COMMUNITY LED LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PROJECT (CLLMP)

The Government of Meghalaya with financial help from the World Bank is implementing the Meghalaya Community Led Landscape Management Project (MCLLMP). The project covers the entire state of Meghalaya and implementation of community-led plans are rolled out in a phased manner throughout the state. The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) will facilitate community-led planning by providing support, technical inputs and funding.

The project is intended to strengthen community-led natural resources management in selected landscapes within the 7 districts of the state. This would be achieved through a variety of planning, capacity building, and on-the-ground interventions to promote the conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, social inclusion and community mobilization; building traditional knowledge and learning, mapping of natural resources management; strengthening the community institutions and creating linkage with financial institutions and community organizations.

The project interventions will include preparation of community led natural resource management plans. The CLLMP has the following three components:

1. Strengthening Knowledge and Capacity of Communities for NaturalResources Management

2. Community-Led Landscape Planning and Implementation

3. Project Management and Governance

The project objective is “to manage and conserve the natural resources, especially forests, soil and water sources, in a manner that supports the financial and physical well-being of communities in the State”

INTRODUCTION

Gambegre Village is situated in West Garo Hills district in the state of Meghalaya. Agriculture is the main profession of this village and does not have any industrial development however they are very keen towards development. The village is not so far away from Tura town area and has about only 18 km.

Gambegre Village is situated under West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The village is under Nokma (Head of Village) who guided the village in a direction towards happiness and prosperity. With the coming of the CLLMP in the village, the Gambegre VNRMC was formed and awareness on CLMP was given. The community understood full well on the importance of NRM activities and the importance to save their precious hill from gradually degrading.

The village is selected under the NESAC list and found to be degraded. However, this village stand out to be one of the most and successful village under the community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), MBMA. The village was initiated with ground truthing, Sensitization and awareness program on the Project Objective by the District Project Management Unit (DPMU) of West Garo Hills.

VILLAGE HISTORY

According to the Village history, Gambegre is situated with the total population of 550 only. It has with 85 Households. As per the information received from the elderly people, Gambegre came into existence /established in the year 1872, with very less population and comprising of only Garo community. The villages currently have about 267 male and 283 female. Around 78 HH has ration cards whereas there is no one who has an access to health cards so far

SOCIAL PROFILE

Gambegre Village is about 0.3Km away from Gambegre block and 18 km away from district headquarter Tura. With less population and comprising of only Garo community. The village is under Nokma (Head of Village) who guided the village in a direction towards happiness and prosperity. With the coming of the CLLMP in the village, the Gambegre VNRMC was formed and awareness on CLMP was given. The community understood full well on the importance of NRM activities and the importance to save their precious hill from gradually degrading. The community travelled 1 Km to the weekly market from their settling area. The public transport facilities to and from village is by public transport, mini cab and private vehicle.

Agriculture is the main profession of this village and does not have any industrial development where they mainly take up traditional approaches of cultivation like Jhum or the shifting cultivation and terrace cultivation. The People of this area is very peaceful without taking much issues and problems to think about the external affairs. Even though the villages have very little known to the development sectors and does not take any concern over reviving, rejuvenating as well as protecting the environment. . Major challenges of the village is safe drinking water supply, the only source of drinking water is natural streams, ring well etc or walk ½ Km from the settling area.

In regards to demographic status, Gambegre village has total no of 85 household with the total population of 550.Out of which 267 are male and 283 are female.

The following is the demographic break up information acquired by the CLLMP team of WGH district

Gambegre Village is still lot to catch up even though it is one of the villages nearest to the Tura town area. Around 81 Households are still into farming which includes agriculture and multi cropping, 3 HH are Teachers and 1 HH are in Fishery. Unlike any other villages Arecanut is always one of the most grown cash crops followed by Cashewnut, Banana, black pepper etc. Around 81 HH are still using the woods for cooking whereas 4 household have an access to LPG.

Activities

1. GROUND TRUTHING AND SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME

Gambegre Village was initiated under Community Led Landscape Management Project in the year 2019. The District Project Management Unit visited the village for Sensitization programme and Ground truthing were undertaken on the 11th January, 2019 by the district team of West Garo Hills. On explaining on the project goals and its objective, the team also explained on various activities that can be taken up under the project.

There was also a small discussion on the formation of VNRMC, Village facilitators, opening of bank accounts and the preparation of plans and interventions.

There were around 35 participants attended the programme comprising of village elders, headmen, VEC secretary, including women groups, youths CLLMP Assistant Managers - Environment, Social and M&E. On the same day, the community accepted the project and signed green charter as a part of an agreement. There are few findings and observations collected during the visits are as follow:-

1. There is no safe drinking water supply. The sources of drinking water are streams, wells and irregular PHE pipe.

2. Transportation facilities: The public transportation available is bus, winger and Mini cabs

3. Gambegre SBI branch is the only banking Facilities available inside the Gambegre block office. Lack of manpower and under Staff causes problem in opening bank accounts and get any related banking information.

LIST OF NATURAL RESOURCES OF GAMBEGRE VILLAGE

Arthocarpus ,Aeterophyllus (jackfruit), MangiferaIndica (kering), GmeliaArborea (Gambar), Pumelo (Jambura), DuabangaGradiflora ( Balchim), Fiscusreligiosa (Pupil), ArtocarpuslaKoocha (Arimu/ Monkey tree), Tamarindus ( tamarind), Emblica (Ambari), BauciniaVareegata

2.1Signing of Documents

The signing of EOI, VGA and Green charter was also done on the same day i.e. 11th Jan, 2019 agreeing to work along with the project. Whereas in regards, to the selection of Village Natural Resource Management Committee(VNRMC)members the Village Executive Committee (VEC) along with entire community carried out the process of selecting 15 chosen members such as 9 Executive members, 3 Purchase committee and 3 Village Community Facilitator .

2.2 Formation of the VNRMC

On the same day 11th Jan, 2019 after the ground survey and sensitization programme, the village signed the EOI, VGA and Green charter as a sign of accepting the project. Whereas in regards, to the selection of Village Natural Resource Management Committee(VNRMC) members the Village Executive Committee (VEC) along with entire community carried out the process of selecting 15 chosen members such as 9 Executive members, 3 Purchase committee and 3 Village Community Facilitator .

2. PRA EXERCISE

The CNRM plan preparation and pra exercise was held on the 4th February, 2019, the District team of West Garo Hills conducted PRA and CNRM plan at Gambegre Village, Gambegre Block, West Garo Hills.

During the PRA exercise the community was being informed that CNRM plan preparation is mainly to understand the natural resources of the village, requirement of plans and activities propose by the community? The community had an exercise to draw resource and social map and map any degraded land, forest covered area with springs and streams on it. Whereas, during CNRM plan preparation the community were told to plan the activities for 5 years and submit it to the DPMU prioritizing the list. In the exercise, village headmen, VNRMCs and Village facilitators joined to complete the task.

1. Listed below are the members of the VNRMC:

Sl No	Name in Full	Gender M/F	Age (in Yrs)	Education	Designation	Occupation	Community	Contact No and email address
1	Silchira Ch Marak	F	29	Class 10	Chairman	Farmer	Garo	7628835159
2	Tenang A Sangma	M	35	Class 10	secretary	Farmer	Garo	7629807645
3	Sahen Ch Marak	M	47	Class 10	Book kepper	Teacher	Garo	9862588789-
4	Kairash M Sangma	M	36	Class 10	EC Member	Farmer	Garo	9366942890
5	Jangson D Sangma	M	59	Class 10	EC Member	Farmer	Garo	9378108411
6	Rosemerina Ch Sangma	F	59	primary	Secretary	Farmer	Garo	6909240603
7	Pronitha Ch Marak	F	26	Class 9	EC Member	Farmer	Garo	7628854859
8	Dimen Sangma	M	40	Primary	EC Member	Farmer	Garo	9862045862
	Pilitha Ch Sangma	F	37	Class 4	EC Member	Farmer	Garo	9378173305

Village Community Facilitators (VCF)

Sl No	Name in Full	Gender M/F	Age (Yrs)	Education	Area of specialisation/ focus (forests, water, soil, accounts, environmental and social safeguards, knowledge management, GIS)	Trained under CLLMP (Yes/ No?) if Yes, date training was received	Contact No and email address
1	Ramdhing Ch Sangma	M	23yrs	12	NRM&GIS	yes	9089937398
2	Senggrik Ch Marak	M	22yrs	Class 12	M&E	yes	9378173542
3	Chibila Ch Sangma	M	21yrs	Class 10	SM&KM	yes	8787451768

Plan Estimate:

The DPMU of WGH made an inspection to the proposed intervention sites soon after the CNRM plan preparation.

3. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Sl No	Implemented Activities	Name of Site	Work Status
1.	Community Nursery	Gambegre Songjatchi	Completed
2.	Water Conservation Dam	Matchok Chiring	Completed
3.	Spring Chamber	Rami Chiga	Completed
4.	Trenches	Rami Chiga	Completed
5.	Trenches	Jenggim C	Completed
6.	18 Days Composting (Hot Composting	Gambegre Songjatchi, near Nursery	Completed
7.	Dug out pit	Jenggim Bisik	Completed
8.	Dug out pit	Jenggim Bipek	Completed
9.	Spring chamber	Rongrim Bisik	Completed
10.	Dug out pond	Dalu Bipek	Completed
11.	RCC Check Dam	Chigitchak Chiring	Completed
12.	Plantation	Songgitcham Reserve	Completed
13.	Dug out Pit	Rangsan Amu Chakram	Completed
14.	Dug out Pit	Wa.sik	Completed
15.	Dug out Pit	Rongrim Bipek	Completed
16.	Trenches with Plantation	Jamang Chiga-B	Completed
17.	Trenches with Plantation	Jamang Chikong	Completed
18.	Roof top rain water harvesting (Additional)	Multi facility building	Completed
19.	Dugout pond (Additional)	Redep (A)	Completed
20.	Dugout pond (Additional)	Redep (B)	Completed
21.	Permanent Community Nursery (Balance fund)	Gambi Bisik	Ongoing

4. Fund Status

1	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Community Nursery	Gambegre Songjatchi	Elevation 210m N 25.42762 E 090.15119	Rs.1,23,000	Completed

2	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Water Conservation Dam	Matchok Chiring	Elevation 167m N 25.42239° E 090.15245°	Rs.4,36,000	Completed

3	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Spring Chamber	Rami Chiga	Elevation 237m N 25.43057 E 90.14766	Rs.1,02,900	Completed

Before After

4	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Trenches	Rami Chiga	Elevation 240m N 25.43057 E 090.14766	Rs.9,900	Completed

5	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Trenches	Jenggim C	Elevation 190m N 25.42662 E 090.14977	Rs.10,200	Completed

6	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	18 Days Composting (Hot Composting	Gambegre Songjatchi, near Nursery	Elevation 210m N 25.42762 E 090.15119	Rs.33,000	Completed

7	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out pit	Jenggim Bisik	Elevation 187m N 25.42638° E 090.15045°	Rs. 1,09,000	Completed

Before After

8	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out pit	Jenggim Bipek	Elevation 88m N 25.42640° E 090.15092°	Rs.1,16,000	Completed

9	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Spring cha mber	Rongrim Bisik	Elevation 70m N 25.42859° E 090.15440°	Rs.1,70,500	Completed

Before After

10	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out pond	Dalu Bipek	Elevation 64m N 25.43818° E 090.15297°	Rs.1,15,000	Completed

Before After

11	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	RCC Check Dam	Chigitchak Chiring	Elevation 65m N 25.43873° E 090.14988°	Rs.3,39,000	Completed

12	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Plantation	Songgitcham Reserve	Elevation 226m N 25.43357 E 090.15116	Rs.1,25,000	Completed

13	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out Pit	Rangsan Amu Chakram	Elevation 177m N 25.42500 E 090.14845	Rs.1,15,000	Completed

Before After

14	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out Pit	Wa.sik	Elevation 184m N 25.43114 E 090.15020	Rs.1,34,000	Completed

Before After

15	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dug out Pit	Rongrim Bipek	Elevation 153m N 25.43034 E 090.15542	Rs.1,44,000	Completed

16	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Trenches with Plantation	Jamang Chiga-B	Elevation 198m N 25.42764° E 090.14848°	Rs.41,500	Completed

17	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Trenches with Plantation	Jamang Chikong	Elevation 214m N 25.42814° E 090.14937°	Rs.31,000	Completed

18	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Roof top rain water harvesting (Additional)	Multi facility building	Elevation 206m N 25.42779 E 90.15166	Rs. 1,80,000	Completed

Before After

19	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dugout pond (Additional)	Redep (A)	Elevation 151m N 25.42943 E 90.14381	Rs. 1,60,000	Completed

Before After

20	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Dugout pond (Additional)	Redep (B)	Elevation 150m N 25.42927 E 90.14361	Rs. 1,60,000	Completed

Before After

21	Type Of Intervention	Site Name	GPS Co-ordinates	Amount	Work Status
	Permanent Community Nursery (Balance fund)	Gambi Bisik	Elevation 217m N 25.42895 90.15286	Rs.3,00,000	Ongoing