A REPORT ON ORIENTATION TOUR TO GUJARAT

Transcription

1 A REPORT ON ORIENTATION TOUR TO GUJARAT By SPMU, West Bengal And Directorate of Forest, West Bengal 1 P a g e

2 A Report on Orientation Tour to Gujarat Date of exposure: October 03 to 09, 2012 Places visited: ICZMP office in Gandhinagar, and various site located at Bhuj and Jamnagar region. People met: ICZMP officials, PIA officials, CBO members, general community members, etc. The team from West Bengal: SPMU: Sanjay Pal (Social Development Specialist), Mrinal Kanti Bhattacharyya (Senior Programme Assistant), Tarun Kumar Debnath (Advisor),SabyasachiSautya (Fisheries Specialist) and Abhijeet Hazra (Prog. Assistant, Accounts, Placed at Forest Dept). Directorate of Forest: Leading by N.V Raja Shekar, IFS (Spl CCF, Western Circle, West Bengal), Prashanta Pal, WBFS (DFO, Purba Medinipur), ChhatradharSoren (Forest Ranger), BanibrataSamanta (Forest Ranger), Sukumar Jana (Dy Ranger), Prabir Kumar Sen (Dy Ranger), Gouri Sankar Das (Dy Ranger), BappaNath (Dy Ranger). Description of the visit: 3 rd October, 2012 (1 st Day) On arrival in Gujarat on October 3 rd afternoon, the team received an initial briefing from A.K Verma, IFS, Project Director, GEC about the overall project and D.K. Sharma, IFS, CCF, Kutch Circle, Bhuj about the mangrove plantation in Bhuj areas at SPMU office, Gandhinagar. 4 th October (2 nd Day) The team leaves from Gandhinagar to Gandhidham at morning and the journey took around 5hours to reach the destination. The team visited the mangrove plantation site located at Tuna village and also interacted with CBOs there. 5 th October (3 rd Day) The team visited to Ashirawandh village in Bhuj district. All people included DCF, Bhuj interacted with CBO of Ashirawandh and discussed about their development. The village is suffering from water problem, otherwise dairy project and child education is developing there. The team got experience with a boat journey in the charming blue-green shade of water through the Jakahau- Sanghi Mangrove areas for around 2:30 hours. It was observed that soil in some 2 P a g e

3 of the areas has been restored after mangrove plantation. The team interacted with CBO and saw their activities at Lukki village under ICZMP, Gujarat. One big Well with pipe line connected to village, has built up for water harvesting. The team visited pilgrimage sites, Narayan Sarovar is a different kind of holy experience. The sarovar is looked at as one of the five holy ponds in India. 6 th October (4 th Day) The team visited Dhorado village which is the last village of Kutch and located just tip of the Rann of Kutch. Basically this village is developed as tourism village. The team visited the Great Rann of Kutch after visit the village. After visit the Rann of Kutch the Team started to rise up on the top of the Kala Dungar which is found in Araballi hills range and a highest point of Gujarat. It was the best panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch from the top of the Kala Dungar. 7 th October (5 th Day) All people started journey from Bhuj to Jamnagar and reached at 12:30 P.M. After check in hotel at Jamnagar the team visited to Dwarka Temple and to interact with local EDC. 8 th October (6 th Day) The team guided by Sri Kamboj, IFS, CCF, (MNP) Jamnagar visited the mangrove region of Narara Marine National Park. They described us various technique for mangrove plantation such as rise bed technique etc. at the site. After look out the mangrove plantation the team moved to Marine National Park area which is country s first Marine Park filled with various species of corals, invertebrates and many other organisms. The team also interacted with SIKKA EDC which is mainly female based community. The visited to Khijadiya bird sanctuary at Jamnagar at evening. 9 th October (7 th Day) Leave Jamnagar and reached Kolkata via Mumbai airport. 3 P a g e

4 A.0 INTRODUCTION Wonder sharing of knowledge in Gujarat T he Forest Directorate (FD) is one of the PIAs under ICZM Project being implemented by SPMU in West Bengal. Primary goal of this component is to safeguarding the ecological security of Digha-Sankarpur coastal area and providing livelihood opportunities to the fisherman and other inhabitants living in the coastal area through the initiation of community based programmes too. Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), being the SPMU in Gujarat has been operational in building a long-term institutional sustainability, aimed at helping the coastal zone management of the Department of Forest & Environment, as per the state s medium-term capacity building plan. In this context GEC started involving such communities that had a big stake in mangroves in its restoration project, and in the process not only brought communities like fisher folk and pastoralists on board, but brought private sector operating in coastal regions, with the common objectives towards restoration of mangroves. So the basic purpose of the orientation tour of Forest officers and SPMU people from West Bengal to Gujarat is to gain first-hand knowledge about mangrove plantations, community contracting, and community directed mangrove planting as well as other aspects of the ICZM Project being implemented in Gujarat. B.0 SALIENT POINTS of the Programmes as observed by the WB team B.1 The Mangrove Restoration Project Gujarat has the second largest mangrove cover in the country. Mangrove regions are concentrated in the districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Bharuch, with Surat and Bhavnagar too having sizeable cover. This project was launched through public-private partnership (P.P.P). The importance of mangroves to men has been most acutely felt since the Tsunami of There was a sudden awareness of the role mangroves played in protecting the defined shorelines and preventing it from getting washed and swept away by strong winds. After Tsunami, it had been revealed/noticed wherever the mangroves had been healthy; the regions were substantially less ravaged by Tsunami. Specially, in Kutch, due to loss of farm lands nearer to mangroves by strong wave and wind actions, the Maldharis Community felt great difficulties to feed their cattle, those were their most support to maintain their livelihood. Through the innovative public-private partnership project(p.p.p) launched by GEC, in 2007, the people & the private sectors have come forward, and have partnered with the state in the plantation and managing the new mangroves areas. More than 20 of Gujarat s leading industries had joined 4 P a g e

5 in those innovative programmes even with contribution of fund. The P.P.P. (Public-Private Partnership Project) has set a new benchmark towards restoration of mangroves in their state as well as in country for a successful alliance between the government, the communities and the industries in environment-related initiatives. The Mangrove Restoration through P.P.P has evolved a resounding success for the communities, the industry and the society at large. The Project on Mangrove restoration through PPP by GEC is laudable, because of following: i) In Natural regeneration a. Creation of vegetative barrier to check erosion of mangrove areas by violent sea action, b. Reduction of fresh water inflow by construction of WHSs in upstream side. c. Creation of vegetative spurs to check increase of salinity in soil and water. ii) Reduction of over exploitation by local community caused due to non-availability of fuel and fodder, non-management of natural resources by villagers, encroachments & lack of awareness. iii) Indiscriminate exploitation by Maldharies by free grazing for camel and inter-conflicts of ownerships in community. iv) Changes & un-scientific uses of mud flats for progressive habitations. v) Fish catching in degraded areas. vi) Mono culture in forestry especially in mangrove areas. vii) Influx of migrant labourers around industrial and port activities & anthropogenic pressure. viii) Non-availability of fodder for cattle. ix) Diversion of mangrove lands for other uses like salt pans and industries. Interaction with local EDC at Tuna village B.2 EDCs/ CBOs (Community Based Organization) Selection of target groups: The Community having land with tolerable saline level, lack of irrigation and having limited source of livelihood and earning. Formation of committee and its registration, as well as selection of other functionary members. Preparation of Micro-Plan by P.R.A, by interaction and field visit with local community inclusive of unanimous acceptance of appraisal. Interaction with local CBO at Ashirawand village 5 P a g e

6 Prioritization of demands & its scopes of legitimate fulfillments, in time, through continuous interactions. B.3 Procedure of Management of EDCs/JMFCs/CBOs in community contracting 1. In case of GEC monitoring of entire works done by engaging village level coordinator under direct control of GEC, on revenue lands. a) Engagement of community mobilizer 1(one) number for 1(one) village on Honorarium/ Contract basis for preparation of Micro-plan by PRA. b) For Bank transactions and keeping accounts done by engaging 1(one) member selected from community & 1(one) member from GEC. 2. In case of Forest Department monitoring of entire works done departmentally, on forest lands. a) 1(one) staff up to the Rank Beat Guard (F.G.) to be entrusted for supervision/ execution of works, who will be one of the joint signatories, as a member secretary of that community. b) 2(two) members are to be selected from Community for assistance towards execution of works. 1(one) of them should be elected member ( Sarpanch) who would be head of the community and may be other joint signatory, on refusal of another one. c) For Bank transactions and keeping accounts done by staff of Forest Department on behalf of community until gaining self-sufficiency to maintain account. B.4 MANGROVE PLANTATION TECHNIQUES 1. Old technique by Direct Dibbling:- a) Seeds were directly dibbled in swampy soil/mud in line at 2.00m apart in line and line to line 2.00 m. The success of this method and survival rate of plants primarily depends on soil conditions and water current. Loose/sludgy mud conditions do not allow the sprouted plants to get established while high water current wash the dibbled seeds/sprouted seedlings away. b) Planting by nursery raised 2500 nos. seedlings/ha, by Dig and Plant method. These methods require most after care by continuous gap filling by transplanting nursery raised seedlings/ dibbling for re-stocking. 2. New/ recent technique: - (at Sikka,Jamnagar District along the coast of Gulf of Kachchh) 6 P a g e

7 Where there are least chances of survival ability of mangrove plantations due to existence of sludgy soil with most erodible by tidal action of sea and high salinity:- i) Sowing of seeds on raised bed/platform made by local sludgy soil having size of platform/ bed1m x 1m, 30 cm height, at an interval of 5m in line& lines are 5m apart@ 400 nos.beds/platforms/ ha. One raised platform/ bed 60-65nos. of seeds are sown/ dibbled, by assuming the target of survivality at least1 (one) no. plant raised /bed/platform i.e nos. seeds are dibbled for raising 1ha of plantation. ii) Sowing of seeds on raised bed/platform made by local sludgy soil having size of platform/ bed 1m x 1m, 30 cm height, at an interval of 2m in line & lines are 2m 2500 nos. beds /platforms ha one raised platform/ bed nos. of seeds are sown/ dibbled, by assuming the target of survivality at least1 (one) no. plant raised / bed/platform i.e nos. seeds are dibbled for raising 1ha of plantation. All these were done for: 1. Protective measures against loss /damage by sweeping action of tidal flow of water, as general phenomenon. 2. As Avicenia marina, is characteristically dwarf and bushy, can thrive in most sludgy& erodible soil along the approach of coasts by tidal action of sea and increased high salinity. 3. A. marina is also a substitute fodder for cattle. 4. Ensure settlement as central stocks (at least1 no. plant, as a target/ raised bed/platform) by way of sacrificing peripheral stocks. 5. Expenditure towards soil works is absolutely less. 6. In initial stage due to congestion sweeping action of sea will be lesser, in compare to open & flat bed of sludgy and erodible soil. Raised bed technique at Jamnagar mangrove region Looking to raised bed technique Avicenia marina at Jamnagar mangrove region B.5 Development of Villages Apart from restoration of mangroves joint venture by GEC and Forest Department following praiseworthy activities were also made for development to villages:- 7 P a g e

8 Construction of WHSS e.g. Earthen Dams, Big masonry wells, as EPA: In most of the village women used to travel more than 8-10 hrs per day to fetch drinking water from quite a distant for her family as well as for livestock. With a view to giving relief to women for fetching drinking water for their family as well as livestock, Construction of W.H.S.(Water Harvesting Structure) e.g. Earthen Dams, Big masonry wells, in the defined catchments were made for storing rain water and its ultimate uses through overhead reservoir and its distribution through pipe lines, where water supply was erratic. Especially in Ashirawand village, Jakhoa villages, as EPA. Corpus Fund A corpus fund was also created in each village for upkeep of the mangroves. All expenses for maintenance of the plantations as well as the other assets created under the project after the activities had been completed would be met by this fund. Assets includes mangrove plantations, fodder resources and godown, community hall, soil & moisture works or anything else established under the project. A separate bank account was created by each CBO for maintaining and using such fund. This type of fund was set up by depositing part of the daily wages into account. 70% of wages on execution of works were paid to the worker in cash, out of balance wages 70% to be deposited as corpus fund, to be utilized towards up-keeping of executed works and the rest amount to be donated as part of community contribution, to be utilized for urgent need of any individual social ceremonies. Big masonry well at Jakhoa village Women community at Ashiwand village Inclusion of Female Members in Community Women are most and important stakeholders; they routinely visit the mangrove plantations for fuel and fodder. Their literacy levels are low. Most of the time of a day they were only involved in domestic tasks and never earned any income. In the project they have been included as a joint member of her family and also Women of EDC at Tuna giving training on handicrafts, sewing/tailoring, embroidery, etc. on their desire for income generation by forming SHG consisting of 10 members per group. These were done to reduce pressure on older mangrove forests for collection fuel and fodder to maintain their daily needs. 8 P a g e

9 Sikka community, in Jamnagar is the one EDC, under ICZM PROJECT is fully represented by women. Socio-Economic Development a) Establishment of Day care Centers for children, where there are no schools, especially in Kachchh. These centers are being run by Community Mobilizers, in Jakhoa. b) To grow importance of restoration of mangroves and to conserve other natural sources from childhood school children/ students were taken on exposure visit. c) Installation of low cost toilets (Ring well type) in villages of Jamnagar & Kachchh to maintain hygiene of the community. d) Construction of inter connecting village roads for better communication. e) Creation of pasture lands by raising grass lands to reduce pressure on mangrove forests for collection of fodder for cattle. f) Involvement of SHGs in ICZMP. g) Training to Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture. Interaction with Sikka EDC at Jamnagar h) Coral transplantation at Narara Reef in Marine National Park & Marine Sanctuary. B.6 Factors of Success a) Lesser population density per capita. b) Abundance of vast track of barren lands for forestry. c) Least political interference to development works. d) Active co-ordination among communities and private sectors. e) Development in all respect is main motto. f) Scientific uses of lands. g) Restriction towards influx of migration. h) Experience of tsunami s effect. i) Integrated campaigning to develop mass awareness towards restoration in all respects. 9 P a g e

10 10 P a g e Thank you