Mitigation of effect of greenhouse gases though controlling slash and burn practices (NEP/03/11)
Project Details & Results
Slash and Burn agriculture practice with long fallow period is considered as one of the sustainable farming practices. But with the growing population, scarcity of land, and most importantly, with short fallow period, the slash and burn agriculture system is considered as one of the worst and unsustainable farming practices in the world. The problem is even worst in Nepal due to its rugged terrain as soil erosion is severe in the barren and sloppy land.
In Makawanpur district, Central Nepal, slash and burn agriculture is still practiced by indegenous peoples-the Chepangs and Tamangs. The land used for the slash and burn agriculture, called as “the Khoriya” in Nepali, is often the marginal land with steep slopes.The Chepangs and the Tamangs would cultivate maize after the burning the land just before the monsoon rain. The burning equally contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and soil loss due to erosion. Thus, the project has proposed to initiate sustainable farming practice involving the marginalized Chepang and Tamang communities and gradually convert the unproductive Khoriya land to a more productive land. The prevention on vegetation burning in Khoriya land would help in carbon sequestration by reducing the emission of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Notable Community Participation
Community based organisation comprising 80% household would be formed as the platform to initiate the project activities. The community farmers would be involved in designing the various farming SALT techniques.
Capacity - Building Component
As various SALT technologies would be introduced, the capacity of community would be equipped with sustainable farming techniques.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The project promotes sustainable Agriculture, which would also include low cost irrigation technology. Thus the project would address the livlihood issues of local people. The project initiatives also include construction of Road with the support from GTZ, WFP, drinking water and goat distribution (FAO Telefood project) which would enhance the livelihood of local people.
Gender Focus
Women members are also encouraged to join the project.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Chepang community, who are totally dependent on slash and burn (Khoriya) would be the main beneficiaries.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
From generation, the local people are practicing the slash and burn agriculture. The shift from slash and burn agriculture to other SALT technology in agriculture would be only possible when the people would realise the environmental implication of the slash and burn.
Policy Impact
The success of the project may influece in government policy in registering the slash and burn land to the traditional users.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The community based organisation (CBO) would also generate and mobilise their own micro creadit activities. 3 Area Managmenet Committees (AMCs) in three project Village devleopment committees would be also be formed which is represented by the CBOs. These AMC will be responsible in overall mangement of micro credit in the village.
Project Results
The project result is outstanding as the zeal of the community is mached with the generous support from donors and commitment of grantee staff. It can be one of best success stories of how partnership can trigger the synergy in development and environment managment. The project result in nutshell can best be described in following point:
1.Complete halt on the slash and burn practices (shifting cultivation)
2.429 ha of marginal slopping land (locally called Khoriya land ) brought under agroforestry in three Village Development Committees (smallest political unit). The members have planted over 600,000 plants which include banana (134,651 no), pineapple (113,817 no), fodders (204,693 no), NTFPs (143,806 no) and others fruits (143,806)
3.A total of 44 community organizations with 1,667 members from 1,524 households (HH) are the beneficiaries. They are also engaged in saving and credit activities and generated USD38,900 which is being mobilized in various consumptive and productive use. Most of the beneficiaries include indigenous Chepangs, Tamans and Dalit (low caste people)
4.Renewable energy technologies in 962 households. (Solar home system in 230 HH; Improved cook stove 699 HH, biogas 28 HH and improved water mills 5 HH)
5. Income from sell of banana, pineapple, vegetables and cereal included USD56,575 till date.
6.Land value is substantially increased (33-66 times higher than initial price)
7. Food security insured for the beneficiaries.
Project Photo Gallery
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Agroforestry plot of Makawanpur
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Khop Narayan Shrestha reciving APFED Award 2008
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