneshwar Sarve, a farmer, also successfully cultivated and is now selling oyster mushrooms. 

In November, Durga Mahila Bachat Gat of Umari village was trained in food processing in a program organised by us. We assisted the group in starting a micro-enterprise for the manufacture of pickles, jams and squashes. Food registration and Udyog Adhar registration for the micro-enterprise has also been completed. Satpuda Foundation helped the group procure their first order for crushed lemon pickles, lemon sliced pickles, amla murabba and amla pickles. Kashinath Farms, an organic products store in Nagpur, will be marketing these products for the group.