Project Result

The Project facilitated forming of women self help groups (SHGs)/ Village development forest committees, and nearly 6 VDCs/SHGs with 110 women members formed and they have collectively saved nearly Rs 50,000/-, which is servicing their credit needs. The linking of the groups with the banks is also in process. This is first time these SHGs were formed in the villages. Such an effort has raised a new confidence and ownership among the poor women to sustain the process.

The women over the last two years in the project through their self help groups have focused in making 34 water holding tanks creating a recharge of nearly 7.30 lacs gallons and holding nearly110,00 gallons of water. Through the community nurseries they have made nearly 80,000 plantations. Nearly 9 Mts of seeds was collected through community efforts and 6 seed banks have been started. The total expected output for nearly Rs 3.50 lacs benefiting the members (110). This has effectively raised the livelihoods of these marginalized SHGs.

These and other aspects of the project were resolved through a series of efforts directed at awareness building, training and plantation management efforts for the benefit of the community. Nearly 8 different trainings have been organized during the project. Nearly 12 hectares of waste and degraded land brought into cultivation, which is an additional source of income to the locals. These water-harvesting results have reduced 2.5 kms distance for the water collection.

Observation

With efforts put in and by cutting Lantana that was inhibiting growth of Ringaal, the process of regeneration showed results. Resource availability improved with increased availability of raw material, fuel wood and fodder. It is hoped that with the awareness created, the situation will improve over time.

With the additional income generation activities taken up by the women have raised not only their incomes, reduced drudgery and given them new hope and mobilization to fight the crisis but also established grit and commitments within them that we can do it?

The Ngo has been able to make contacts with a wide range of partners, including Distt. Rural development agency (DRDA), OXFAM, PRIYA and IGSS Delhi, who have all helped contributions both in cash and kind to the project.

The protection and fodder plantations yielded more than 216 MTs of the fodder for the villagers over the last two years, which is about Rs 2 lacs in value.

Learning from the Project

?Appreciating the need for Ringaal as a raw material for livelihoods the Forest Department was convinced to roll back the permit system for its felling and movement. The NGO has established a close working relationship with the Forest Department
?Since meeting of the crucial needs were providing livelihood benefits to the community there was substantial interest in solving the problem among the community
?Figures of baseline resource mapping need to be compared with that at the end of the project period to establish the true benefits that have accrued to the members and how sustainable the effects will be once the project has ended


Global Environment Benefits
The increased availability of natural resources for the community ? fodder, Ringaal, and agricultural options enhances livelihood options and reduces pressure on the land and other natural resources.

There is a local benefit of increased green cover and arresting carbon. New areas have been brought under direct cultivation, reducing the pressures on local forest resources. Removal of Lantana will restore land for productive purposes such as agriculture and fodder. Locally defined priorities of species for regeneration and plantation will ensure higher food security and ensure conservation of bio-diversity in the long run. The involvement of the communities will ensure local ownership and sustain all the activities.