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Empowering locals new mantra in Nagzira-Navegaon corridor

Empowering communities through conservation is the new mantra in Gondia district's Navegaon-Nagzira wildlife corridor that connects two globally important tiger landscapes - Tadoba and Kanha in Central India.

To reduce pressure on natural resources and its sustainable use, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) along with its partners Ecosystem Alliance & Japan Tiger & Elephant Fund under the Central India Tiger Conservation Project have initiated various eco development activities in the corridor villages.

The initiative will also boost newly-formed Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR). A WTI study of the 280 sq km corridor shows presence of tigers, gaurs, four-horned antelopes, leopards, wolfs and wild dogs among other species in corridor.

During the study, it was found that extraction of natural resources for fuel wood, fodder and other livelihoods from the corridor was immense and if timely intervention was not made, very soon the corridor connectivity would be lost.

"In a bid to address the problem, improved stoves were provided to six villages (Sondlagondi, Jhambulpani, Sahakepar, Khamtalao, Junzari Tola and Alebedar) in Goregaon, Sadak Arjuni and Deori tehsils. Over 300 stoves have been installed in these villages including at 12 schools and two anganwadis," said Anil Kumar Nair, field officer of WTI.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, five lakh women and children die in India every year due to various diseases from traditional cook stoves. Nair said improved models of stoves were saving 50% fuel wood and being smokeless they also helped in improving health and hygiene in the kitchen area. The stoves were gaining popularity among the villagers. A family uses around 200-300kg fuel wood each month.

Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of WTI, said that to maintain wild source of economically important species, training on capacity building and sustainable harvesting methods for collection of non-timber forest produce and its value addition was done with the help of Centre of Science for Villages (CSV), Wardha.

A Nagzira self-help group (SHG) in Sondlagondi has been formed to make mahua pickle and spread, coffee powder from tarotta seeds, soft drink from ambadi and vermi compost from forest. The villagers are also growing organic ginger and turmeric in their backyards and undertaking construction of improved stoves.

The villagers of Sondlagondi and Jhambulpani on the periphery of Nagzira have unanimously selected mahua and preparation of vermi compost as livelihood options. "Post value addition training to villagers by CSV, mahua pickle has received tremendous appreciation from people. They were surprised to know that mahua, which normally is used to prepare liquor, can be used for making pickle too," said Nair.

The SHG for the first time participated in 'Palash' fair organized by Gondia district rural development agency in February.

What Is Being Done?

* 280 sq km Nagzira-Navegaon corridor is crucial as it connects two globally vital tiger landscapes Tadoba and Kanha

* It has species like gaurs, four-horned antelope, tigers, leopards, wolf and wild dogs among others

* There is huge fuel wood pressure for which new improved cook stoves 'Laxmi' are being provided to villages, anganwadis

* Collection of non-timber forest produce by sustainable harvesting methods with the help of Centre of Science for Villages, Wardha

* SHG formed to make mahua pickle & spread, coffee powder from tarotta seeds, drink from ambadi and vermi compost


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