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.