Call of Nisarga – A MAC Initiative – Stage 1

Call of Nisarga – A Maha Adventure Council Initiative

Interim Report – Stage 1

As you all are aware, cyclone Nisarga caused horrible destruction in the State of Maharashtra, particularly in the coastal region and the villages located on the edge of the Ghat and Konkan suffered the worst. With our past experience, we realized that remote villages located on the hill of Sahyadris will be the last to receive any aid. As Trekkers and Outdoors enthusiasts, we have a special bond with these remote villages and wadis, which in the happier times have sheltered, fed, and guided us for many years. We feel that it is our duty to help them in their hour of need.

MAC formed a task force for this purpose. The major challenge was the assessment of damages in the remote villages as no communication was possible due to lack of communication as mobile towers were not functioning, electricity was not available as transformers, poles and wires were badly damaged and roads were in bad shape.

The task force decided to systematically approach these issues. Using contacts in the outdoors community, basic information was gathered. Then we shortlisted the areas where immediate help was required. It was not possible for only MAC members to reach all the places simultaneously so the work was shared with likeminded organizations and persons. As conveyed earlier, MAC decided to concentrate on four places. 1. Rajmachi fort and surroundings, 2. Ekole and Bhamburda Villages at the base of Ghangad, 3. Thakurwadi (Prabalmachi), 4. Manikgad region.

Shri. Aditya Thackrey, Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Environment, and Protocol, Maharashtra State is wholeheartedly supporting and guiding MAC for the mission ‘Call of Nisarga’.

In the first couple of days, we realized that Manikgad region has not suffered much destruction so it was decided to concentrate on the other three areas. The progress report of work in these areas is as follows:

Rajmachi and surroundings: Rajmachi being one of the most popular destinations, many are keen to help this area. So, MAC decided to play the role of coordinator in the relief work. Organizations like Pune Feed The Need, along with Mr. Punyakumar took the lead. So far, they have supplied 66 Solar Lights and Solar Panels with mobile charging units. These were supplied at a subsidized rate by Sharadashram Foundation and IRDO from Pune. Supply of all the needed Asbestos Roofing Sheets (800 nos) is also being undertaken by Pune Feed The Need and these will be delivered in the next three days. Ganesh Geedh of Della Adventure Park is instrumental in transporting all these goods to Rajmachi as only he has appropriate 4×4 goods vehicles. All this material is distributed to the families at Phanasrai, Vanhati, Udhewadi, and Rajmachi. MAC also contributed by supplying immediately needed waterproofing sheets. Till now, MAC has distributed 21,500 sq feet of Tarpaulin and Silpaulin sheets and we plan to distribute some more. We have spent around Rs. 75,000/- so far for Rajmachi area.

Rajesh Gadgil and Onkar Oak from MAC, Ms. Gauri, Ms. Sonali and Jitendra from Pune Feed The Need, Mr. Premkumar from Pune, Sunil Gaikwad and Ganesh Geedh from Shivdurg Mitra Lonawala, Sameer Umbre, Pratap Umbre, Vishal Padale and Rangnath Ware from Rajmachi and Sachin Dhande from IRDO with few others were instrumental in the relief activities at Rajmachi which started on 08 June 2020. Many other organizations such as Sangati Sahyadricha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Seva Foundation, R.S.S., and Bikers Group have also supplied various things to Rajmachi area. (Photos from No 1 to 8)

Ekole and Bhamburda Villages: Ekole, Bhamburda Gavthan, and Bhamburda Ambedkar Nagar are three small villages situated at the base of Ghangad fort. The area is approximately 40 km from Lonawala on the road linking Tamhini Ghat and Lonavala. As these villages are located near the edge of the Western Ghats, they suffered a lot because of the ferocious winds of the cyclone with devastating impact. On 08 June 2020, Rajesh Gadgil of MAC with Tushar Kothawade and Vijay Gurjar visited the area to access the damage. First, around 12.30 p.m., they visited Telbaila Village. There they met with Sanjay Rokade and Rohidas Gaware, residents of the village. There is no electricity as transformers, poles, and wires are broken. There are 60/70 households and few roofs were damaged. But the villagers have helped each other and the villagers said that though there were losses they will manage the relief work themselves. Other villages such as Bhamburde and Ekole have suffered much more so MAC should help them first.
At 1.30 p.m. the team reached Ekole village. Here they had firsthand knowledge of the damage caused. Out of 17 houses, 4 houses lost the roofs, only walls are intact. Other houses are also partially damaged, mainly the roofs. There is no electricity. Janardan Kadu, Balu Pandurang Kadu, and Sumeet Kadu from the village explained their needs. They require about 200 Metal roofing sheets and 19 solar lamps for the village including the lone house at Kevani Plateau. The temples and the school where the trekkers generally stay have also lost roofs. The villagers promised the team that if we supply 50 metal sheets, they will work free of cost (Shramadan) to fix these damages.

At 2.30 pm the team visited Bhamburda Gavthan and Ambedkar Nagar. There they communicated with Kisan Dattu Dighe (PDC- village Bank Chairman) and Dinesh Kumbhar with other villagers. There is no electricity. In the main village area, there are 18 houses out of which 14 are damaged in various degrees. There are 47 families in the village. Ambedkar Nagar (a satellite settlement) has 21 families and their 5 houses have damaged roofs. In all, they require 860 metal sheets for roofing, 4 sheets of tarpaulin, and 37 Solar Lamps. (Photos 9 and 10)

We are planning to start the supply of necessities to these three villages from 11 June 2020. As the metal roofing sheets are out of stock with all the nearby suppliers, we are trying to purchase them either from Pune or Mumbai. Sachin Dhande of IRDO has agreed to supply 60 Solar Lamp units at a discounted rate (same as Rajmachi). The approximate cost of material required is around Rs. 9,80,000/-. Out of which we have already spent Rs. 60,000/- for procurement of the solar lamp units and Tarpaulin sheets.

Thakurwadi (Prabalmachi): Shridhar Vaishampayan, Prakash Tirlotkar, Suhas, and Deven with other friends from Malad YHA are coordinating relief work on behalf of MAC at Thakurwadi, Haltep, and Taratep in the Prabalgad area. They have estimated that a total of 350 Asbestos Sheets and 18 numbers of 2-inch GI pipes (20 feet length) are required. Out of this, 250 sheets will be supplied by the local Grampanchayat. So we need to supply around 100 sheets and 18 pipes. The approximate cost of material required is around Rs. 75,000/-. (Photos 11 and 12)

While this report was being prepared, we received news that many small Katkari settlements around Kumbharli Ghat in the Koyana Nagar area are badly hit. We have received some basic information and a few photographs. Vijay Gurjar and his friends from Pune are assessing the damage. If we can raise sufficient funds, we want to undertake relief work for those settlements as they are very poor and have no fixed income source. (Photos 13 and 14)

Simultaneously, many other organizations are also busy in relief work. Giripremi from Pune has completed the first phase at Ahupe and Bhiwade villages in Junnar area and Kashig village in the Mulshi area. Trek Kshitij from Dombivali is working in Sudhagad area. Nisarg Mitra, Panvel is working in the small scattered settlements located in the triangle formed by Irshalgad, Matheran, and Prabalgad. Yashwanti Hikers is providing support to the remote village of Umberveera in Borghat and Chinchavali pada near Khalapur.

Report Prepared by: Rajesh Gadgil, Managing Committee Member, MAC.

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