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.