nagpur a month ago getting people vaccinated in the buffer villages of pench tiger reserve ptr maharashtra was more difficult than tiger conservation today with the intervention of wildlife conservation ngo satpuda foundation locals are coming forward to get inoculated and ward off covidin april when covid19 had spread its tentacles in rural areas tribal villagers surrounding pench buffer initially agreed to take the vaccine however some of those bearing comorbidities died despite getting jabbed victims also included patients who were covid positive but showed reluctance to go for teststhis sent a wrong message among the locals who were then scared to get inoculated and did not even allow vaccination teams in their villages the general perception was that they will die after getting the vaccine shot said kishor rithe president satpuda foundationhowever added rithe our mobile health unit involved in regular noncovid health checkups in buffer villages was allowed uninterrupted we seized this opportunity by showing films and audiovisuals to sensitize people the plan is working now last week the ngo organized free noncovid health camps for pench buffer villages covering usripar ghoti i ii kadbikheda kirangisarra and jamuniyaalong with free consultation by an experienced doctor peoples blood pressure sugar and pulse levels were checked and medicines offered since last month our team along with the offices of ramtek tehsildar and deolapar subdivisional officer sdo is engaged in creating awareness regarding covid testing and vaccination said mandar pingle senior field officerwe are showcasing audiovisuals to help villagers understand precautions to prevent covid spread and also clear misconceptions and myths regarding vaccination positive impact of the drive can be seen this week as a good number of people between 1845 years of age have now turned up for vaccination drives in pipariya ghoti sillari said ritheeven members of the vyaghra mitra mandals known as primary response teams prts guides and gypsy drivers are now getting themselves vaccinated in large numbersnagesh maraskolhe 25 a resident of sillari said there was a sense of fear during the first vaccination drive as many messages were circulating on social media about deaths caused by the vaccine as a result i was hesitant to take ithowever said maraskhole we were made aware about precautions to prevent covid spread during a film show by satpuda foundation in our village this month the best part is that people are undergoing free health checkups by satpuda foundation before getting vaccinated i got my first shot a few days back and will take the second jab as well