Activity Update January 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Adegaon - Our garbage management programme

Adegaon - Villagers take part in our garbage management programme 

Ashtha - Meeting with villagers to discuss methods
to reduce human-wildlife conflict

Bhamdeli - Dr. Khode examines an elderly patient at our free medical camp

Dewada - Candles prepared by women's SHG
as part of our programme to promote alternative livelihoods

Dewada - Conservation Officer Ajay gives a demonstration
on how to make candles

Dewada - Members of women's SHG making candles

Khutwanda -  Medicines being distributed to patients
as per our doctor's prescriptions

Kudesawli - Students learn about nature and wildlife through a game

Kudesawli - Students learn about nature and wildlife through a game 

Mudholi - Members of women's SHG attend our awareness programme
on alternative livelihood options

Mudholi - Villagers on patrol in the jungle adjoining their village

Wadala - Cattle being stall-fed under our
livestock managment program to reduce grazing pressure on forests

Wamanpalli - Cattle owners discuss issues related to grazing in forests

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• Awareness meetings on human-wildlife conflict and conservation - 90 villagers attended
• Meeting on preventing electrocution of animals - 38 farmers and VEDC members attended
• 2 garbage management programs to prevent human-wildlife conflict – 67 villagers participated
• 1 foot patrol – 11 villagers participated
• 3 Nature club activities - Nature and bird watching trail and drawing competition – 86 students participated
• 5 Environment education programs - 231 students and 14 teachers attended
• 5 livestock management workshops - 90 villagers participated 
• Oyster mushroom cultivation training program - 17 members of women’s SHG participated
• Candle making workshop- 20 members of women’s SHG participated
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 47 members attended
• 3 VEDC meetings were organised - 58 members attended
• Free medical camps in 6 villages-  243 patients treated 

During January, we organised several meetings with villagers focusing on reducing human-wildlife conflict.  In order to spread awareness, we spoke to the community members about potential threats and danger of venturing into the forest areas for fuel wood, mahua, tendu collection etc. As the Tadoba area has a good tiger breeding population and other large carnivores, many encounters turn fatal, often leading to retaliatory killing of wildlife by villagers. Resolving issues like garbage dumps around village, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and unemployment, help in reducing man-animal confrontation.  

Electrocution is an emerging practice of poaching and killing of wild animals. To prevent electrocution of wildlife, we discussed preventive measures with community and Village Eco-Development Committee members. During the meeting, it was discussed that an interdepartmental approach would be required to prevent electrocution around protected areas. A patrolling unit, consisting of Forest Department’s beat guard, VEDC members, Satpuda Foundation officer, Vidhyut Sevak of Electricity Department and electric pump connection holder will be formed. 

We organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Kondegaon and Adegaon. Programs were organised to sanitise the area around the villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-wildlife conflict. We also collected over 10 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (shramdhaan).  67 villagers volunteered for the drives. 

We also organised a foot patrol with select local young villagers in Mudholi. During the foot patrol, we recorded impressions of herbivores’ hooves, scats and birds. We patrolled an area of 5 kilometers along with a Forest Guard. 11 people joined the patrol. 

Environment Education: SEE TABLE 2

During January, we organised a students’ sensitisation drive through wildlife conservation awareness and environmental education programs in Mudholi, Kondegaon, Kanhargaon, Kudesawli, Wamanpalli, Katwal and Bhamdeli villages. We organised these programs with students and teachers in order to make them aware of the importance of biodiversity and the need for conservation. We taught them about nature and wildlife’s value through films, documentaries, presentations and classroom lectures. 231 students and 14 teachers participated in the programs. 

Students of Nature clubs  ‘Ashwal’ ‘Wagh’ and ‘Chimni’ from Mudholi, Bhamdeli and Kondegaon participated in interactive nature games and bird watching trails. During these activities, students observed bird behaviour around a perennial water body. They also made notes of their observations.  86 students participated in these activities. 

Employment Cell - SEE TABLE 3

During January, we organised 3 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings and 3 self-help group (SHG) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods which would reduce dependence on forests that leads to human-wildlife conflict and degradation of forests.  105 villagers attended these meetings. In the SHG meetings, we discussed several livelihood related issues. We also formed groups of interested members who are willing to be trained in making paper bags and in embroidery. The training will be provided to these members in order to improve their earnings and reduce their dependence on forests. 

In Kanargaon, a corridor village, we provided training in cultivation of mushrooms and identified a location for cultivation.  17 members of women’s SHG attended. The villagers had asked for this program after they learnt of the success of a mushroom cultivation program that we had organised in Moharli. 

We also organised several meetings focusing on alternate livelihood options. Women’s SHG Ramabai Mahila Bachat Gat participated in a candle making workshop where they made 8 dozen colorful candles, which will be sold at souvenir shops at Tadoba’s buffer and core tourism gates. 

Mobile Health Service - SEE TABLE 4

During January, we organised free health camps in 6 villages - Khutwanda, Katwal, Kondegaon, Sitarampeth, Bhamdeli and Moharli.  243 patients were treated in these camps.