Annual Project
Report
2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based
Natural Resource Management Project
In-situ biodiversity
conservation of Sacred Groves
by community , Jharkhand
In-Situ Conservation of Sacred Groves by the community,
Jharkhand
“conservation of biological resources
through sustainable management of
its components for equitable sharing of
the benefits arising from the use of
biological resources .”
“Protected Areas are Temples of
Biodiversity”- Dr Manmohan Singh
Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
1: General Information about the project
The scope the Annual Project Report , is a self-assessment for monitoring the project at Ministry
of Environment and Forests, Government of India and UNDP by spurring dialogue with
responsible partners and assess the performance of project in terms of its contributions to
intended outcomes of this project through intended outputs. This report provides an update on
project results delivered and learning of the project implemented during the project year 20112012.
Report Date:
Project
Number:
Project Title:
Country/Regio
n:
55239&5524
0
Biodiversity
Conservation
through
Community
based
Natural
Resource
Management
India /South
Asia
Target
group(s)/beneficiaries
Supporting Agency :
Executing Agency:
Project Start Date:
Project End Date:
Project Duration:
For national please
specify the target States:
January 2008
December 2010 with extension until
December 2012
48 Months
Arunachal Pradesh – 2 sites falling in
Districts: 3: West Kameng, Tawang,
Lower Subansiri;Blocks: 5: Dirang,
Nafra-Buragaon, Thinghu-Mukto, Lumla,
Ziro-l; Villages: 33: Dirang (6), NafraBuragaon (1), ThinghuMukto(2),Lumla(9), Ziro-I (15)
Chhattisgarh : 3 sites falling in Districts:
2: Bastar and Korba; Blocks: 3:
Jagdalpur, Keshkal, Pali;Villages: 32:
Keshkal (16), Pali(11), Jagdalpur (5)
Jharkhand: 5 sites falling in Districts: 5:
Latehar, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Kunti,
Devgarh, Deoghar;Blocks: 5: Garu,
Mandu, Bandgaon,Mohanpur, Palajori;
Villages: 40: Garu (5), Mandu (8), Murhu
(5), Bandgaon (10), Mohanpur (6)
Palajori (6)
Odisha- 3 sites falling in Districts: 3:
Khordha, Sambalpur, Ganjam;Blocks: 3:
Balugaon, Digapahandi,
Padiabahal;Villages: 17: Padiabahal (5),
Balugaon (6), Digapahandi (6)
tribes:
Arunachal Pradesh: Monpa and Aka, Hrusso (in Tawang and West Kameng
proposed Biosphere Reserve - Site 1) and Apatani (in Apatani plateau - Site
2 Lower Subansiri district).
Chhattisgarh: Katghora- Dhanwar, Meejhwar and Gon North Kondagaon
- Gond. Jagdalpur - Gond, Hillmaria, Halba, Bhatra and Dhurva.
Jharkhand: Bokaro River Basin area Santhals (tribal community), Birhor
(Primitive Tribes), Trikut Parvat Region Santhals (tribal community),
Khunti Region Munda & Lohra (tribal community),Palamu Region Khairwar
& Oraon Parahia(tribal community) & Korwa (Primitive Tribes), Palajouri
Region Santhal Paharia(tribal community) & Baouri (Primitive Tribes)
Odisha-Forest based community of Ghodahad Dam Cluster
Digapahandi Range, Berhampur Forest Division, Padiabahal Cluster of
Padiabahal Range, Sambalpur Forest Division and Niladriprasad Cluster of
Balugaon Range Khudra Forest Division;
United Nation Development Programme
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Responsible Partner(s):
Implementing Partners :
Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (T&D) Cooperative Federation
Ltd., Raipur, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and
Development, Itanagar, Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi; Regional
Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar
Arunachal Pradesh
Partners: State Forest Research Institute, North Eastern Regional Institute of
Science and Technology, Nature Care and Disaster Management Society,
WWF -India
Chhattisgarh
Partners: District MFP Union Jagdalpur village primary MFP Committee,
District;MFP Union North Kondagaon village primary MFP Committee,
District;MFP Union Katghora village primary MFP Committee under
Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (T&D) Cooperative Federation Ltd
Jharkhand
Partners: Nature Conservation Society, Lok Prerna, Society for Promotion of
Wasteland Development Eastern region, Network for Enterprise
Enhancement & Development Support (NEEDS),
Odisha-Partners: Nehru Seva Sangha, Banapur and Rashtriya Gramin Vikas
Nidhi (RGVN),Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Summary of the Project’s Financial Status1
Total amount of the Project
Budget
Funds Utilized for financial
years 2008-2009, 20092010, 2010-2011, 20112012 December
Comments:
US$3,000,000 (135,000,000 INR )
INR 930.55 Lakhs
State
Coordinating Agency
Arunachal
Pradesh
G.B. Pant Institute of
Rs.252.89066 231.54
Himalayan
Environment &
Development, N-E Unit,
Itanagar
Chhattisgarh
State Minor Forest
Produce (T & D)
Cooperative
Federation, Raipur
Rs. 250
270.37
Jharkhand
Institute of Forest
Productivity, Ranchi
Rs. 250
272.48
Odisha
Regional Plant
Resource Centre,
Bhubneshwar
Rs. 250
281.50
Rs 1002.82
1055.89
Total
1
INR equivalent in lakhs/crores/millions
2
sanctioned
amount
(Rs. Lakhs )
Amount
released from
2008- 2009
& 20092010 and
201011,2011-12
and 2012
December
(Rs lakhs)
Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Objectives of the project
1. Facilitate the integration process of national and state policies to be more responsive for
preserving the linkages between rural livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and forest
protection measures.
2. Enhance capacity of communities and institutions to adapt decentralized form of management
including participation in decision making process for ensuring equity, transparency and
accountability.
Implementation of project components:
a) Community driven approaches piloted at local level to demonstrate methods to get to the
bottom of solving conservation measures for protecting biological resources and managing
local management processes to sustain naturally occurring resources for supporting
alternative livelihoods
b) Advocacy of piloted conservation methods and tools to guide governing process of community
based institutions at village level to enhance the ecosystem and biodiversity attributes and to
integrate localized conservation and management actions within national and state policies
oriented towards community development.
Objectives of project outputs undertaken during the year 2012-2013
1. Enhance capacity of communities and state institutions for sustaining In-Situ and ExSitu Conservation measures
2. Enhance alternate livelihood options for local community
3. Empower community and enhance their capacity to make informed decisions to
protect traditional knowledge on natural resource management and conservation
practices
Partnership strategy for implementation
This project, involves partnership between UNDP, Ministry of Environment and Forests and
responsible partners ( four state coordinating agencies), Forest Department, NGO’s and people’s
institutions. This partnership mainly focused to strengthen capacity of partners in managing the
project’s multi-dimensional thrust areas of improved approaches for management of forestbased natural resources. This partnership has evolved through a Memorandum of Understanding
signed with identified NGOs (implementing partners) in order to ensure local level
implementation of CBNRM approaches as well facilitate horizontal learning and diverse
networking among NGOs , CBOs and the PRIs. Taking advantage of the engaged NGO’s field
presence and their community based expertise, responsible partners ( four state coordinating
agencies) in this project entered into a partnership for implementing project. Each of the
responsible partners (four state coordinating agencies) i.e. G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan
Environment & Development, N-E Unit, Itanagar Arunachal Pradesh has four NGOs partnersState Forest Research Institute, NERIST, Nature Care and Disaster Management Society, WWF–
India, Divisional Forest Department - Apatani Plateau (proposed world heritage site) and Tawang –
West Kameng Biosphere Reserve (proposed), Department of Environment and Forests, Govt of
Arunachal Pradesh; Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (T&D) Cooperative Federation,
Raipur Chhattisgarh has partnered with primary forest cooperative societies operating in project
sites of Jagdalpur District Union, North Kondagaon District Union and Katghora- District Union
to ensure implementation with technical assistance from agriculture, horticulture, fishery,
veterinary and soil conservation departments. While Institute of Forest Productivity at Ranchi
in Jharkhand have partnered with five NGOs- Nature Conservation Society, Lok Prerna, Society for
Promotion of Wasteland Development Eastern region, Society for Participatory Action and
Reflection, Network for Enterprise Enhancement & Development Support, and Regional Plant
Resource Centre, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha have partnered with Divisional Forest Offices of
Khurda, Berhampur and Sambalpur and two NGOs- Nehru Seva Sangha, Banapur and Rashtriya
Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) Bhubaneswar. Partners were involved with the project to implement
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
site-based activities at selected villages in coordination with responsible partners (state
coordinating agencies). This form partnership also extends to involve other allied state level
government departments-Forests, Horticulture, Veterinary, and Agriculture, Irrigation and Soil
Conservation who were consulted for advice and technical inputs to strengthen implementation
of site based activities.
Involvement of Decentralized People’s Institution in Protected Forests
The project’s goal was to institutionalize a community-based approach for managing invaluable
resources of biological diversity –one of the natural resource found within and outside forests, as
forests house about half of the national’s diverse biological resources. Through this project, the
four state coordinating agencies along with their implementing partners have engaged tribal
communities to facilitate a community based natural resources management process for
empowering tribal people’s capacities to effectively acquire rights to use biological resources,
enable biodiversity conservation by laying the foundation for adopting two principles of
ecological and livelihood security into local level decision making process and planning for
community level development. In this project villages that fringe within the environment of
forests, also accorded to be reserved or protected and characterized by distinctive vegetation
and types of biological resources as well influences by local climatic conditions was selected as
the “unit” for implementing site-based activities in context of specific biodiversity conservation
measures that ensure livelihoods of local tribal groups are sustained and the concerns of gender
and equity issues are adequately addressed.
In this project tribal communities-Monpa-Tawang and West Kameng and Aka (Hrusso) West
Kameng and Apatani Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh, Dhanwar, Meejhwar and
Gond in Katghora North, Gond in Kondagaon and Hillmaria, Halba, Bhatra and Dhurva in
Jagdalpur , Chhattisgarh, Santhals and Birhor (Primitive Tribes),living in Trikut Parvat, Palajouri
region and Santhals in Bokaro River Basin, Munda and Lohra in Khunti Region, Khairwar &
Oraon Parahia and Korwa (Primitive Tribes) in Palamu Region, Jharkhand and Forest based
community of Ghodahad Dam Cluster, Digapahandi Range, Berhampur Forest Division,
Padiabahal Cluster of Padiabahal Range, Sambalpur Forest Division and Niladriprasad Cluster of
Balugaon Range Khudra Forest Division of Odisha, are living in forest fringed villages with
generations of interaction within forest areas rich in biological resources have acquired
traditional knowledge to use biological resources, which has shaped their cultures, lifestyles and
livelihoods were involved in implementing this project.
The four state level coordinating agencies in-Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, and Odisha since 2008 have implemented ground level activities at selected ecoregions sites and covering villages to improve the community based natural resource
management process for linking the biodiversity conservation and livelihood framework with
concession from stakeholders including local communities to achieve the overall objective of
sustaining development through poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
During the second meeting of this project’s Empowered Project Steering Committee each
state coordinating agency were advised to identify and strengthen the decentralized community
based institution at village2 level or within the two tier setup namely; the Forest Development
Agencies (FDA) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) or Van Samrakshana Samithi/
Eco- Development Committee (VSS/EDCs) at the forest division level that is already active in the
identified project sites. Such decentralized form of community based institutions or agency after
going through an appropriate process of building their capacity were involved in the project for
2
a village referred to in clause (b) of section 4 of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled
Areas) Act, 1996; or (ii) any area referred to as a village in any State law relating to Panchayats other than the
Scheduled Areas; or
(iii) forest villages, old habitation or settlements and unsurveyed villages, whether notified as village or not; or
(iv) in the case of States where there are no Panchayats, the traditional village, by whatever name called; THE
SCHEDULED TRIBES AND OTHER TRADITIONAL FOREST DWELLERS (RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS) ACT, 2006
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
sustaining those interventions even after the project is completed at selected villages3. It was
noted that different community based institutional framework was adopted by the project
states like the Biodiversity Management Committee in Arunachal Pradesh, Village Cluster
Committee in Odisha, identified - JFMC, JBS, SHGs in Jharkhand and JFM and Primary Forest
Produce Cooperative Societies in Chhattisgarh in selected villages. Also through such formed
institutions functional at the selected villages are attributed to enable local people to have rights
to access, manage and benefit from use of biological resources and own community assets to
locally sustain livelihood and shape the overall development of the tribal community at villages.
By referring to the Biological Diversity Act 2002, chapter X, Section 41 and sub section
(1) states the constitutions of Biodiversity Management Committees4, section 41 sub-section (2)
states- the NBA and SBB shall consult the BMC while taking any decision relating to use of the
biological resources and knowledge associated with such resources occurring within the
territorial jurisdiction of the BMCs. And Section 41 sub-section (3) states Biodiversity
Management Committees may levy charges by way of collection fees from any person for
accessing or collecting any biological resources for commercial purposes from areas falling
within its territorial jurisdiction. Through this project representing members of selected 122
villages, respective Gram Sabha’s agreed to constitute the biodiversity management
committee which comprises groups of residences of men and women in the selected villages.
theses committees agreed to function as a community institution to local manage the
afforestation and conservation of village forestry resources according to the traditional customs
to manage and access the common natural resources.
Arunachal Pradesh: Formation of Biodiversity Management Committees at project
villages is further catalyzed by Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules,
2004, where emphasis has been given on constitution of “Biodiversity Management Committee”
under section 22 (1) at village level for providing legal support to the communities involving
biodiversity conservation. Arunachal Pradesh forming part of the Himalayan Biological Hotspot,
has constituted 22 BMCs, though, of late the Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB) has
adopted the formed BMCs across 18 villages in Apatani Plateau (Lower Subansiri district) and
Tawang-West Kameng proposed Biosphere Reserve (West Kameng and Tawang districts). The
BMCs have formed a corpus fund and started to generate resources from Arunachal Pradesh
Biodiversity Board and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
to become self sustaining and to effectively function conserve the bio-resources and manage
community conserved areas and sacred groves in respective villages.
Chhattisgarh: Joint Forest Management Committees and Primary Forest Produce
Cooperative Societies were identified as the community institution in accordance to the
Chhattisgarh State Forest Policy 2011 and the resolution for community participation in
conservation of forest. Already formed Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) were
identified by the project and the Primary Forest Produce Committees constituted in 1988 for
carrying out trade on Minor Forest Produce under the control of District Forest Unions and
managed by Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce (T&D) Federation Ltd were identified as part of
this project.
Jharkhand: In the initial stages of conceptualizing this project, it was observed,
traditional community based institutions were prevailing in some of target villages. While the
Panchayati Raj institution i.e the gram sabha is responsible for managing natural sources such as
land, water, forest falling within the limits of the village area according to other relevant laws in
force in the villages. Moreover, traditional institution functioning as per the customs but without
a legal sanctity in some of the villages was observed to be practiced by the traditional groups.
After observing these cohesive community based institutions through this project, a process was
3
THE SCHEDULED TRIBES AND OTHER TRADITIONAL FOREST DWELLERS (RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS) ACT,
2006 section 2 sub-section p- definition of villages
4
i.e. every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area for the purpose of
promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of
habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivators domesticated stocks and breeds of animals
and microorganisms and chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity.
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
initiated at the village meetings conducted by the project and traditional institutions were given
opportunity to meet regularly on a scheduled day and time decided by the people themselves. At
two of the project sites, in Khunti Region and Palamu region the Jungle Bachao Samiti (JBS) were
functional. An identification process of such groups was started in the project target villages, only
to find that Self Help Groups (SHG) formed by women of the villages were active. As the project
relates to local biodiversity conservation measures and sustenance of livelihood it was decided
not to form parallel groups rather strengthen same groups with regular functional status. Since
the project had the provision to strengthen capacities of such groups hence Capacity Building/
trainings was organized for group formation and strengthen their functional capabilities. As a
result, the groups were made to be functional and be involved in implementing the project.
Odisha- For effective management of the project, series of consultations were held with
identified forest divisions, NGOs and local communities to form the Village Cluster Committee
(VCC)’ and named by locally significant landmark/ deity/ place was prefixed to ‘VCC’ and
functional at the respective forest division. The Village Cluster Committees compromised
members from the cluster of 5-6 villages having divergent interests and priorities for
‘biodiversity conservation was exclusively constituted as the “Project Execution Committee
(PEC)” to meet the implemented objectives of the project.
Progress during 2012-2013
The Chairman of the EPSC of the project reiterated that the project has entered into last phase of
its implementation and recognized the demonstration of good implementation approaches
adopted by the project states and highlight those piloted approaches at the XI Conference of
Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity from 1-19 October 2012. At CoP11 the
state coordinating agencies participated in exhibiting their publications and displayed models of
the lac and tussar harvesting methods. Documentary of the site based activities were screened at
the exhibit stall. The state agencies participated at the side event “Prospects and Challenges of
Forest Based Livelihoods for Tribal and Local communities in India” hosted by UNDP and shared
their piloted approaches in sustaining livelihoods from Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Booklets on non-destructive harvesting practices of Non Timber forest produce initiated in
project areas of Chhattisgarh, Managing forests for species survival – a study of canes (calamus
spp.) in Khurdha Forest Division, Odisha and Community Conserved Area: a mechanism for
biodiversity conservation in Arunachal Pradesh was published at the XI Conference of Parties.
At the fifth National Steering Committee meeting held on 7th November 2012 at Ministry of
Environment and Forests, the chairman reviewed the last phase of implementation of this
project. Special Secretary as chairman of the National Steering Committee commended the
diligent work done by the four state coordinating agencies. The chairman remarks were in view
of the project operational period which is until 31st December 2012 must not to be viewed by
the state coordinating agencies as merely for expending the physical progress of expending
unspent balance of the grant nor for asset creation but the project must be orientated towards
showcasing upscaling lessons learnt from the project sites and linked into larger state level
legislative and policy planning process that will seek to close the existing loops in administering
legislations mechanism for achieving the objectives of conservation measures at community
level. State coordinators of the four project states presented to the chairman of the National
Steering Committee an overview of the achieved outputs of the project in respective of
implemented field based activities in Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Arunachal Pradesh- In-Situ and Ex-Situ conservation measures of economically valued plant
species including those plants important for agro-forestry activities was initiated through a
local management process of conserving community conserved areas ( CCAs) which are natural
habitats for important plant and animal species, also have special cultural, livelihood and
traditional significance to the lifestyle of tribal communities- Apatanis and Monpa’s. This project
has established the CBNRM framework through recognized and decentralized Biodiversity
Management Committees functioning at villages to manage and conserve the use of biological
resources and access of community’s conserved land which also secures livelihood of dependable
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
tribes. Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board has recognized the role of these biodiversity
management committees, and responsible for setting up social norms for prohibiting hunting,
illegal extraction and felling of forest resources from community conserved areas. Biodiversity
Management Committees are now able to generate their own corpus funds to manage In-Situ and
Ex-Situ conservation and protection measures for the community conserved areas. With progress
of self management of the Biodiversity Management Committees, the State Biodiversity Board
has decided to replicate this institutional set up in other non-project villages across Arunachal
Pradesh. With the establishment of the CBNRM framework the project was able to promote
community based eco-tourism activities that now generates income of about Rs 8 lakhs over a
period of two years of its initiation. Based on the learning’s from field base approaches for
linking biodiversity conservation with livelihood needs the project has drafted state level policy
guidelines on eco-tourism, homestay, and Community Conserved Areas and is placed of approval
by the State Forest and tourism departments to be adopted into the state level forest
management policy.
Chhattisgarh- the progress of the project in Chhattisgarh, is mainly focused on conserving the
identified primary forest resources found within three demarcated forest sites selected under
this project. Based on the systematic resources survey of threatened plant species for its primary
value and uses, the project drafted a resource survey report, which will be submitted by
December, 2012. Through this project awareness has been generated among forest based
communities, and enabled them to participate in the integrated approach of securing their
livelihood as well conserve the biological resources which is essential for the ecological
security of forests and the livelihood of tribal community.
Jharkhand-The project prepared forty People’s Biodiversity Registers(PBRs) with support
from local community groups to document their traditional knowledge on biological resources
including its non timber forest produce values and use as well natural sources such as land,
water, forest falling within the limits of the village area and managed accordingly to relevant
customary norms practiced by community groups . The PBRs have been handed over by the
project to the forty Panchayats selected by the project. These registers will be used by the
panchayat’s Village Development committee for planning out economic developmental schemes
for the villages as well consider access and benefit of biological resources, village forests in the
event of extension and development of forest village land. The project has strengthened capacity
of local communities including their skill and capabilities to take responsibility for conservation
biological resources –plants species, their natural habitats - sacred groves which is linked to
sustain the use of non-timber forest produce, agro-biodiversity, livestock rearing and water
pounds-chuans, which have been revived with traditional technologies for making available
drinking water for domestic and agriculture use by the project villages. From selected project
sites the relevant lesson learnt of this project has been of responsibilities shared by community
groups, NGO partners, and the Institute of Forest Productivity to nurture the existing self
managed community institutional structure that follows the principles of gender equality in
participatory of decision-making process for access, benefit and sharing of biological resources
that secures livelihood as well conserve biological resources leads to less dependence on the
forests and it derived natural resources.
Odisha- the flexibility of the site-specific approach the communities were supported by this
project to have their own community development management plan for implementing this
project in the selected village forest. Among other aspects of the management plan for
implementing the community based natural resource management framework, community
groups decided to protect the vulnerable sites with its native plants species, the physical and
legal description of village forest area traditionally occupied or used by them. With collective
consensus community’s made provisions for common rights to access and benefit from sharing
of harvested, social forestry made facility for minor irrigation, and assigned duty of all persons
belonging to the village to regulate protection of forest tracks from illegal felling. The community
groups took responsibility for adapting a cooperative interest to generate income from
agricultural & horticultural activities with alley cropping system, pisciculture and other
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
activities- incense making, tailoring, grocery, backyard poultry which generates income and
divert the dependence on just only collecting the forest produce.
Achievements
This project has implemented relevant field base co-management and conservation activities in
13 sites that represent habitats and eco-system of forest types with diversity of plant species
and naturally occurring over a larger landscape of eco-regions in Arunachal Pradesh,
Chhattisagrh, Jharkhand and Odisha. This project has demonstrated the need and feasibility to
adopt a framework for involving community in co-managing the use and dependence on
biological resources- a natural resource which is required to maintain livelihood needs as well
sustain the yield of varied biological resources that would benefit the present needs of
community and for future as well.
The four project states have ensured to implement the CBNRM framework by initiating efforts to
bring together local partners and tribal communities, strengthening their capacities for
horizontal learning and networking at community level. Through this project the state
coordinating agencies through local level support from other relevant government institutions
and non-governmental organizations have been able to initiate state level support for planning
out conservation oriented policies which combines the development action plans for poverty
reduction, sustenance of livelihoods and conservation of biological resources.
This project has focused on implementing the community based natural resources management
approach, which is based on principles of sharing equal rights among men and women to take
decisions, responsibility and benefit from the local self governing decentralized institutions of
the Panchayat Raj Institution. Along with other well defined groups that represented by rest of
the local community and constituted by the Gram Sabha such as-Joint Forest Management
Committees, Eco-Development Committee, Primary Forest Produce Cooperative Societies, Forest
Protection committees, Self Help Groups, also representing resources users, together co-manage
specific resource (such as a forest, pasture land, water, farm land and derived non timber forest
produce) with rights to access and regulate the use of natural resources- land, water, forest
falling within the limits of village area by members and outsiders in according to the Panchayat
Raj Institutional structure and other relevant customary norms in practice.
Key results of this project has been to pilot field based community natural resources
management approaches that link biodiversity conservation with livelihood security for tribal
communities, including women. And moreover bring community based groups of resource users
into the mainstream of self governance by building an enabling environment including
community participation, of women in particular, with appropriate policy and legal frameworks,
institutional development, and capacity development of managerial systems-knowledge,
abilities, skills and customs to improve their institutional structures and processes in such a way
that the user groups can efficiently meet its goals for social, ecological and livelihood security in a
sustainable way.
Field based activities in this project have demonstrated models that sustain livelihood of local
community based on the institutionalized systems of In-Situ and Ex-Situ conservation of plant
species, their natural habitats, yield and use of consumptive resources- such as non-timber
forest produce, agro-biodiversity and livestock diversity along with localized and traditional
technologies that are ecologically sensitive and adaptive in nature.
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Result: Eco-system–habitats protected through Ex- suit and In-suit conservation measures
and improve status of biodiversity as a natural resource in selected sites
Project Activities- community-based inventory and management planning and assessment
 Promoted agro-forestry and farm forestry, re-generate RET plants and priority tree species
through in-situ and ex-situ conservation, rehabilitate degraded forests to increase forest
cover;
 Strengthened bio-resource survey & land record, fire-surveillance, boundary demarcation
and fire protection, established nurseries through Ex-Situ measures to conserve plants of
medicinal and herbal value
 Motivated local people’s action in sharing their traditional knowledge in conservation
measures
Project Output- localized management and protection of Community Conserved Area
(CCA), Arunachal Pradesh
Community Conserved Areas functions as an ecosystem, with hydrological benefits and
floral and faunal diversity. These areas are being protected from illegal hunting and felling as
well rejuvenating threatened flora and fauna species through In-Situ and Ex-Situ Conservation.
Restriction orders declared by village communities are displayed on notice boards and joint
patrolling of the conserved areas is being done by people and state forest department. Through
the project, forest patches akin to indigenous and community conserved areas are declared as
Community Conserved area (CCA) in project sites of Tawang-West Kameng (proposed for high
altitude BR) and designated as World Peace Park and Apatani Plateau which is proposed for the
world heritage site. A series of Community Conserved Areas identified in this project are-Mihin–
Radhe-5000 ha, Siikhe-Bo 18 ha in Apatani plateau, Ritosa Ree–Mainarang Ree-100 ha, Hugore
Sewaphu 50 Ha and Thembang Bapu-300 km ² in Tawang and West Kameng Bio Reserve (
proposed). Biodiversity Conservation Committees constituted in the project villages have
imposed restrictions in order to manage these identified Community Conserved Areas. These
restrictions include stopping adverse cultivation activities, felling of trees and hunting. Selective
harvesting of wood and timber for fuel use has been permitted by the village committee. With
Ex-situ conservation methods plant species like- Taxus wallichiana (in 142 ha), Michelia
champaca (28 ha), lllicium grifithi, Exbuklendia populenia, Myica esculenta and Castanopsis (15
ha) were planted to stop extinction of thse plant species and to increase the tree cover . In
Siikhe-Bo community conserved area the siikhe stream which was earlier drying up is now recharged after conserving the tree cover of up stream area. Moreover the Siikhe stream is a
source of water for traditionally cultivating rice cum fish, Schizothorax, locally the fish is know as
Ngilyang-Nyige by the Apatani tribe. People’s Biodiversity Register maintained by the Apatani
tribes also document the rich biological resources of 40 species of plants, 10 species of fauna –
orange bellied Himalayan Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah) monkey (Macaca assamensis) locally
know as sibee-bidding and found to be inhabiting the Siikhe-Bo Community conserved area .
Similarly local community decided to stagger the collection and consumption of wood from
the conserve forest areas. Through the BMC local community circulated a community rule to
demarcate a portion for wood collection of 12 km along the road of the community conserved
area in Tawang and West Kameng Bio Reserve ( proposed) and prohibit other patches of
community conserved area and village forest from extraction or felling of wood. Conserving the
richness of community conserved areas, has benefited local community of Apatani Plateau by
conserving the gene banks of valuable flora variety, maintaining ecosystem functions, derived
services and well inventorize traditional knowledge on uses of biological resources which has
helped in sustaining the livelihood needs of local people.
Project Intervention Result- Guidelines framed for promotion and management of
Community Conserved Areas (CCA), Arunachal Pradesh
Declaration of CCAs through this project support is being used as an mechanism to conserve
the biological resources, its diversity, and widen the prospect to increase the forest area under
special conservation status in Arunachal Pradesh. CCAs has the potential to conserve even the
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Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
unclassed state forest (USF) category of forests and enhance the livelihood security of tribal
communities simultaneously while providing ecological benefits in the state. From policy point of
view, CCA will basically focus on (i) conserve ecologically and socially valued wild flora and
fauna; (ii) restrict unsustainable extraction of timber and related NTFPs; (iii) prohibit hunting
with exception for ritualistic purpose; (iv) revive threatened wild flora and fauna through in-situ
or ex-situ conservation; and (v) maintain equity in sharing of benefits arising from the
cash/revenue generated through sustainable extraction of timber and NTFPs
Project Output- Chhattisgarh-Conserving floral diversity of adjoining forest area through
active involvement of self managed communities
In about 19241.284 hectares of conservation reserve area spread in three sites of protected
forest in Katghora, North Kondagaon and Jagdalpur also represents reserves of rich biodiversity
of both forestry and non-forestry resources. Through this project, the resource survey identified
326 plots of 0.1 ha each as well protected theses plots from forest fire and grazing. In this survey
quantum and yield of tree species, was assessed. It was observed about seventy one tree species,
20 spp. of shrubs, 45 spp. of herbs, 30 spp. of climbers and 15 species of grasses and five major
dominant tree species account for 62.1, 62.9 and 58.4 percent respectively in Jagdalpur, Katghora
and North Kondagaon forest divisions. While dominant species Sal (Shorea robusta) accounts for
35.9 and 36.3 percent in Jagdalpur and Katghora forest divisions respectively, in North
Kondagaon division Clystanthus colinus accounts for 27.3 percent. the second dominant species
Saja (Terminalia tomentosa) is native in all the three forest divisions and accounts for 11.4, 10.2
and 8.0 percent respectively in Katghora, North Kondagaon and Jagdalpur. And 30 out of 47 wild
medicinal plant species are listed on the priority list declared by Foundation for Revitalization
of Local Health Tradition. Nearly six threatened species such as- Rauvolfia sepentina,
Clerodendrum serratum and 22 vulnerable species were identified. These identified forest plots
were regenerated by cultural operations such de-weeding; cut back operation and soil moisture
conservation activities of check dams, brush wood boulders, contour trenches, waterholes and
open wells to provide drinking water. These activities were done with assistance from the self
managed Forest Protection Committee of 32 project selected villages. This assessment included
the ethno-botanical survey of flora diversity, its herbal uses and values. Traditional knowledge
from local community was documented by involving
them to collating herbaria of 612
specimens; identified about 204 species including unidentified species. For Ex-situ propagation
1,14,800 Seedlings/Saplings of different species including threatened plants like Aonla (Emblica
officianalis), Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia), Aswagandha (Withanea somnifera), Sarpagandha
(Rauvolfia serpentina), and Satawar (Asparagus racemosus) were raised at nurseries set up
within forest surrounding of identified forest sites. These nurseries were managed by SHGs of
the 32 project villages and re-introduced for its agro-forestry value and sustain the livelihood
needs of local small farmers.
Project Intervention Result- naturally rehabilitating conservation reserves in consultations
with the local communities has assisted in sustaining the yield, use and habitats of endangered
trees and protecting the landscapes of protected area declared by the state government in
Katghora, North Kondagaon and Jagdalpur. Local community continuing to inhabit villages
within
these
conservation reserves
are empowered and
enabled with rights to
access in collecting and
harvesting
NWFP/resources
in
season by practicing
non-destructive
harvesting techniques.
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Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Project Output -Jharkhand- Rehabilitation and Restoration of degraded sacred groves of
forest by tribal community
Jharkhand the land of forests is a unique bio-geographical entity of forest ecosystem. Native
tribal communities have protected segments of landscape that are habitats for diverse flora and
fauna. These habitats of trees have been delimited and designated to be sacred groves and
preserved from external uses through religious beliefs and customary sanctions commonly
agreed by tribal communities. These scared groves are habitats for variety of tree species, multitier primary forest cover or a clump of trees types, vegetation cover. But over few decades, these
sacred groves are facing threat from degradation process of plant/tree species caused by
commercialization of forest resources and destruction of its habitats due to mining activities in
surrounding areas. with support from the project a base line survey was carried in 2009 to
rejuvenate the sacred groves by involving the Munda tribal community in Bari, Kotana,
Janumpiri, Jiwari, Gutuhatu, Rutadih, Kitahatu, Anirdih, Lumluma and Kudapurti villages located
in Murhu block of Khunti district. From this survey baseline information on type of sacred groves
viz. Ba-Zaire, Zilu-Zaire, Buru-Bonga, Maran-Buru, Ekir-Bonga, Devi-Bonga and Deshawali was
collated. Traditional knowledge of different ethno-botanical uses of the tree species found in
these groves including the threatened trees species- Albizzia odortissima (Kiyad Chalom),
Buchanania latifolia (Tarup), Miliusa velutina (Ome), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Sekrech) and
Odina wodier (Doka) were documented. Those groves that were degraded of its plant/ tree
species were systematical rejuvenated by using the Assisted Natural Regeneration method in
2009 with assistance from local people and village leader, Pahan. Degraded land of the sacred
groves was conserved by practicing social fencing, one of the customary practices of the tribal
community to protect the wild tree species including water sources inherently found within
these groves.
Project Intervention Result -Conservation of the sacred groves during the project period has
indicated benefits to the natural productivity of forests in this region. Groves act as a pool of the
relic collection of rare and endemic plants and tree species. A repository of saplings, seeds and
genes pool of trees and plants. These sacred groves are associated with groups of funal species
also. Owing to customary restrictions on free entry and access to harvest biological resources has
been imposed by the community. Moreover scared groves enable the natural process for
conserving soil and nutrient cycles. And the productivity of farm land near by sacred groves is
relatively higher owing to richer organic and bio-mass content in the soil. Sacred groves protect
the watersheds and water resources; in addition maintain the microclimate conditions such as
humidity and temperature of immediate vicinity and fringe areas near by scared groves.
Result: Empowered tribal communities and their capacity to be responsible for managing
and governing local institutions and transforming options of livelihoods.
Project Activities- benefit from sustainable use and sharing of natural resources Organised and strengthen institutions to represent local community to own, manage
common natural resources, administer decisions and rights for access and share benefits
arising from use of non-forest based produce–NTFPs/MFPs and created community
assets.
 Practiced forests management that protects tree cover of prioritised value for
NTFP/MFPs mainly to reduce pressure on existing forests and meeting people’s
livelihood needs
 Derived livelihood benefits from micro-enterprise oriented for collection and harvesting
of NTFPs for local markets
 Improved Community-based conservation to livestock breeds and promote Ex-situ
conservation of grazing lands earmarked for conservation of fodder variety, agriculture,
horticulture and fisheries
 Built capacity of tribal communities on key aspects of i) technological skills; (ii)
institutional framework, and (iii) financial management
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Cases from project sites
Project Output: Community conservation and management leads to sustenance of
livelihood-Arunachal Pradesh
Having to sustain living needs and livelihood even after conversation of conserved areas which
are rich of bio-resources is a priority for tribal community in Tawang-West Kameng (proposed
Bio Reserve) and Apatani plateau. Women of 33 villages were involved in this project and have
formed 16 Self Help Groups to benefit from promotion of fruit/cash (horticultural) crops- large
cardamom, kiwi planted in about 60 hectares. And propagation of tache and tasha (Taxus
wallichiana)- medicinal and aromatic plants with post-harvesting techniques in high-altitude
nurseries for its medicinal value. The project supported in 2010 about 460 households with Existu conservation of farm traces and indigenous cultivars such paddy crop and fish varietycyprinids- common carp, (cyprinus corpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon, idelea) silver carp (
hypopthalmiclthys rodepix), rohu (labeo rohita), Catla (caltla catla) and mrigal (cinhnus
mrigala). Farming of rice and fish has been a traditional farming practice of Apatani tribes, owing
to the valley’s topography and natural slope that allows an ideal gradient to lay out terraced
farm plots.
Project Intervention Results – As the project focused to locally institutionalize the process for
access and use of natural resources, through community’s involvement in the entire process for
conserving CCAs has helped reduce people’s dependency on natural resources and developed
appropriate livelihood that is socio-ecologically suitable such as on-farm conservation of
traditionally grown landrace of rice and fish, piggery, poultry, horticulture of native plants
selected for its desirable characteristics and maintained on farm land by propagation methods
and community based tourism. Through the project, men and women’s knowledge about low
cost processes/techniques and skills to manage and operate small enterprises were
strengthened. With project support about 3 lakh fish seedlings that costed Rs 50,000/- gave a
return of Rs 4, 41,150/- as an income for farmers. Especially women have improved their
institutional structure of self help groups to efficiently operate small enterprises of handicrafts,
beekeeping, tailoring, weaving of yarn and sustain these income generating activities by adapting
low cost technologies with traditional methods to produce products that and sustains the
livelihood of women in Tawang-West Kameng proposed Bio Reserve and Apatani plateau.
Project Output: Primary value of traditionally collected NFTPs improved from
subsistence product s to value added products through micro-enterprises -Chhattisgarh
Tribal community of 32 villages selected in the project sites of North Kodagoan, Jadalphur and
Katghora, formed 44 self help groups of which 19 groups are led by women, 16 groups managed
by men and 6 groups together are led by men and women. These groups function to solve issues
commonly experienced and share benefits from similar livelihood practices such as-collection of
nationalised MFPs-mahul and tendu leaves, char, chironji, mahul flowers, tamarind, cultivation of
rice, vegetables, mustard, culture of kosa, tasar, lac, collection of herbs, seed banks local crop
variety, piggery and vemi-composting of organic manure. With support from the project’s
capacity building process these groups specially women, have improved their managerial skills
to efficiently organize their common sources to livelihood, strengthen their traditional
techniques by adapting non-destructive harvesting processes in a way to earn better incomes as
well sustain the bio-resources. Collection of variety of Non Wood Forest Produce (NWFP) is a
major source of livelihood of the forest dwellers in the project areas. NWFP based livelihood
activities is initiated through formed Self Help Groups of men and women living in remote
villages and are in need to have a sustain source of income generating livelihood. A network of
NWFP collector, and micro processing unit formed by a chain of Self Help Groups of men and
women in this project ensures reliable income generating activities along with links to local
markets is being practices. To sustain this local network of SHG’s involved in collection,
processing and operating micro enterprises CGMFP Federation has plans to sustain marketing
mechanism of selling the products at a fixed price either to the wholesale or retail markets
through its own network of at District Union Societies and Primary Cooperative Societies to
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
popularize the use of organic and herbal products through “Sanjeevani”, already successfully
established retail outlets in reaching out to Primary Forest Committee for marketing the
processed products by local SHGs and NFWP collection and micro processing units.
Local community of Katghora Forest Division, North Kondagaon Division and Jagdalpur depend
on NTPF / MFPs for the livelihood. Collection of NTFP/MFP from common property of resources
i.e. village forests and conserved areas generated is a source for men and especially women folk
to earn income. Under the project in Katghora Forest Division-13 SHGs with 215 members, of
which 4 SHGs are led by men and 9 groups are led by women. The groups are involved in
collection of Mahu flowers, Mahul Leaves, collection of herbs- Satawar, Musali, apart from
cultivation of organic rice, mustard seed, and bamboo basket making. In North Kondagaon
Division there are 11 SHG with 123 members of which 2 groups are led by women and 4
groups led by men are involved in NWFP collection of chironji seed, lac, tamarind, organic seed
bank and rearing pigs, harvesting fish in community own ponds . In Jadalpur Forest Division 15
SHG with 205 members of which 7 SHG are of 99 men members and engaged in lac and raily
tasar cocoon cultivation while 58 members of 5 women led SHGs are also involved collection of
lac after its harvest, tamarind collection and processed and raising nursery of herbal saplings
and collection of herbs-like Giloe, Kalmegh,Satawar, Safed Musli etc. NWFP collectors of each
village are trained on non-destructive harvesting techniques to collect seasonal minor forest
produce including medicinal plants by improving the primary added value of its quality and
process of the produce. Women and men collectors of -mahul and tendu leaves, nuts, seeds, herbs
sell the collected un-processed NTFPs to the SHG’s functioning at the hat bazaars ( weekly
markets). Raw form of minor forest produce is further resold to SHGs that operate microenterprises. these product based micro-enterprises are operated mostly by women and
supported by men too at the village level markets. These SHGs supported by the project with
seed money to set up MFP processing units of primary process and add value to the minor
products for e,g., moulding the collected Mahul leaves (Bauhinia vahilli ) into plates and bowls,
collected herbs are processed to prepare herbal medicines, tamarind bricks prepared and Char
nuts processed as food ingredients with simple mechanical tools. Final processed MFP is sold to
NWFP MARTS that operate under the guidance of CGMFP Federation. Groups of women and
men in this project were assisted with additional technically knowledge to upgrade their
traditional skill for seasonal non-destructive collection techniques. Men and Women are
empowered to manage cash as well market for these minor forest produce that fetched them
substantial income and profit
Project Intervention Result-Through Ex-situ conservation methods six SHGs of women in
North Kodagoan and Katghora and Jagdalpur are involved in organizing Seed Banks and Grain
Banks of the local varieties of paddy, mustard, and ginger and wild variety of cultivated
plants/crops. The produce - organic Vishnubhog rice are grown using vermicompost processed
in the backyards of houses and harvested rice is pounded using dhenki’s ( manually operated
pounder). Three SHGs of both men & women are involved in growing vegetables utilizing water
sources-check dams, wells constructed under the project. Five SHGs of both men & women of the
project villages in North Kondagaon have shown interest in rearing local varieties of Pigs. Five
SHGs were involved in fishery activities of small fresh water prawns and other types of fish,
Crabs etc. by the local community of Jagdalpur and North Kondagaon, forest divisions where
water sources- ponds, tanks are available.
Lac Culture: Lac cultivation on Kusum trees has been successfully introduced and 7 SHGs in
North Kondagaon and 6 SHGs in Jagdalpur forest division have taken up lac cultivation as a
livelihood option ( see the box) and the production has increased from the multiplication ratio of
1: 1.6 to 1 : 6.
Raily Tasar Conservation: Six SHGs are involved in Raily Tasar Eco-race conservation by
constructing Pagodas in the natural habitat amidst Sal trees and preserved the cocoons. The
moths emerged in the pagodas were allowed to mate and lay eggs. The eggs thus laid were
collected, placed in leaf cups and pinned to Sal trees. The worms hatched, crawl on to the leaves,
start feeding them, and grow to form cocoon.
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Chironji processing: 18 women grouped in to two women SHGs namely Sheethala and Gauri are
involved in collection and processing of Chironji in North Kondagaon District Union
Tamarind processing: Twenty women grouped in to two women SHGs namely Jamuna and
Jagrithi are involved in processing & brick making of Tamarind in Jagdalpur District Union. A
quantity of 4900 kg valued at 1.20 lakhs and 6300 kgs valued at 1.75 lakhs was processed during
2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively.
Raw Herbs Collection: Four SHGs namely Durgeshnandini, Rajeev, Yuvanav Jagriti and Durga are
involved in raw herb collection and processing work.
Livelihood of local tribal community derived from a wide range of Non Timber Forest
Produce collected from conservation reserves in Katghora Forest Division, North
Kondagaon Division and Jagdalpur
Additional income generated from sustainable harvest of Non Timber Forest Produce
Chhattisgarh
Project Output – strengthening use and management of bio-diversity resources to sustain
livelihood of tribal community in areas adjoining protected forest areas, Jharkhand
About 1775 Tribal Women living in seven forest fringed villages of Palamau were the most
important partners of this project region. This region is mostly affected by internal extremist
movement. Yet it was a challenge for this project in Palamau to involve the women in
conservation activities. As most of the bio-resources- MFP are consumed for daily living needs
at house hold and village level; there was a need to promote alternate income generating
activities for these women. In Khunti region, women beneficiaries gained from this project as
past experiences showed their increased dependency on forest produce for living needs , was
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
the main cause to degrade forest cover that caused drought conditions and shortage of water
source for two consecutive years.
Project Intervention Result-Empowered women folk of seven villages to become
representatives in the Biodiversity Management Committee of the gram panchayat that
represented 3812 tribal people of the seven villages. The project ensured women were
encouraged to participate in decision-making process for managing the commonly owned
resources, also accessed by them. women decided in the committee not to cook any wild meat in
the kitchen, stop collection of fire wood for sale, patrol illegal felling of trees, become aware of
the importance to maintain forest cover for conservation of biodiversity as well maintain
balance of rain and temperature condition. This project supported women organized themselves
into user groups and self help groups to collectively operate income generating activities that
was of interest to the women and most important to be less dependent of the bio-resources.
Three SHGs of 10 farmers of Gari and Armu village were involved in pisiculture of fish in village
ponds spread in about 6 acres earned Rs 20000/- income from sale of 2000 kgs that was
equally distributed in the ratio of 3:1 among the groups members. 6 SHGs of Armu village
adopted low cost technique to cultivate mushroom, polish dal after being trained by the project’s
capacity building process. Women SHG in Dhangartola village crafted palm mats (palm chatai).
While a user group of women engaged themselves in cultivating vegetables of relatives of wild
variety of crops.
Women of Khunti region gave their social sanction by owning this project and participating in the
planning and implementing process of this project at the village committee. About 63% of the
women (41 women of the 65 identified beneficiaries) of Gutuhatu, Janumpiri. Bari, Kotna, Jiwri
villages of Khunti region availed assistance of seed money, provided to organize 6 SHG’s and
revolve the seed money as initial capital to start a additional income generating activity. This
support from the project boosted their confidence level and lessened their daily dependency on
forest land. As these income generating activities–lac cultivation, vegetable cultivation, piggery,
goatry poultry, tailoring, grain supply, small snack/general shop was initially started with low
amount of seed money but as the profit was gained form sale of produce, the pooled money was
re-used by the groups to start another income generating activities.
Lantana based Charcoal- Lantana is a gregarious weed that is spreading on all vacant land
around the forests and village open space. Lantana as a weed is suppressing the natural
regeneration of other plant variety. Thus, after consultation with the primitive Tribe of Matnag
village in Palamau the project supported them with the process for charcoal making with a
conventional Charcoal making unit (mud house) used by previously at Hamlet–Matnag of Gari
village. The first production has come up well and villagers are very happy to have charcoal from
Lantana. Previously, they were making charcoal from wood of other plants. Lantana will become
a source of income.
Revive Organic methods of cultivation and irrigation techniques to conserve the agrobiodiversity as well improve the food security of marginalized tribes -The activity was
initiated in 2009-10, to provide immediate income generation (in 3 months) to marginalized
farmers, who were dependent of rainfall to cultivate one crop a year. The project’s intervention
in years has enhanced production in about 47 acres with vegetables (1200 kgs sold at Rs
15/kg to earn Rs 5,94,000/-) and Paddy both sowed in winter and summer (3013 kg sold at
10/ kg earned a profit of 3,90,300 /) for sale in nearby market, in addition, 24 farmers earned
better incomes. The project supported farmer from 7villages -Gari , Dhanagrtola Luhurtanr,
Armu, Garu,Hesag Samodhtola in Palamu region and Bokaro region by improving their
traditional cultivation practices after getting trained to use right quality seeds, organic
manure from vermin-compost from it sale of Rs 10,000/- to farmers, sowing patterns to
cultivatd season wise crops of wild variety of vegetables and provision for lift irrigation
towers, rock filled check-dams that costed only Rs10000/ to construct increased yield of
vegetables and paddy production for two sowing seasons i.e. Winter and summer and increased
the water table in nearby 5 wells that is used for the lift irrigation. 5% model of paddy fields is
used for cultivation land and harvesting rainwater. This model was adapted by local farmers in
Bokaro region. this technique was initiated by in the project where in Five per cent of the area
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
of each farm plot at its upper or lower point was excavated to a depth of 3.5’. Each pit was
harvested rainwater from the plot above it. In addition, it also collected the sub-surface water
seepage. As a result water flowed from upland and medium land plots on its upper side to the
farm plots. Excavated earth from these pits was used to bind the bunds and embankments for
the farm plots. Along these bunds tree-grass-arhar system of growing Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina
arborea (for fuelwood and timber), Eulaliopsis binata (for fiber used in rope making) and
Cajanus cajan (an edible pulse) is practiced. Bund plantations apart from providing benefits have
helped improved soil fertility and organic matter. The water body retains enough moisture and
aids in improving sub surface soil moisture content which is useful and essential for the entire
rice-growing period.
Project Output- Alternative livelihood support for marginalized forest based dwellers,
Odisha
Forests at the project sites have support livelihood of local people,. The challenge for this
project in Berhampur, South Sambalpur and Khurdha forest divisions was in supporting
livelihoods of people living in villages adjoining protected forest areas which were not always
viable for the health of the forests unless these forests are managed for its ecological services,
and yield of derived goods. Intervention by the project has helped local tribal people to develop
their capacity for collection, extraction and use of derived products that support livelihood
opportunity- for co-operative and self help groups.
Project Intervention ResultGhodahada reservoir, a wetland within Berhampur forest division, spread over approx. 5 sq. km.
is a habitat for about 40 riverine “Mugger” crocodiles. Local fishermen use this reservoir for
fishing. Fishermen of Maa Bankeswari Primary Fishing Cooperative Society were given rights to
fish in the reservoir by the Fishery department. Country boats were provided to fishermen, and
monofilament fishing nets of 155 kg was given to the fishermen whose nets were damaged.
During winter seasons, fishermen and women make rice-puff from a machine having a capacity
to produce 200–250 kilograms of rice-puff and sold in nearby market. The irrigation channel at
Balighai was extended by another 44 meters to supplement the existing channel for irrigation
farmlands and benefited about 65 families in Balighai, Mahulpada village in Berhampur
division. Backyard poultry of Banraj chicks are raised by women in Balighai village. About 100
coconut saplings was planted along avenues in Gundriguda village and in Burudanga village
100 mango saplings planted in fields and vermi-compost pits built to provide organic fertilizer
for these plants.
In Khurda forest division, local people were trained to improve System of Rice Intensification
(SRI), Maize cultivation, prepare vermi-compost for growing fruit and vegetables. Farmers were
supported with agricultural equipments- tractor, tipping trailer, M.B. plough, leveler, pump-sets,
mobile rice hauler machine, mini-kits containing seeds of-tomato, brinjal, okra, radish, frenchbean, palak and bitter-gourd. 100 families of six project villages planted about 1340 coconut
saplings. In Silingpada, a village tank was excavated to increase its water-holding capacity. Banraj
chicks are raised in the backyards by two SHGs and earned profit from selling100 chicks and inturn bought additional 200 banraj chicks. In Khurda forest division women SHGs and one
Common Interest Group (CIG) of men initiated a micro enterprise to mould leaf plates and
maintain backyard poultry. Four SHGs started “teak seed collection, grading and marketing of the
seeds. In three villages, local men were supported to start cycle repairing shops which is the only
means of transport within these forest fringed villages and a grocery shop that gives a profit of
Rs.1500/- to 2000/- per month.
In Sambalpur (S) forest division’s two NTFP storage godowns-cum-drying yards was constructed
with supported from the project and twelve tribal women of Lakshmi SHG received training to
make agarbati (incense-stick) and financially supported to procure machines for cutting and
polishing the incense sticks, and has increased its sale and income. Women in four villages of
Sambalpur division reared ‘Banraj’ chicks. Farmer’s were supported with community assets
including mini-kits containing seeds of tomato, brinjal, okra, radish, french-bean, palak and
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
bitter-gourd planted at two fruit orchards, and a rice hauler machine was provided by the
project to the ‘Patitapabana Youth Club’.
Lesson learnt to sustain the project interventions:
The project was implemented at 13 selected sites that adjoin protected forest areas and
represents the diversity of bio-geographical zones, distinct units of similar ecology and biome
representing richness in floral and fauna species- a very important natural resource in Arunachal
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha. With rich a natural resource base of diversity in
biological resources, these selected sites have 122 forest fringe villages, inhabited by indigenous
tribal community groups and they are dependent on these ecological habitats. Their community
is composed of relevant socio-cultural-livelihood relationship with bio diverse resources that is
managed through their indigenous and traditional knowledge for their day to day living needs.
In the selected 122 villages, tribal community’s were re-organized into Biodiversity Management
Committees in Arunachal Pradesh, as Village Cluster Committee in Odisha, engaged already
formed JFMs and Primary Forest Produce Cooperative Societies in Chhattisgarh and Forest
Protection Committee in Jharkhand to represent their own gram panchayats. Through this
organized form of institutional representation of local community’s, the project was able to
address the needs for demonstrating a gender-equity and community driven approach for
biodiversity conservation, generating livelihoods to reduce poverty of local people inhabiting
settlements adjoining protected forest areas or community conserved areas , ii) pay attention to
build inadequate capacities of local communities, strengthen and empower community based
institutions for enhancing better options to sustain livelihood and natural resource
management practices that results in conservation of the bio-geographical landscape and its
ecology including adjoining protected forests, community reserves and community conserved
areas .
This project piloted the effectiveness of site specific community based approaches adopted to be
practiced even beyond the project period by demonstrating:
1. Ecological stabilityo Biodiversity conservation, its management across the selected ecological units adjoining
protected forest areas, community reserves and community conserved areas;
o Engaging communities learn and adapt their traditional natural resource management
methods for better In-situ and Ex-situ conservation practices that is non-destructive for
collection and harvest as well conserve this natural resource as part of their social
customary norms and heritage, yet maintain the balance of ecological services and
benefits of using derived goods such as the NTFP/MFPs
2. Institutional sustainability o functionalize models of natural resource management at selected forest fringed villages
by building functional capacity of locally represented institution- the Biodiversity
Management Committees(BMC) also being part of the gram panchayat’s local self
governing arrangement to manage activities according to customs and usages.
3 Cooperative Management systemso Empower local communities (as members of the BMCs) to function as a institution to
access their rights for ownership, management and participation in planning and
decision making process for regulating the accessibility and sharing of benefits arising
from commonly owned resources in the interest of sustaining their livelihoods and
well-being needs. Through this organized form of representation local people shared
their traditional information and knowledge associated with ecological base, cultural
practices and norms for protection of biological resources and conservation ethos by
documenting ethno botanical resources and related information of flora species, its use
and value. Such valuable traditional information is published as people’s bio- registers.
This document has helped and guided BMC’s to take decisions at the gram sabha
meetings to prioritize and approve local development and livelihood needs including
to manage natural sources such as land, water, forest falling within the limits of the
village area according to the panchayat’s local self governing framework and other
relevant customary norms.
4. Enhance Livelihood Security17
Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
o Reduce poverty condition of marginalized tribes, especially women by engaging people
to revitalize livelihood options by organizing themselves into Self Help Groups that
represents common interest to generate additional income from livelihood that is
dependent on bio resources, yet lower in cost for adding primary value processed to
harvested NTFPs/MFPs, and agro-produce
derived from agro-forestry farming,
horticulture, rearing livestock, fish, poultry, used not only for household’s basic living
needs at village level but harvesting enough to derive income from its sale in near by
local markets.
5. Policy lessons- Implementing the project at 13 sites has initiated policy dialogue consultation
process among tribal community, non-governmental organizations and state agencies. Being
partners of this project and having worked to link biodiversity conservation and management of
the natural resource areas and enhancing options to livelihood has led critical reviews of
existing national and state policies and emphasized the need to adapt methods for
biodiversity conservation, managing eco-systems such as forest, water, land including protected
areas-as community reserves and community conserved areas, usage and derived benefits of
NTFPS- minor forest produce as changes in environment and climatic conditions is a threat to
these sites of exemplary diversity of ecological habitats. During implementation it was learnt to
improve upon the institutional and people’s capacity, have equity amongst people to access
their rights and share benefits of overcome poverty and have access to financial resources
required to effectively implement planned development approaches across sectors inorder to
enhance livelihood and natural resource management through community based institutions.
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Annual Project Report 2012-2013
Biodiversity Conservation through Community based Natural Resource Management Project
Summary of the project outputs
Output 1: National and State level policies and programmes made more responsive for
sustainable links between rural based livelihoods and conservation of biodiversity
Activity 1: Improved Coordination and linkages between various stakeholders involved in
the project ( refer to Summary of achieved project activities)
Indicator: number of tools and mechanisms developed at state and national level to assist
communities in four states for sustainable management of natural resources contributing to
improved livelihoods.
Baseline: The capacity of State Govt's for inter-sectoral coordination on biodiversity
conservation and livelihood approaches is limited.
Target: Review policies and programmes in four states that focus on linkages between
sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation
Output 2: Enhanced capacity of communities and state and national institutions
Activity 1 Improved biodiversity status and natural resources in selected areas through Ex
suit and In suit conservation (refer to summary of achieved project activities)
Indicators:
Partnerships developed among stakeholders for enhanced capacity including institutional
arrangements for building micro enterprises, improved knowledge and skills to make informed
decisions.
Number of workshops and trainings to create enterprise and develop village biodiversity
registers
Baseline: Capacity of local communities to conserve and manage biodiversity and practice
sustainable harvesting techniques for NTFPs and other natural resources is limited.
Target: Communities empowered to make informed decisions with greater awareness to
conserve biodiversity
About the Project:
The initiative aims to enhance community based natural resource management practices in
order to conserve the biodiversity of natural resources as well support local people’s livelihoods.
Through participatory approaches, capacities of people strengthened for accessing customary
rights and managing self-governing institutions and develop skills to harvest and sustain the
forests of its resources including non- forest timber products.
The project through its activities on ground campaigns for International Day for Biological
Diversity (May 22, 2010) “Many Species.One Planet. One Future” and for World Environment Day
(June 5, 2010) “Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation”. The International Year of
Forests 2011, Forests for People” celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable
management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests. Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Government of India, organized an important event on 23 May 2011 to
launch the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity for Asia and Pacific, also declare the United
Nations Decade on Biodiversity for the period 2011 to 2020. India is hosting the eleventh
Conference of the Parties (CoP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from 1st to
19th October 2012. The slogan for CoP11 is “Nature protects if She is protected.”. This project
through site-specific grass root interventions advocates for protecting the biological diversity, as
a natural resource and sustain local community’s livelihood for their well-being.
National Project Director
Project Coordinator
Project Monitoring Unit
Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Central Government Complex, Lodi Road New Delhi -11003
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Energy and Environment Unit
UNDP India Office
55 Lodi Estate,
New Delhi-110003