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Home/ Implementation of Strategies
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIES
The implementation of the Pilot Project Strategies were conducted under 3 broad heads,
namely -
1. Capacity Building: The activities conducted under this head includes:-
(a)
Awareness Programs: In Meghalaya, the Indigenous Community Institutions (ICIs)
play a vital role in the control and management of forests and natural resources.
Yet, these ICIs are usually not very aware of the benefits they can derive from
the conservation and protection of their environment and forest. They are also
unaware of the various factors leading to the degradation of their forests. In
order to raise the community awareness to the eminent threat to their environment
and change their attitude and behavior towards protection of their forests, streams
and rivers, it was considered necessary to conduct awareness programs to be conducted
by selected Resource Persons and specially appointed Community Facilitators. Awareness programs
(b) Mapping: Community forests in the North East
have mostly not been demarcated and mapped. In order to facilitate preparation
of Project Land-use maps, Natural Resource Management Plans as well as to facilitate
the process of Registration, it was considered imperative that the entire Project
Area should be properly demarcated and mapped. To achieve this, the communities
were first trained to carry out mapping through the Manual Geographic Information
System (Manual GIS) on their own, which is simple, adaptable and easily understood
by rural communities. On thorough training, the communities were able to prepare
Manual GIS Map depicting all parameters of the Project Area on 7 transparent sheets.
Manual GIS was later followed by detailed mapping and demarcation by GPS. Satellite
Imageries covering the Project Area were obtained and superimposed on the GPS
Map. Ground truthing of the satellite imageries were then carried out in the field
on the basis of which a detailed Land-use map of the area was prepared showing
location and area of Agriculture lowlands, Agriculture highland, Sacred Groves,
Dense Forests, Open Forests, Grassy areas, and blanks. This Land-use map formed
the basis of Forest Inventory and Biodiversity Survey carried out later. It is
expected that data generated from these surveys will greatly help in the preparation
of the Natural Resources Management Plan. Manual GIS mapping
(c)
Sampling for Vegetation Mapping and Inventorying: The methodology for carrying
out this survey was first suggested by CFI Headquarters vide a detailed write
up which included various vegetation sampling methods such as laying out of quadrats,
laying out of transects, sampling under Baseline and CDM scenarios, estimation
of above ground biomass, soil sampling, and vegetation status under Baseline and
CDM scenarios. This methodology was as per surveys carried out for the Adilabad
area of Andhra Pradesh to determine the number of species, Individual and Evenness
Index under Baseline and CDM scenarios as well as the Biodiversity Index of Baseline
and CDM scenarios vegetation plots. After a series of discussion on the subject,
it was decided that such a detailed survey was not required at this point. What
was needed was to survey and map the perimeter of a thousands or so hectares of
degraded forests in the Project Site and undertake a careful inventory of those
sites for estimating the stool stocking level, potential for regeneration and
possible need for enrichment planting. A survey to determine the Biodiversity
Index of the vegetation was also proposed. The Sampling Design and Methodology
was prepared by a renowned Statistician from Kolkata in consultation with the
Programme Coordinator. Except for a few minor changes (mainly reducing the sampling
intensity from 1% to 0.5%), the survey was carried out as per a scheme entitled
"Statistical Sampling Scheme for trees and vegetation survey of Mawphlang
Village, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. The ERDAS GIS Software was used to select
the sample plots in each strata of forest, using the digitized and stratified
forest map of the Project Site. For plant survey inside the sample plots, the
Transect Survey was conducted. Statistical Sampling, Methodology for Vegetation Sampling,
Tree Enumeration and Plant Biodiversity Survey
(d) Training on
Techniques to related Forest Rules, Policies and Schemes: Rural communities are
often unaware of the various Central, State and District Council Rules and Regulation
pertaining to the control and management of forests as well as relevant Schemes
and programs, which enable communities to obtain Grants-in-Aid for forestry related
projects. It was therefore considered necessary to make the communities aware
of relevant Government Forest Rules, Policies and Schemes. A series of training
programs were conducted by selected Resource Persons to train and informed the
communities on the above. Training was conducted on the following subjects:-(i)
The United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (Management and
Control of Forest Act, 1958).
(ii) Customary Forest Rules and Regulations of
Mawphlang Lyngdohship and Raid Nongtluh Syiemship.
(iii) Customary Rules for
the Control and Management of the Mawphlang Sacred Grove.
(iv) Wildlife (Protection)
Acts, 1972.
(v) Guidelines on submission of Schemes under the National Afforestation
and Eco-Development Board.
(vi) Guidelines on the preparation of Forest Working
Schemes.
(vii) Nurseries Establishment Techniques for important forest species
of Meghalaya.
(viii) Community Forestry in North East India - Recommendation
for Actions.
(ix) Questions raised by the communities on various Government
and District Council Forest Rules during the Stakeholders Workshop. All
these relevant materials were translated into the local dialect, published in
a form of manual and distributed to local Dignitaries, Village Headmen and all
households of the Project Site. This manual, entitled "Rules and Regulations
for the Protection of forests in Meghalaya", was also distributed to members
of the Village Executive of all villages of Hima Mawphlang. This training also
incorporated interactions of the Project Community with the Officials of the Khasi
Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to facilitate the process of registration
of Community Forests with the District Council. Such registration will greatly
curtail privatization of Communal Forest, which often results in their alienation
from the community. Rules and Regulations for the Protection of Forests in Meghalaya (e) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Exercises:
After the preparation of the manual GIS Maps by the community themselves, it was
important that the community needs, the forest resources they possess, their relative
importance, seasonal yield, collection and processing methods used etc. are determined.
It was also necessary to find out the exact areas where these resources exist,
the pressure within such areas and any management problems that may exist. This
exercise was carried out as per the techniques and methods as laid out in the
"Participatory Rural Appraisal for Community Forest Management - Tools and
Techniques - A Manual of CFI". PRA Exercises
(f) SWOT (Strength,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis & Stake Holders Workshop:
On completion of the PRA Exercises, a SWOT Analysis was carried out in the Project
Area in collaboration with the Project Community. This analysis was carried out
so that the participants may come to learn and understand their strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats that exist within their community in relation to the
identification, promotion and development of sustainable income generating activities
in the Project Area. The SWOT Analysis was followed by a Stakeholders Workshop
were all line departments concerned with sustainable management of natural resources
in the hills, were invited. The goal being that such department can substantially
contribute to the achievement of overall goals of the Project. Stakeholders
Workshop
(g) Formation and training of Self Help Groups (SHGs): The
Self Help Groups concept is a strategy for banking by the rural poor for their
development and empowerment. SHGs are meant to provide short term credits for
the community for its needs and productive purposes. SHGs are also designed to
establish the habit of savings among its members and also for obtaining loans
from financial institutions. The process of SHGs formation comprises of awareness
education, selection of group members, their training in book keeping, opening
of bank accounts, regular savings and monthly meetings, training in various micro-enterprises
as well as training to obtain the required standard of grading to qualify for
credits from Financial Institutions. 5 SHGs have accordingly been formed and trained
from among the communities of the Project Site. The concept of SHG formation and
capacity building is a fairly new idea in and around CFI Project Area in Meghalaya.
It was thus felt that the CFI Resource Persons should have exposure outside the
North East region in areas of the Country where SHGs movement has attained high
levels of maturity. 5 CFI Resource Persons/Consultants connected with SHGs training
were accordingly deputed on a Study Tour to Adilabad area of Andhra Pradesh. This
is a prominently tribal area, with rich forest resources, which has reaped the
benefits of World Bank funded Community Forest Management Project. The Team was
headed by Dr. V.T. Darlong, who together with his team submitted a detailed report
entitled "Tour report of the CFANE Study Team to Andhra Pradesh (Adilabad)
on Community Forestry Management". Formation and Training of Self Help Groups
(h) Secure Funding for Development
Schemes: ICIs have weak linkages with Government line departments. This is partly
due to their diversity, complexity, varied constitutions and functions. All these
factors constrainted the flow of developmental funds. There is an urgent need
that ICIs are included in Government Programs and Schemes. Ever since the inception
of this Project, it has been realized that Mawphlang is one of the major Tourist
destinations of the people visiting Meghalaya. One of the subjects of interest
is the Mawphlang Sacred Grove which attracts large number of visitors every year.
The Mawphlang Sacred Grove is situated within the Project Area. This Grove and
the scenic beauty surrounding it, attract large number of visitors who are interested
in its natural and cultural history in the area. This present ample scope for
undertaking Eco-Tourism development activities in the area. The Mawphlang Sacred
Grove and its surrounding areas possess the following attributes from the standpoint
of Eco-Tourism Promotion:
(i) It is the most well preserved Sacred Grove
in the state of Meghalaya which is still conserved on the basis of ancient cultural
rules, regulations and beliefs which are being practiced even up to the present
time.
(ii) The Grove is a rich store house of rare, endangered and endemic
flora and fauna.
(iii) It is located only 25 Km from Shillong and at close
proximity with other eatablished tourist destinations such as Cherrapunjee, Elephant
Falls etc. In fact, the historically famous David Scot Trail to Cherrapunjee,
which is being developed as a trekking tract, passes through the Project Site
and close to the Sacred Grove.
With the above points in mind, efforts to obtain
a Community Based Eco-Tourism and Forest Conservation Scheme were achieved with
the sanctioning and implementation of an Eco-Tourism Scheme financed by the Government
of India through the North Eastern Council. The scheme has the following components:
(i)
Regeneration of degraded Community Forests.
(ii) Training in Income generating
Activities.
(iii) Training of Local Youth as Tourist Guides and Service providers.
(iv)
Construction of an Interpretation Center.
(v) Construction of a 10 bedded Dormitory
for visitors.
Implementation of this Project commenced during the beginning
of the year 2007. Mawphang Eco-Tourism Scheme
2. Research and Documentation: Unlike peninsular India, the major portion of the
forest in Meghalaya has been over the past many centuries under the control and
management of the Indigenous Community Institutions (ICIs) and their members who
have acted as Forest Stewards. Hence, Community Forest Management has been in
practiced, in this area, in an uninterrupted manner, for centuries. The Traditional
Rules and Regulations for management of these forests and other resources are
often undocumented and unregistered making it difficult for government and other
external agencies to recognize and support them. Customary Laws for resource management
are required to be documented, reviewed and updated to meet the changing forest
and water needs. On the other hand, majority of the forests not being Government
reserved or protected forest also falls under the control and management of the
Autonomous District Council as per provisions of the Sixth scheduled of the Constitution.
Although the District Council Rules gives recognition to the customary pattern
of Forest Management, the control of extraction and transit of forest produce
from such forest is subject to the rules made by the District Council which in
turn are based mainly on the Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act of 1973. The Government
owned forests of Meghalaya are governed by the Meghalaya Forest Regulations (Application
and Amendment) Act of 1973, which in fact is an extension of the Assam Forest
Regulation Act of 1891. As a consequence, several systems of Forest Laws are functioning
in the area with virtually no inter-phase. It was therefore felt necessary to
also review the past and current Government Forest Laws and explore actions that
will reduced conflicts and strengthen Community Forest Laws. Action in this direction
was taken with the documentation of "Customary Forest Rules and Regulations
in Mawphlang Lyngdohship of East Khasi Hills and Raid Nongtluh Syiemship of Ri-Bhoi
Distrcit of Meghalaya by Kenneth Pala and Dr. V. T. Darlong (CFI consultants).
Attempts were also made to analyze these Laws to determined areas of conflicts
with the existing Central and State Government Rules and Regulations and to recommend
resolution of such conflicts. CFI also commissioned a legal firm namely, Enviro
Legal Defence Firm (ELDF) to undertake a detailed study on the following Legal
issues:
(i) Community Forestry and Policy in North East India: An Historical
Legal Analysis.
(ii) Transit Rules for Forest Products in North East India
- The conflict within.
(iii) Roles of Court and Implications for Community
Forestry in North East India.
3. Forest Landscape Restoration: By the year 2006, when all the strategies, mapping,
Tree enumeration and Biodiversity survey had been completed, it was realized that
apart from a few small patches, the forest of the Project Site were very degraded
and the scenario cannot be significantly altered without taking bold and positive
steps to restore the Forest Landscape and watersheds in a time bound manner. Through
various awareness programs and capacity building exercises, the community had
also realized that their natural resources where fast depleting and urgent steps
were required to halt the process. The community awareness has reached the stage
where they were willing to adopt a resolution banning all harmful biotic interferences
in their forest, such as fires, grazing, unsustainable collection of firewood,
timber, NTFPs etc. provided the community was paid sufficient opportunity costs
and support activities to restore their Forest Landscape. The community accordingly
signed a resolution to this effect and sent a copy of the same to the CFANE Office
for transmission to CFI Headquarters. On authorization from
the CFI headquarters, CFANE Office, in collaboration with the Local Working Committee
(LWC) of the Project Site, the Community Facilitators and members of the Project
Community prepared a scheme entitled "Forest Landscape Restoration Scheme
- Lyngkien Project, Mawphlang". On approval of CFI Headquarters, a Contract was signed between the LWC
of the Project Site and the Assistant Program Coordinator on behalf of CFI. This
scheme is currently under implementation.
(i) Resolution
(ii) Forest Landscape Restoration Scheme
(iii)Forest Landscape Restoration Contract
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