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 May 2020: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

 Highlights

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: 

• 1 garbage management programme to mitigate human-wildlife conflict –32 villagers participated
• Seed collection drive – 34 children participated
• 300 saplings prepared - 22 children participated
• Nature game - 25 children participated 
• Helped 2 villagers claim compensation for their cattle killed by carnivores 

Ahead of the monsoon, we organised seed collection drives and local children collected a variety of endemic seeds during the drive. We also finalised the location for this year’s plantation drive during the monsoon. Our team also spoke to the children about the floral diversity of the landscape. The children  prepared 300 saplings from the collected seeds to be planted during the monsoon. 

We organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Bhamdeli. Programmes were organised in order to sanitise the area around villages, as garbage spillover and food leftovers lure wildlife into villages and are a potential cause for human-wildlife conflict. 

We also collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation. 32 villagers volunteered for the programmes. 

Environment Education Programme

During May, we organised students’ sensitisation drive through wildlife conservation awareness and environment education programmes in Kondegaon village. We engaged children in an interactive nature game where they learned about the identification of wildlife.  25 children participated. 

Activity Update January 2020: Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve

Foot Patrol in Compt. No. 109 
with Special Tiger Protection Force staff

Stduents from Mangezari on safari during our nature camp

 Students from Kodelohara are taught about nature and wildlife
 at our nature camp

Students from Kodelohara learn about role played by termites
in the ecosystem

Students from Kodelohara school on our nature trail

Students from Mangezari learn about termites on our nature trail 

Kurhadi - Kitchen garden set up in the village school 
under our guidance

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Mukund Dhurve – Assistant Conservation Officer

Highlights - SEE TABLE 1

• Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 2 occasions
• 1 voluntary work program to clean water hole 
• 3 voluntary work programs to clean area next to hand pumps
• 3 anti-plastic programs 
• Organised 2 one-day nature camps at Nagzira  attended by 61 students and 6 teachers from 2 schools
• 1 youth identified for driving training 
• Workshop on crop damage by wild animals

Our team organised a program on January 27 to clean and de-silt a water hole at Compartment No. 109. 

Our team organised 3 community assistance programs on January 2, 16 and 20 to clear areas around hand pumps at Asalpani, Thadezari and Sodlagondi. 

Water had spilled over while people drew from the hand pumps and had stagnated, leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and insects. Our teams cleared the area, removing scum and organic growth and dug canals to drain away the water.

Unemployed young villagers from Mangezari participated in all the programs, led by Mukund. 

During the month, our team joined the Forest Department in day and night patrols in Compartment No. 109 and Compartment No. 56. Besides our staff, volunteers from a youth club at Mangezari also joined in the patrols. The youth club was set up with our assistance and is mentored by our Conservation Officer Mukund Dhurve.

During the month, our team organised 3 anti-plastic programs to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on January 2, 16 and 20 at Asalpani, Thadezari, and Sodlagondi villages respectively. Mukund organised the programs, which were attended by villagers and Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) members. The plastic litter has been kept in our Mangezari office and will be sent to Tiroda for recycling. 

Education: SEE TABLE 2

There were 6 education programs in January 2020.

On January 15, we organised a workshop at Mangezari on the study and evaluation of the loss caused by wildlife to farms and crops. 26 farmers of Mangezari, Kodebarra and Jindatola took part.

On January 20, Satpuda Foundation along with Forest Department organised a 1-day nature camp at Nagzira for 30 students and 4 teachers of Harikrushna High School, Kodelohara. In this camp, we organised nature trail, nature game and a jungle safari for the participants. 

A similar camp was organised on January 22 for 31 students and 2 teachers of Z.P.P.S. School, Mangezari. 

Employment Cell Training activities: SEE TABLE 3

We identified 1 young villager to attend a driving training program at Ashok Leyland Driving Training Centre, Chhindwara. The expenses for the month-long training program will be borne by the Forest Department.

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. 

Activity Update December 2019: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Chiwanda - Villagers watch a film on wildlife conservation

Kanargaon- Students learn about wildlife through an interactive nature game

Kanargaon- Village eco-development commitee meeting
to discuss fodder plantation

Kondegaon - Members of women's self-help group attend
an awareness session on alternative livelihood options

Kondegaon - Students learn about floral diversity of the landscape
 during our nature trail

Mudholi - Local youths volunteer for our foot patrol 

Mudholi - Students collect 10 kilograms of plastic litter
 during our garbage management programme

Mudholi- Cattle owners who are willing to use cattle sheds
to reduce grazing pressure over forest

Mudholi- Students and teachers attend a classroom lecture
on wildlife conservation

Wadala- Members of village eco-development committee
and other villagers attend a meeting on human-wildlife conflict

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer:  Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant:  Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: SEE TABLE 1

• 8 awareness programs on human-wildlife conflict - 155 villagers and students attended
• 2 garbage management programs to prevent human-wildlife conflict –80 students participated
• 1 foot patrol – 10 villagers participated
• 3 Nature club activities - Nature and bird watching trails and drawing competition – 76 students participated
• 8 Environment education programs - 228 students and 14 teachers attended
• Oyster mushroom cultivation training- 10 young villagers participated
• 5 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 74 members attended
• 3 VEDC meetings were organised - 66 members attended
• Free medical camps in 6 villages-  160 patients treated 

During December, we organised several meetings with villagers focusing on reducing human-wildlife conflict. We introduced them to recently released human-wildlife conflict resolution guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Forest Department.  In order to spread awareness, we spoke to the community members about potential threats and the danger of venturing into 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 villages, cattle grazing, minor forest produce (MFP) collection and unemployment, help in reducing human-wildlife confrontation.  

We also focused on wildlife movement outside protected areas (PAs). Wild animals like blue bulls, spotted deer, sambar deer and wild boar also pose a threat to villagers by raiding crops, damaging property and sometimes attacking farmers. Farmers suffer losses in these depredations. Farmers were told to maximise the usage of solar-powered fencing around their farms to deter animals. Our team is preparing a list of farmers who are willing to set up solar-powered fencing around their farms.  155 villagers attended these meetings. 

We organised garbage management meetings and activities with villagers of Mudholi and Dewada. Programs were 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 10 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (voluntary work). 80 students along with their teachers volunteered for these activities.

We organised a foot patrol involving local young villagers in an area prone to hunting, mainly of birds. Our team patrolled an area of 4 kilometers along with the local forest guard. 10 people participated in the patrol. 

Environment education - SEE TABLE 2

During December, we organised environment education programs in Chiwada, Kanhargaon, Junona, Dewada, Udiyatola, Adegaon and Bhamdeli 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 wildlife’s value through wildlife films, documentaries, presentations and classroom lectures. 168 students and 14 teachers participated in the programs. 

Students of Nature clubs  ‘Ashwal’ and ‘Chimni’ from Adegaon and Kondegaon  participated in interactive nature games and bird watching trails. 76 students participated in these activities. 

Employment Cell - SEE TABLE 3

We organised 3 village eco-development committee (VEDC) meetings and 5 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.  140 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. 

In Chiwanda, we introduced the villagers to mushroom cultivation and finalised a location for cultivation.  10 interested local farmers attended the meeting. 

Mobile Health Unit - SEE TABLE 4

During December, we organised free medical camps in 6 villages - Adegaon, UdiyaTola, Junona, Dewada, Bhamdeli and Sitarampeth. 160 patients were treated in our camps.