Activity Update October 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights:

THE FULL REPORT:

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Leave: Nil

Highlights of the month: 

• 1 check-dam constructed – 9 villagers participated
• 2 garbage management programs to mitigate human-wildlife conflict –62 villagers participated
• 2 foot patrols in buffer area – 19 local young villagers participated 
• 3 environment education activities - 67 children participated  
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 41 members attended
• 3 VEDC meetings- 50 members attended
• 2 PRT sensitisation meeting-10  team members attended
• 5 livestock management meetings- 96villagers attended
• Helped 2 villagers claim compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 
• Wildlife Week 2020 celebration

During  October, we organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Khutwanda. After the garbage collection, Conservation Officer Ajay Poddar gave a talk on cleanliness and precautions to be taken during the ongoing COVID19 pandemic. Programs 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 also collected over 12 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (shramdaan).  72 children volunteered for the drives. 

We have formed teams of local village young villagers who have been supporting Satpuda Foundation and Forest Department in nature conservation activities. In October, we organised joint foot patrols with them at Khutwanda forest beat along with Forest and Beat Guards.

During  October, we organised students’ sensitisation through wildlife conservation awareness and environment education programs in Khutwanda, Mudholi and Bhamdeli villages. We engaged children in interactive nature game through which they learned about identification of wildlife and importance of their conservation. A nature and birdwatching trail was also organised.  67 local children participated in the activities. 

Due to current lockdown situation, many forest dwelling communities are going through hardship. Members of women’s SHGs requested us to conduct livelihood awareness sessions. We organised programs on oyster mushroom cultivation and also discussed various potential small enterprises. Several SHG members agreed to take an online craft making course with the assistance of Satpuda Foundation. 

In VEDC meetings we talked about how to prevent electrocution of wild animals. The meetings involved primary response teams (PRTs) and Forest Department staff. We also discussed the grazing issue and spoke about increased livestock killings by large carnivores. Some villagers have set up cattle sheds and are not allowing their cattle to graze in forest land in buffer. Types of grasses and fodder plantation were also discussed during the meetings.  

We also discussed the rising number of free-ranging stray dogs in villages that often pose threat to small to medium-sized wild animals and also carry diseases with them. These dogs will be marked to be neutered by related departments/organisations.

Activity Update November 2019: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Ashtha - Meeting with Village Eco-Development Committee
to discuss livestock management and crop raiding by wildlife

Ashtha - Students participate in our anti-plastic and cleanliness drive 

 Bhamdeli - Elderly patients being treated at our  free medical camp

Karanji - School students and staff watch a film on wildlife conservation

Katwal - Mr. Abhimanyu from Sky Mushrooms, Nagpur,
making a presentation on mushroom farming

Katwal - Villagers being trained in mushroom farming

Khutwanda - Conservation officer Ajay conducts a survey
on human-animal conflict and crop damage
during our free medical camp

Khutwanda - Our team discusses ways to mitigate
human-animal conflict with villagers

Kudesawli - Students explain climate issues through
their drawing

Moharli - Young students of the village school on a rally to
spread awareness about conservation

Sitarampeth - Members of women's SHG are briefed
about alternative livelihood options

Wamanpalli - Students learn about wildlife through a nature game

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: SEE TABLE 1

• 8 awareness programs on human-animal conflict attended by 349 villagers and students 
• 1 wildlife conservation awareness rally with 90 students 
• 2 garbage management programs to prevent human- animal conflict – 65 students participated
• Nature club activities - nature and bird watching trail and drawing competition – 45 students participated
• 10 environment education programs with 662 students and 30 teachers 
• Oyster mushroom cultivation training workshop - 20 young villagers participated
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 45 members attended
• 8 VEDC meetings were organised - 144 members attended
• Medical camps in 6 villages with 378 patients treated 

During November, we organised several meetings with villagers focusing on reduction in human-animal conflict. We introduced the villagers to the recently released human-animal conflict Resolution issued by Maharashtra Forest Department.  To spread awareness, we spoke to the community members about potential threats and the 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, encounters sometimes turn fatal for villagers, often leading to retaliatory killing of wildlife. Resolving issues like garbage dumps around villages, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and unemployment, help in reducing human-animal confrontation.  

We also focused on wildlife movement outside protected areas (PAs). Wild herbivores like blue bulls, spotted deer, sambar deer and wild boar also pose a threat to villagers by raiding farms, damaging the crops and sometimes attacking farmers. Farmers suffer losses in these depredations. Farmers were told to maximise the usage of solar-powered fencing to try and deter wild animals from their farms. Our team is preparing a list of farmers who are willing to set up solar-powered fencing around their farms. 394 villagers attended these meetings. 

We organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Khutwanda and Kondegaon. Programs were organised in order to sanitise the area around the villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-animal conflict. We collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation. 65 villagers including members of the VEDC (Village Eco-Development Committee), and children participated in these activities.

Environment Education - SEE TABLE 2

During  November, we organised environment education programs in Chiwanda, Karanji, Kondegaon, Kanargaon, Gunpur, Kudesawli, Wamanpalli, Pachgaon, Khutwanda and Katwal villages. We  organised these programs with students and teachers to make them aware of the importance of biodiversity and conservation. We taught them about nature and wildlife’s value through wildlife films, documentaries, presentations and classroom lectures. 662 students and 30 teachers participated in the programs.

Students of Nature clubs ‘Wagh,’‘Bibbat’ and ‘Ashwal’ from Moharli, Kudesawli and Kondegaon participated in a wildlife conervation awareness rally, drawing and essay writing competition and a nature trail. 120 students participated in these activities. 

Employment Cell - SEE TABLE 3

We organised 8 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings and 3 Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings focusing on alternative livelihoods which would reduce dependence on forests. Forest dependence leads to human-animal conflict and degradation of wild habitat.  209 villagers attended these meetings. In the SHG meetings, we discussed several livelihood related issues. We formed groups of members who are willing to be trained in making paper bags and in embroidery. 

As there is increasing tourism in buffer zone of Tadoba, some villagers requested us to organise a workshop to train women as nature guides. We shared success stories of women guides trained by us in Priyadarshini Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. 45 members attended these meetings.  

In the VEDC meetings, we discussed human-animal conflict and wildlife conservation guidelines outside protected areas (PAs). We also focused on increasing usage of solar-powered fencing in farm lands to prevent conflict with wildlife, and to reduce the incidence of wild animals being killed by electrified fencing. We also discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation. We discussed the rise in human-animal confrontation in and around Moharli and how to prevent this by adopting cattle sheds and stall feeding for cattle, to prevent straying of the animals into forests and falling prey to carnivores around the area. 144 villagers attended these meetings. 

Following a request from villagers, we organised a workshop on mushroom cultivation for residents of Katwal. We had earlier trained villagers in Pench to cultivate and market mushrooms, and their success has drawn villagers from Tadoba to emulate them. Mr. Abhimanyu of Sky Mushrooms, Nagpur visited Katwal and spoke to the candidates about mushroom cultivation and marketing etc. 20 interested candidates attended the workshop. Some of them also prepared a first batch of mushroom spawn for cultivation. They are cultivating oyster mushrooms as the local climate is suitable for it. 

Mobile Health Unit - SEE TABLE 4

During November, we organised free medical camps in 6 villages - Moharli, Bhamdeli, Sitarampeth, Kondegaon, Khutwanda and Katwal.  378 patients were treated in these camps. 

Activity Update October 2019: Tadoba

Kudesawli - Conservation officer Ajay talks about
human-animal conflict in tiger corridors

Ashtha -  Students participate in conservation awareness rally
on the inaugural day of Wildlife Week

Ashtha - Kishor speaks to young villagers
about alternative livelihood options

Dewada - Teacher and students spot an Oriental Honey Buzzard
during a nature trail.

Dewada- Conservation officer Ajay Poddar speaks to SHG
members and guides during an awareness session on livelihoods

Gunpur- Students and teachers attend a talk
on human-animal conflict in corridor villages

Junona - Members of women's SHG attend
an awareness session on alternative livelihood options

Katwal - Gram Panchayat members and participants
attend Wildlife Week closing ceremony

 Katwal - Students and teachers attend a talk
on why Wildlife Week is celebrated

Katwal- Students and teachers participate
in a garbage management programme

Katwal- Women participate in an origami making activity
during the Wildlife Week.

Khutwanda - Students participate in drawing competition
during Wildlife Week

Khutwanda, Wildlife Week 2019- Students pose with their drawings 

Khutwanda- Children participate in a cleanliness drive during Wildlife Week

Khutwanda- Villagers pose for a group picture after collecting plastic litter

 Kondegaon - Livestock owners attend a meeting on livestock management

Kudesawli - Students watch a film on wildlife conservation

Mudholi - Conservation awareness rally organised by us
during Wildlife Week 2019

Mudholi - Students take part in kabaddi tournament
organised by us during Wildlife Week 2019

Mudholi- VEDC and Gram Panchayat members
attend a meeting on livestock management

Panchgaon - Students and teachers watch a documentary
on human-animal conflict

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: See TABLE 1

• 9 awareness programs on human-animal conflict - 380 villagers and students attended
• 2 anti-plastic and cleanliness programs to prevent human-animal conflict - 92 villagers participated
• 1 foot patrol - 7 young villagers participated 
• 6 meetings on livestock management to reduce grazing pressure on forests - 115 cattle owners and farmers participated
• 10 environment education programs - 574 students and 26 teachers attended
• 4 Nature club activities - nature and birdwatching trail, interactive nature games - 101 students participated
• Video and photography workshop by TATA TRUSTS - 7 young villagers participated 
• 3 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 51 members attended
• 3 VEDC meetings were organised - 50 members attended
• Wildlife Week 2019 celebration-  650 students and villagers participated

During October, we organised several meetings with villagers focusing on reducing human-animal conflict. In order to spread awareness, we spoke to the community members about potential threats and the danger of venturing into forest areas for collection of fuel wood, mahua, tendu, etc. As the Tadoba landscape 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 villages, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and unemployment helps in reducing man-animal confrontation.  

Wild herbivores like blue bulls, spotted deer, sambar deer and wild boar also pose threat to villagers by raiding crops, damaging property and sometimes attacking farmers. Farmers suffer hefty losses in these depredations. Farmers were told to maximise the usage of solar-powered fencing. Our team is preparing a list of farmers who are willing to set up solar-powered fencing around their farms. 380 villagers attended these meetings. 

We organised garbage management programs with villagers of Khutwanda and Katwal. Programs were organised to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and cause human-animal conflict. We also collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (voluntary work projects). 92 villagers including members of Village Eco-Development Committees (VEDCs) and children volunteered for these activities.

Post monsoon, we also organised a foot patrol involving selected local young villagers in the Tadoba buffer zone, in an area where there have been incidents of hunting, mainly of birds. We patrolled an area of 4 kilometers with the local forest guard. 7 people joined the patrol.

We organised 6 meetings with cattle owners and farmers on livestock management. Attendees were informed about stall feeding, cattle sheds and fodder units through success stories from the villages in the Nagpur and Wardha districts. Post monsoon, a fodder plantation drive will take place with the help of Forest Department near Mudholi village. 115 cattle owners and farmers, including the village Sarpanch, attended the meetings.

ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION - SEE TABLE 2

During October, we organised environment education programs in Sitarampeth, Bhamdeli, Mudholi, Kondegaon, Kanargaon, Gunpur, Kudesawli, Wamanpalli, Pachgaon, Khutwanda and Katwal villages. We  organised these programs with students and teachers in order to make them aware of the importance of biodiversity and conservation. We taught them about nature and the value of wildlife through films, documentaries, presentations and classroom lectures. 574 students and 26 teachers participated in the programs. 

Students of Nature clubs ‘Ashwal,' ‘RanGawa,' ‘Cheetal’ and ‘Wagh’ from Kanargaon, Kondegaon, Dewada and Khutwanda villages participated in interactive nature education games and learnt about rainwater harvesting, the biodiversity of Tadoba National Park and conservation. 101 children participated in the activities. 

EMPLOYMENT CELL - SEE TABLE 3 

We organised 3 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings and 3 Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods. New livelihoods will reduce their dependence on forests that leads to human-animal conflict and degradation of wildlife habitat. 101 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 embroidery. Training will be provided to these members in order to improve their earnings and reduce their dependence on forests. Some members requested us to arrange a workshop on mehendi art making.   51 members attended these meetings.  

In the VEDC meetings, we discussed plantation to be done in the buffer, collection and distribution of saplings from the Forest Department. We also focused on increasing the use of solar-powered fencing in farm lands to prevent conflict with wildlife and to reduce the incidence of wild animals being electrocuted by electrified fencing. We discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation. We also discussed human-animal confrontation in and around Moharli, and how to prevent this by adopting cattle sheds and stall-feeding for cattle, which sometimes fall prey to carnivores in the area. 67 villagers attended these meetings. 

We assisted a team supported by TATA Trusts, who provided training on video and photography to young villagers from the Moharli buffer. 7 young villagers were selected for this training and more will be added after the completion of training of the first batch. The workshop was organised at Agarzari nature camping site. 

WILDLIFE WEEK 2019, TADOBA-ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE - SEE TABLE 4

Day 1: Conservation Awareness Rally

On the inaugural day for Wildlife Week 2019, we organised a wildlife conservation awareness rally. Students from Zilla Parishad School, Mudholi and Ashtha participated in the programs along with their teachers. Forest Department officials, local law enforcement officials and the Sarpanch also participated in the rally organised from Moharli gate. Over 300 students participated in the 2 programs.   

Day 2: Wildlife origami making competition and lecture on wildlife conservation

On October 2, we organised a wildlife origami making competition for members of women’s Self-Help Groups from buffer zone villages. 17 members from different Self-Help Groups participated in the competition and created interesting artworks. It was the first such program organised for SHGs in villages in the area. 

We also organised a lecture on wildlife conservation for Zilla Parishad school teachers and students of Katwal. 90 students attended. 

Days 3 & 4: 'Catch the tail' Kabaddi tournament

On October 3 and 4, we organised a Kabaddi tournament titled ‘Catch the tail’ in Mudholi. 5 teams with 7 players each participated in the tournament.  We organise sports events for local children in order to build competitiveness and resilience from their childhood.

Day 5: Voluntary work project - Plastic clean-up drive

On October 5, we organised anti-plastic and cleanliness drives in Katwal village followed by the construction of a check dam through a voluntary work project. More than 65 villagers including children participated in the activity. 

Day 6: Essay-writing and drawing contest on environmental issues and wildlife

On October 6, we organised a drawing and essay writing competition for students of Zilla Parishad School, Khutwanda.  The competition was themed on wildlife and environmental issues. 28 students participated in the competition.  

Day 7: Prize distribution and closing ceremony

On October 7, we organised the prize distribution and closing ceremony of Wildlife Week 2019.  Mr. Kaji (Secy. Gram Panchayat) was invited as chief guest and other people who attended included the Sarpanch, Mrs. Ashatai of Katwal village, and VEDC and Gram Panchayat members.  

Mr. Kaji addressed the participants and spoke about the importance of protecting biodiversity. Our Conservation Officer Ajay Poddar also addressed the attendees on wildlife conservation involving local communities, and thanked them for their participation.