Chandrapur collector opens free fodder centre at Moharli for drought-hit cattle owners

To keep fodder reaching the animals of cattle owners and farmers in drought-affected parts of Chandrapur district, and to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife, District Collector Vasumana Pant (IAS) has launched a new initiative. Free fodder distribution centres are to be opened in the district, and the first began at the Moharli buffer forest range office of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Pant is the first woman collector of Chandrapur district. She inaugurated the Moharli centre, and the mood was enthusiastic. Guests were welcomed with a traditional tribal Gondi dance. A garland was then offered to a portrait, a ribbon was cut, and the collector started the centre by distributing fodder herself.

Present were Vishal Mali, deputy director (buffer) of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Sanket Wathore, assistant conservator of forests (buffer), and Santosh Thipe, range forest officer of Moharli. Other Forest Department officials and staff also attended.

Sarpanches, police patils, and presidents and members of eco-development committees from Moharli, Junona, Bhamdeli, Sitarampeth, Kondegaon, Mudholi, Tekadi, Adegaon, Agarzari and Devada also took part. Women of the Sitarampeth Matrushakti group, tourism managers, tourist guides and members of the PRT were there as well.

Under the plan, the grass that grows every year on fire lines in the forest will not be burnt off. It will be collected and given free to local cattle owners and farmers.

Pant's aim is to set up similar fodder distribution centres in all forest areas of the district. This would give cattle owners in drought-affected areas fodder for their animals and ease the difficulty caused by fodder shortages.

A major aim of the initiative is also that livestock go into the forest less in search of fodder. With fewer animals entering the forest, encounters with wild animals, loss of cattle and the risk to human lives could be reduced. The centre is therefore seen as important not only as relief for cattle owners but also for human-wildlife coexistence.

After the inauguration, Pant inspected the Moharli buffer forest range office. She took information on the various schemes run by the Forest Department and on the office's work, and praised the work of the department's officials and staff.

The initiative ties together three aims: giving free fodder to drought-hit cattle owners, making proper use of forest grass, and reducing the pressure of livestock on the forest. It is hoped to prove an important step for Chandrapur district. If the model begun at Moharli is applied in the district's other forest areas, village cattle owners could get major relief.