According to the Ngaraard State Conservation Action Plan (NSCAP), immense sedimentation from the
construction of the compact road and the lack of management of waterways in many Ngkeklau mesei
(taro fields/farms) have resulted in poor water quality and water flow in these mesei creating unfavorable taro crop yields. The NgaraYolt Women?s Group of Ngkeklau aim to achieve the following key objectives:

A. Improve water quality and water flow in the Ngkeklau mesei;
B. Provide easy sustainable access to the Ngkeklau mesei; and
C. Diversify crops grown in the Ngkeklau mesei to include vegetables and traditional medicinal
plants.

The targeted mesei areas in Ngkeklau are commonly known by the community as Ngerii, Rebai, and
Ngedesbei. The traditional use and management of these mesei declined over many decades due to weather changes, increased and unseasonal rainfall, and massive infrastructure development waste that litter the haisui (waterways) and omoachel (streams). Subsequent

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overgrowth in the haisui impede water flow and results in flooding in various parts of the mesei. Limited passage to properties and unmanaged eliuis (pathways) in the mesei have made it impossible to access traditional lineage and clan mesei.

By improving overall access to these mesei and establishing a management system
for haisui and eliuis, the NgaraYolt women will be encouraged to use their traditional taro fields/farms to grow crops to meet family, social and cultural needs and to a larger extent, increase their ability to market their produce so as to improve their financial livelihoods.

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