Our IT education programme launched at Sawra, Pench

Finally - we started the first phase of the IT literacy programme we’ve been planning for villagers near Pench Tiger Reserve.

All of us involved are on a bit of a high, because it's taken quite a lot of co-ordination and it was great to see it go off so well. This is the brainchild of Mumbai volunteer Kirti Chavan. He is too modest to say this himself, so I'm saying it for him. Kirti is an IT professional and one-time trainer with NIIT. Read about his preliminary visit here.

Mumbai volunteer Bipasha Majumder was instrumental in working out our collaboration with the NGO Pratham for this scheme. She works for Pratham and it was she who linked us up, juggling dates and details with amazing persistence. Those who ask what they can do for tiger conservation - here's a possible answer - use your unique skills and position to find the best way you can help the cause.

Here's Kirti's report on the initial training programme, 13, 14, 15 February 2010:

The IT literacy scheme is the latest project of our Employment Cell which teaches new skills to villagers in/around tiger reserves, so they can abandon their traditional forest-destructive livelihoods and at the same time aim for better incomes.

Through this phase we want to impart basic computer education to children of the village. This will not only equip them with new skills but also give them a feel of the progressive world outside the village. As part of the second phase we want to provide specialized training to young adults so that they will be well-equipped to find good jobs in cities.

We selected Sawra village near the reserve boundary as the best site to introduce this programme on a pilot basis. If it works well we will extend it to other villages in the Pench region and then (we hope) to other Reserves as well.

For this project we have collaborated with Pratham, one of the largest NGOs working for education of underprivileged children. As per their model, the trainees selected for the course will (after reaching the required level of competence) then train school children in the village.

On earlier trips to Sawra, Kirti and Sikander Lokhande (Pratham) spoke to children, villagers and school teachers to understand what they wanted to do and what domain of computer literacy would work best for them. The entire exercise was facilitated by SF Conservation Officer Anoop Awasthi, who has a close rapport with the villagers. It was decided that a basic computer learning module was needed which would not only teach children how to use computers but also help them perform better in their school curriculum. As for young adults, there is an immediate need for specialized training which will make them “industry-ready” and will increase their chances of employment. Trainers were identified who could be taught by Pratham and could then act as full-time/part-time trainers who will teach at the village computer centre set up by us.

On 13, 14 and 15 February, two trainers from Pratham visited Sawra with Kirti and carried out their “Train the trainer” programme. Four people did the course: two primary school teachers, Manoj Mankar and Sachin Ambadkar, and two students, Sachin Kodape and Sita Uikey. Trainers Rakhi Mali and Jyoti Phadke shared their lesson plan and teaching tips with them. They did a wonderful job, specially considering that they had to work in a new and unusual environment, and schedule the classes in between power cuts! Do visit our group album to see the photos.

Two desktops had been donated to us for this programme by Mr Bhaskar Shetty (Mumbai) and a laptop by Gautam Berry (Mumbai). We’d like to thank both of them for the donation, and we also thank TCI, who transported them from Mumbai to Amravati without any charge.

The trainees will now practice on assignments and CD-based tutorials for a month, after which Kirti will visit to review their progress. After that they will begin to teach school children.

Feedback about the course has been very encouraging and the children are enthusiastic about this project. This is great news because IT literacy really is a life-changing skill. And needless to say, wildlife there will benefit immensely if these communities stop living off forest resources.

We will need more computers to implement the next stage of this programme. The minimum system requirements are:
Pentium III Computer ( recommended pentium IV upwards )
Processor can be AMD Athelon or Intel or even Celeron
512 MB RAM ( Recommended 1GB )
8GB Hard disk space (Recommended 10GB upwards)
The computer should have CD drive ( working condition) and a USB port

If you can help with this, please email rajashree DOT khalap AT gmail DOT com. Please circulate this to others who may be interested in donating a computer.

Photos: Kirti Chavan
Sawra, Pench Tiger Reserve

Learn how to be a "Wildlife Conservation Trainer" - NCSA/SF course for young nature lovers

Nature Conservation Society Amravati and Satpuda Foundation have launched a joint programme for young conservationists to become professional "Wildlife Conservation Trainers." Interested young nature lovers would be given an opportunity to learn training techniques under experts like Kishor Rithe, Prof. Nishikant Kale, Prof. Prakash Laddha and Dr. G.N. Vankhede. Specialised training would be given while conducting different training programmes for CBSE school students in Melghat. Young nature lovers can apply for this programme.

If selected, you would be provided an opportunity to participate in the training programme. You will get a certificate of completion at the end of the programme. If the person undergoes at least 4 such training programmes, we will assess them and award them the certificate as a "Wildlife Conservation Trainer". We will also provide these qualified trainers an opportunity to work with NCSA and SF in arranging several training programmes for us in the Satpuda Landscape for which they will also receive honorarium along with travel and other expenses.

Topics covered in the training course:

1) How to conduct a nature study camp
2) How to guide nature walks - exlaining bio-diversity importance properly.
3) How to conduct different nature games
4) Ample knowledge about hard-core conservation issues through lectures of experts
5) How to conduct different field assignments (on conservation and livelihood issues)
6) Time management and activity management
7) Jungle ethics, discipline required for sustainable living
8) Ways of giving back something to the earth

Qualifications:
You should have completed your graduation (in any branch) but MUST have a passion to become a wildlife conservation trainer.

The training fees:
The training fees for trainees would be only Rs.500 per course. This includes mainly their food expenses. They need to bear their own travel and other expenses. Free accommodation and training material.

Dates for course:
Apply for February and March training programmes as follows -

1 Feb-6 Feb 2010
15 Feb-20 Feb 2010
22 Feb to 27 Feb 2010
12 March to 16 March 2010

Selection: The applicants should contact - Rajashree Khalap (rajashree.khalap@gmail.com), Manish Sawankar (manish.sawankar@gmail.com) and Dinesh Kothari (dineshkothari1@gmail.com) and submit their applications. We encourage electronic communication only. The applicants would be informed about their selection in six working days from the date of their application.

Wildlifers can participate in wildlife estimation exercise, Melghat Tiger Reserve

Melghat Tiger Reserve is presently busy in planning their wildlife (carnivore and herbivore) estimation exercise by the line transect method. The Field Director has decided to take the help of serious wildlifers. Those interested in participating in the exercise should enroll their names with Mr. Vishal Bansod (09422916150) before 20th January 2010. You need to fill up their form and submit it to Vishal. The scrutiny committee will soon inform you about your selection on 21st January.

The estimation exercise will take place from 27th January '10 to 2nd February '10 .You need to be physically fit as there is a lot of walking involved, and you will also have to follow all the rules and regulations of MTR.

Winter Nature Study Camp at Melghat - extreme cold didn't bother these enthusiastic youngsters!

NCSA's beautiful Community Resource Centre (CRC) at Melghat is the hub of many exciting activities - it's a biological research station, a meeting place for villagers and government officials, the venue for many skill-building workshops, an organic vegetable farm - and last but not least, it's where bands of enthusiastic school kids come for regular nature study camps.

A report by our Conservation Officer/Education Officer (and Sanctuary Young Naturalist Award winner) Vishal Bansod, on the Nature Study Camp, December 25-28, 2009:



Above: Some of the participants at the Camp



Above: Nature Study Camp group, December 2009



Above: Trekking



Above: The kids with Forest Protection Camp staff, Matakol



Above: At a tribal village

Below: Nature game



“What do you mean by Nature? Conservation? This is the place where you can actually understand these complex terms and issues,” said one of the participants of the Nature Study Camp organized by NCSA during 25-28 December, '09 at our Muthawa Community Resource Centre.

42 kids from Shri Ramkrishna Krida Vidhalaya, Rajeshvari Vidhya Mandir, Golden Kids English High School and School of Scholars participated in this four day Nature Study Camp along with four teachers.

After reaching to the campsite a well-planned programme was conducted right from the initial ice-breaking to the evaluation of the camp. On the first day Vishal Bansod gave an introductory talk to the kids about the area i.e. Melghat Tiger Reserve. During the evening the kids toured the Community Resource Centre (CRC) where they got information about organic farming, bio- diesel and its significance, the plant nursery and its working, water conservation, waste water treatment and other topics. Mr.Kishor Rithe made this visit more meaningful by making it easy for the kids to understand the importance and working of the CRC.

The first day started early in morning with a nature walk. We divided the children into three different groups and visited Thadada Area, Matakol Forest Protection Camp and Junada waterhole. This was a great experience for the kids because many of them for the first time entered a forest on foot. The kids got the opportunity to see many species of birds, plants and butterflies along with mammal pugmarks, a machan, waterholes etc. Afterwards the kids took part in a lively discussion on what they had learned during the walk.

We held some brainstorming sessions conducted by NCSA President Prof. Nishikant Kale and Mr. Prakash Laddha on eco-friendly festivals, Reuse-Reduce-Recycle, climate change and other topics. All the topics were explained with the help of different interactive nature games. These games played a vital role in giving the children important information informally, and many solutions came out during discussions.

On the last day Mr. Kishor Rithe delivered a lecture on “Importance of the forest and its relation with human beings.” During the afternoon session the kids visited the tribal villages Kotha and Bori. During this visit they came across many issues like livelihood, health and education. We held a separate discussion on this topic and the kids realized that not a single piece of forest can be protected without the help of local people living there. To evaluate the Camp we had organized a nature quiz. All three groups did well in this nature quiz but the Dolar group did exceptionally well and win the game.

Mr. Atul Tikhe, Amit Wadatkar, Adwait Keole, Neharu Yeole, Gajanan Shanware, Maroti Alokar and Sachin Ingole took painstaking efforts to make this camp possible.

Vishal Bansod
Conservation Officer & Education Officer
NCSA

December '09 Activity Report

Lots of community conservation activities as always in our project areas. Here are some snaps sent by our VP Giri Venkatesan:

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve:



Above: Kalapani waterhole before "shramdaan" (voluntary work)...



Above: ...and after



Above: Cleaning approach road to Moharli Gate of plastic litter



Above: Wildlife film screening at Mudholi

Pench National Park



Above: Field Assistant Dilip Lanjewar talks to school children at Zinzeria (Pench Maharashtra)



Above: Sawra villagers learn the art of selling T-shirts (Pench, Maharashtra)



Above, below: School kids learn about nature and wildlife - Turia (Pench, Madhya Pradesh)





Above, below: Building stop dam at Sawra (Pench, Maharashtra)



Below: The result of their labours - the check dam! These little dams are very important because they create water bodies which act as drinking spots for animals (wild and domestic). They also help recharge the water table.





Above: Villagers help build a stop dam at Khamrith (Pench, Madhya Pradesh)



Above: Creating a waterhole near Ghatpendari (Pench, Maharashtra)
Below: The waterhole



Kanha National Park



Above: Awareness programme for school children



Above: Workshop on functioning of village development committee, Chapri



Above: Anti-plastic campaign at Batwar



Above: Making a check dam at Sautiya



Above: Check dam at Patpara

Our wildlife e-cards!

This year we decided to greet people with e-cards made from our own photographs. Click here to select and send one.

All the pictures were taken by us - SF/NCSA officers and volunteers - in the reserves we work in: Tadoba, Pench, Melghat, Kanha, Bori-Satpuda. The messages and design were done by Kiran Khalap and Sachin Pawar of chlorophyll brand & communications consultancy. Our volunteer Kirti Chavan created the page and is hosting it.

Do send our e-cards this year to spread the wildlife message around!

November '09 Activity Report

As always, our Conservation Officers have been busy trying to reduce the human footprint in the tiger habitat we work in, in varied and innovative ways. Some snapshots of a few of our November '09 community conservation activities - from the monthly reports compiled by our VP Giri Venkatesan.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve



School kids set off on a bird-watching trail at Adegaon



Public hygiene and cleanliness campaign at Kutwanda



Kondegaon school kids water saplings they had planted earlier



Chorgaon - school kids are given the conservation message through a nature game



Chorgaon kids pose next to a check dam they've built

Kanha National Park



Film show at Kutwahi



Restarted bio-gas unit at Kutwahi



Self-help group (SHG) training programme at Batwar

Pench National Park



Plantation drive at Jamuntola



Nature game at Satosha school



Hawking lantana products, and custard apples!



Environment education programme at Jinheriya



Discussing modalities of teaching IT to village kids and youth - Sawra



Discussing the functioning of the eco-development committee, Sillari



Celebrating Children's Day at Sawra



Building a soak pit at Ghoti

Snapshots from the stall

These were taken at our awareness stall at the Indus Festival of Charities, Mumbai, 5 December 2009. The response was encouraging, with quite a few people showing interest in the cause and ten people giving their contact details for our mailing list. One person took posters to distribute and three others were interested in volunteering.

Several people even asked the price of the wildlife photos we had mounted and put on the table! They were very impressed when we told them that the pictures were all taken by our own officers and volunteers, and not by professional photographers. Vishal Bansod's wonderful photo of a python killing a bird was admired the most, and his photo of the Blue Pansy butterfly got lots of oohs and aahs as well.

It was great to meet Abhishek Surana, who had volunteered with SF this summer. He lives in Delhi but is in Mumbai this month doing a course, so he dropped in to meet us and help. Read his posts about his volunteering experience here and here.

This was a good beginning for our Mumbai chapter. We are planning to create much more awareness and let's hope we'll generate much more support through similar activities here. So wish us luck!

Our stall at the Indus Festival of Charities

We have taken a table for SF and NCSA at the Indus Festival of Charities this Saturday. There is no merchandise, it will be an information and awareness outlet. We will give general information about the tiger conservation cause and about our work in the tiger habitat of Central India. Interested people can enlist as volunteers. We will be making Powerpoint presentations about SF and NCSA on our laptops to anyone interested.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Venue: YMCA Colaba
12, Nathalal Parekh Marg (old name Wodehouse Road)
Colaba, Mumbai 400 039
It's near Sahakari Bhandar and Regal Circle.

Please spread the word among Mumbai wildlife-lovers!