Taloja Hill Ecorestoration through Community Participation

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 We’ve successfully wrapped up the first year of our project, and now we’re moving into the second year. With the initial plantation work complete, this phase will focus on nurturing these young plants and enhancing community involvement. Over the month  a series of surveys were conducted at Taloja Hill Forest to assess its rich biodiversity. On September 29th, Mr. Adesh Shivkar led a bird survey, identifying 46 species. On October 13th, Dr. Ketki Marthak guided a group of 8 participants in a birdwatching survey, spotting 41 species. On October 27th, Mr. Mohinish Reddy led a frog and lizard survey with Ms. Mrignaka, while Ms. Roshni conducted an insect survey, identifying 60 species. Additionally, caretakers completed grass cutting and invasive species removal to help manage the ecosystem and prevent forest fires. 

Over the past three months, our dedicated caretakers have been hard at work planting over 3,000 shrubs and herb saplings at the site. In addition to the planting efforts, they have also carried out ring de-weeding, removed invasive species, and installed new tree guards to protect the newly planted saplings. As part of their ongoing efforts, they have also cleared soil from the check dams to ensure proper water flow and conservation at the site. 

Over the past three months, our caretakers have been diligently working on several conservation projects at the hill. They have dug 2,000 pits for trees and 210 trenches for shrubs and herbs. Additionally, they created contour bunds and earth plugs to prevent soil erosion.

The team has also been preparing sapling bags for planting and established a new nursery for our saplings. To aid in groundwater recharge, they constructed two small ponds.

In June, we began our plantation efforts, planting 1,419 tree saplings and 170 shrubs and herbs. Tree guards are now being installed to protect the new saplings from cattle grazing. Furthermore, we conducted three plantation drive activities.

   Over the past three months, our project at Taloja Hills has seen significant progress in environmental conservation and community engagement efforts. Caretakers have implemented measures such as stream breakers to prevent erosion and promote watershed management, crucial for preserving the delicate ecosystem. Dr. Ketki's bird trail  attracted 12 enthusiastic participants, fostering awareness and appreciation for avian biodiversity. Plantation efforts have begun with digging underway to enhance green cover and habitat restoration. Simultaneously, ongoing watering initiatives ensure the health and robust growth of newly planted vegetation, reflecting our commitment to sustainable stewardship of Taloja Hills' natural resources. Additionally, community engagement activities like sapling bag making events and community meetings have actively involved local residents, reinforcing a sense of ownership and responsibility towards environmental conservation.  

 September to December 2023, our caretakers diligently improved the project's infrastructure, including repairing nurseries and cabins for enhanced functionality. Conducted site mapping to identify intervention points on two hills and ensured the protection of plants by repairing tree guards. A significant plantation effort, led by our caretakers, included species like Agave, Wild Banana plants, Clerodendron, and Vetiver to combat soil erosion effectively. They also collected stones for pond lining to conserve water. Biodiversity surveys and a site visit by Dr. V. Shubhalaxmi deepened our understanding of the local ecosystem. Invasive species removal and perimeter fence restoration were also carried out by our caretakers, who maintained plant health through watering and de-weeding. Grass removal for fire prevention and community engagement initiatives were actively pursued, with 411 participants joining in eight community events, illustrating strong community involvement and support for our project.