Central India Landscape
The Nature People Network is trying to get a small patch of land conserved. The land is located right next to a village in Katghora district of Chhattisgarh. The landscape is inhabited by sloth bears. A survey of the landscape by the Nature People Network revealed the presence of stripped hyenas as well. The Nature People Network compiled a reconnaisance report which was subsequently shared with the DFO, Katghora along with various other conservationists. A public version of the report can be downloaded from this page. Along with the report, the Nature People network also collaborated with Dubai based French Wildlife Photographer Remi Vacher to make a documentary on the landscape and cohabitaion of villagers with wild animals in the area. Currently the documentary is in it's post production phase.
Click above to download the public version of the reconnaisance report by the Nature People Network.
Shreyansh Budhia, founder of the Nature People Network presenting the Reconnaisance Report to the DFO, Katghora, Chhatisgarh.
During a follow-up visit to the village adjacent to our sloth bear and hyena habitat, Shreyansh Budhia, Founder of The Nature People Network, engaged in an in-depth discussion with local women. The conversation centered on discussing about the importance of conserving the megafauna population and the surrounding forests, which are facing rapid degradation due to agricultural expansion. The discussion yielded a consensus: preserving the forests would safeguard the environment and generate financial benefits for the villagers, as forests seem to be providing valuable non timber forest produce.
Some villagers also seemed to believe that the value of forest produce per acre surpassed agricultural output per acre. This claim, however, needs to be further analyzed quantitatively.
​
​Click here to view a brief summary of the consultation meeting