Amravati NGO creates model for tiger buffers
NAGPUR: The Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA), an NGO engaged in wildlife conservation in Central India, has created a model for the development of buffer villages in tiger reserves.
At a time when respective state governments are hesitating to notify buffer zones for tiger reserves due to confusion among villagers and politicians, the NCSA has actually created a model to explain the development plan for villages in the buffer. The NCSA model has been set up on a 20-acre private land on the outskirts of Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. Known as Muthawa Community Resource Centre (MCRC), it has now become a resource centre for communities living in the buffer of the tiger reserve. Muthawa is the name of God for Korku tribals. The 20-acre area has regenerated 60 indigenous plant species of Melghat reserve. There are 3,000 standing trees on this plot of 20 feet. We did nothing but simply provided protection to this area, said Kishor Rithe, one of the architects of MCRC. Birds responded well to this protection. Quails, partridges and around 20 local species of birds started nesting in this area. Their three generations now have started pest controlling in the organic farming plot, he added.
It took four years to create a model of activities to be carried out in the buffer villages of the tiger reserve. The NCSA is busy creating trainers who will go to villages in the buffer of any tiger reserve with the conservation and livelihood agenda for tribals, claimed Nishikant Kale, president of NCSA. The centre grows jowar, rice, udad and vegetables like brinjals, chilli, tomato and turmeric as first crop and gram as the second crop. Focus has been given on agroforestry and horticulture. Weve planted forest produce like charoli, amla, bamboo, mahua and sagargoti which can give us forest produce and fruits like mango, orange, tamarind, citrus, papaya, banana, karvanda, drumstick, guava and custard apple as fruits.
There are 500 trees of these varieties. To support this kind of pesticide-free agriculture a strong natural pest controlling mechanism has been created within the centre. The centre produces manure from urine, agricultural waste and composting. A unique nursery grows saplings based on the agro-forestry model in tribal villages.
To explain eco-tourism in buffer specially benefiting the locals, we have created a wildlife habitat within the campus. Many wild animals have started visiting waterholes and the meadow in the centre, says Rithe.
Many leading organisations, government departments, banks, micro finance institutes, university departments and research organisations are visiting the centre and have started many programmes with our collaboration in their own areas, Kale said.