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.