Activity Update February 2018: Satpura Tiger Reserve

Highlights:

Volunteers building a check dam near Jhirpa

Our environment education programme at Matkuli

Volunteers cleaning and desilting a water body near Matkuli

Children from Pisuwa on a nature trail

Discussing better livestock management practices at Tekapar

THE FULL REPORT:

Team:  Ashfaq Aarbi – Conservation Officer

            Hameed Khan – Field assistant

Highlights

·      11 water conservation voluntary work projects during the month – built 3 check dams and 8 water bodies cleaned

·      Classroom visits to 14 schools as part of our environment education program – attended by 936  students

·      10 nature trail programmes - attended by 516 students

·      5 patrols done jointly with Forest Department staff

·      13 awareness meetings for Livestock Management

·      Follow-up to skill development training programme organised earlier

·      5 unemployed youths placed in jobs at Bhopal/Hoshangabad at starting salary of Rs 5300/- per month

·      Assisted in LPG distribution in relocated villages

·      Visit to review status of 10 villages that have already been relocated

Conservation

During February, we organised 11 programmes related to water conservation. On February 10, we organised a programme to 2 clean water bodies in the jungle near Pisuwa village. As the water bodies were covered with leaves and organic litter, animals were finding it difficult to drink water from them. Our team, consisting of field assistant Hameed Khan and 17 children from Government Middle School, Pisuwa, cleared the litter and made the water bodies accessible to the animals again. Spotted deer are regularly seen around these water bodies while there are occasional sightings of sloth bears, wild dogs, gaur and leopards.

Five more such programmes were organised at Pisuwa, Matkuli, Mehandikheda and Maili on February 11 and 27.

On February 22, we organised a programme to build a check dam on a stream near Jhirpa village. A team comprising of 12 villagers from Jhirpa, Hameed and Shivnarayan Devda, a Forest Guard, built the dam. The resultant water body will benefit wildlife at night. Spotted deer, monkeys and leopards are spotted in the area.

Two similar programmes were organised at Mehandikheda on February 23.

Education  

During the month, our team organised 14 lectures to educate students about nature and wildlife conservation.

Nature Trail Programme

During February, our team conducted a total of 10 trails and classes on nature and wildlife conservation.

Forest patrolling

During the month we participated in forest patrolling work with the Forest Department at Duddi, Bandhan, Chandanpipariya, Jhirpa and Aaritodiya on February 16, 14 and 20. The patrolling was done by Mr. Shivnarayan Devda (Forest Guard), Mukesh (Chowkidar) and Eco Development Committee members.

Awareness programme on Livestock Management

During the month we organised 13 awareness meeting on livestock management (on cattle sheds, stall feeding, fodder plantation, cattle castration etc.) jointly with the Forest Department and Animal Husbandry Department. Participants included Dr. Jain (VAS), Mr. Sharif Khan (Deputy Ranger), local Forest Guards and villagers.

Employment Cell - Training Programme

We helped 23 youths from Matkuli, Chirrai and Tekapar villages get trained in operating computers in January. This programme was organised by Samadhan Samaj Seva Sangathan Pipariya under Deendayal Upadhayay Rural Skill Yojna. The training programme was held between January 10 and February 9. 

Five youths got jobs in February with our assistance.

Details of the placements are as follows:

LPG Gas distribution

We helped indentify villagers eligible for cooking gas connections through extensive socio-economic surveys. In February, Indane Gas Agency distributed cooking gas connections to villagers in Matkuli and Pisuwa.

Activity Update February 2018: Tadoba

Highlights:

Nature education class at Adegaon

Check dam built at Mudholi

Volunteers building a check dam near Katwal

The completed check dam at Katwal

Field Assistant Kishor Dudhbarai discussing livelihood options with
Katwal villagers

Cleanliness drive at Katwal

Nature game to teach children about conservation, Kondegaon

Meeting to discuss fodder plantation, Kondegaon

Kondegaon villagers cleaning the area around the well

Volunteers join a forest patrol around Khutwanda

THE FULL REPORT

Team:

Conservation Officer: Mr. Ajay Poddar

Field Assistant: Mr. Kishor Dudhbarai

Highlights of the month:

·      2 anti-plastic drives and programmes to prevent man- animal conflict - 63 villagers participated.

·      2 check dams built  - 15 youths participated

·      1 foot patrol in Tadoba buffer with 8 youths of Khutwanda

·      3 women’s SHG meetings were organized - 36 members attended

·      6 VEDC meetings were organized - 45 members attended

·      2 environmental education programmes including presentations, nature trails in Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools - 54 students attended

·      Medical camps in 6 villages – 318 patients treated

Conservation  

On February 8th we organised cleanliness and anti-plastic programmes with villagers and students of the Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools of Katwal, Khutwanda, Kondegaon and Dewada villages. Programmes were organised to clean the area in and around the villages and around the hand pumps and wells as they choke the drainage. This also prevents man-animal conflict, as shrubs and wild growth provide shelter to snakes and scorpions and attract scavengers.

On 21st and 23rd, we constructed check dams in Mudholi and Katwal villages through a voluntary work project. 15 youths from Katwal and Mudholi participated in the programmes.

On February 13th, we organised a foot patrol in forest area around Khutwanda village with 8 local youths from the village, to monitor predator movement and threats like snare traps, electric fencing etc. The youths were taught to identify scrape marks on trees, scats (predator and prey), plants, birds and insects.

Environment Education

On February 6^th and 12^th, we organised classroom lectures and presentations for students of the Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools of Adegaon and Kondegaon. Presentations and talks were organised about forest fires -- causes, damages and prevention. After the classroom sessions, nature-oriented games and nature trails were also organised for the students. 

Education Programmes:

Employment Cell

We organised 3 Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings and 6 Village Eco-Development Committee (VEDC) meetings, focusing on alternative livelihoods that would reduce dependence on the forests. 81 villagers attended these meetings.

In VEDC meetings, we discussed and explained short- and long-term benefits of fodder plantation and cattle stall feeding to reduce grazing pressure on forest areas. 

We introduced the villagers to district-level vocational training and employment schemes like four wheeler driver training, hospitality courses under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojna (DDUGKY) etc.

We also spoke to youths interested in four-wheeler drivers training and introduced them to the residential training programme at Ashok Leyland training centers in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh and Raipur; and also to the JCB operator training with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in Chhindwara.  

Details of the programmes are given below:

Mobile Health Unit:

Team:  Dr. Dhammanand R. Sardar, Coordinator: Mr. Ashok Athawale. MHU driver: Mr. Gajanan Shanware

6 camps were organised by us in February, at which a total of 318 patients got free treatment and medicines.