1. Ground Truthing

Dated: 13th October 2018

On the 13^th October 2018, the District Project Management Unit (DPMU) team met with Shri. Wadbha Malang, the headman of Jarain village, to interact and gather information regarding the state of the village. This village was suggested by the BDO of Saipung Block.

Case Findings:

1. There are 110 HHs in the village
2. Even though coal mining activities have been stopped, the whole village suffers from heavy water scarcity. Most of the water bodies have dried up or turned acidic due to coal mine seepage.
3. There are two springs which the local community hugely depend on for drinking water.
4. Dry barren land can be seen almost everywhere in the village.
5. The village has a community forest which is run by the Seinraij of Jarain.

2. Sensitization Programme

Dated: 13th December 2018

The sensitization programme took place on the 13^th December, 2018 at the Community Hall of Jarain village. A total of 42 participants attended the programme. ADPM-EJH, gave a brief introduction about Community Led Landscape Management Project. He spoke about the issues and problems faced by the farmers and villages in regards to water scarcity and water quality in Meghalaya in spite it being the state which receives the highest amount of rainfall in a year.  He expressed the concern of how other natural resources such as air, soil, etc. have been affected at a very large scale. Therefore, he requested and encouraged the local community to work towards sustaining the environment in order for the survival of future generations. He explained the different components of the Project which will help the community in understanding and managing the different landscapes in the village.

He also highlighted the approach and steps which the village have to follow once they accept the project. The first step is signing of the Citizen’s Green Charter followed by the formation of Village Natural Resource Management Committee (VNRMC) which will be constituted by the Village Dorbar. After that the EOI and VGA will be signed simultaneously probably during the PRA and CNRMP preparation.

The Program was followed by an interactive session to answer the doubts and questions of the community members.

Signing of Documents: After the programme, the village headman and secretary along with two witnesses signed the EOI, VGA and Citizens Green Charter. They planned to arrange a meeting between the village leaders and the community before electing the executive members of the Village Natural Resource Management Committee (VNRMC).

The Formation of the Village Natural Resource Management Committee: The Formation of the Village Natural Resource Management Committee was done in a public meeting in the presence of the entire village after the sensitization program was conducted. The community itself chose the President, the Secretary and the other executive members of the Committee.

3. Opening of bank account and training on Accounts:The opening of the bank account was initiated after the village signed the EOI (Expression of Interest), the VGA (Village Grant Agreement) and the Green Charter.

Shri, P. K. Marbaniang, DPD and Smt. Ivan Mary Marboh, Accountant of CLLMP East Jaintia Hills District trained the Purchasing and Procurement Committee of Saipung Block including members from Jarain Village on matters relating to Accounts and Book Keeping on the 7^th June 2019.

4. PRA Exercise

The PRA exercise aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of the community in the planning and management of development projects and programmes. PRA exercise at Jarain Village took place on the 4^th of February 2019. A team from SPMU and MINR were also present to help the DPMU team.

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Smt. W. Pyrbot interacting with a group

Smt. S. Lating guiding the village community

Shri. W. Shylla, ADPM gave the introduction and spoke about the different activities that the participants had to take part during the programme. Smt W. Pyrbot, Program Associate Environment Management, spoke in brief about the CNRM plan. A group of participants interacted and helped her collect data based on the environmental template. With the help of this group, she was also able to identify the different sites of intervention. Shri E. Syih, Assistant Manager Social Management, gathered the remaining group of participants to help him gather baseline data based on the social template.

A drawing of the resource map

Findings Based on the PRA Exercise  at Mawkyrdep Village:

1. Main agricultural produce is Paddy
2. 104 HHs highly depend on firewood as a source of fuel
3. Drinking water is limited over a period of 3 to 4 months during the winter season
4. Two types of forest ownership: Community & Private
5. The three main springs which are present in the village which need rejuvenation
6. Only one stream flows through the village
7. One water storage tank is available
8. Training on Land productivity & solid waste management is necessary for the village community
9. No disputes/constrains encountered within the village community or with any neighbouring villages
10. Women are involved in decision making at various platforms.

Priority Interventions required based on the PRA Exercise:

1. Rejuvenation of the three springs through activities such as afforestation and contour trenches
2. Two water bodies which turned acidic due to coal mine seepage have been selected for treatment using the open lime channel
3. A dug out pond to collect rain water
4. Afforestation, bio-fencing and fire line control in the community forest
5. Community nursery for endemic and fruit trees.