Project Report

PROJECT REPORT

Resolution and Management of Human-Wild Animals Conflict in Buffer Zone of Bor Tiger Reserve, Wardha

Work Area Two villages namely, Borgaon (Gondi) & Susund located under buffer area of Bor Tiger Reserve

Project Duration October 2018 to March 2019

Contents Page no.

1. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………3 2. Purpose……………………………………………………………………………………..3-4 3. Project Summary………………………………………………………………………..4-5 4. Team members and responsibilities……………………………………………5 5. Strategic direction……………………………………………………………………...6  Boding with local peoples………………………………………………….6  Awareness campaigns……………………………………………………….6-8  Providing technical support……………………………………………....8  Training programs…………………………………………………………….8  Water scarcity…………………………………………………………………..9 6. Project objectives………………………………………………………………………10 7. Project activity…………………………………………………………………………..10 1) Project Initiation………………………………………………………………10-11 1.1 Project development 1.2 Project participant recruitment 1.3 Participant training 1.4 Project group meetings 2) Data collection and documentation……………………………………11-12 2.1 Collection of human-wildlife information 2.2 Project logs and reports 8. Proposed strategy……………………………………………………………………..13 1) Survey of villages………………………………………………………………….13 2) Working with Vanya Jeev Mitras……………………………………………14 3) Regular meeting with villagers………………………………………………15 4) Selection of crop fields…………………………………………………………..16  Crop damage  Type of damage

5) Using of natural & other techniques for protecting………………….17-18 Crop fields from wild animals  Collecting & spraying of natural herbs & blue bull dung  Using naphthalene (moth) balls  Using of TAM-TAM 6) Using camera trap method to identify Conflicted animals………………………………………………………………...19-20  Night patrolling 7) Medical camps for villagers……………………………………………………21 8) Veterinary camps for all domestic animals……………………………..22 9) Awareness rallies………………………………………………………………….23 10) Painting of warli art pattern on walls in villages On wildlife conservation…………………………………………………………24 11) Awareness campaign about how to create Natural / live fencing……………………………………………………………...,25 12) Awareness campaign for school children about snakes…………….26 13) Rescue and Rehabilitation……………………………………………………….27 9. Project output…………………………………………………………………………...,28  Presentation & publication…………………………………………..28 10. Project result……………………………………………………………………………29 1) Significance of data 1.1 Significant information collection 1.2 Improved information flow & relationship between villagers and forest department 11. Feedback-Participants and stack holders……………………………………30 12. Project Review………………………………………………………………………….31 13. Work Impact…………………………………………………………………………….32 14. Extra efforts & achievements……………………………………………………..33-35 15. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..36 16. Acknowledgment……………………………………………………………………...37 17. Letter of Appreciation……………………………………………………………….38-41 18. Project In-charge Massage………………………………………………………...42

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

A six months pilot project was conducted to trail the integration of human wild life information from two villages namely, Borgaon (Gondi) & Susund located under buffer area of Bor Tiger Reserve. An independent review found that the pilot project was successful in capturing information that increase the number of human wild life conflict ratio. The 271 crop damage cases reported by the forest department for the six months period. The data collected was from additional catchment areas with an increased species distribution and wider range of presenting conflict area. The review also found that the project increase the capacity of local farmers to tackle such conflict situation by themselves without depending on any department. The review recommended that the program be continued and expanded with additional focus on and livelihood for villagers.

PURPOSE:

This is the final report for the minimizing Human-Wildlife conflict pilot project. This report provides an update to the progress report of March2019 and outlines the activities and outcome for the pilot project. This report had been prepared by PFA Wardha, on the basis of independent reviews of the villagers. In the present study 54 villages situated in the buffer zone Bor Tiger Reserve (654 km2area) in Wardha district of Maharashtra, India. The magnitude of crop field losses varied significantly with the distance of agricultural field from forest boundary. The total crop field losses were high for Cotton, Soya bean, Toor, Wheat and Chanaa in all the villages. Major wildlife agents responsible for crop damage were wild boar, monkey, Blue bull and Spotted dear. Blue bull and wild boar alone accounted for about 50% to 60% of total crop damage in the study villages. Cattle and goat are the major livestock killed by leopard & tiger. Due to existing conservation policies and laxity in implementation of preventive measures, the problems for local inhabitants are increasing. Potential solutions discussed emphasize the need to undertake suitable and appropriate protective measures to minimize the crop losses. Local people of the buffer zone area already have a negative attitude towards park/reserve establishment due to socio-political changes inducing major economic losses and this attitude may lead to clashes and confrontations if proper ameliorative measures are not taken immediately. To tackle this situation we can use some

3 techniques to minimize this situation like Change in cropping and crop composition, using of traditional and natural techniques to prevent crop field from wild animals, particularly cultivation of medicinal plants (high value low volume crops), were also suggested. Besides, fair and quick disbursement of compensation for crop loss and livestock killing need to be adopted.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The project is a 6 months pilot program to find out the possible solutions to minimize human wild life conflict by using some natural techniques. The project commenced in October 2018 and ended on 31 March 2019. The project was executed by People For Animals, Wardha team.

Human–wildlife conflict refers to the interaction between wild animals and people and the resultant negative impact on people or their resources, or wild animals or their habitat. It occurs when growing human populations overlap with established wildlife territory, creating reduction of resources or life to some people and/or wild animals. The conflict takes many forms ranging from loss of life or injury to humans, and animals both wild and domesticated, to competition for scarce resources to loss and degradation of habitat. The success of conserving biological resources in any Biosphere Reserve or protected area depends on the extent of support and positive attitudes and perceptions of local people have towards such establishments. Ignoring the dependence of the local people for their subsistence needs on resources of such areas leads to conflicts between protected area managers and the local inhabitants. Crop field losses and livestock depredation were serious problems observed in most buffer zone villages of Bor Tiger Reserve.

Two villages namely, Borgaon (Gondi) & Susund located under buffer area of Bor Tiger Reserve:

Bor Tiger Reserve situated in Wardha district of Maharashtra. In 1970, 61.1 sq. km. forest area declared as a Bor sanctuary. In 2012, for the protection and conservation tiger and tiger habitat, Maharashtra government added 60 sq. Km. area in under New Bor wildlife sanctuary. In 2014 these sanctuary area notify as a Tiger reserve, which cover 138.12 sq.km. Covering

4 are of forest is small but it is home of Endanger carnivores Tiger, Leopard and omnivores Sloth bear as well as home of Herbivores animals. Bor is a breeding centre and corridor of Tiger. 25 types of Mammals, more than 160 types of birds, 26 types of reptiles. Most important part of Bor tiger reserve is, Bor River originated from this forest and constructed the Bor dam on it. This dam water useful for irrigation and drinking purposed of farmer and city people. It is social impact able part of conservation and protection of Bor Tiger Reserve. The project collected and agreed data set of human-wildlife conflict cases related information from selected villages, the scope of the project did not include data from other organisations. This project focused of reporting of existing work, investigation and personal survey. The team members received initial and ongoing training and support in case of data entry. Given data is an approximately monthly basis for the 6 month period of the pilot project.

*The data set and functionality of the project were evaluated by an independent reviewer.

TEAM MEMBER AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Mr. Ashish Goswami - Project In-Charge 2. Dr. Sandip Joge - Veterinary Officer (M.V.Sc.) 3. Mr. Kaustubh Gawande - Community Education Officer 4. Mr. Sumit S. Bharal (Jain) - Field Inspector 5. Mr. Abhishek gujar - Assistant field Inspector 6. Mr. Rohit Kangale - Volunteer 7. Mr. Vyankatesh Jakate - Volunteer

STRATEGIC DIRECTION:

1) The aim of conflict resolution or management is to reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflicts in order to protect life and limb of human beings affected by attacks of wild animals, safety of animal population, habitat and general biodiversity, and also to minimise damage to property. The preference is always for passive, non-intrusive prevention measures. There are two villages namely Borgaon(Gondi) and Susund selected from 54 villages living in the buffer zone of the Bor Tiger Reserve area comprising of 14000 to 15000 population. Towards addressing the human-wildlife conflict, PFA Wardha proposed the following steps:

 Bonding with local people:

a) To get the cooperation and participation of villagers in project as a prelude bonding arranging health camps, veterinary camps for domestic animals, distribution of stationary goods to school students. b) To conduct and organize awareness programs for the benefit of tribal and local village population about the nature of wild animals and how not to aggravate the aggressive behaviour of wild animals. c) Training given to the farmer for protects the crops from wild animals. d) Using of traditional and natural techniques instead of chemical based pesticides to prevent crop damaging from wild animals. e) Distribution of conflict reducing material & torches for farmers.  Awareness Campaigns:

a. Conducting awareness programs about crop insurance and compensation which they get from the Government for the damage caused to their crops on account wild animal attacks. In most of the cases, the villagers are not aware about the

compensation which they get but simply they kill the wild animal or wound the animal to its fate (assuming the animal is dead). The villagers have to react to situations wherein they become face to face with wild animals. The methods to be adopted by the villagers in reducing their aggressive behaviour towards wild animals. b. Training programs on how to show compassion to animals means once an animal is wounded, the villagers should try to avoid to kill the animals and instead intimate the forest department/any NGO who can save the wild animal and also after sometime, the wild animal can be relocated in the forest. c. Laying of camera traps, training the village youth in informing the village folk within a reasonable time regarding the movement of a wild animal in the vicinity. d. To conduct survey of affected villages and rural communities wherein the incidences of human-wild life are repeated and to find out the reasons for the same. e. PFA envisages educating the rural communities regarding prevention and minimizing incidences of human-wildlife conflict, organizing field demonstration programs, video shows through PFA members and arranging workshops with the support of experts in the field. f. Few incidences of human-wildlife conflict are happening due to open defecation practices of villagers wherein they venture into the nearby fields before sunrise and sometimes after sunset. Educating them and making them aware how to apply for financial assistance from government agencies. g. Apart from the above interventions, PFA-Wardha would like to teach the villages how to protect their crops by using traditional and natural techniques to protect their crops from wild boar, blue bulls and spotted deer.

h. Establishment of coordination between the personnel of forest department, volunteers and villagers in conducting awareness meetings, in dealing with instances of human- wild life conflict. i. PFA, not only intends to minimize the human- wildlife conflict but at the same to rescue the wild animals, save their life, provide them shelter and food along with required medical treatment so that the wild animal is fit for relocation in the forest, once again. j. To address the problems of human-wildlife conflict it is essential to train the local people. It is duty of forest department to frame the guidelines for management of human- wildlife conflict & publish the same in the local community.  Providing Technical Support:

Providing technical support for development of necessary infrastructure and support facilities for immobilization of problematic animals through tranquilization, their translocation to the rescue centres or release back to the natural habitats.

 Training programs:

 Training for village youth regarding how to spread information amongst the village communities in case a wild animal is sited.  Providing first aid to human beings in case of injuries caused by animals.  Training regarding construction of toilets, cattle sheds, rescue of animals, coordination with village heads and forest department officials etc.  Conducting training program for maintenance of water holes inputs in the buffer zone to village youth and members of Joint Forest Management Committee.

 Water Scarcity:

The water scarcity is one of the major reasons for creating Human- wildlife conflict. The rain pattern differs from region to region. Central Maharashtra experiences scattered rainfall almost one-third area receives scanty rainfall and is always in the grip of water scarcity and drought.

Providing plenty of water to wild animals in forest area in severe drought condition by making & filling artificial water bodies with the help of Vanya Jeev Mitra Mandal

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

I. To perform a 6 months trial to collect information about human-wildlife conflict in buffer zone villages. II. To improve the management traditional techniques by natural way to reduce human-wildlife conflict. III. To determine, through assessment of the pilot project, the potential for expansion of the program to other villages situated in buffer zone of Bor Tiger Reserve. IV. To build up a better bond between villagers and forest department. V. To perform and analysis of the data obtain from the pilot project to assess its usefulness for reducing crop damages from wild life and improving management techniques.

PROJECT ACTIVITY:

1. Project Initiation:

1.1 Project Development: People For Animals, Wardha worked with Forest department and Vanya Jeev Mitras from participating Van Samiti’s to develop the scope of methodology for the project. This included risk planning, management, using of natural techniques and briefing of the objectives and processes of the proposed project. A formal survey was also conducted to collect data of human wild life conflict over last 12 months period (2017-2018). 1.2 Project Participant recruitment:  The two major Van Samiti selected to participate in the pilot project, all conform their participation with a commitment to commence the project at the start of October 2018.  10 Vanya Jeev Mithra at each of two villages was identified for project activities.

1.3 Participant Training:  Training was provided to project participants by People For Animals, Wardha and Wardha Forest Department, covering the scope and intent of the project, selection of suitable events for reporting and data entry. Training was provided in individual training session with each village Van Samiti. PFA, Wardha also discussed communication between the participants and their wildlife forest official.  Each participant received a project induction folder, which included the project key document, a user guide for Human- wildlife conflict pilot project and general information about PFA, Wardha.  As staff changes occurred at the participating Van Samiti’s, training and support were provided to new members of the project group. A total of 2 training sessions were delivered by PFA, Wardha project officer & Wardha Forest Department at 2 to 3 hours for each session.

1.4 Project Group Meetings:  A total of 3 project group meetings were held approximately in every month.

2. Data collection and Documentation:

2.1 Collection of Human-wildlife conflict information:  All 2 participating Van Samiti’s commenced entering event information selected from respected forest offices from year 2017-2018. All Van Samiti’s continued to provide reports of selected villages about Human-wildlife conflict cases for the 6 months period of the pilot project. Participants entered cases on oral basis.  A total of 82 cases were reported into PFA by the participating Van Samiti’s during the 6 months pilot project.  Useful information was captured to the pilot project that might otherwise not have been reported, or was reported earlier than would normally have occurred. Further detail is provided under ‘project result’ below.

2.2 Project Logs And Reports:

The PFA, Wardha maintained the following project logs:

 Communication logs:-To record significant communications relating to project participation, project implementation and feedback from villagers regarding to the project.

 Events Logs:- To records valuable conflict information collected as a result of the project that: a) might otherwise not have been reported, b) was reported earlier than might have normally occurred, and /or c) resulted in an opportunity for improving information flow and strengthening of the wildlife protection network. This log was kept to provide information for the review of the project and any future analysis or project planning.

 Activities Logs:- To record project activities such as project group meetings, participant’s training sessions, participant’s data entry.

PROPOSED STRATEGY

Regular survey of implemented crop fields. Conducting health camp for villagers and domesticated animals. Distribution of Tam-Tam machine to protect crop fields. Searching possible solution for water scarcity.

1) Survey Of Village

According to our interview based survey of human wildlife conflict was conducted in borgon gondi and susund villages respectively, situated near Bor tiger reserved area, to identify the villagers opinions and response when they face the conflicts. The survey designed was based on questioner delivered to 70% resident in each of the villages served; the survey questioner comprised 25 questions and sub-questions. Results indicates that wild boars and Blue bulls reported the higher number of cases of human-wildlife conflict, the primary reason given to the conflicts were lack of availability of water and food into the forest.

2) Working with Vanya Jeev Mitras

Vanya jeev mitras is a group of people who are self motivated towards the social responsibilities to their respected villages, each group contains 10 members of respected villages, trained by People For Animals, Wardha with the help of Wardha Forest Department by giving them basic knowledge and training about how to tackle such kind of conflict situation.

The main objective of the Vanya Jeev Mitras is to be supported by the project are as follows:

1. To help PFA group members to communicate with villagers during the project. 2. To help PFA group members for arranging regular meetings, health camps, awareness rallies and programs, for villagers. 3. To help villagers for demonstration & using the natural technique in their farms to avoid crop damage from wild animals. 4. To help PFA group members and forest staff during night patrol and camera trapping. 5. To clean and fill up the artificial water bodies during the summer season in nearest forest area of selected villages.

3) Regular Meetings with villagers.

Project goals are always discussed in meeting and this is the main advantage of conducting regular meetings. The other part of such kind of meeting in villages to improve your interaction with villagers by listening from them about their problems which they are presently suffering from. At the same time it’s a good source of information & innovative ideas you can take or give for the need.

4) Selection of crop fields

The selection of crop field is very necessary to measure crop damage by wild animals.

 Crop damage:- The total number of crop damage cases in target crops and types of damage by wild animals shows commonly target crop types by different animal species and the types of damage done. Soya bean, cotton and toor were most commonly targeted crops types by wild animals. The stages of growth targeted varied from sowing to early fruiting depending on the types of crops.

 Types of damage:- Most damage to trees arises from either browsing (feeding of buds, shoots and foliage) or removal of bark from main stem or branches. The latter may occur by gnawing (bark tripping) or rubbing. A particularly common type of browsing injury results when group of wild boars destroyed large amount of crop field area during the sowing time period. Close inspection damaged trees and their surrounding can often reveal the species responsible. The most important features to note are: a) Form of damage (browsing, gnawing or rubbing). b) Height of damage. c) Time of year when damage occurred.

5) Using of natural & other techniques for protecting crop fields from wild animals.

Human wildlife conflict is not a tiger specific issue without proper management conflict can arise wherever abundant wildlife and expanding human population overlap. Issues often arises with large predators such as sloth bears and leopards, as well as large and potentially dangers herbivores such as blue bull., spotted dears, wild bors and Indian langurs. Such conflicts destroy livelihoods and undermine conservation efforts.

Thankfully many innovative natural solutions have been crafted to address a verity of human-wildlife conflict and avoid lethal control measures. Some solutions are species specific, while others are broadly applicable.

 Collecting and spraying of natural herbs and blue bull dung:

Using mixture of blue bull dung by adding natural herb like neem is a modern and very effective spraying formula to keep away herbivores animals from crop fields. The another effective spraying method is take some neem Patti mixed with curd and diluted with water to be kept for minimum 15 days the smell emanating from the spray prevent the crop from animals entering into the field. There are many more such natural techniques involving use of herbal products which had been utilized.

 Using of naphthalene (moth)balls:

By making a fence of sorts by tie two or three naphthalene balls to 2-3 foot long stick, erected at fifteen to twenty feet distance. The basic techniques worked to prevent crop fields from a particular species like a wild boar.

 Using of Tam-tam:

Tam-tam is a another modern devise developed by PFA Wardha. Which is help full to keep animals and birds away from crop fields , this devise is run by wind energy and very cheap in cost.

6) Using camera trap method to identify conflicted animal.

Camera trapping has become an important conservation and research tool worldwide. Photos of camera traps have afforded us inside into the line of rare, shy, cryptic, nocturnal or otherwise conflicted seen.

During the project time period, collected data shows that exactly where species are, what they are doing, and how large their population are. At the same time we found that interaction over space and time and how human and live stock interact with wild life, this is improving our understanding of human impact on wild life and vice versa.

 Night patrolling

In many cases, forest land covers large area some time its closely connected with farms in nearby villages which the wild animals may freely visit. To measure the conflict ratio after using natural techniques in farms, to avoid wild animal entrance into the crop field. Night patrolling helps to understand movement and approximate timing of different kind of species of wild animals during the night time.

Following animals were found during the night patrolling in crop fields before using the natural techniques.

I) Blue bulls II) Spotted deer II) Wild Boars IV) Samber deer

7) Medical camps for villagers

Free medical camps were setup with a sacred aim to bring awareness amongst the deprived population of the rural area to have no access to basic health care services or knowledge about the diseases they are suffering from. Medical camps were conducted by health professional of Wardha city. Every medical camp attended by various doctors belongs to different faculties (Paediatrician, General physician, health consultant and local physician of villages ) Total 6 medical camps were conducted during the project duration and got the good response from villagers. Every medical camp provided free medical examination, medicines and free advice from experts.

8) Veterinary camps for all domestic animals

Spreading awareness about the animal health camp and its benefits among the community is an important part of strategy. These camps were organised with collaboration of animal husbandry department, Wardha. Total 6 veterinary camps were conducted during the project duration and got huge response from villagers. Every medical camp provided free medical examination of animals, free vaccination, medicines and free advice from experts. Sometimes veterinarian visited by mobile hospital van in nearby villages of selected villages for the project.

9) Awareness Rallies:

Awareness rallies is very good medium to spread awareness in very attractive way for any particular subject. An awareness rallies in favor of using natural techniques, conservation of forest/biodiversity were taken out in various villages situated near to the Bor Tiger Reserve included proposed villages for the project. Near about 100-150 students, included teachers were presented in each rally conducted during the project duration. Total 5 schools [Borgaon (Gondi), Susund, Susund (Heti), Saheli & Maragsoor] were participated in awareness rallies.

10) Painting of warli art pattern on walls in villages on wildlife conservation.

Warli painting is a style of tribal art mostly created by the tribal people; the warli painting reflects the rustic lives of the people in the region. They live with their animals, they live in harmony with nature, live with wild animals and give equal importance to its every aspect. During the project duration team members created such type of environment into the selected villages by painting forest office and some walls in center of the villages.

Before Painting

After Painting

11) Awareness campaign about how to create Natural/live fencing.

With the help of awareness campaign given information was provided:

Live fencing or natural fencing is a great alternative to metal fencing like barbed wire, and honey comb fence. The only problem with natural fencing is the time factor we need to have great patience once you plant this natural fence, because they required huge amount of time for live fence to grow and start protecting to your premise. Having a living fence around the farms have multiple benefits besides protection from trespassers and cattle, a live fence also provides a buffer, and with a sensible choice of plant, even some cash returns.

The primary purpose of live fences which to control the movement of animal as well as people; however, they have proven to be extremely divers, low risk system that provides farmers with numbers of benefits. Beside their main function living fences can provide fuel wood, fodder and food, act as wind breaks or enrich the soil, depending on the species used.

A live fence should ideally be planted just before the monsoon and watered regularly after the rainy season is over to ensure optimum growth usually thorny plants are grown to make live fence for examples boshes such as Sagargoti, cactus, Karwanda, creepers and small shrubs ( perennial bushes) are the most sought after once. Besides, tree such as subaool and gliricidia can also be planted as live fence.

12) Awareness campaign for school children about snakes

To create awareness among children about importance of snakes we organized snake awareness program for school children of Borgaon(gondi), Susund and adjoining villages. Over 20-25 varieties of snake pictures were displayed which are mainly found in vidharbha region. We explained about the human-snake conflict, snake types, precautions to be taken when snakes are around and avoiding snake bite. We organized the program once in a month. The aim of this awareness program was to increased knowledge in children about venomous and non-venomous snakes & precaution methods in need.

13) Rescue and Rehabilitation

During the project duration we also work on rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, in these 6 months period we rescue total 46 wild life including mammals, birds and reptiles and total 28 wild life rehabilitated in their natural habitat.

PROJECT OUTPUT

1. Presentation and publication  PFA, Wardha officer presented a summary of the project entitled “Resolution and management of Human-Wild animals conflict in buffer zone of Bor Tiger Reserve, Wardha” surveillance plan for Van Samiti’s.  Wardha forest department officer presented a summary of the project and their research data about human-wildlife conflict.  A summary of the project was included annual report about registered human –wildlife conflict in 2017-18.  PFA Wardha Team conducted various awareness programs in which they guide villagers about how to save their crops from wildlife by using traditional and natural techniques. Through short films and lectures by expertise.  PFA Wardha team displayed many informative hoardings and banners in each village about how to use natural techniques in their crop fields.

PROJECT RESULTS

1) SIGNIFICANCE OF DATA

1.1 Significant information collected:  Detailed information regarding significant and valuable information collected through the pilot project was recorded in the event log. The following are examples of information captured through the pilot project:  Percentage of crop damaging by wild animals mainly blue bulls, wild boars, spotted dears and langoors.  Use of illegal activities for saving crop fields from wild animals (Use of toxic chemical, electrocution etc.)  Bonding of villagers with the forest officials was found not so good.  Unawareness about the various forest laws and schemes.

1.2 Improved information flow and relationship between villagers and forest department.  PFA, Wardha strongly encourage project participants to communicate regularly with their forest official in particular to notify them of significant or potentially sensitive cases that they intend to report. This was discussed in detail at the initial training session and individual. PFA, Wardha is also kept the update on the progress and activates of the project.  During the project PFA, Wardha noted and increased level of communication between villages and forest officials. The project appeared to strengthen these and to improve communication and flow of information.  Feedback from the villagers and the local forest department officials indicated that they were pleased to be contributing to a project that was beneficially for conservation outcomes and for an understanding of Human-wildlife conflict. They also appreciate that the work

they contributed was valued and helpful to reduced conflict ratio in their respected villages.  The pilot project frame work to promote natural techniques for reducing human-wildlife conflict, which is managed by People For Animals, Wardha.

FEEDBACK- PARTICIPANTS AND STACK HOLDERS:

Feedback about the pilot project form participants, villagers and stack holder was recorded in communication log. Examples of feedback are outline below, to provided an overall impression of the project.

1) Issues raised A number of issues and concern were raises by participants and villagers, including…  Limited funding for required equipments.  Limited time and resources for participation in the project, although most participants reported that the project was onerous but, at least at current conflict level, quite manageable.  Rehabilitation of village or compound wall around forest area.  Provision for solar fencing for protection of crop field from wild animals. 2) Positive feedback Overall the feedback from the project was positive: notwithstanding the issues raised above there has also been external interest in the pilot project, including discussion with forest department. Towards the end of the project PFA, Wardha approached by the villagers from the adjoining villages who was interested to get implement this project in their respected villages.

Some of the benefits of the project recognized by villagers were:  Villagers found, it beneficial to use various natural techniques to reduced crop damage by wild animals in their areas.

 Using of natural techniques was low in cost and helpful to avoid extra efforts.  The project was improved information flow and communication between villagers and forest department.  Feeling artificial water bodies in forest area was helpful to avoid wild animals entrance in village area. Not a single case of conflict is registered during till date

PROJECT REVIEW

An independent review was conducted by PFA, Wardha to assess the data set and the functionality and sustainability of the project. The outcome of the review are presented in the report “Resolution and Management of Human- Wild Animals Conflict in Buffer Zone of Bor Tiger Reserve, Wardha pilot project”, March2019. The key outline recommendations of the report are provided in summary form below.

Project scope: Continue and expand the project. Project management: Expand the role of the project members Financial: Maintain or increase the fund to the participating organisation, and increase the budget for project co-ordination.

Work Impact

In the end of the report work impact shows that increasing the number of using natural techniques in farmers like spraying of herbal solution, using naphthalene balls, using self producing sound equipment (Tam-Tam), using of natural fencing, not using of electric fencing. Apart from above villagers had given positive response towards free health & veterinary camp during the project.

Below pie chart shows the work impact of our project in 6 months….

BEFORE:

AFTER:

EXTRA EFFORTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

One of the major and biggest achievement we got during the project duration, which is less not single conflict cases registered after started filling artificial water bodies in forest area. According to past registered record of conflict cases, maximum cases of wild animals attack were registered due to searching of water in nearby villages of forest area. In the starting of the project, during the night patrolling, project team registered numbers of herbivores and carnivores animals around the villages in the search of water.

PFA Wardha started filling waters in artificially made water ponds from 28th of January. In present PFA Wardha filling near about 8-10 major artificial water bodies in forest area which is closed to Dhaga, Bramhanwada, Sindhiwihiri, Khairwada, Borkhedi(Kala), Masod, Saheli with the help of water tank, for providing plenty of water to wild animals to avoid there unusual entrance in village area. Apart from we noticed that the no. of wild animals attack is negative from past 2 months in our selected project area.

Besides some following points also covered during the project time duration by taking extra efforts.

 4 Extra villages [Susund(heti), Dhaga, Saheli & Maragsur] also covered under the project implementation.  Stationary goods provided in all 5 school’s students and take pledge to protect our environment.

 Tam-Tam Machine made by PFA Wardha and distributed to near about 30 farmers in free of cost.  Recruited 10-10 members from both villages as a Vanya Jeev Mitra.  Provided complete uniform kits to every Vanya Jeev Mitra.

 Huge awareness campaign conducted in Dhaga village on the occasion of Maha shivratri festival for 3 days. (Near about 1.2 Lacks people visited)

Awareness campaign at Dhaga Bhuwan :

Dhaga bhuwan is the heritage place in wardha district which is known for the temple of lord Shiva. Dhaga bhuwan is situated on hills of the Satpura mountain range near the Dham river, it is about 10 km away from the project area. The temple of lord Shiva is surrounded by caves. A huge fair is arranged here on the festival of Mahashivratri. It is a much frequented tourist place in Wardha district. We arranged a 3 days awareness campaign about how to protect crops from wild animals by using natural techniques and also about the importance of the snake for all devotees & tourist which are mostly came from villages with the help of Wardha forest department.

CONCLUSION

This report supports the broadly recognized inference that the human wildlife conflict is escalating and illustrates that it is a worldwide issue herbivores animals destroying agricultural fields, tigers and leopards preying on domestic animals; numerous carnivores killing cattle and monkeys threatening the food security of rural people. Besides it was found to be successful in increasing the scope of using natural techniques to reduce human-wildlife conflict in nearby villages at buffer zone of Bor Tiger Reserve. The plan for the program is further expansion in line with recommendation from the independent review.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to acknowledge the support of the participating Van samiti’s, Vanya Jeev Mitra Mandals and Sarpanch of both villages, Forest Department of Wardha, students & teachers of 5 schools of Borgaon (gondi), Susund, Susund (heti), Saheli, Maragsoor and other adjoining villages Vaidyakiya Janjagruti Manch and Animal husbandry department, Wardha.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Appreciation letter provided by Sanyukt Van Vyavanstapan Samiti Borgaon (Gondi) to us for our work to reduce Human- Wildlife Conflict and sharing the innovative ideas about saving crop fields from wild animals by using natural techniques.

We received graceful thanks and appreciation letter from gram panchayat Khairwada, tah. Karanja, Dist. Wardha for our work of filling water in artificial water holes in the forest area. Resultant, cases of entering wild animals in village area is decreased in number as compare to the past year.

On the occasion of World Earth Day (22-04-2019) Wardha forest department conducted felicitation program for forest officers, NGO’s & other respective members for their contribution towards conservation of wildlife & protecting forest heritage. Program was successfully arranged by RFO Mr. Abhay Talhan & Mr. Sagar Bansod. Under the guidance of honorable Mr. Sunil Sharma (Deputy Conservator of forest, wardha). Mr. Suhas Badekar (Assistant conservator of forest, wardha) & All RFO’s from their respected ranges also registered their presence in this event. Several Forest officer were felicitate by honorable chief guest for their important contribution towards wildlife conservation. Dr. Sandip Joge (M.V. Sc. Surgeon of PFA wardha), Mr. Kaustubh Gawande (Member of PFA, wardha)& People For Animals, Wardha unit also felicitate by forest department for their contribution towards reducing the ratio of Human- wildlife conflict in villages situated buffer zone of Bor Tiger Reserve & filling water in artificial water bodies of forest for all the animals in this extreme drought condition with the help of wardha forest department. Main attraction of this whole event was, establishment of Vanya-Jeev Mitra Mandals in both villages Borgaon(gondi) & Susund which are situated near to the Bor Tiger Reserve to help forest department in conflict situation, extreme condition of jungle fire & to create awareness related wildlife issues in their respective villages.

Six month ago same villages were selected by People For Animals, Wardha unit for run their very controversial project under the title of How to reduce Human-wildlife conflict by using natural techniques & how to reduce crop damage ratio by wild animals in their area with the help of forest department. 10-10 members were selected from both villages and essential goods were distributed to them from Wardha Forest Department.

Project In-charge Massage

In the Bor Tiger reserve area and its surrounding villages, since last one year the human-wildlife conflict has escalate leading to loss of limb and life to human to beings and elimination of the wild animals. Thus a situation of constant tension prevails in this area. The pilot project was conducted to minimize the conflicting situation and to make aware the village community the need to desist from killing the animals and to give wider dissemination of information regarding natural techniques to be adopted to keep the wild animals from entering the crop fields. In this process, PFA, Wardha, desires to implement a pilot project with the compassionate support and funding from the prestigious TATA TRUSTS.

As a project In-charge I hereby certify that the given information was prepared under my direction and that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the facts set forth in the report and accompanying technical data are true and correct.

Ashish N. Goswami (Project In-charge) Secretary People For Animals Wardha