Natural Resource Conservation Programme

Buffer Zone Community Forest Support
Nageshowar Community Forest at Jhalari-7, has been receiving SCP's assistance since 1½ year for natural regeneration. Initially, the forest area was very degraded with no ground coverage, but after the support from SCP, the forest user groups (UGs) have started to acquire benefits from it through collection of grass for their domestic use. To increase conservation activities, SCP provided additional support to establish the CF office building.

Tiger Monitoring
Tiger monitoring through pugmark survey inside the reserve is ongoing. The survey was initiated from the month of October 2005. Between October-December 2005, a total of 17 individual tigers were recorded from the pugmark survey in the different areas (Makhgaon, Baba tal, Malumela, Barkola, Pipraiya, Dudhiya camp, Captain ghat, Bauhanu khola and north of Jhilmila) of the reserve. Out of 17 tiger, 4 were males, 10 were females and 3 were of unknown sex. Result from the survey indicate that the tiger movement in the area is good.
Hispid Hare Status Survey
To observe the present status and distribution of endangered Hispid hare, SCP technically and financially supported one student studying in B.Sc. final year. The field data collection has been completed and final results will be provided by the student on completion of the thesis by June 2006.

Vegetable Farming
With an objective to upgrade the economy of the local communities through income generating activities, from 22nd - 23rd September 2005, Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR) and SCP jointly organised vegetable farming training at Majhgaon. In total, 20 farmers from two farming groups and seven newly interested farmers from Mahendranagar Municipality participated in the training. Training focused on vegetable nursery development, off-season vegetable farming and other technicality of farming. This training was conducted to both male and female farmers.
Book-Keeping and Office Management Training
A total of 16 members (chairperson and secretary) from different income generating groups (pig farming, vegetable farming, etc.) and community forest user groups from the MM, Jhalari and Beldadi participated in the two days bookkeeping and office management training. The participants included male and female members of income generating groups. SCP organised the training on 26th - 27th September 2005 at Majhgaon. The training highlighted on letter writing, letter dispatch, administrative protocol, UGs account and loan procedure, loan subsides for farmers, introduction on case, cash flow, store material, auditing and its importance and necessity.
Skill Enhancement Training
Three month long sewing and tailoring training was conducted from 30th September 2005, to the Janajati women user groups from Dasarat Chand tole, Baghphanta-19. Altogether 20 Janajati women participated in the training.

Housing Facilities Improvement
SCP has initiated the programme on housing facilities for the Janajati and Dalit groups located in the Bankatti area. At present, two houses were selected from Bankatti for improvement.
Improvement of Education Facilities
To improve existing infrastructure and furniture facilities among the local schools located in the buffer zone, the Project extended support to 4 different schools.Trenching and Fencing MaintenanceTo reduce wildlife people conflict, the Project support for fencing and maintenance along the border from Majhgaon office to Parkhedi village. The number of deer entering the agriculture field has reduced significantly after the repair of the fence. Irrigation Facilities In order to improve the irrigation facilities in Pipladi VDC, the Project has provided three water pump sets and necessary accessories to three Users’ groups functional under Shree Trishakti Use Committee at Pipladi VDC. This support is expected to irrigate 18 ha. of dry land even during the dry season.Wildlife Injury Support ProgrammeMr. Lok Badhur Sahu, Beldandi VDC-7 who sustained injury by tiger attack was supported for the treatment. SCP's wildlife injury support has help to develop positive attitude among locals towards the conservation of large mammals like Tigers.

Conservation Education Classes and Environmental Health Programme
With an objective to spread the conservation awareness amongthe local school students, SCP organised conservation awareness and environmental health education in different schools. The programme targeted student from Class 6 to 10. About 1,500 students from Shree Siddhanath Lower Secondary School, Badaipur; Shree Baijanath Lower Secondary School, Bankati; Shree Sarashawati Secondary School, Parkhadi; Shree Laxmi Secondary School, Baghphanta; and Shree Laxmi Lower Secondary School, Khairbhatti took part in the programme.
Conservation Show
Similarly, SCP and Shree Sarashwati Secondary School, Parkhedi, jointly organised a one-day conservation education programme at Parkhedi, Majhgaon for the school students. The programme focused on documentary show on natural resources and wildlife conservation. About 400 students participated in the programme.
Student Scholarship Programme
With an objective to continue schooling for Dalit, Janajati and marginalized families’ children, SCP supported 16 students from different schools located in the buffer zone area. Out of 16 students, 12 were girl and 4 boy students.

Plantation Programme
On the auspicious occasion of 59th birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, plantation programme was organised on 7th July 2005. Altogether 59 fruits and other plant seedlings were planted within the office premises.
Wildlife Week Celebration
On the occasion of Wildlife Week 2005 celebration, SCP and RSWR jointly organised conservation rally around Mahendranagar Bazaar, speech competition among the six local school students, bird watching programme for nature guides and school students inside the Reserve.