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Natural Resource Based Sustainable Livelihood

          Project Duration – April 2015 to March 2023 Support Agency: Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF), UK. Implementation Agency: Vidarbha Nature Conservation Society (VNCS), Nagpur, India.   Working Area of the Project Block: Deori, Dist. Gondia Block: Armori, Dist. Gadchiroli Total Villages – 25 Forest area under CFR – 7182.39 Ha Total Household    – 3209 Population – 14239 Male- 7110 Female – 7129 Tribal Household – 2567 Population – 9451 Male – 4626 Female – 4825        Project Activities:    Strengthen the gramsabhas and local level institutions with the right to protect, regenerate, conserve and manage community forest resources. Capacity building of the community leaders on governance/natural resource management/business planning, marketing and adoption of new technologies. Develop community base production, collection, processing & marketing systems for livelihood security of the forest dependent communities. Advocacy and networking through the Vidarbha Livelihood Forum (VLF) platform for engaging in state level processes for policy change and dialogue to create positive environment about implementation of FRA in the Vidarbha region.   Establishing community institutions such as Gramsabhas & its executive committee under section 4.1 (e) of FRA for planning, implementation & management of common resources. The project intends to reach out in 10 existing (1,117 households covering 4892 population).  Settings up inland fisheries with 400 families, agriculture development with 7463 household of the previous and next phase villages, tree plantation (bamboo, timber & fruit bearing trees) with 1000 marginalized household.  Strengthening local governance by section 4.1 (e) committees & Gramsabhas in 25 project villages. Developing income generation units on tendu leaves, fishery & mahua flowers. Convergence of resources from various government departments. Identifying local issues & advocacy at local & state level.    

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Natural Resource Management (NRM) through education and awareness (Young Environmentalist Project)

This project involved working with 5000 students and more than 140 villagers in 5 protected areas of Eastern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The major issue being sensitizing the youth and also building a cadre of field level animators. Many of these young men have now promoted their own CBOs with a view to continue the process.

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Natural Resource based sustainable livelihoods amongst tribal and other weaker forest dwellers

Goal: Improved quality of life of marginalized tribal communities through effective governance of natural resources for their sustainable livelihoods Objectives Consolidating CFR work in project villages with special reference to implementation of Conservation and Management Plans (CMPs) and also Soil and Moisture Conservation through mobilization of MGNREGS. Initiate Gram Sabha and CFRMC strengthening process and facilitate implementation of CMPs. Promote supporting livelihood mechanisms using other resources such as MFPs Strengthening Vidarbha Livelihood Forum through a process of networking amongst members Geographic Focus:  25 villages of Deori and Armori blocks of Gondia and Gadchiroli districts respectively Maharashtra. Major Activities  Capacity building of CFRMCs formed under section 4 (1) e of Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA 2006). Awareness and education in project villages. Management of CFR with technical expertise and back up. Livelihoods based on MFPs/Fisheries and agricultural intensification, Empowering Gram Sabhas at village level for trading Tendu Patta (as this is one of the largest income sources for tribals), bamboo and other local Minor Forest Produces. Promote fisheries wherever possible. Facilitating Convergence with line departments e.g. Forest, Revenue, Tribal Development, Fisheries, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Biodiversity Board, MGNREGS, etc. Deliberate efforts to mainstream gender perspectives in all project strategies to ensure women are involved at every stage and are empowered in the process. Advocacy for effective implementation of FRA and related programs and policies through convergence of various schemes to develop CFR lands. Capacity building of VLF members for joint advocacy. Project Outcomes Empowered community institutions such as Gram Sabhas and its Executive committees under section 4(1)(e) of FRA namely ‘Community Forest Rights Management Committees (CFRMC)’ to consolidate implementation and management of Conservation and Management Plans on acquired CFR lands under the act. Strengthened Gram Sabhas and CFRMCs in project villages Mobilized District Convergence Committee and concerned line departments for implementation of C and M plans in project villages and paves ways for other villagers to plan for the same. Set up inland fisheries for 1000 families in at least 20 villages, agriculture development with 4000 households of the project villages. Set up tendu leaves and Mahua flowers trades with at least 3000 families and e-tendering for smooth functioning of work and assured incomes Strengthened Management Leadership skills in CFRMC leaders to manage their committees and constructive dialogue with block and district level authorities for the development of CFR lands and villages in general. Constructive dialogue with policy makers brought synergy among the conflicting policies like Community Forest Rights, PESA, Village Forest Rules, and Joint Forest Management, and made these policies largely pro people. At least Rs. 6 Crore mobilized from developing CFR lands in project villages through convergence.

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To organize and support forest dependent communities in Vidarbha, Maharashtra for more effective policies and market interventions to raise their incomes from farm and forest produce.

Project Title:  To organize and support forest dependent communities in Vidarbha, Maharashtra for more effective policies and market interventions to raise their incomes from farm and forest produce. The project proposes to address following issues related to:  Farm, forest and water based livelihoods for focused communities with an objective of increasing their incomes and livelihood options which are ecologically sound Active involvement of government programs and schemes in developing farm lands, forests and water resources of tribal and other forest dependent communities Community institution, NGOs and network of NGOs in the vicinity need to be capacitated by building their capacities for NRM based livelihood programs to create wider impact on communities, society and geographic areas Lack of awareness amongst general public groups and stakeholders about need and importance of protection, conservation and regeneration of natural resources through active involvement of communities and partnerships with government and NGOs Geographic Focus:  The project proposes to work directly and indirectly at grassroots and through the VLF ((Vidarbha Livelihood Forum)) NGO network in Vidarbha region. This will include promotion of land, water and forest based sustainable livelihoods working directly in 15 villages (10 villages of Gadchiroli districts and 5 villages of Gondia district) and also support similar activities in operational villages of VLF members in Vidarbha. The project participants are tribal and other poor forest dependent communities developing their farm lands, community forests for Minor Forest Produces and water bodies for irrigation and fisheries. Each NGO is working in at least 40 to 50 villages thus 300+ villages will benefit from inputs from this project in at least poverty-stricken seven districts of Vidarbha region.  The project will address these issues by implementing relevant schemes from concerned government agencies and by facilitating their partnership with local communities.   LONG TERM GOAL Assured natural resource based livelihoods for forest dependent communities through partnership with development agencies. And, various stakeholders including CSOs and their networks are aware of environmental issues and start responding to them by conserving and regenerating their ecosystem around.   Project Objectives: Active village community institutions and their District and Regional level Federations with acquired skills in planning, implementing and managing their local natural resources for sustainable livelihoods Active partnerships between community institutions and government agencies for implementation of various progressive policies and programs related to agriculture, forests, water and Minor Forest Produce (MFP) resources for development of forest dependent communities. Increased incomes of the community from agriculture, forests especially trading of MFPs (Tendu, Moha and Bamboo) and fisheries at least by 40% from third year with assured nutrition. Women’s demonstrated representation at leadership, livelihood benefits, dialogue with government agencies and active participation in all decision making processes. Strengthened NGO network (Vidarbha Livelihood Forum) effectively managing their grassroots development programs and helping communities to access programs and schemes meant for them. Responsive larger public groups and stakeholders especially youth, schools/college students, medical practitioners, CSOs, environmentalists/experts, etc. and aware of the need of environmental conservation and management and propagation of the same on the ground.   Major Activities Developed Village Level livelihood Plans for implementation by seeking resources from concerned development agencies Capacity Building of village community leaders to help them manage their development programs in long run and evolving sustainability of land, water and forest based intervened development activities Technical Experts (Consultants) have been engaged for need based inputs in the areas of land and sustainable farming practices, water conservation, nursery raising and plantation, MFP processing and trading, formation and capacity building of Regional and district Federations of village institutions, promotion of fisheries, constructive dialogue with authorities and traders, use of GPS, etc., to create sustainable livelihoods.  Staff Capacity Building and Meetings on project themes for effectively promoting and strengthening community institutions and facilitating project activities and processes at various levels (communities, development agencies, VLF members and stakeholders).  Facilitate Partnership with government line departments for land, water and forest based sustainable livelihoods for focused communities  District Coordination workshops with Line Departments for Partnerships and Convergence for realization of livelihood plans  Promoting Minor Forest Produce harvesting and trading  Marketing feasibility studies for trading of MFPs, Inland Fishing and Eco-tourism.  Strengthening CSO Network through capacity building and field level support for wider impact on focused communities in Vidarbha Region Communication with diverse stakeholders for propagation of successful environmental management interventions of VNCS network for wider impact on society  Midterm Review and End Project Evaluation for mid-term corrections, if any and learning for VNCS and stakeholders

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Assisting Adivasi Communities in 10 villages in Deori and Armori blocks of Gondia and Gadchiroli districts respectively Maharashtra to manage their community Forest Area

Aim of this Project Promoting Sustainable livelihoods their protection, conservation and regeneration of natural biodiversity and water harvesting in belt of Eastern Vidarbha  OBJECTIVES Strengthen capacity of village level statutory institutions (such as CFRMCs and BMCs) Improving community management of natural/biodiversity resources Increase productivity of natural resources (Forests land, farm lands and water) of CFR areas Promote natural resource based livelihood models Geographic Focus:  10 villages in Deori and Armori blocks of Gondia and Gadchiroli districts respectively Maharashtra. Major Activities: Organizing awareness camps for Gram Sabha members in project villages Organizing training programmes for BMC and CFRMC members on project theme with advanced inputs over the project period focusing on their roles and responsibilities, details of BDA and FRA by subject experts Organizing one exposure visits of 25 members of two committees (& 5 VNCS Team members) to Gram Sabhas (in Vidarbha and Konkan) where experiments in natural resource management and community governance have been successful Creating a platform/ system for meeting of CFRMC/ BMC members and VNCS staff with concerned line departments Production of awareness and resource material for communities Organise coordination workshops for line departments and executive members of BMCs and CFRMCs Support natural-resource based livelihoods amongst communities by convergence and support from Govt schemes (Includes plantation for regeneration of forests; agricultural land development and promotion of organic farming; setting up hatcheries to promote pisciculture (Fish farming); water conservation; promotion of local cattle species)   Output Awareness camps at village level with participation of Gram Sabha members from each of the project villages 10 biodiversity management plans prepared by Gram Sabhas with inputs from experts A team of 100 (5 members from each project village) is trained to manage lands and other natural resources and its development through convergence process 20 members of CFRMCs/ BMCs from 10 villages learn from the experiences of other sites in Maharashtra (also 5 VNCS team members) 09 meetings of CFRMC/ BMC members from 10 villages, VNCS staff and representatives from 6 line departments every year 500 brochures/ pamphlets produced in one languages in simple manner with visual aids on project scope, related laws, government schemes, etc 03 coordination workshops are attended by over 70 participants comprising BMC/CFRMC members, representatives from forests, agriculture, animal husbandry, biodiversity board, rural development department and VNCS staff Setting up of models of natural resource based livelihoods. Convergence Process evolved through active participation and initiatives of tribal and other forest dwelling communities.   Outcome Gram sabhas are informed and aware of the project and its components with an understanding of community statutory structures and their roles and responsibilities Gram sabhas can mobilize resources from line departments to conserve and regenerate biodiversity (includes plants, fodder, crippers, herbals, forest vegetables and so on) Enhanced community leadership to sustainably manage and harvest  natural resources on CFR forest lands through management plans, negotiate government machinery and avail schemes Enhanced community leadership to sustainably manage and harvest  natural resources on CFR forest lands through management plans, negotiate government machinery and avail schemes Creation of a conducive environment for implementation of CFR and Biodiversity management plans with improved involvement of government line departments in implementation process. Information related to project, laws, government schemes, etc is available for  CFRMCs/BMCs, Gram Sabha, government departments and CSOs to improve functioning and aid decision making Enhanced coordination between CFRMCs/BMCs and  line departments to review and finalize CMPs/BMPs to initiate investment as per the budget worked out in the plan documents at each village ensuring increased productivity of CFR areas on which the tribal and forest communities  depend on for their livelihoods Active government line departments reviewed the CMPs and BDMPs and initiated process of finalizing executing the same at the earliest.

Assisting Adivasi Communities in 10 villages in Deori and Armori blocks of Gondia and Gadchiroli districts respectively Maharashtra to manage their community Forest Area Read More »