Activity Update July 2014: Pench Maharashtra

Team: Saket Agasti - Assistant Conservation Officer

            Bandu Uikey, Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistants

Highlights

·      One anti-plastic  programme to clean area adjoining road from Pipariya to Sillari

·      One voluntary work project programme to build a compost tank for organic waste disposal at Kolitmara

·      One voluntary work project to clean a water tank near Kolitmara

·      2 nature awareness rallies on July 29 at Kolitmara and Pipariya as part of  Global Tiger Day celebrations

·       Nature Conservation Day celebrated on 28 July at Ghatpendari

·      Sapling plantation programmes organized in two villages

·      Field assistant Bandu Uikey joined Forest Department staff on anti-poaching patrols on 2 occasions

·      13 environment education programmes -- attended by 424 students

·      Organized 6 medical camps at which 260 patients were treated

·      Organized village meetings at Kolitmara, Ghatkukda, Sawangi, Suwardhara to discuss village development issues through Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC)

Conservation

On July 15, Dilip led a team of 20 villagers from Sillari, Khapa and Pipariya to clean the plastic litter from the side of the road which runs from Pipariya to Sillari Gate. This road is used by tourists entering the Tiger Reserve as well as by villagers going from/to Khapa. Often tourists and villagers throw away plastic wrappers, pouches and bags along the road. This area is frequented by both wild animals and domestic livestock and the plastic litter is often eaten by them. Besides clearing the litter, our programme also aimed to promote awareness among the villagers about the dangers of dumping litter carelessly. Photos below.

On July 13 and 28, sapling plantation was organized at Khapa and Sillari by Dilip. Villagers and Forest Department staff joined the programme. Saplings of plants like karanj, sitafal, and jamun were planted along the boundaries of the villages. The saplings were provided by the Forest Department.

Planting saplings in Sillari

Planting at Khapa; Forest Guard Thakre lends a hand

On July 27, Bandu assisted villagers in digging a compost pit for organic waste disposal at Kolitmara village. Before the pit was prepared, villagers use to throw the organic waste, including food leftovers, along the road. Building these tanks will help in proper disposal of the waste and reduce the risks of wildlife being drawn towards the village. Photos below.

On July 7, Bandu and 7 villagers cleaned a water tank in Kolitmara. The tank was built for use by the villagers and their cattle. Bandu explained to the villagers the risks of not cleaning the tanks regularly.

On July 29, we organized Global Tiger Day celebration functions at Pipariya, Ghoti, Sillari, Khapa and Wagholi. Participants went through their villages on bicycles and motor bikes chanting slogans for tiger conservation. Forest department staff, VEDC members, women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) and school children participated in the rally.

Rally in Ghoti

Rally in Pipariya

Rally and anti-plastic drive in Kolitmara

Drawing event at Ghatpendari school on Global Tiger Day

On July 1, a VEDC meeting was organized to discuss local issues of the villagers at Ghatkukda village. In the meeting, Range Forest Officer (Saleghat) Mr. Deshpande and Bandu discussed various issues with the villagers.

Similar meetings were organized at Khapa, Wagholi, Suwardhara, Kolitmara and Kirangisarra.

VEDC meeting at Kolitmara 

On July 13 and 20, Bandu joined VEDC members and Forest Department staff on patrols at West Pench. The team patrolled the borders of villages and checked for illegal activities. No illegal activity was detected on these patrols.

Patrol near Ghatpendari

On July 13, Dilip took women members of SHGs of Khapa, Wagholi and Sillari on a nature trail, where he spoke to them about the environment and the need to preserve it. Similar nature trails were organized by Bandu for children of villages of West Pench. Dates and other details are given in the table above.

Environmental Education Programmes

In July, we visited 13 schools to conduct programmes on environment conservation in schools in our area of operations.

Bandu identifies insects on a nature trail - Ghatpendari

Conservation class for students

Ghatpendari: Bandu speaks to children about conservation
in the presence of Forest Department staff

IT Education Programme

Satpuda Foundation has been running a programme to introduce computers to children living in the remote villages adjoining Pench Tiger Reserve in both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Foundation has installed computers in 3 villages and hired a local trainer to impart computer skills to the children. In Maharashtra, this programme is being implemented in Sawara, with computers provided by us, and in Pipariya, using the school’s computers.

Nikhil teaching Microsoft Office to children in Pipariya

Education Van Programme

There were 5 film shows on nature and wildlife conservation in July. 250 students participated in them.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU)

There were 6 medical camps held in July in which 260 patients were treated.

Activity Update July 2014: Kanha

Team: Amit Awasthi – Conservation Officer

            Sampathlal Dhurve – Field assistant

           

Highlights  

·      2 voluntary work projects for community assistance – area next to well cleaned at Samaiya and Patpara

·      3 awareness programmes on seeds, improved farming techniques and bio-gas

·      Plantation programme – 125 saplings planted in 3 villages

·      3 compost pits dug in 3 villages

·      1 bio-gas unit repaired

·      Global Tiger Day  celebrated at Mocha – conservation rally, contests for students

·      Environment education programme conducted in 12 schools - attended by 314 students

·      1 unemployed youth placed in local job

Conservation  

On July 6, Amit and Sampath led a team of 7 people in a programme to clear wild growth around a well at Samaiya. Due to heavy rains, wild growth had proliferated around the well and access to the well was affected. Our team, which comprised 7 youths from the village, removed the wild growth and cleaned the area.

A similar programme was organized on July 23 to clear the area next to a well at Patpara.

During the month, Amit organized 3 awareness programmes on improved farming techniques to hep farmers improve their yield. The farmers were also taught how to treat seeds before planting. Amit also used the programmes to promote the use of bio-gas. Details of the programmes are given in the table above.

Dhamangaon programme with farmers

During the month, the following 8 farmers were also taught to plant paddy using improved techniques:

As part of our monsoon activities, our teams across the landscape motivate and organize villagers to collect seeds, prepare saplings and dig pits so that a plantation drive can be launched once the rains set in. During July, we helped plant a total of 125 saplings on school campuses in 3 villages. Details are given in the table above. The species included mango, kanji, jamun, amla.

Our team encourages organic farming to reduce the impact of chemical fertilizers on fields adjoining prime wildlife areas. Part of our work includes assistance to villagers in setting up vermi-compost tanks and compost pits. During July we helped 3 villagers dig compost pits – Busmat Bai Markam of Sautiya on July 5, Ravishanker Uddey of Samaiya on July 20 and Sanoti Bai Uikey of Patpara on July 27.    

Patpara: compost pit in Sanoti Bai Uikey's backyard

In order to reduce the dependence of villagers on forests for firewood, we encourage them to use alternative sources of energy. As part of this programme, we assist villagers in repairing bio-gas units (set up by the Forest Department) which have fallen into disrepair. In July, we helped one villager, Rajjan Singh Saiyam of Kutwahi restart his unit. Photo below.

On July 29, Global Tiger Day, our team organized a function at Government Middle School, Mocha, to promote awareness about tiger conservation. We organized a rally in which around 260 students walked through the village, chanting slogans for tiger, wildlife and nature conservation. After the rally, the students participated in a drawing contest. Some of the students had their faces painted like tigers.

Deputy Range (Khatiya), Shiv Charan Thakre, Forest Guard (Mocha) Bhaghirath Singh Kakodiya, local Eco-Committee President Bhagwan Singh Parmar and teachers of the High School, Middle School and Primary School participated along with the students.

Education

During the month our team organized environment education programmes in 12 schools in the villages in our area of operations.

Employment Cell

We helped one youth get a job in July.