Call of Nisarga – A MAC Initiative – Stage 2

Call of Nisarga – A Maha Adventure Council Initiative

Interim Report – Stage 1 and 2

As you all are aware, cyclone Nisarga caused incalculable destruction in the state of Maharashtra. Particularly, the costal region and the villages located on the border of Ghat and Konkan suffered worst. With our past experience, we realised that remote villages located on the hills of Sahyadris will be the last to receive any aid. As trekkers and outdoors persons, we have a special bond with these remote villages and wadis, who, 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 (Maha Adventure Council) in cooperation with Girivihar and other organisations, formed a task force for this purpose. Major challenge was the assessment of damage in the remote villages as no communication was possible due to lack of communication as mobile towers are not functioning, electricity is not available as transformers, polls and wires are badly damaged and roads are in bad shape.

The taskforce decided to systematically approach these issues. Using contacts in the outdoors community, basic information was gathered. We shortlisted the areas where immediate action was required. It was not possible for only MAC members to reach all the places simultaneously so the work was shared with likeminded organisation and persons. We decided to concentrate in four Districts. 1. Pune: Rajmachi fort and surroundings, Ekole and Bhamburda group of villages at the base of Ghangad, Khanu group of villages beyond Panshet 2. Raigad: Thakurwadi (Prabalmachi), 3. Ratnagiri and 4. Satara: Kumbharli Ghat Adivasi Settlements. 

1. Rajmachi and surroundings: Rajmachi being one of the most popular destination, almost everyone was aware and keen to help this area. So, MAC decided to play the role of coordinator in the relief work. Pune based organisation ‘Pune Feed The Need’ led the efforts. All the collected material was distributed to the families at Phanasrai, Vanhati, Udhewadi and Rajmachi.

MAC also contributed by supplying immediately needed waterproofing sheets. MAC has distributed 25,000 sq feet of Tarpaulin and Silpaulin sheets. We have spent around Rs. 90,000/- so far for the Rajmachi area. 

Rajesh Gadgil and Onkar Oak from MAC were instrumental in coordinating the effort. From our side, we have decided to withdraw from Rajmachi Area as our defined work is successfully completed and more and more organizations are joining the efforts at Rajmachi due to its proximity and popularity. 

2. Ekole and Bhamburda Group of Villages at the base of Ghangad: Ekole, Telbaila, and Bhamburda are three small villages and their six satellite settlements are situated near 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 age of the Western Ghats, they suffered a lot because of the wind force of the cyclone. Major destruction has taken place. On 08 June 2020, Rajesh Gadgil of MAC with Tushar Kothawade and Vijay Gurjar visited the area to access the damage. 

Telbaila Village: 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 many roofs were damaged. Their immediate request to MAC was for the supply of 70 Solar light units with mobile charging facility, which in principle we agreed to supply if we can generate funding for their genuine need. 

On 16 June 2020, Rajesh Gadgil and Mahesh Bhalerao visited the village with 70 Solar lamp units. The costing Rs. 52,500/- is paid through MAC funds. We have also supplied 60 Tarpaulins (Rs. 70,000) and need to supply 200 Metal roofing sheets (Rs. 1,40,000/-) if funds can be generated   

Ekole: on 08 June, at 1.30 p.m. the team reached Ekole village. Here they had the first-hand experience of the damage caused. Out of 17 houses, 4 houses lost the roofs, only walls are intact. Other houses were 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 280 Metal roofing sheets and 20 solar lamps 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 those Roofing Sheets. 

On 11 June, Rajesh Gadgil, Dilip Lagu and Mahesh Bhalerao visited the village and distributed 20 Solar lamp units with mobile charging facilities. Costing is Rs. 15,000/- which was paid through MAC funds. 

On 12 June Rajesh Gadgil visited the village with necessary quantity of metal roofing sheets. The total cost of this material comes to Rs. 2,15,000/- which was paid through MAC generated funds.  

Bhamburda and surroundings: On 8 June at 2.30 pm the team visited Bhamburda Gavthan, Ambedkar Nagar and surrounding small settlements (wadis). There they communicated with Shriram Waikar (Sarpanch), Sharad Dighe, Kisan Dattu Dighe (PDC – village bank chairman) and Dinesh Kumbhar with other villagers.  There is no electricity. The area which includes seven large and small settlements and there are more than 200 houses and most roofs are damaged due to heavy winds. In all 1850 metal sheets for roofing, 200 sheets of tarpaulin and 200 Solar Lamps are required. 

On 11 June, Rajesh Gadgil, Dilip Lagu and Mahesh Bhalerao visited the village and distributed 20 Solar lamp units with mobile charging facilities and 4 Tarpaulin Sheets Costing is Rs. 21,000/- which was paid through MAC funds. 

On 12 June Rajesh Gadgil has gone back to the village with the necessary quantity of 130 Solar lamp units and 30 Tarpaulin Sheets. The total cost of this material comes to Rs. 2,15,000/- and paid from MAC funds. 

Till 25 June we have supplied 770 Metal roofing sheets through generated funds. We are planning to supply remaining Metal Roofing Sheets (1100 nos) as soon as the funds are generated (Approximately Rs. 8,00,000/- including transport). The time is of essence as the monsoon has already arrived in the Western Ghats. We have already found and engaged a supplier from Pune (Kunal Traders) who has agreed to supply our demand immediately after payment.  

3. Thakurwadi (Prabalmachi): Shridhar Vaishampayan, Prakash Tirlotkar, Suhas and Deven with other friends from Malad YHA have coordinated relief work on behalf of MAC at Thakurwadi, Haltep and Taratep in the Prabalgad area. They have estimated that total 350 Asbestos Sheets and 18 nos of 2-inch GI pipes (20 feet length) are required. Out of which, 250 sheets will be supplied by the local grampanchayat. 

So, we supplied 100 sheets (Expenditure Rs. 60,500/- including transport paid through MAC funds). Still 18 pipes are to be supplied. The approximate cost of material required is around Rs. 25,000/-. We have found a supplier from Pune and will get the material after payment.

4. Kumbharli Ghat Region: We received news that many small Katkari settlements (about 5 in numbers having 5 to 7 houses each; 31 families) around Kumbharli Ghat in the Koyana Nagar area are badly hit. We decided to take up the relief work for those settlements as they are very poor and have no fixed income source. On 19 June Rajesh Gadgil with Tushar Kothawade and Vijay Gurjar visited the area and with the help of Sadaf Kawdekar and Sonal Prabhulkar (Both local social workers) distributed 39 roofing sheets, 30 Tarpaulins, 31 Solar lamps and 31 Ration kits (sufficient for 2 weeks). Approximate costing is Rs. 1,20,000/- including transport paid through MAC funds.  

5. Borghat Nagnath Vasti: Information received from Ganesh Geedh in Lonavala. Nagnath settlement located in Borghat (Khandala) railway track is totally destructed. About 50 houses are damaged. No road reaches this settlement. Some donor has promised to supply Roofing sheets but they need 400 GI pipes (2-inch diameter) to create the framework to fix the roofing sheets. The approximate cost of the material is about Rs. 4,30,000/-. The Railway Authorities have agreed to deliver the material free of cost from Lonavala railway station to Nagnath settlement free of cost. We have decided to help if funds can be generated. 

6. Shedge Pathar (Below Dukes’ Nose, Khandala): This isolated settlement of three houses required urgent help. All of them needed proper roof coverings, Tarpaulins and some source of light as no electricity was available. There is no road reaching this settlement so we requested the villagers to come up the Ghats to collect the material. 

On 18 June Rajesh Gadgil and Sachin Madane reached Kurvande village beyond INS Shivaji and handed over 18 Metal roofing sheets, 3 Tarpaulins and 3 Solar lamp units to the residents of Shedge Pathar. The cost including transport Rs. 20,000/- was paid through MAC funds.

7. Vanjale Village (Madgad Fort): on 13 June, this remote village near Madgad fort in the Raigad District was visited by Mahesh Arvindekar and Kumar Raul. 

Though many houses were damaged, it was observed one particular house which belongs to Anant Jadhav (an elderly person living below the poverty line) was very badly damaged and Mr. Jadhav has no resources at his disposal to repair the same. On 21 June 850 earthen roofing tiles (Kaul) were transported to Vanjale village and given to Mr. Jadhav. All the necessary funds were collected with the support of Panorama Trekking and Mountaineering Trust, Alibag and other well-wishers. (Approx expenses Rs. 9,000/-). If sufficient funds can be generated, they wish to support common buildings in the village like Samaj Mandir, Anganwadi School etc.   

8. Khanu, Garjai Wadi area:  on 25 June, this remote area was visited by Sachin Madane, Tushar Kothawade and Vijay Gurjar. 65 houses are scattered in 4 different locations. The drove for 35 kilometres beyond Panshet and had to walk for more than an hour to reach the place. 165 roofing sheets, 50 Solar lamps and 35 Tarpaulins (Approximately Rs. 2,00,000/- including Transport) are required to support the villagers.  

On 01 July, Sachin Madane and Kaustubh Palekar with Rajesh Gadgil visited the area and distributed 50 Solar Lamp units and 35 Tarpaulin Sheets in four different settlements namely, Tekpawale Taki Vasti, Khanu Dige Vasti, Take Vasti and Khanu Village. While interacting with the villagers, it was found that few more scattered houses in the vicinity are severely damaged and need similar support. Due to late hour physical visit was not possible. We have requested Mr. Santosh (Sarpanch) and Mr. Ankush (Village Panchayat member) to gather the data on our behalf.    

Call of Nisarga – Estimated Budget

(Amount in INR)

We request all to contribute generously for this noble cause. 

Amount Can be transferred to:

Name of the Account: Girivihar

Bank: HDFC

Branch: Dadar

Savings a/c no.: 50100196450717

IFSC: HDFC0000084

For details you may contact:

Rajesh Gadgil: 9821094725; rajesh.gadgil1@gmail.com

Dileep Lagu: dilip@lagubandhu.com

(Report Prepared by Rajesh Gadgil, Coordinator and committee member of MAC. 02 July 2020)