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. 

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 August 2019: Navegaon-Nagzira

 Koylari - Students of Ashram School plant saplings 

 Kurhadi - Our colleague Mukund teaches students
to make eco-friendly Ganesh idols

 Kurhadi - Students with their eco-friendly Ganesh idols 

Mangezari - Anti-plastic and garbage management programme

Wadegaon - Our team teaches students of the village school
to make eco-friendly Ganesh idols

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Mukund Dhurve – Assistant Conservation Officer

Highlights

• Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 4 occasions
• 4 shramdaan programs to clean area next to hand pumps
• 4 anti-plastic and garbage management programs 
• 35 saplings planted in 2 programs -a total of 179 students participated
• Organised 4 environment education programs - 426 students present

Conservation (See Table 1)

Our team organised 4 community assistance programs on August 1, 07, 14and 18 to clear areas around hand pumps at Balapur, Kodebarra, Mangezari, and Chorkhamara. Unemployed young villagers from Mangezari participated in the programs which were led by Mukund. 

(Details of the programs are provided in the table above)

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.

Our team joined the Forest Department in day and night patrols in Compartment No. 56, and on the paths linking Mangezari to Jindatola, Mangezari to Govindtola and Mangezari to Bagadband.  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 Assistant Conservation Officer Mukund Dhurve.

During the month, our team organised 4 anti-plastic programs and garbage management to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on August 1, 7, 14 and 18, at Balapur, Kodebarra, Mangezari and Chorkhamara villages respectively. 

Plastic litter is sometimes consumed by wild animals, causing harm to wildlife. Untended garbage sometimes lures wild animals into the village in search of food, raising the scope for human-wildlife conflict. It is, therefore, important to collect plastic litter and manage garbage properly. 

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 (Table 2)

There were 6 education programs in August 2019.

Activity Update July 2019: Navegaon-Nagzira

Highlights:

Day patrol in Comp. No. 56

Bolunda - Students are briefed about the benefits of conservation

Kurhadi - Teachers and students participate in our plantation drive 

Mangezari - Students plant saplings in our plantation drive

Mangezari - Students pose during our 'Tiger Day' celebration

Mangezari - Students set off on conservation awareness rally
on Global Tiger Day

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Mukund Dhurve – Assistant Conservation Officer

Highlights (See Table 1)

• Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 3 occasions
• 5 voluntary work programs to clean area next to hand pumps
• 5 anti-plastic programs 
• Organised programs to dig 5 compost pits 
• Assisted 2 young villagers in joining hospitality training program at PACE Academy, Sillari
• Organised 7 plantation programs – 135 saplings planted
• Organised 2 environment education programs;  320 students present
• Celebrated World Tiger Day - 73 students and EDC members participated

Our team organised 5 community assistance programs on July 14, 16, 17, 21 and 25 to clear areas around hand pumps at Mangezari, Sodlagondi, Chorkhamara, Umarzari and Jindatola. Unemployed young villagers from Mangezari participated in the programs, led by Mukund. 

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.

Our team joined the Forest Department in day and night patrols in Compartment No. 56 and on the paths linking Mangezari to Kodebarra and Mangezari to Jindatola. 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 Assistant Conservation Officer Mukund Dhurve.

During the month, our team organised 5 anti-plastic programs to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on July 14, 16, 17, 21 and 25 at Mangezari, Sodlagondi, Chorkhamara, Umarzari and Jindatola villages respectively. Mukund organised the programs. They were attended by villagers including Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) members. The plastic litter has been kept in our Mangezari office and will be sent to Tiroda for recycling. 

On 29 July, we celebrated World Tiger Day at Zilla Parishad Primary School (ZPPS), Mangezari. 73 students, VEDC members and Forest Department staff were present. Addressing the gathering, Mukund gave information about tigers and their habitat, and the need to conserve the big cat.

In July, Hemraj Salam, a marginal farmer from Asalpani, prepared a compost pit through a voluntary work project. Earlier in May we had provided information to farmers about the benefits of preparing compost pits and using organic compost instead of chemical fertilisers. He voluntarily prepared the compost pit on his farm under the guidance of Mukund Dhurve. Similarly, 4 more compost pits were prepared in Asalpani and Bagadband villages.

Education (See Table 2)

There were 9 education programs in July 2019.

Employment Cell Training activities (See Table 3)

In July we helped 2 young villagers attend a hospitality training program organised by Pratham Arora Center for Education (PACE) and funded by Pench Tiger Conservation Foundation at Sillari. 

Activity Update July 2019: Tadoba

Highlights:

Adegaon - Students participate in our plantation drive
 and plant saplings in their school premises

Ashtha - Global Tiger Day 2019 

 Ashtha - Kishor conducts an environment education programme
 in the village school

Ashtha - Global Tiger Day 2019 -
Students learn about tiger habitat and its conservation

Dewada - Students participate in a cleanliness drive 

Junona - Kishor briefs members of the women's SHG
about alternative livelihood options

Katwal - Global Tiger Day 2019 - Students participate
in an awareness rally on tiger conservation

Katwal - Teachers and students participate in our cleanliness drive

Khutwanda - Students observe wetland birds during a nature trail 

Khutwanda - Volunteers plant saplings in our plantation drive

Kudesawli - Awareness meeting with unemployed villagers
in the corridor, on alternative livelihood options 

Mudholi - Students of nature club 'Gaur' learn to identify animals
 through a nature game 

Mudholi - Villagers plant saplings during our plantation drive

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Conservation Officer: Mr. Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant: Mr. Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month: (Table 1)

• 2 livelihood awareness sessions in corridor villages - 58 unemployed young villagers attended
• 2 anti-plastic and bore well cleaning programs to prevent man-animal conflict - 79 villagers participated 
• 4 plantation programs - 840 saplings planted - 52 villagers participated
• 4 environment education programs - 202 students attended 
• 2 Nature club activities/interactive nature games- 53 students participated 
• 5 women’s SHG meetings were organised - 80 members attended 
• 7 VEDC meetings were organised - 128 members attended
• Global Tiger Day 2019 celebration - 170 students participated 

On July 5th and 22nd, we organised cleanliness and anti-plastic programs with villagers of Katwal and Adegaon. Programs were organised in order to sanitise the area around villages, as food litter sometimes leads wildlife to venture into the village and causes human-animal conflict. We collected over 5 kilograms of plastic litter through public participation (Shramdaan). 79 villagers including members of women’s (self-help groups) SHGs, and children, volunteered for these activities. 

On July 10th, 13th, 15th and 20th, we organised plantation drives with villagers of Mudholi, Katwal, Kondegaon and Khutwanda. Villagers planted 840 saplings of native tree species through voluntary work project. 52 villagers participated. 

Education Program (See Table 2)

During July, we visited and organised environment education  programs in Ashtha, Kondegaon, Katwal Mudholi and Khutwanda villages to promote awareness about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. We spoke to the students about nature and taught them about the importance of wildlife through interactive sessions and various nature games. 255 students participated in the programs. 

Students of the Nature club 'Gaur' from Mudholi and 'Wagh' from Kondegaon village participated in interactive nature education games and learnt about rain water harvesting and conservation. 

Events

Global Tiger Day 2019

 On July 29th, Satpuda Foundation celebrated GLOBAL TIGER DAY 2019 in Ashtha and Katwal villages in the buffer area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The goal of Tiger Day is to promote the protection of tigers. In a bid to create greater public awareness about tiger conservation, our team organised several programs and activities with school students and the villagers.

Our team of Ajay Poddar and Kishor Dudhbarai organised class room lectures and PowerPoint presentations to spread the message to conserve forest habitat in order to protect tigers. Our team also organised an awareness rally and nature games. During the rally, students sported tiger masks made by themselves and chanted tiger conservation slogans while marching through their village. Forest Department officials and school teachers were also present on the occasion.

Employment Cell (See Table 3)

We organised 7 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings and 5 self-help group (SHG) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods which would reduce dependence on the forests that leads to man-animal conflict and degradation of forests. A total of 208 villagers attended these meetings and shared their thoughts. 

In the SHG meetings, we discussed several livelihood related issues. We also formed groups of interested members who are willing to take up paper-bag making and embroidery. These groups will be provided with relevant training. A total of 80 members attended these meetings.  

In the VEDC meetings, we discussed about plantation to be done in the buffer; and collection and distribution of saplings. We also focused on increasing the usage of solar-powered fencing in farm lands to prevent conflict with wildlife. We also discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation. We also discussed about increasing man-animal confrontation in and around Moharli and how to prevent this by adopting cattle sheds and stall feeding for their cattle, which sometimes fall prey to medium and large carnivores around the area. A total of 128 villagers attended these meetings. 

We also organised youth empowerment and livelihood awareness sessions in Kudesawli village for unemployed young villagers from corridor villages of the proposed Kanargaon Wildlife Sanctuary.  We discussed various livelihood issues and job schemes that can benefit those forest dwellers. We also formed a social media group to discuss and share thoughts on the topic. 58 unemployed young villagers from Tohagaon, Kanargaon, Bamni and Chiwanda villages attended. The Honorary wildlife warden of Gadchiroli district Mr. Uday Patel and president of the organisation Social Action and Rural Development, Chandrapur (SARD) Mr. Prakash Kamde were also present.

Activity Update June 2019: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Highlights

Students and a teacher of the village school in Pisuwa plant saplings

Matkuli - Awareness programme on Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve 

Matkuli - Our colleague Ashfaq examines pits
dug for our proposed plantation programme

Matkuli - Pits dug for plantation programme during the monsoon

Matkuli - Saplings to be planted during the monsoon

Matkuli - Villagers participate in an awareness programme
on Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve 

THE FULL REPORT

Team: Ashfaq Aarbi – Conservation Officer

            Hamid Khan – Field assistant

Aabid Khan - Field assistant

Highlights (See Table 1)

• 3 water bodies cleaned through voluntary work programs
• 9 awareness programs and preparation of pits for sapling plantation
• Revived nursery and prepared saplings at Matkuli
• Plantation drive organised at Pisuwa - 100 saplings planted
• Celebrated World Environment Day at Matkuli
• Organised environment awareness program at Matkuli

During June, we organised 3 programs related to water conservation. 

On June 2, we organised a program to clean a water body in the jungle some distance from Mehandikheda village. The water body was covered with leaves and organic litter and animals were finding it difficult to drink. Our team, consisting of field assistant Hamid Khan and 13 children from Mehandikheda village, cleared the litter and made the water body accessible to the animals again. Spotted deer are regularly seen around this water body while there are occasional sightings of sloth bears, wild pigs, wild dogs and leopards. 

Two similar programs were organised at Jhirpa and Khanchari on June 4 and 5.

During the month, our team organised 9 awareness programs in Jhirpa, Khanchari, Karer, Matkuli, Pisuwa, Duddi, Bandhan, Almod, Aaritodiya, Mohgaon, Tekapar, Chandanpipariya, Bindakheda and Chirrai villages to promote awareness about forests and the need to maintain and increase green cover. At these programs, our team explained to villagers how the forests could be maintained and green cover could be added through plantation drives. Villagers were motivated to collect seeds of native species which could be used in plantation drives during the monsoon. We arranged saplings of neem, jamun, kosam, pipal, bargad and mahua with the support of the Social Forestry wing and prepared pits for plantation.

In June, we organised the planting of 100 kosam and teak saplings in Pisuwa village, with the support of the local school management. 

World Environment Day

On June 5, we organised a function to celebrate the World Environment Day at Matkuli. This program was attended by Mr. Kamal Pal (Sarpanch, Matkuli), Omprakash Sahu, Vimlesh Vyalsa, (Forest Guard) and EDC members of Matkuli, Mehandikheda, Chirrai, Tekapar and Khari.

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve awareness program

On June 13, we organised a function at Matkuli to promote awareness about the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. This program was attended by Mr. Kamal Pal (Sarpanch- Matkuli), Mr. H.L. Sharma, Mr. Beniprasad Dhurve (Deputy Ranger), Principal and staff of Government Higher Secondary School, Matkuli.