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.  

Activity Update October 2019: Pench Maharashtra

Awleghat - Balakrishna conducts an environment education program
in the village school

Bachhera - Villagers volunteer to clean plastic trash 

Chargaon - Women take part in an awareness rally during Wildlife Week

Dhawlapur - Students take part in wildlife-themed drawing contest 

Ghatpendhari - Young villagers get briefed about livelihood opportunities

Kadbikheda - Members of women's SHG collect plastic trash
from the jungle

Khapa - Dilip giving information on the harmful impact of fire crackers
during Diwali

Khapa - Villagers join us on a patrol in the forest adjoining their village

Makardhokda - Bandu joins Forest Dept. staff on a foot patrol in the jungle

Pipariya - Dilip briefs students on the role of termites and insects
in the ecosystem

Pipariya - Dilip helps students spot birds during a nature trail

Sawara - Dilip briefs villagers on alternative livelihood options

Wagholi - Villagers join Forest Department staff on a patrol 

Zinzeriya - Students participate in a rangoli competition
 during Wildlife Week

THE FULL REPORT

Team:
Bandu Uikey – Assistant Conservation Officer
Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistant
Balkrishna Bagmare – Field Assistant

Highlights

• Wildlife Week 2019 celebrated in villages of buffer area - 762 students participate in various events
• Organised 4 foot patrols in forest - 19 villagers volunteered to assist Forest Department staff
• Assisted one villager in filing for compensation for cattle killed by tiger
• Organised 4 nature trails - 72 students took part
• Organised 1 anti-plastic program - 45 villagers volunteered 
• Organised 5 village meetings on issues like man-animal conflict, livelihood and skill development programs - 113 villagers present during the meetings
• 10 classroom environment education programs conducted - 202 students attended 
• Assisted 2 unemployed young villagers in getting jobs 
• Assisted 2 unemployed young villagers in enrolling for hospitality training program

Activity - See TABLE 1

During the first week of October, Satpuda Foundation celebrated Wildlife Week 2019 in villages of the buffer area of Pench Tiger Reserve. During the week-long celebration, our staff organised various events to sensitise villagers on conservation issues. We organised drawing competitions, elocution competitions and rangoli competitions for school students. We organised nature trails for students, introducing them to the floral and faunal diversity of the forest adjoining their villages.  762 school students participated in these events. Awareness rallies were organised in which school students, young villagers and members of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and prominent villagers took part, raising slogans to make their fellow villagers aware of the need for conservation. 

Anti-plastic campaigns were also arranged to clean plastic trash accumulated along road sides, near school premises and public utility places in the village. 

On 31 October, Dilip assisted Bramhanand Chokhandre, a villager from Ghoti in filing for compensation for his cattle killed by a tiger. The tiger made the kill in his farm adjoining the forest on the night of 30^th October. Dilip and Forest Department staff have assured Mr Chokhandre that he will be provided compensation very soon. Later Dilip instructed Mr Chokhandre to make sure he does not leave his cattle unprotected to avoid such incidents in future. The Forest Department has set up camera traps to identify the tiger and are regularly monitoring the area in order to prevent any further conflict.   

On 13October, Dilip motivated 5 villagers from Khapa to join Forest Department staff on a foot patrol in the forest area adjoining their village. During the patrol, the team assisted the Forest Department staff in checking for any illegal activity like logging, or placing of snares for poaching. They also looked out for signs like pugmarks, scat or scratch marks made by tiger, leopard or sloth bear. The team also checked whether illegal grazing is taking place inside the forest area. However, no illegal activity was reported during the patrol. 

The team encountered indirect signs of numerous ungulates like wild boar, sambar deer and spotted deer. Similar patrols were carried out along with Forest Department staff in Suwardhara, Makardhokda and Wagholi on 18^th, 19^th and 27^th October respectively. Balkrishna motivated 5 villagers each from Suwardhara and Makardhokda to join the foot patrol while Dilip led 4 villagers from Wagholi. 

On 9 October, Balkrishna encourage 45 villagers from Bachhera to remove plastic trash from road-side drains, hand pumps, school and Gram Panchayat premises. Balkrishna organised an awareness rally with school students to encourage villagers to participate in the voluntary program. Encouraged by the slogans raised by the children, the villagers collected plastic trash. The trash was sent to Parseoni town for disposal. This clean-up drive will help prevent clogging of drains thus preventing spread of many water-borne diseases. 

On 8^th October, Dilip took 20 school students from Wagholi and Pipariya villages on a nature trail in the forest area adjoining the villages. While on the nature trail, Dilip provided information on various plant and tree species. The students identified trees such as teak, palash, mahua, neem, banyan, fig and salai. Dilip explained that the trees not only provide people with many medicines and fruits but also harbour numerous animal, bird and insect species. Dilip helped the students identify hoof marks of herbivores like wild boars and sambhar deer. During the trail, the students also observed many birds like Rufus tree pie, oriole, coppersmith barbet, yellow footed green pigeon and Indian grey hornbill. Dilip helped them observe the difference in the shape of beaks, feet and wings of the birds. He further explained to the students that the birds have evolved based on their feeding habits and the habitat. Similar nature trails were organised on 10^th, 25^th and 26^th October for students of Dhawlapur, Sawara and Pipariya respectively.  72 students took part in these 4 nature trails.

On 17 October, Satpuda Foundation organised a meeting with villagers from Ghatpendari on prevention of human-animal conflict. During the meeting, Bandu Uikey gave information to the farmers regarding compensation schemes being implemented by Forest Department. He provided information regarding claim application and documents required to file compensation claims. Bandu also provided information on compensation schemes for cattle killed by predators. He asked villages to refrain from resorting to illegal, retaliatory activities like electrocution or poisoning in case of crop damage or cattle kill, and asked them to inform Forest Department staff instead.

On 24 October, Dilip organised a village meet to sensitise villagers of Khapa village about air and noise pollution caused by fire crackers during the Diwali festival. He told villagers that the noise and smoke caused due to these fire crackers is not only harmful to humans but also affects animals and birds. He urged the villagers to restrict bursting of fire crackers and celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly way. 25 villagers from Khapa attended the meeting. A similar meeting was organised by Dilip on 28 October in Sawara village at which 15 villagers were present.

Environment education - See TABLE 2

In October, we organised 10 education programs in village schools.  202 students of Zilla Parishad Primary (ZPPS) and Zilla Parishad Upper Primary (ZPUPS) schools attended the programs. Dilip and Balkrishna spoke to students about various issues related to wildlife, soil and water and biodiversity conservation. They engaged students in interactive games to effectively explain the issues. 

Employment, Placements and Training - See TABLE 3

In October, we helped 2 unemployed young villagers from Shiladevi village gain employment as waiters with Deshi Pakwan Bhojnalaya, a hotel in Ahmedabad. They will be earning a salary of Rs 7,500 per month. We had earlier helped other young villagers get jobs in Ahmedabad, and have remained in contact with them for further employment opportunities. 

Skill development and training programs - See TABLE 4

 In October, Bandu and Dilip assisted 2 unemployed young villagers from Kadbikheda in joining a 2-month training program in hospitality at Pratham Arora Centre for Education at Sillari.

Activity Update September 2019: Pench-Bor Wildlife Corridor

Mandar Pingle – Conservation Officer

Highlights

• Organised 3 meetings of women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)in Telgaon, Bidgaon
• Information on various  training programs provided to young villagers
• Information on compensation for crop damage by wildlife given to farmers of Lohgad and Temburdoh 

Activity

On 17 September, we organised a meeting of members of Gayatri Mahila Bachat Gat of Telgaon. The group had won a prize of ₹50,000 under the ‘Hirkani’ competition organised by the Maharashtra State Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development Department. The award was to encourage the development of micro and small enterprises. The group has been engaged in making paper bags for the past year. During the meeting, the group made resolutions regarding utilisation of these funds. The group has decided to lend money to both members and non-member villagers for the purpose of self-employment or setting up of micro-enterprises. Mandar helped the group to understand the process of lending, deciding the rate of interest and calculating the instalments payable by the borrower. A follow-up meeting with the Self-Help Group was organised on 30 September in Telgaon.

On 18 September, Mandar arranged a meeting of the members of Jai Seva Mahila Bachat Gat of Bidgaon. During the meeting, Mandar assisted the group in addressing various issues related to the proper functioning of the Self-Help Group. The group has started a spice processing micro-enterprise in July 2019. 

In September, Mandar provided information on various training programs being provided by the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute in Nagpur. Information on hospitality training at Sillari by Pratham Arora Centre for Education was provided to unemployed young villagers from Telgaon, Bidgaon, Temburdoh and Lohgad. Mandar also provided information on small-scale poultry farming to farmers from Telgaon and Lohgad. Information regarding four-wheeler driver training was also given to young villagers from Telgaon, Lohgad and Umari.

During village visits in September, Mandar gave information on schemes of compensation for crop damage done by wild animals. Referring to the Government Resolution on compensation, Mandar explained the process of application for compensation, documents to be provided during the application and where to submit the application. Mandar shared the contact details of the concerned Forest Department staff with the farmers. Mandar also urged the farmers to strictly avoid use of electrocution or poisoning as a means to counter crop damage by wildlife, and explained to them that these methods were illegal. He also provided information on alternate solutions like solar-powered farm fencing to prevent crop damage by wild animals.

Activity Update September 2019: Navegaon-Nagzira

Kurhadi - Our colleague Mukund speaks to students
about conservation on World Ozone Day

Mangezari - Volunteers participate in our cleanliness
and anti- plastic litter drive

Jindatola - Our volunteers clean clean a drainage canal and water tank 

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 

Mukund Dhurve - Asst.  Conservation Officer

Highlights

• Joined Forest Department staff on foot patrols on 3 occasions
• 4 voluntary work programs to clean area next to hand pumps
• 4 anti-plastic programs 
• Organised 4 environment education programs – attended by 497 students 
• Celebrated World Ozone Day - 210 students and teachers participated

See TABLE 1

Our team organised 4 community assistance programs on September 1, 2, 6 and 8 to clear areas around hand pumps at Mangezari, Jindatola, Sodlagondi and Bodalkasa. Unemployed young villagers fom Mangezari participated in the programs, led by Mukund. Details of the programs are given in the table above.

Water had spilled over while people drew from the hand pumps and had stagnated, leading to the 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 Compartments No. 111 and 109 and on the road linking Mangezari to Asalpani. Besides our staff, volunteers from a youth club at Mangezari 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 to clean polythene/plastic litter from villages. The programs were organised on September 1, 2, 6 and 8 at Mangezari, Jindatola, Sodlagondi, and Bodalkasa villages respectively. Mukund organised the programs. They 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. 

On 16 September, we celebrated World Ozone Day at GES High School, Kuradi. 210 students, teachers and Forest Department staff were present at the event. Mukund explained the importance of the ozone layer and the need for conservation. 

Education - See TABLE 2

There were 4 environment education programs in September.

Activity Update September 2019: Pench Maharashtra

Chargaon - Balkrishna leads villagers in a plastic litter clean-up drive

Chargaon - Villagers join our anti-plastic and cleanliness programme 

Ghoti - Villagers planting saplings

Kadbikheda - Dilip teaches students about local biodiversity

Khapa - Local farmers explain organic farming to villagers

Add caption Khapa - Students participate in rally
to mark World Vulture Day

Sawara - Dilip speaks to students about trees, on a nature trail

Sawara - Village children learn computer skills
through our IT Education Programme

Sawara - Village children learn to identify pug marks

Shiladevi - Balkrishna engages students in games about biodiversity

Wagholi - Sahdeo Tekam in his mushroom cultivation unit 

THE FULL REPORT

Team: 
Bandu Uikey – Assistant Conservation Officer
Dilip Lanjewar – Field Assistant
Balkrishna Bagmare – Field Assistant

Highlights - See TABLE 1

• Organised 3 foot patrols along with Forest Department  staff - 11 villagers participated
• One anti-plastic program organised in Chargaon - 50 villagers took part
• 32 villagers participated in workshop on organic farming
• Organised 17 classroom education programs - 442 students present
• Arranged 8 audio-visual presentations on wildlife conservation - 340 students present
• 20 students from Sawara village participated in nature trail and learned to identify birds
• Helped 6 unemployed young villagers gain employment as temporary labourers with the Forest Department
• Celebrated Ozone Day, Vulture Day and Tourism Day along with students and village elders

On 15 September, Dilip encouraged 5 villagers from Khapa to join Forest Department staff on a foot patrol in the forest area adjoining their village. During the patrol, the team looked out for signs of illegal activities like logging, and placing of snares for poaching. They also looked out for signs like pugmarks, scat or scratch marks made by tigers, leopards or sloth bears. The team also checked for signs of illegal grazing inside the forest area. No illegal activity was detected during the patrol. The team encountered signs of the presence of numerous ungulates like wild boar and deer. Similar patrols were carried out in Dhawlapur and Ambazari on 8 and 10 September. Balkrishna encouraged 3 villagers each from Dhawlapur and Ambazari to join the foot patrols. 

On 28 September, Balkrishna organised a team of 50 villagers from Chargaon to assist Gram Panchayat staff in an anti-plastic and public cleanliness program. The Gram Panchayat had organised the drive to remove plastic trash from roadside drains, hand pumps, school and Gram Panchayat premises. Balkrishna organised an awareness rally with school students to encourage villagers to participate in the voluntary work  program. Encouraged by the slogans chanted by the children, the villagers collected 70-80 kg of plastic trash in 15 sacks. The trash was sent to Parseoni town for disposal. This sort of drive helps prevent clogging of drains, thus preventing the spread of many waterborne diseases. 

On 10 September, Dilip organised a workshop on organic farming techniques for farmers of Khapa village. Taluka Krishi Sahayak, Mr. Pandhre was the resource person for the workshop. 20 farmers attended the workshop/ Mr. Pandhre taught them techniques to prepare organic compost and chemical-free pesticides and fertilisers. Dilip explained that chemical pesticides and fertilisers are harmful for soil fertility in the long run and destroy useful organisms like earthworms, spiders and micro-organisms which aid in improving farm produce. He also explained that chemical pesticides and fertilisers are very expensive, thereby reducing the profit margins for the farmers. On the contrary, the organic alternatives are cheap and can be prepared by the farmers themselves. Dilip also explained that the chemical fertilisers and pesticides are harmful for human and cattle health and that excessive use also pollutes nearby sources of water. 

On 22 September, Bandu Uikey assisted Doma Admachi, a farmer from Ghatpendari village in filing for compensation for crop damage caused by wild animals. On the night of 21 September, a herd of wild boar damaged the standing crop of corn, causing a loss of Rs 80,000. Bandu assisted the farmer in applying and submitting the requisite documents as per the directives of the government compensation scheme. Quick resolution of such claims helps deter the aggrieved farmers from resorting to retaliatory action against wildlife, thus reducing human-wildlife conflict. 

Environment education - See TABLE 2

In September, we organised 17 classroom sessions. 442 students of Zilla Parishad Primary (ZPPS) and Zilla Parishad Upper Primary (ZPUPS) schools attended these sessions. Dilip and Balkrishna spoke to students about various issues related to wildlife, soil, and water and biodiversity conservation. They engaged students in interactive games to effectively explain the issues. 

On 26 September, Dilip took 20 school students from Sawara village on a nature trail in the forest area adjoining the village. While on the nature trail, Dilip provided information on various plant and tree species. The students identified trees such as teak, palash, mahua, neem, banyan, fig and salai. Dilip explained that the trees not only provide people with many medicines and fruits but also support numerous animal, bird and insect species. Dilip assisted students in identifying hoof marks of herbivores like wild boar and sambar deer. During the trail, the students also observed many birds like rufous treepie, oriole, coppersmith barbet, yellow-footed green pigeon and Indian grey hornbill. Dilip helped the students observe the difference in the shapes of beaks, feet and wings of different birds. He further explained to the students that the birds have evolved based on their feeding habits and habitat.

On 3 September, Dilip organised an awareness rally in Khapa village to celebrate Vulture Day. 30 students of Zilla Parishad Primary school took part. The students chanted slogans to make villagers aware about the importance of the vulture as a scavenger. The declining numbers and threats posed to the vultures were also highlighted during the rally. 

Dilip organised a classroom program on 6 September in Zilla Parishad Upper Primary school, Sawara, to mark Ozone Day. During the session, Dilip addressed 70 students and explained the importance of the ozone layer for life on Earth. Chlorofluorocarbon emissions led to damage to the ozone layer. Dilip informed students that due to industrialisation, faulty agricultural practices and increase in vehicular traffic, greenhouse gas emissions have shot up alarmingly. Dilip explained to the students how greenhouse gases have led to substantial rise in temperatures and climate change. He urged the students to become responsible consumers and ensure that their actions do not harm our environment.

On 27 September, Dilip organised a plantation drive in Ghoti village to celebrate Tourism Day. 12 saplings of indigenous tree species like pimpal (ficus); karanji and neem were planted in the Anganwadi premises. 8 villagers took part in the plantation drive. The Anganwadi staff have taken the responsibility to ensure the survival of the planted saplings.

Educational Film shows - See TABLE 3

In September, we organised 8 audio-visual presentations in 8 schools. 340 students were present during the sessions. 

Employment Cell - See TABLE 4

In September, we assisted 6 unemployed young villagers from Ghoti and Ghatpendari villages in getting employed as temporary labourers with the Forest Department. The young villagers will be employed for 3 months during which they will assist Forest Department staff in protection as well as forestry activities. They will earn a salary of Rs 9,800 per month.