Pench villagers build waterhole for wildlife

NAGPUR: In a unique gesture to celebrate International Biodiversity Day (May 22), nine villagers from Turia adjoining Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, constructed a waterhole for wildlife in the buffer zone of the reserve. The waterhole was built 500 metres away from the village boundary adjacent to the protected area. Nine villagers braved scorching heat to complete the project.

The initiative was taken by Satpuda Foundation, a non-government organization working for community-based wildlife and forest conservation. The waterhole will go a long way to quench thirst of birds and small animals.

Few members of local women’s self-help group Shrasti joined to assist the project. Participants of the programme were briefed about biodiversity of Pench Tiger Reserve and the area around.

Foundation’s assistant director Anoop Awasthi explained the villagers about importance of biodiversity day and why should villagers conserve it. They also guided the villagers to form biodiversity management committees and set-ting up a public biodiversity registers of the area.

Member of Shrusti Anita Bhawre said, “The temperature in Turia has increased to 45 degree Celsius. We feel the heat and thirst inside the house but what about the animals staying outside. Who will think about them?”

“Such activity brings villagers close to nature and also help to conserve biodiversity of the region,” said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation.