Bundelkhand Special Package Phase II

Transcription

1 MADHYA PRADESH FOREST DEPARTMENT Bundelkhand Special Package Phase II Project Report FY to Page 0

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents... 1 Chapter 1: Introduction Bundelkhand Region Topography Demographic details Vegetation Soil Temperature Rainfall... 4 Chapter 2: Brief Overview of the Forestry sector Forest resources base of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh Degradation of forests Dependency on forest resources & forest livelihoods Institutions Constraints Constraints in Bundelkhand Region Chapter III: Review of Phase I Target achieved in First Phase Review of Phase I activities Lessons Learnt: Chapter 4: Rationale and justification for Phase II New Activities Proposed in Phase II Canal side plantation: NTFP Processing and marketing Chapter 5: Objectives, Strategy and Guiding Principles: Objectives Strategy Guiding Principles Expected outcomes Chapter 6- Proposed activities Page 1

3 Chapter 7: Project costs Chapter-8 Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Point Record-Keeping and Documentation Different levels for Monitoring and Evaluation a) Social Monitoring: b) Internal Monitoring and Evaluation by respective circle: c) Internal Monitoring and Evaluation by other circle: d) External Monitoring and Evaluation by independent agencies / institutions: e) Management Information System (MIS): Performance Monitoring Framework (PMF) Page 2

4 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1. Bundelkhand Region Bundelkhand region is located between and N latitude and and E longitude. Administratively the region comprises of thirteen districts - seven districts of Uttar Pradesh viz., Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakut and six districts of Madhya Pradesh viz., Datia, Tikamgarh, Chattarpur, Damoh, Sagar and Panna Topography Bundelkhand landscape is rugged, ravenous, undulating terrain with rocky outcrops, narrow valley and its hillocks are bound by Vindhyan Plateau. This plateau is also bound by river Yamuna in north, river Ken in east and rivers Betwa and Pahuj in west. The region has various minerals of sedimentary origin: Sandstone, Shale and Limestone. Bundelkhand region is ravenous, undulating and hillocks are bound by Vindhyan Plateau in south, river Yamuna in north, river Ken in east and rivers Betwa and Pahuj in west. While the Yamuna flows from west to east, its first order tributaries viz., Betwa, Ken, Pahuj, Baghain, and Paisuni flow from south to north. Second order tributaries of the Yamuna namely, Dhasan, Jamni, Birma, Sonar, Katne, Bewas, Kopra etc., also drain the area. The entire system of drainage and stream flows form a part of Ganga basin. The region generally has a slope from south to norththe entire Bundelkhand region comes under semi-arid zone and prone to drought Demographic details According to Primary Census Abstract (PCA) of India, 2011 following table is showing demographic details of the 6 districts of the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. District Total population Rural Urban ST population SC population Datia 786, , , Tikamgarh 1,445,166 1,195, , Chattarpur 1,762,375 1,363, , Panna 1,016, , , Sagar 2,378,458 1,669, , Damoh 1,264,219 1,013, , Page 3

5 Majority of the SC/ST population is residing in the Joint Forest Management Committees constituted within 5 km radius of the forest area in the Bundelkhand region Vegetation Natural vegetation of the region comprises dry miscellaneous and thorn forests with few limited canopy cover of species like: Khair, teak, kardhai, dhak, chironji, mahua, gunj, bel Soil Bundelkhand region predominantly have blend of red and black soil. Soil with shallow depth, limited organic matter and poor moisture content has produce cumulative effect on agriculture and leads to low agriculture yield. Low vegetation cover and high winds increases soil erosion and degradation. Presence of the substratum of impermeable rock in the region not supports groundwater recharge so ground water level is continuously depleting and is in critical stage. Considering the above factors, the area of the region can be termed as wastelands Temperature The region is marked by extreme temperature in both summer & winter seasons. In summer temperature reaches around 47 c and in winters around 2 c. Semi arid characteristic of the region bring hot breeze loo Rainfall The rainfall pattern is very erratic and irregular in the region. Average rainfall is mm per year and due to poor vegetation cover, there is high surface runoff. High undulating terrain of the region makes irrigation difficult and by end of each November, the area starts becoming dry. Winter rainfall is very scanty and insufficient for rabi crop. Page 4

6 Chapter 2: Brief Overview of the Forestry sector 2.1. Forest resources base of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh Role of forests resources in Bundelkhand region lies in complementing agriculture, livestock feeding, ground water recharge, preventing soil erosion, enhancing soil moisture and organic matter, fuel wood & NTFP collection and regulating flow of streams and rivers. The Bundelkhand region chiefly has two types of forests: dry deciduous mixed forests and thorn forests. According to Forest Survey of India, Dehradun-2011 report, following table shows status of forests in 6 districts of Bundelkhand region: Name of District Geogra phical Area 2011 Assessment % of VDF MDF OF Total GA Scru b Chattarpur 8, , Damoh 7, ,742 2, Datia 2, Panna 7, ,501 1,072 2, Sagar 10, ,178 1,726 2, Tikamgarh 5, Note: all areas in Km 2 and VDF: Very dense forest, MDF: Moderately Dense Forests, OF: Open Forests, GA: Geographical Area Datia and Tikamgarh districts have lowest forest area with 5.83% and 7.98% of geographical area respectively and most of their forests are open forests. Other 4 districts have comparatively larger forest areas falling under moderately dense forests or open forests. Forest areas in all 6 districts have minimal proportion of VDF and majority area comes under MDF and OF. Scrub forest is predominantly present in all 6 district of the region. According to Forest Survey of India (Forest Atlas), Bundelkhand region have following forest types: Page 5

7 Forest type Southern dry mixed deciduous forests (5A/C3) Northern dry mixed deciduous forests (5B/C2) Dry deciduous scrub (5/DS1) Dry bamboo brakes (5/E9) Ravine Thorn Forests (6B/C2) Districts Panna, Sagar, Tikamgarh, Damoh and chattarpur Panna All over Bundelkhand Forest types occurs mainly on dry hillsides in Panna Datia Following table shows major tree species of Bundelkhand region: S. No Local Name Botanical Name 1. Achar Buchnania lanzen 2. Amla Embelica officinalis 3. Arjun Terminalia arjuna 4. Babul Acacia nilotica 5. Dendrocalamus Bamboo strictus 6. Bel Aegle marmelos 7. Chilbil Holoptelia integrifolia 8. Dhawda Anogeissus latifolia 9. Goolar Ficus glomerata 10. Jamun Syzygium cumini 11. Kardhai Anogeissus pendula 12. Khair Acacia catechu 13. Mahua Madhuca Indica 14. Neem Azadirachta indica 15. Palash Butea monosperma 16. Reuja Acacia leucocephala 17. Salai Boswellia serrata 18. Seja Hardwickia binata 19. Shisham Dalbergia sissoo 20. Tendu Diospyros melanoxylon Page 6

8 The Vindhyan hilly tract is considered to be rich in medicinal plants and following NTFP species are also available in region: Aonla (Embelica officinalis), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellerica), Gular (Ficus glomerata), Jamun (Syzygium cuminii) and Siddha(Lagerstroemia parviflora) Degradation of forests After the independence, population growth and emergence of green revolution in the region had adverse effects on forests resources. Major chunk of forests has been converted into agricultural land. Poor land management practices has reduced productivity of land and resulted in additional conversion of forest area into agriculture land. Growing population and its wood based demands has increased by manifold in last few decades and ultimately put enormous biotic pressures on forests. Tribal population of the region has major dependence on forest area for livelihoods, fuel wood and NTFP collection and fodder requirement. Many destructive harvesting practices for fuelwood and NTFP has greatly affected quality of forest e g. Mahuwa collection by tribal people, girdling of trees for fuelwood, excessive lopping for fodder, improper collection of practices of harra, shatawar etc. Tribal people also set fire for enhancing grass production for their cattle but this practice leads to conversion of good forest areas into wastelands. The region, in general, suffers from acute ecological degradation due to deforestation and consequent top soil erosion leading to low productivity of the land. Soil erosion is a persistent problem that is aggravated because of the hilly terrain. The widespread growth of gullies is a common phenomenon 2.3. Dependency on forest resources & forest livelihoods As rural areas are cut off from main stream development, they are mostly dependent on forests for their basic needs such as fuelwood, fodder, timber needs etc. Bundelkhand region has history of erratic and insufficient rainfall, with only one crop and hence people are dependent on forest for their livelihoods. Major chunk of scheduled caste community and tribals reside nearby or in adjoining forest areas for livelihoods, they collect tendu patta, palash leaves, mahua, harra, bahera, shatavar, chirota, honey etc. and sell to nearby market. Page 7

9 Rural people engaged in bamboo and timber handicrafts harvest bamboo and timber on regular basis. Due to incorrect harvesting practices, forests do not regenerate properly which finally leads to degradation and declination of forests. People engaged in Dona & Pattal making collect tendu and palash leaves and destroys the trees for higher collection. This is also true for other major forest products. Frequent drought substantially reduces the water level of the region and causes shortage of drinking water and fodder for cattle and wild animals. The people living in the fringes of forest further degrade the forest by indulging in illicit felling of trees and poaching of wild animals, excessive grazing which leads to further degradation, less water availability and more poverty. Due to lack of sufficient natural resources for survival, migration for livelihoods is also common phenomenon in this region Institutions At the community level, mainly 2 kinds of institutions are present: Joint Forest Management (JFMC) & Primary cooperative society. JFMCs are of three types: Village Forest Committee (VFC), Village Protection Committee (VPC) & Eco Development Committee (EDC). These JFMCs are engaged in protection, conservation, forestry activities and NTFP collection in the area allotted them. List of JFMCs present in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh is given below: S. Division FPCs VFCs EDCs Total No No. Area No. Area No. Area No. Area (Ha). (Ha) (Ha) (Ha) 1 Sagar North Sagar South Nauradehi WL Sanctuary 4 Damoh Chhatarpur Tikamgarh Panna North Panna South Panna Tiger Reserve Datia Total Page 8

10 Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Cooperative Federation Ltd is the apex organization in a three tier structure. In 1988, the Madhya Pradesh Government decided to totally eliminate the middlemen in collection, storage and trade of Minor Forest Produce, and authorized the formation of Co-operative Societies of actual collectors. To implement this decision, a three tier Co-operative structure was designed. In the six districts of Bundelkhand region, there are 8 district unions (for collection of minor forest produce) under which 228 primary minor forest produce co-operative committees are functional. Sr. No. District District Union No. of NTFP Committees 1 Sagar North Sagar 22 South Sagar 23 2 Damoh Damoh 18 3 Tikamgarh Tikamgarh 25 4 Chhatarpur Chhatarpur 76 5 Panna North Panna 21 South Panna 42 6 Datia Datia 01 Total 228 Prominent Minor forest produces Honey, Nagarmotha, Shatavar, Ashwagandha, Achar, Bel etc. A processing & research facility "Minor Forest Produce Processing & Research Centre" (MFP-PARC) has been established at Van Parisar, Barkheda Pathani, Bhopal. In addition to MFP-PARC, processing units are also working at Rehti (District Sehore), Barman (Districts Narsignghpur,) Katni, Panna and Dewas. The Products are marketed through 'Vindhya Herbal Brand'. There are more than 25 Sanjevani outlets through which sales of Vindhya herbal products are facilitated in the state. The distributors for Vindhya Herbal Products are present outside the states 2.5. Constraints The forestry sector is currently witnessing the following sectoral constraints and barriers: 1. In Madhya Pradesh, despite the thrust towards forest and watershed development in the last decade, catchments are generally not in ideal shape. Rates of soil erosion continue to be high. Ecosystems services and functions have been degraded. Natural forests are degraded and fragmented, and in urgent need of protection and regeneration. Page 9

11 Ecosystem stability is in jeopardy. It is now recognized that to address this problem the project should focus on the link between local livelihood conditions and land degradation. 2. Land degradation, especially through deforestation and over grazing, has been both the cause and consequence of the livelihoods crisis among tribal and rural communities living in and around forest. Indeed, in Madhya Pradesh around 10 million people are dependent on forests. Of the total 52,731 villages in the state, 21,797 are located in the vicinity (within 5 km) of forest areas. This high numbers often translate to anthropogenic pressure on natural resources such as soil and forests. 3. Wood Collection to meet the growing demand of fuel-wood and excessive grazing is putting enormous pressure on the forest resources of the state. Around 600,000 people make their living through sale of fuel-wood head-load. 4. Livestock pressure in Madhya Pradesh is considerable. The total cattle population is around million. In addition, approximately 2 million cattle are estimated to be visiting the state from the neighboring states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Of the total cattle population a large fraction is dependent on forest land. Given the high density of animals, cattle overgrazing currently represents a serious cause of land degradation in the state. 5. Forest fires take heavy toll of the natural regeneration and forest plantation. This constitutes a major threat as the forests of the state are mostly dry and deciduous and prone to forest fires in the summer season from February to June. Nearly all of the forest fires are considered incendiary in their origin. Most of the man-caused fires are associated with the activities of mahua and sal seed collection and the desire to promote better grass growth after the rains. 6. Encroachment by local community on forest land for the purpose of cultivation is also one of the causes of forest and land degradation. This is observed in the forest areas adjacent to the land owned by a villager, especially where the soil quality and depth is favorable for cultivation of agricultural crops. Page 10

12 2.6. Constraints in Bundelkhand Region 1. Bundelkhand region suffers from erratic & low rain fall and meteorological drought. Irregular rainfall and poor forest cover expedite soil erosion which leads to poor agriculture and forest yield. 2. Bundelkhand region has higher proportion of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe population which are residing in remote location and far away from mainstream development. So they are lacking in education and higher level of poverty exists. 3. Being away from the mainstream development, most of the forest fringe villages in Bundelkhand region are dependent on forests for their livelihood. This increases biotic pressure on the adjoining forest areas. Removal of firewood, fodder collection, grazing and unsustainable NTFP collection have resulted into gradual depletion and degradation of forests. 4. Repeated water scarcity and drought have severely affected the livelihood of the local people in the Bundelkhand region and increase poverty. 5. In the lack of natural resources and harsh climatic conditions, communities generally migrate to other areas in search of livelihoods. 6. The drought situation of Bundelkhand region severely affects fodder availability and reflects upon health and productivity of the livestock. Page 11

13 Chapter III: Review of Phase I 3.1. Target achieved in First Phase In the first phase of Bundelkhand Special Package, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has carried out soil moisture conservation and silvipasture development works in 98,511 Ha in 6 districts of the Bundelkhand region in the year and under Additional Central Assistance (ACA), National Afforestation Programme & MNREGS funds. List of target achieved by Forest Department in Phase I of project is given below: Name of Funding Agency Proposed demand (in Rupees) Target area to be treated under Phase-I Received Amount (in Rupees) Actual Area treated under Phase-I Additional Central Assistance (ACA) crores 89,093 ha crores 89,086 ha National Afforestation Program (NAP) crores 7700 ha under Silvipasture Plantations crores 7700 ha under Silvipasture Plantations MNREGS crores Total crores 1,04,137 ha 3.67 crores 1725 ha 2,00,930 ha crores ha 3.2. Review of Phase I activities In order to analyze the impacts of activities carried out during Phase I of the Bundelkhand Package a study was carried out in four districts of Bundelkhand Region of Madhya Pradesh by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. A study to asses Soil and Moisture Conservation (SMC) work under Bundelkhand special Package was carried out in four districts of Madhya Pradesh by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. These districts were Chhatarpur, Panna, Sagar and Damoh which contained Page 12

14 seven forest divisions. These Divisions were Chhatarpur, North Panna, South Panna, Tikamgarh, South Sagar, North Sagar and Damoh. To undertake the study, data was collected at different levels through data collection tools. Primary data was collected using close-ended and open-ended Questionnaire, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and Personal Interview with villagers, Personal Interview and Discussion with Forest Officers, and forest staff. Secondary data was obtained from concerned office records and Working Plan of the area. It was observed that the treatment of the areas under Bundelkhand special package has produced various direct and indirect impacts. The impact of drought mitigation project on forests in the area was measured. When rated on a five point likert scale, all responses indicated that there was an increase in the green cover of the forest in close vicinity of structures built during the year The green grasses were found in 500 meter range of the structures. There is a positive impact on Minor Forest Produce like Tendu Patta because of soil and moisture conservation project. The collection of the Tendu-patta in year 2011 was more than the previous year s collection in the area and there was substantial increase in Achar production. Production of Mahua also had increased in some areas: The project has also generated employment for the locals in the areas covered; it has given around two months of employments to the landless laborers and tribal community who otherwise would migrate to cities in these periods in search for employment. The structures built near the tribal village have changed the lives of the community. Those who were earlier dependent on ponds, hand pumps and wells built by Panchayat were now fetching water from structures built under Bundelkhand Special Package. In some tribal villages where there was no presence of any water body, structures were built in those villages resulted in people using water from storage tank for everyday use like bathing, washing clothes and drinking. At some places fish farming was also done in the storage tank by the community. They are also using water from storage tanks for farming purpose. Page 13

15 There has been positive impact on agricultural fields which are in the close vicinity of the structures built under Bundelkhand Special Package. The increased soil and moisture content has benefitted the agriculture productivity in some of the treatment areas. There is increase in the quality of agriculture produce. Other than the regular crops, few people have started cultivating peppermint which is a water demanding crop. Some people having agricultural land near structures have started farming in summers, because of increased water levels in wells and moisture retention in soil. But this increase was limited to areas in vicinity of the structures. There has been increase in the level of water in their wells /Hand pumps /Tube well in their fields, which are located near structures or in the downstream areas. This increase has been measured in hours the well/ Hand pumps / Tube well was able to support pumps, and month they would go dry. Also there was more numbers of hand-pumps active at this time of year as compared to previous years. Page 14

16 There has been an improvement in the health of animals in the area. The death rate of cattle reduced because of adequate water and fodder. In some surveyed areas where water in storage tanks is present even in summer, cattle from nearby villages are coming there to drink water and eat green grass near the structures. Also it was reported by the villager respondents that there was considerable increase in the milk production. The Bundelkhand special package for drought mitigation has produced some positive impacts in the area. There is no substantial impact on the forest yet, only the NTFP and vegetation in the close vicinity of the structures have been positively affected. But it is projected that in coming year the project will earn very good results in terms of rehabilitation of degraded forest lands. Page 15

17 3.3. Lessons Learnt: 1. The area treated under Phase-I of the project is not sufficient to create a lasting impact in the long run. There is still a lot of scope to treat additional watersheds in contiguous areas, so that clusters can be formed around the areas already treated under phase I of the project. 2. Plantation activities play a hand-in hand role with soil moisture and water conservation activities in the long term. Under the Additional Central Assistance there was no provision for Plantation activities and the funds available through other sources were not enough to have a major impact. 3. The activities of Phase-I were exclusively carried out in the forest areas of the Bundelkhand region. Areas outside forests were not treated; as a result the pressure on the forest areas for fuel wood has not decreased much. To tackle this issue and prevent further degradation of forests, private lands and other areas available outside forests should also be undertaken for treatment. 4. In Phase-I, the emphasis was entirely on treatment of natural resources by means of soil and moisture conservation works. It was noted during the evaluation of Phase I that livelihood improvement, an important component was missing. This issue has to be addressed in Phase-II and focus has to be given also on skill development & capacity building of local communities. 5. There was an evident lack of belongingness for the structures in the beneficiaries or lack of knowledge of benefits they gain from the structures. So, this issue needs to be addressed by giving emphasis on entry point activity (EPA) & capacity building of the local communities while planning the activities in Phase II of the project. 6. After the Phase I, there has been a marked increase in the yield of local NTFPs in the vicinity of the SMC structures. But it has been observed that the local communities need to be trained with regards to sustainable harvesting practices of NTFP. Special provision for NTFP processing, training of local communities on sustainable harvesting of NTFPs need to be included in Phase II of the project. 7. Record keeping and documentation is a very important activity which has to be done systematically and at regular intervals of project implementation. Management Information Software (MIS) for the same can also be developed so as to facilitate the process of documentation. Page 16

18 Chapter 4: Rationale and justification for Phase II There have been a lot of positive outcomes after the first phase like; increase in water table, increase in green vegetation, increase in agricultural productivity as well as increased milk production (due to increase in fodder and water availability to the livestock population). But these positives have been limited to the areas where the soil moisture conservation works have been carried out. As discussed in Chapter 3, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has achieved a target of 98,511 Ha (Soil Moisture conservation work & Silvi-pasture development works) against 2,00,930 Ha under the ACA, NAP & MNREGS funds. The area that could not be treated under Phase-I and also some additional area would be taken up for treatment in Phase II. Thus watersheds in contiguous areas will be treated, so that clusters can be formed around the areas already treated under phase I of the project. This would be in consonance with the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects 2008 (revised edition of 2011). In the guidelines one of the criteria for selection of watershed projects has been mentioned as contiguity to another watershed that has already been developed or treated. Cluster Approach: The new approach envisages a broader vision of hydro-geological units normally of average size of 1,000 to 5,000 hectares comprising of clusters of micro-watersheds. If resources and area exist, additional watersheds in contiguous areas in clusters may be taken up. However, smaller size projects will be sanctioned in the hilly/difficult terrain areas. (Source: Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects Revised Edition of 2011 ) 4.1. New Activities Proposed in Phase II During the Phase II of Bundelkhand Special Package, new allied activities of Canal side plantation and NTFP processing & marketing have been proposed. These activities have been proposed taking into account the Livelihood Orientation component given in the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects 2008 (revised edition of 2011) Canal side plantation: Canal side plantation would also be taken up in Bundelkhand region in order to establish canal bank soil and providing fuelwood to local Page 17

19 communities to reduce biotic pressure on forest area. This plantation will also increase green cover in the region. In the intermediate slopes, the watershed management approach would address all the necessary issues by looking at all the best possible options including treatment, cropping pattern, horticulture, agro-forestry, etc. (Source: Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects revised edition of 2011 ) NTFP Processing and marketing In the six districts of Bundelkhand region, there are 8 district unions in accordance to (for minor forest produce) under which 228 primary minor forest produce co-operative societies are functional. In areas under the above district unions, the Minor Forest Produce is the vital source of livelihood for the local community the scheme is designed to introduce value addition process and better marketing of the minor forest produce through its 'Vindhaya Herbal Brand' for supporting the better availability In areas under the above Districts unions there is a great dependence of the rural poor on minor forest produce for earning their livelihood, but currently they do not get fair price in the market. Keeping this in mind a scheme is being proposed to introduce value addition processes for better marketing of the product under the Bundelkhand Package Phase-2. Page 18

20 Chapter 5: Objectives, Strategy and Guiding Principles: 5.1. Objectives To increase rain water recharge by intensive SMC work on watershed basis. To improve land capability and moisture regime in the watersheds. To restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing natural resource like soil, water and forest. To reduce or possibly eliminate soil erosion and check further degradation of forest. To improve ecological status of the area. To enhance availability of fodder to the local community. To augment employment / income generation opportunities for the rural poor. To improve skills set of local communities and forest staff at grass root level by means of capacity building and skill development programs. To organize the communities so as to create mass movement for conservation of natural resources. To aim at convergence of various development programmes for holistic development. Promotion of Cooperatives for and processing centres for, sustainable harvesting, value addition and marketing of MFP products for supporting the livelihood of the communities Strategy The main objective of the project is to identify those degraded forest areas and also those watersheds in the six districts of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh which require treatment under Soil and Moisture Conservation (SMC) regime & to carry out SMC works in these areas. EPA activities will be carried out to build trust and confidence in local community, so they will participate in each and every project Page 19

21 activity. This will include Integrated Watershed Management with the help of ridge area treatment operations to reduce the volume and velocity of surface run off, including regeneration of vegetative cover in forest and common land. This will indirectly lead to increased moisture content in soil, increased green cover and increased agricultural yield. The ecosystem services of these treated catchment areas would increase water availability in the lower areas in the Bundelkhand region. The treatment of these catchment areas shall make available more and more water to local communities. In turn it would enhance biomass production in catchment and command areas which will increase agriculture and milk production leading to economic prosperity of the communities. It is proposed to carry out "Soil Moisture Conservation" by constructing earthen gully plugs, check dams, contour bunds, water retention tank, percolation tank, percolation pits in the identified six districts of Bundelkhand region. The Project also aims at addressing poverty issues of the tribal communities by a few cross cutting livelihood strategy which are as follows: Enhancing the livelihoods by providing increased benefits to NTFP collectors which will result from NTFP processing and Marketing. Canal side plantation to reduce soil erosion on canal banks and stabilization and also to reduce biotic pressure by providing fuel wood Guiding Principles Guiding principles for Bundelkhand Special Package-II phase are as follow: 1. Micro Planning and decentralization In the very first stage, forest department will conduct Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) to facilitate the process of micro planning. Micro plans would be prepared in consultation with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs). Meetings would be organized to apprise local communities about objectives and probable outcomes of the project. Specific needs and expectations of the local communities would be considered while preparing the micro plans. Thus project planning will be carried out through community participation and involvements of JFMCs. Prepared micro plans will be approved by general body of respective JFMCs and subsequently by the related Gram Sabha. Thus Forest department has facilitated local people of JFMCs to participate in project planning and would also ensure participation in later stages of project. Madhya Pradesh Joint Forest Management Resolution, Page 20

22 2001 of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has integral provisions for involvement of JFMC in micro planning of project. 2. Inclusiveness and gender equality Inclusiveness of local people of JFMCs would be ensured from planning to monitoring stage by Forest Department Officers through participation at various stages of project. Project has been prepared to address multidimensional problems of the region i.e. livelihoods, income generation activities & restoration of natural resources. A feedback mechanism would be evolved to gather feedback of local people on project activities. Forest Department would take suitable measures to ensure gender equality and women participation in planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring stage of project. Stress would be given on improving access of the poor especially women to the benefits from the project. Equal opportunity for employment will be provided during implementation stage of project to ensure women representation. During implementation stage, project activities will generate substantial alternative livelihoods opportunity for local people, which will help them in improving their economic status and help create sustainable livelihoods. According to Madhya Pradesh Joint Forest Management (JFM) Resolution, 2001 State Forest Department have integral provisions to empower women i.e. executive committee of JFMC will have minimum 33% of women. These inbuilt provisions will ensure gender equality and women empowerment in JFMCs. 3. Project cost estimation and projections Bundelkhand Special package-ii phase has been prepared for FY to and tentative budget is crores in which various activities i.e. Entry point activity, Farm forestry and canal side plantation, Soil moisture conservation work, plantation work, NTFP processing & marketing will be carried out. Details of yearly budget with respective activities and consolidated budget details have been provided in Chapter Professional Support To implement project activities in professional way from planning to implementation; various institutional supports would be incorporated with the help of local voluntary organization and their professional support team. Madhya Pradesh Forest Department (Joint Forest Management and State Forest Development Authority) has been engaging professionals from Indian Institute of Forest Management for effective implementation of project activities. Technical experts on various issues during Page 21

23 implementation stage related to project would be consulted according to the demand of project. 5. Institution and capacity building Stress would be given on institution and capacity building as an important component for achieving the desired results from project activities. This component will aim at providing training to the officials of forest department and building capacities of joint forest management committee members in the Bundelkhand project area. This would enhance their knowledge and skills which would consequently enable them to participate in planning, execution and monitoring levels. The key components of strategy would be to identify a pool of resource persons/organizations, developing training modules and reading material. Improved techniques for harvesting and processing of NTFPs would be taught to the members of the JFMCs so that they get better value for the minor forest produce. Use of information technology and remote sensing would play an important role in monitoring and evaluation of the project. From the past experience of Phase-I, Forest Department would develop a Management Information System (MIS) to ensure documentation for strengthening monitoring and evaluation of proposed project activities Expected outcomes Extensive soil moisture conservations works undertaken under this project will facilitate ground water recharge, create water resources for local people as well as cattle to meet their requirement and support agriculture of the region. Soil moisture conservation works will also support existing vegetation and increase their survival. These measures would also help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change both on the agricultural and forest productivity as well as on the livelihood of forest dependent communities. This would mean improved agricultural and forest produce and so indirectly this would benefit the forest dependent communities. By promoting the development of trees outside forests, plantation of horticulture plants and plantation of high density firewood plantation, the biotic pressure on the forest resources would get reduced considerably and thereby the overall quality of the forests would improve. The livelihood of forest dependent communities would be improved by incorporation of new allied activities like Canal Page 22

24 side plantation and NTFP processing and marketing. These schemes would thus help to reduce the biotic pressure on forests. Page 23

25 Chapter 6- Proposed activities Bundelkhand Special Package Phase- II has been designed for financial year to The norms provided by Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) in the Common guidelines for Watershed Development Projects have been taken into account while preparing the project proposal. In this proposal M P Forest Department has not included any activities under the heads of Livelihood, Production System, and Consolidation Phase. Accordingly the funds under heads have been proportionately included under the following three major heads: Soil Moisture Conservation works Canal side plantation NTFP processing and marketing Some innovative approaches to address livelihoods of the local communities, Canal side plantation and NTFP processing & marketing have been included in the Phase II of Bundelkhand project. These newly added activities will reflect increased alternative sources of livelihoods for local people to curb migration problem and ensure better health of natural resource of the region. 1. Soil Moisture Conservation works: - Bundelkhand Region is suffering from water shortage due to short and erratic rainfall. Ground water table of the region is depleting fast due to high dependence of local people for irrigation and household usage. Bundelkhand Special Package Phase-II will try to curb the drought like situation of the region with the help of extensive soil moisture conservation (SMC) works. Soil moisture conservation works include: Contour trench, Check dams, contour bunds, water retention tanks, percolation tanks, gully plugging etc. According to Site specific requirements, seed broadcasting and plantation would be taken up to stabilize constructed soil moisture conservation structures. It will be accompanied by seed dribbling in order to increase the green cover. These proposed SMC works would be carried out on the basis of integrated watershed management. Each watershed taken up for treatment would be codified and the same area would be treated for project life i.e. 4 years. These SMC works will facilitate ground water recharge, create water resources for local people as well as cattle to meet their requirement and support agriculture of the region. Soil Page 24

26 moisture conservation works will also support existing vegetation and increase their survival. Some additional activities would also be taken up in the areas in the selected watershed areas. These activities are enlisted below: Entry point activities (EPA) will be carried out by Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in the initial years of Phase 2 of the project i.e. before commencement of the actual watershed development works so as to build a sense of confidence and belongingness among the local community for the project. Forest Department will conduct number of training, capacity building and skill development programs in the selected watershed areas taken up under project. The department will conduct training need assessment to identify training areas for communities and local forest staff and accordingly training programs would be developed. Regular monitoring of the project will be carried out at each stage which includes process and outcome monitoring. It is also proposed to have different types of monitoring like internal monitoring, progress monitoring, self monitoring by JFMC's. The funds for these activities are included under the broad head of Soil Moisture and Conservation works and are in consonance with the norms provided by Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) in the Common guidelines for Watershed Development Projects. The amount which would be unspent or unutilized under Entry Point Activities, Institution & Capacity Building and Monitoring & Evaluation would be exclusively used to carry out soil moisture conservation works in the selected watershed areas. A total area of hectares is proposed to be treated under soil moisture conservation works. Division wise physical and financial target breakup is being provided in the table below: Page 25

27 Division Soil Mositure conservation works Financial Area (in Ha) (Amount in Rs. Lakhs) Chhatarpur South Panna North Panna Panna Tiger Reserve & Buffer area Tikamgarh Orcha wildlife sanctuary North Sagar South Sagar Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary Damoh (including Sanctuary Area) Datia Total Canal side plantation: The irrigation department has constructed a number of canals in the Bundelkhand region. Canal side plantation would also be taken up in some areas suitable for plantation. On priority basis the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department would be taking up plantation activities on either side of the canals running from the Kutni Dam. It is proposed to take up plantation works along 60 km strip of this dam over the course of the project. Under this head, both plantation and maintenance activities would be taken up. The maintenance of the plantations would be done with the participation of members of the Joint Forest Management Committees and also members of the Water User Committees. This strip plantation would be very effective to stabilize the canal bank soil and would also meet the requirement of fuel wood of local people. The survey works of the linear strips of land on the side irrigation canal is Page 26

28 being carried out and actual forest division wise physical target would be included in detailed project report which is under preparation. The table below gives the financial requirement under Canal Plantation: (in Rs. Lakh) Division Canal side plantation (including three years of Maintenance works) 1 2 Chhatarpur South Panna 0.00 North Panna Panna Tiger Reserve & Buffer area Tikamgarh Orcha wildlife sanctuary North Sagar South Sagar Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary Damoh (including Sanctuary Area) 0.00 Datia 0.00 Total NTFP processing & marketing: - In the six districts of Bundelkhand region, there are 8 district minor forest produce (MFP) co-operative unions (for collection of minor forest produce) under which 228 primary minor forest produce co-operative committees are functional. Page 27

29 Sr. No. District District Union No. of NTFP Committees 1 Sagar North Sagar 22 South Sagar 23 2 Damoh Damoh 18 3 Tikamgarh Tikamgarh 25 4 Chhatarpur Chhatarpur 76 5 Panna North Panna 21 South Panna 42 6 Datia Datia 01 Total 228 Prominent Minor forest produces Honey, Nagarmotha, Shatavar, Ashwagandha, Achar, Amla, Bel etc. In areas under the above district minor forest produce (MFP) cooperative unions there is a great dependence of the rural poor on minor forest produce for earning their livelihood, but currently they do not get fair price in the market. Keeping this in mind M. P. State Minor Forest Produce Federation, has proposed a scheme to introduce value addition processes for better marketing of the product under the Bundelkhand Package Phase-2. The scheme has the following major objectives: A. Identify such primary minor forest produce co-operative committees in whose areas the minor forest produce is available in surplus quantity and ensuring arrangements for processing and value addition of the produce. B. Increasing the income of primary MFP collectors by arranging forward market linkages for the produce. The scheme for six identified MFPs (Honey, Nagarmotha, Shatavar, Amla, Ashwagandha, Achar, Bel) which are available in abundance in and around the region, would be implemented through the following 7 steps: 1. Identify the resource and the current market practices for each above mentioned MFP. 2. Linking the primary minor forest produce co-operative committees with identified resource production area. 3. Developing resources for the processing of the MFPs to meet the demands. 4. Developing harvesting and collection techniques for the MFPs and providing training to the collectors. 5. Arranging primary processing and warehouse facilities for collected MFP. Page 28

30 6. Coordinating with Scheduled Tribe Finance Development Corporation for financial support to establish processing and value addition units for each MFP. 7. Arranging marketing of the processed produce through Vindhya Herbal brand. Operational Plan for NTFP processing and marketing In the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh an effective system of sustainable Harvesting and value addition will be developed through tribal community involvement and empowerment. M P MFP Federation has effectively steered a beat level (smallest forest management unit) NTFP survey to document the NTFPs availability and quantitative estimation of availability of such species. This survey has brought out not only the richness of the diversity but also a fair estimation of availability of quality produces from each of the beats, ranges and finally at the Forest Division level. The outputs from this survey are available for development of management plans for sustainable harvesting and based on the quantities of each of the species; develop value addition interventions to retain maximum monetary value of the raw materials at the local level so that the local tribal collectors get the enhanced benefits for such management. This intervention can be called as Community Owned and Managed Enterprise Development (COMED). This program envisages involving the local tribal people from the planning stage to the operationalisation of the community owned enterprise and finally equipping them to run the enterprise though a conglomerate of Gram Sabhas, JFM societies, Biodiversity management Committees and Primary MFP Co operatives of the M P MFP Federation, with well identified roles for each of the distinct village level outfits. The COMED involves following discernible steps resulting in enabled and empowered community management units to reap the benefits of boom in markets for NTFPs and MAPs. However this would keep in focus the need for conserving the natural resource and establishing sustainable harvesting regimes for selected NTFPs/MAPs in each of the project districts. The process for establishing such COMEDs involves following steps; I. Social Mobilization List all the JFM societies, Primary cooperative societies, Gram sabhas, Biodiversity Management Committees in the area under consideration for management and value addition. These village Page 29

31 level committees may have overlapping areas with clear cut roles and responsibilities, both legal and functional. Enlist collectors of NTFPs and MAPs for the prioritized species and facilitate issuance of ID cards to comply with the policy mandate related to local ownership Form different Task Teams for each of the species or set of species Build Capacity for harvesting and value addition II. Establishing Legal compatibility and ensuring adherence to law Engage with Prim Coop Societies, JFM, BMCs and Gram Sabhas independently and collectively for resolutions for resource management Need for sustainability discussed established Distribution and extent of prioritized species through community involvement and knowledge Legal and customary ownership issues related to NTFPs and MAPs Community level demarcation for harvest of each of the species III. Sustainable Harvesting of NTFPs and MAPs and Value addition through Community empowerment and participation Identification of catchment area Survey & assessment of Catchment potential for prioritized Develop modules for harvest of each of the species for sustainability and quality Prepare harvest calendar and identify gap months and harvest cycle for rotation Prepare harvest time, period and schedule for each of the species in consultation with the Task Team Task teams to establish and declare harvest schedule and disseminate among all IV. Processing and Value addition Plan through Value chain analysis Specie wise listing processing and value addition methods and feasible value addition interventions Value addition and Processing viz a viz Market use and demand Species wise storage requirements Infra structure requirements: buildings, Machinery, lab, packaging etc Page 30