Village report of BARALIPARA 1

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VILLAGE REPORT OF BARALIPARA VNRMC

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COMMUNITY LED LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT

RESUBELPARA, NORTH GARO HILLS.

CONTENTS

SL. NO	TITLE	PAGE NO
1	District Profile	3
2	CLLMP Project	3
3	Village Profile	3-4
4	History of village	4
5	Social Profile	4
5.1	Village accessibility	4
5.2	Literacy rate	4
5.3	Population	4
6	Methodology	5
6.1	Primary source	5
6.2	Secondary source	5
7	Ground survey	5
7.1	Social resource	5
7.2	Natural resource	5-6
7.3	Types of forest cover & wildlife in Baralipara.	6
7.4	Cultivated land	6
7.5	Water bodies	6
8	Awareness Program	6
9	Participatory rural appraisal exercise	8
10	Community Natural Resource Management plan with estimation	7-8
10.1	Intervention identification	8
10.2	Proposed list of intervention summary	9
10.3	Summary of the village CNRMP Plan	10
11	Brief justification of the proposed activities	11
11.1	Community Nursery	11-12
11.2	Tree Plantation/Afforestation	12
11.3	Hot composting	12-13
11.4	Contour Trenches	13-14
11.5	Gabion Wall	14
11.6	Spring chamber	15
12	Problem Analysis	16
13	Conclusion	16
14	Seasonal Calendar	17
15	LULC Map	18
16	Photographs	19-20

INTRODUCTION

1. DISTRICT PROFILE

North Garo Hills District is an administrative district under the state of Meghalaya and its headquarter is Resubelpara. The district population was inhabited by the indigenous tribe majority by Garo people, along with minor tribes of Rabha, Hajong and Boros for a long period of time. The landscape shares its boundary with the state of Assam providing a good commercial export and other internal and external business purposes. Its climate is subtropical with adequate rainfall.

The headquarters of North Garo Hills district Resubelpara and its administration was upgraded to full-fledged civil subdivision that went into effect on 30th April 1982, under the government’s bill HPL 538/81/11 dated April 22, 1982.

The Resubelpara, North Garo Hills District came into existence on 27^th July 2012 inaugurated by Dr. Mukul Sangma, former chief minister of Meghalaya. The square area of Resu District is 1,113 sq km and its population is 1,36,3961 as per 2011 census. There are three blocks in the North Garo Hills District namely, Resu block, Bajengdoba block, Kharkutta block and it has four legislative comprising of Resubelpara constituency, Mendiphatar constituency, Kharkutta constituency and Bajengdoba constituency.

2. CLLMP PROJECT

The Meghalaya Community Led Landscape Management Project is a unique project of the state of Meghalaya that seeks to leverage on the strength of the community to develop a sustainable natural resource management system that will lead to the restoration of degraded landscape of the state, build climate resilience and generate opportunities for livelihood.

The Meghalaya Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP)supported by the World Bank, aims to strengthen Community Led Natural Resources Management based on the Landscape approach in Meghalaya.

CLLMP is a community Driven Development (CDD) project wherein the key activities under the project will be chosen and implemented by the community.

The project is intended to strengthen community Led Natural Resources Management in selected landscapes within the 11 districts of the state. Baralipara is one of the villages in North Garo Hills district to be chosen under the project.

3.VILLAGE PROFILE

The village consists of 49 households and 215 populations according to ASHA worker’s census. It is located in Resubelpara, North Garo Hills Districts, in Meghalaya India. The village is under the Bajengdoba C&RD Block. The village PIN CODE is 794002 and the village P’O is in Bajengdoba. Baraliparais situated 33.9km away from Resubelpara District and 14 km from Bajengdoba C&RD Block. The main language spoken by the people and their dialect is ‘AWE’. The village P.H.E is in Sualmari. The people are mainly engaged and dependent on bettlenut and rubber sheets. The majority of the population turn to farming and Job-Cards under the MGNREGA for employment. The people of Baralipara go to the nearest market Nabang, Bajong and Gokolgat for their essential commodities.

No village is included at the same level as Baralipara. It is the only village at the top of the hillside. PWD road lying just 12.5 km away from Bajengdoba and RCC road lying 1.5 km away from Chakodam. The village is on the Assam Border which was surrounded by Mongre.

There are two denominations of Christianity they are; Catholic and Baptist. Majority are Baptist and 100% of the population are Christian. The following are some of the schemes that are being implemented in Baralipara village. They are:

1. NOAPS (National Old Age Pension Scheme)

2. Anganwadi centre

3. BPL (Below Poverty Line)

4. APL (Above Poverty Line)

5. NREGA

6. Widows pension scheme

4. HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE

The village came into existence in the year of 1967. The name of the village “Baralipara” was named after the plateau of a large area which was at the top of the ground.

Long before, the terrorists settled in the village area and the terrorists occupied the place to hide the treasures which are ‘ Bows and Arrows’ on the Plateau. Since then this Plateau was named as ‘BRARI PATAL’ or‘ Plateau of Bows and Arrows’. The villagers later decide to give the name as ‘Baralipara’.

The following were the founders of this village:

1.	Shri, Pedu Marak
2.	Smt, Malche sangma
3.	Shri, Dinga Marak
4.	Smt, Senare Marak
5.	Shri, Dunal Sangma

There were only a few households which later grew in number and population. The people were mainly engaged in Agriculture for the sustenance.100% of population depends on jhum cultivation. This is due to a lot of transport and communication problems, insufficient credit support and weak marketing. They occupy rice, millet and different types of vegetarian food like ladies finger, pumpkins, brinjal, chillies etc. in all the hilly areas. The soil was fertile during those days and the productivity was good. The major agricultural commodities in the villages.

The village is amongst the leading villages in the production of ginger, tapioca, bamboo shoot, sorrel leave (gongura), millets etc.
For fruit crops occupy the most land, followed by the banana, pineapples, melons, oranges, jujube etc.
Seasonal vegetables occupy the most land: yam, brinjal, chillies, beans etc.
After Resubelpara got its District, the village changed their Cultivation and Plantation of Arecanuts and Rubbers. Till date the people are dependent on bettlenuts and rubber sheets.

There are three people who founded the Christianity in the village:-

1.	Shri,RakjansingSangma
2.	Smt, Rinse Marak
3.	Shri,PerisonSangma

5. SOCIAL PROFILE

The total number of 59 households and 214 population rely on Agriculture, forest products and plantation are the main occupation of the village; some few others are also enrolled in government and some few inhabitants are engaged in local business. Entire villages are using firewood, no LPG use in the village. The village has good electricity connectivity with 59 households being electrified. The VNRMC was formed on 17^th September 2020.The Village Literacy is 75%.

Community participation – The people of the village play a vital role in cleanliness. Entire village conducts the community cleaning drive once a month. They also participate in other work like NREGA.

Population:

Male	Female	Youth	Children	Total
115	98	38	66	317

BPL/APL

Particulars	No.of households
BPL HH	21
APL HH	18

The following are the some small groups and association exist in the village they are :

1. ASHA ( Accredited Social Health Activist)

2. Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

a, Ringsong Gital ( SHGs)

b, Ritime (SHGs)

c, Mikasal ( SHGs)

d,Balgaowe( SHGs)

e,RitimGital( SHGs)

3. Women’s Association

Some other development of the village they are:

1. The Indian Govt.provide the electricity to the household .100% of the household has been electrified

2.100% of the household have a bank account.

3. Old age pension is distributed to aged people

5.1 Village Accessibility: Baralipara can be reached through the Bajengdoba road lying just 12km away from district headquarters.

5.2 Literacy Rate: As per the field exercise, the village literacy rate is 25%.

5.3 Population

Age group	Male	Female	Total
0-4	53	49	102
5-14	62	56	118
15-30	65	67	132
30-60	75	61	136
Above 60	28	49	77

6. METHODOLOGY

6.1 Primary source: Questionnaire, interviews, Observation.

6.2 Secondary source: Material and hand written record of the village.

7. GROUND SURVEY

7.1 Social resource: The people of the village rely on wages labor, business and agriculture products for their livelihood. The main occupation of the villagers is farming followed by Government service and business.

Occupation	HHs
Farmer	116HH
Govt.job	4HH
Business	4HH

BPL/APL

Particulars	No of households
BPL HH	75
APL HH	0

Fuel Type

Fuel Type	Total HH
Charcoal	0
Biomass	0
Wood	120
LPG	8
Electric Heater	0
Kerosine	0

7.2 Natural Resource

Through GIS technology the project has collected data that the Baralipara village has a total of 187.6 Of geographical area of which the total forest area (including community, clan, private forest) is 118.98Ha. The total area of water bodies covered 1.12Ha and the village total area under agri-horticulture is 0.23Ha.The degraded land identified by the community measure is 10.49Ha and the average annual rainfall is 3049 MM. The main cash crop in the village is areca-nuts plantation followed by rubber plantation.

7.3 Types of forest cover and wildlife in Baralipara

The LULC provide that total forest land in the village is 118.98Ha of which it is also categorised as open forest. Most of the forest in the village are owned by community and has a potential to be brought under Forest Management Plan. These forest cover by indigenous tree species like dalbergia sisso, tekring, tectona gardis, duabanga, shorea Robusta etc.some valuable grasses found in the forest are a lot, olmak etc; some commercial valued trees are gamari, toona, sisso, keli and these forest covers some indigenous fruit species like litchi, jackfruit, tamarind, banana plum etc. Some endangered species found in the forest are squarel, monkey, langur etc. However the community has informed that there are certain species which are under threat of extinction and immediate remedial measure needs to be taken.

7.4 Cultivated Land

As per LUCL that was generated through GIS, the total land under agriculture (paddy,maize) is 56.47Ha and under horticulture (banana, pineapple, areca nut) is 5 bigha and area under cash crop is 51.71Ha. The villagers are engaged in multi cropping which are season based. Where the main agriculture crops are rice, ginger, vegetables etc.however the land is becoming less productive due to unavailability of irrigational facilities.

7.5 Water Bodies

Every household has their own well. The village is mostly dependent on rain, spring, streams and surface water for irrigation purposes. Surface water and spring are abundant but limited during the non-rainy season. No major problem for drinking water.

8. GROUND TRUTHING

The first contact with Baralipara village was on the 17^th September 2020. The CLLMP team met the sordar /headman of the village, who was able to provide the team with the required details for site verification.

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Figure:1.2 Ground-truthing at Baralipara village

Case finding & selection parameters:-

1. Actively performing VEC

2. Scope of water sources to be developed

3. Need for community nursery

4. The community members expressed their need to build a fish sanctuary.

9. AWARENESS PROGRAM

On 11th November, 2020, an awareness program on the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) took place in Baralipara village. The program saw the attendance of several officials, including the Assistant District Manager, Social Manager, Knowledge Manager, Environment Manager, and M&E personnel. The community members actively participated in the program, showcasing their engagement by raising concerns and asking questions related to the project.

Here are the key highlights of the awareness program:

Attendance: A total of 39 community members participated in the program, with 20 males and 19 females. The significant turnout demonstrates the community's interest and involvement in the CLLMP.

Introduction to Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA): The CLLMP officials provided a brief introduction to the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA). They explained the various programs and projects undertaken by MBMA, highlighting its role and objectives in sustainable land and water resource management.

Introduction to CLLMP: The officials presented a detailed introduction to the Community Led Landscape Management Project. They discussed the different aspects and procedures that both the villagers and the CLLMP team would undertake throughout the project. The significance of community involvement for the success of the CLLMP was emphasized, indicating that the active participation of the villagers is crucial.

Environmental Importance: Special attention was given to the environmental aspects of the project. The officials educated the villagers about the various benefits that could be derived from the project, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation and the adoption of sustainable practices. This highlights the focus on promoting environmentally friendly approaches within the CLLMP.

The success of the program can be attributed to the active participation of the community members and their willingness to express their concerns and ask questions. The CLLMP officials' efforts in providing informative introductions and highlighting the project's objectives and environmental importance also contributed to the positive outcome of the awareness program.

This awareness program served as an important platform for community members to gain knowledge about the CLLMP and engage in meaningful discussions. It fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among the villagers, promoting their active participation in the project's implementation and success. $D:\IMG-20210131-WA0007.jpg$

10.SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS

After the interactive session, the village signed the document by the selection of candidates for the village Natural Resources Management committee. The Village Executive Community (VEC) and the entire community carried out the procedure and the VNRMC on the same day. $D:\IMG_20210121_143521.jpg$

11. FORMATION OF THE VNRMC

The formation of the Village Natural Resources Management Committee (VNRMC) was done in a meeting, in the presence of the entire village and the CLLMP staffs. The community itself chose the President, the secretary and the other executive members of the committee.

The following were the members of this project:

Sl.no	Name in full	Designation	Gender	Age(yrs)	Education	Occupation	Community	Religion
1	Ubirth sangma	president	Male	40	12^th	farmer	Garo	Christian
2	Jesana Marak	secretary	Female	28	9^th	farmer	Garo	Christian
3	Chintubirth Sangma	Bookkeeper	Male	35	12^th fail	farmer	Garo	Christian
4	Jetmila sangma	SM	Female	27	10^th	farmer	Garo	Christian
5	Jonbirth sangma	SM	Male	30	10^th	farmer	Garo	Christian
6	Prebitha marak	member	Female	32	9^th	farmer	Garo	Christian
7	Sanjing marak	member	Male	40	10^th fail	farmer	Garo	Christian
8	Petison Marak	member	Male	27	1oth fail	farmer	Garo	Christian

12. 0PENING OF BANK ACCOUNT

The opening of the bank account was initiated after the village signed the documents. Baralipara village opened their VNRMC account on the 30^th of October 2020.

The Accountant of CLLMP team Resubelpara District trained all the maintained Register like purchasing, cashbook etc. on the 17^th December 2020.

Topic covered:

1. Function of purchase committee

2. Important procurement records to be maintained

3. Financial limits and methods.

13.PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL (PRA) EXERCISE

PRA exercise at Baralipara village took place from the 17^th September 2020. There were 35 members taking part in this exercise who contributed their time and knowledge to this project.

Objective of PRA Exercise:-

To identify the natural, human and economic resources of village
To identify the village problems with the help of the community members
To prepare the community natural Resource Management Plan of the village.

PRA is the process of involving local people in the analysis and interpretation of the village. The village people take part in collecting, analyzing, interpreting and presenting information. PRA is also conducted to create rapport with the community.

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14. COMMUNITY NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH ESTIMATION

Having knowledge on the importance of natural resources in the village and foreseeing the threats to land, water and forest, the villagers and VNRMC members of the village came together to identify and plan out interventions to address challenges faced in their village both in terms of NRM issues and their economic issues, after referencing the map below. The VNRMC with facilitation from DPMU-NGH has arrived at the list of activities to be taken up in the next three years. The villagers strongly feel that these interventions would enable them to conserve and improve the natural resources for the villagers and their future generations. The communities are encouraged not to be restricted by the fund allocation and should try to come out with an exhaustive list for intervention. In case the amount is not sufficient for some of the interventions from CLLMP, then the other interventions would be sourced through convergence.The DPMUs have been instructed to share the CNRMPs with the BDOs. The villagers strongly feel that these interventions would enable them to converse and improve the natural resources for them and their future generations.

Important Dates and Events.

On 17^th September 2020, the Citizen Green Charter was signed.
On 17^th September 2020, the Village Grant Assignment was signed.
The Village Natural Resource Management Committee (VNRMC) was formed on 17^th September 2020.
The Community Natural Resources Management Plan (CNRMP) was formulated on the 11^th November 2020.
The community forwarded a letter for more intervention work for the year 2021-2022 on 2^nd January 2020.

List of Interventions.

Sl.No	Name of proposed	Site	Land ownership	Nos of HHs expected to benefits			Priority (High/Medium/ Low)	Start date (mm/yy)	Completion date(mm/yy)
Sl.No	Name of proposed	Site	Land ownership	BPL	APL	Total
1	Check dam	Songgital chiring	Community			10	Medium	29^th March 2021	3^rd May 2021
		Community land						9^th March 2022	26^th April 2022
2	Community Nursery	Community land	Community				High	29^th July 2021	5^th Aug 2021
3	Afforestation(1^st 2^nd 3^rd )	Community reserve					High	30^th May 2022	15^th June 2022
4	Contour Trenches	Baralipara reserve	Community				High	21^st June 2021	23^rd June 2021
4	Contour Trenches	Baralipara Reserve	Community					28^th May 2022	10 June 2022
5	Water storage	Chirongdik	Private				High	6^th Dec 2021	5^th June 2022
6	Agroforestry		Community				Medium	25^th April 2022	5^th July 2022
7	Protection Wall	Village road	Community				Medium	26^th Sep 2022	26^th Aug 2022
8	Hot composting		Community				Medium	28^th Nov 2022	29^th Dec 2022
9	Spring Chamber Box	Chirongdik bisik	Private land				Medium	6^th Dec 2021	5^th July 2021
		Akongdap Chiring	Private land				Medium	25^th April 2022	5^th July 2022
		Songgital Chiring	Community				Medium	33^rd July 2022	22^nd Aug 2022
10	Protection Wall	Nabang Rama	Community				Medium	26^th Sep 2022	26^th Aug 2022
11	Gabion Wall	Mondoli Bagan	Community				Medium	28^th Nov 2022	29 Dec 2022

15. BRIEF JUSTIFICATION ON THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES.

The villagers of Baralipara have decided to treat a significant portion of land, approximately 189 hectares or more. This proactive decision to take responsibility for a larger area shows their strong commitment to conserving and improving their natural resources.

The willingness of the community to contribute through their own efforts demonstrates a sense of ownership and dedication towards the well-being of their village. By actively participating in the treatment of additional land, the villagers are actively contributing to the sustainable management of their resources.

Moreover, seeking convergence with state and central government schemes can be instrumental in securing additional resources and support for the planned interventions. Collaborating with government initiatives can enhance the impact and effectiveness of their efforts, making them more sustainable and scalable.

Through their combined efforts, the villagers' initiatives have the potential to create a positive and lasting impact on the landscape, water bodies, and forests of Baralipara. By treating a substantial area of land and ensuring its proper conservation and management, they are working towards safeguarding their natural resources for both the present and future generations.

This community-driven and convergent approach exemplifies how local communities can take charge of their development and environmental conservation, becoming stewards of their own resources while leveraging external support to achieve their goals effectively. The determination and spirit of collaboration displayed by the villagers hold great promise for the sustainable future of Baralipara.

15.1 Community Nursery

The residents of Baralipara village have enthusiastically taken up the challenge of establishing plant nurseries as part of the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) scheme. These nurseries play a crucial role in preserving and supplying seeds and seedlings that possess specific qualities and benefits for the village's residents.

The primary purpose of these nurseries is to raise seedlings that will later be planted in various areas such as open forests, catchment areas, reserve forests, and private lands. The range of plants grown in these nurseries includes different types of short rotation tree species like segun, neem, arecanut, aprel, amla, punga, Sali, and others.

By growing these diverse plant species in the nurseries, the villagers aim to ensure a sustainable supply of quality seedlings that are well-suited for the specific needs and goals of their landscape management efforts. This approach allows them to carefully select and cultivate plants that offer environmental, economic, and social benefits for the community.

Establishing and maintaining these plant nurseries not only contributes to the conservation and restoration of the village's natural resources but also promotes the development of a resilient ecosystem. Through the continuous efforts of the villagers in nurturing these seedlings, they are actively involved in shaping a greener and healthier environment for themselves and future generations.

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15.2 Tree plantation/Afforestation

The people of Baralipara village have recognized the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity, particularly in the open forest areas. To address these challenges and improve the environment and quality of life in their village, the community has made the important decision to protect and preserve the forest through tree planting initiatives.

The villagers have taken proactive steps towards afforestation and agroforestry, focusing on both the open forest areas and community lands. This demonstrates their commitment to restoring and enhancing the natural environment in and around Baralipara. Afforestation involves the establishment of new forests by planting trees, while agro-forestry integrates trees and agricultural crops or livestock in a mutually beneficial manner.

By engaging in tree planting activities, the villagers aim to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve the overall ecological balance of their surroundings. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, soil erosion control, water conservation, and habitat creation for wildlife.

The decision to involve various stakeholders, such as schools, residents, and non-profit organizations, in tree planting efforts further emphasizes the importance of community participation and collaboration. By extending the opportunity to plant trees in their neighborhoods, the villagers are fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the environment.

Through the collective efforts of the community, these tree planting initiatives have the potential to make a positive impact on the local ecosystem, mitigate the effects of climate change, and contribute to the preservation and sustainability of the open forest areas in Baralipara.

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15.3 Hot Composting

The villagers of Baralipara have made the decision to implement hot composting as an intervention in Baralipara, which is located in community land. Hot composting is a method that involves optimizing microbial activity within a compost pile, leading to the production of finished compost in a shorter period of time.

Hot composting requires specific equipment, time, and diligence to ensure the composting process is carried out effectively. The process involves maintaining specific temperature ranges and carefully balancing the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the compost pile. By doing so, microbial activity is enhanced, resulting in faster decomposition and the production of high-quality compost.

Implementing hot composting as part of the Community Natural Resource Management Plan (CNRMP) in Baralipara village demonstrates the community's commitment to sustainable waste management and resource conservation. Composting organic waste helps divert it from landfills, reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy.

While hot composting may require additional effort and resources compared to traditional composting methods, the benefits it offers make it a worthwhile endeavor for the villagers. The production of finished compost can provide valuable organic matter that can be used to enrich the soil in community lands and agricultural areas.

By embracing hot composting, the villagers of Baralipara village are taking a proactive approach to waste management and environmental sustainability. This intervention aligns with the goals of the CNRMP, promoting a holistic approach to natural resource management that considers both ecological and socio-economic aspects of the village.

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15.4 Counter Trenches

The villagers of Baralipara have undertaken a significant initiative by constructing contour trenches (CCT) in the Baralipara reserve forest. Contour trenches are ditches that are dug along the contour lines of a hillside. The soil excavated from the ditches is then used to create a bridge on the downhill side of the trench.

The purpose of constructing contour trenches is to reduce the rate of runoff and increase the percolation rate of water into the soil. By following the contour lines of the hillside, these trenches help to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion. The berm created on the downhill side of the trench acts as a barrier, allowing water to collect and percolate into the soil, thereby promoting groundwater recharge and reducing soil erosion.

The construction of 500 contour trenches in the Baralipara reserve forest showcases the commitment of the villagers to land and water conservation. This initiative can have a significant positive impact on the overall health and sustainability of the reserve forest. By controlling the flow of water and enhancing infiltration, contour trenches help to maintain soil moisture levels, support plant growth, and preserve the ecological balance of the forest ecosystem.

The construction of contour trenches aligns with the principles of sustainable land management and watershed management. It contributes to the conservation of water resources, prevents soil erosion, and mitigates the impacts of runoff and flash floods in the area. Furthermore, the increased percolation of water can help recharge groundwater sources, benefiting both the environment and the local community.

The villagers of Baralipara have taken a proactive step towards sustainable land and water management through the construction of contour trenches. This intervention showcases their dedication to preserving the Baralipara reserve forest and promoting long-term ecological resilience in the region.

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15.5 Gabion wall

The creation of a gabion wall adjacent to Mondoli Bagan is a valuable intervention under the CLLMP scheme. Gabion walls are small barriers constructed as swales or drainage ditches, typically filled with rocks or stones and enclosed in wire mesh. These walls serve multiple purposes and can have various benefits for the community and the environment:

Erosion Control: Gabion walls help reduce erosion by slowing down the velocity of flowing water. By breaking the force of runoff water, they allow sediment to settle within the swale or drainage ditch, preventing soil erosion and downstream sedimentation.

Water Management: The gabion wall effectively manages water flow by creating a controlled channel for runoff. By directing water along the swale, it reduces the risk of flash flooding and helps in the proper collection and distribution of water during heavy rainfall events.

Groundwater Recharge: As the gabion wall reduces the velocity of flowing water, it also aids in groundwater recharge. The slowed water flow allows more time for water to infiltrate the ground, replenishing the groundwater table and contributing to a more drought-resistant water supply.

Soil Conservation: The sediment trapped by the gabion wall contributes to soil conservation by preventing valuable topsoil from being carried away by runoff water.

Biodiversity Support: The gabion wall and the associated swale can create favorable microhabitats for various plant species, contributing to increased biodiversity along the watercourse.

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AFTER

15.6 Spring chamber

Springs are indeed valuable natural resources in hilly terrains, serving as points of emergence and flow for groundwater. In the case of Baralipara village, where springs are predominantly found in the mountainous areas, they play a crucial role in providing water for various purposes.

Ownership and management of springs in Baralipara village are typically handled by the community. The community members recognize the importance of springs as a vital water source for domestic use, agriculture, and other miscellaneous purposes. Springs have been integral to the community's livelihood for generations, forming a significant cultural and social focal point.

Due to their natural origin and consistent flow, springs are often considered sacred by the community. They hold cultural and religious significance, symbolizing the life-sustaining force of water and representing a connection to nature. This cultural reverence for springs further strengthens the community's commitment to their preservation and sustainable use.

The community's role in managing and protecting the springs is crucial for maintaining the availability and quality of this important water resource. By adopting sustainable practices, such as avoiding pollution and ensuring proper land use practices in the surrounding areas, the community can help safeguard the springs' integrity and ensure their continued availability for future generations.

Overall, springs in Baralipara village serve as more than just water sources; they embody the community's cultural heritage, provide essential resources, and serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness between nature, community, and sustainable living. $D:\IMG_20210121_151923.jpg$

BEFORE

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16. PROBLEM ANALYSIS

The information collected through random one-to-one interviews and group discussions provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the community in Baralipara. Some of the key findings from the problem analysis are as follows:

Government Schemes and Projects: The community feels the need for more government schemes and projects to address various socio-economic issues and enhance livelihood opportunities.

Literacy Rate: The village boasts a high literacy rate of 90%, which is a positive indicator for education and awareness within the community.

Government Job Opportunities: Despite a high literacy rate, there is a limited enrollment in government jobs, indicating the need for increased employment opportunities.

Forest Management: The condition of the forest is relatively good, as most of these forests are owned and managed by the communities themselves. This highlights the effectiveness of community-based natural resource management.

Traditional Conflict Resolution: Disagreements and conflicts in the village are addressed by the traditional institution of village governance called the village sordar, showcasing the community's reliance on indigenous conflict resolution methods.

Livelihoods: The majority of the population is engaged in business and farming, reflecting the importance of agriculture and entrepreneurial activities in the village's economy.

Access to Water: The village is divided into nine springs, which provide relatively better access to water compared to one stream where water scarcity has led to conflicts in the area. This indicates the need for better water management and distribution.

Healthcare Facilities: The community identifies a need for the development of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and Anganwadi services, as well as a primary health center (PHC) to improve healthcare access.

NREGA Implementation: The villagers express the importance of implementing the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme, which can provide employment opportunities and boost rural development.

Overall, the problem analysis highlights the community's aspirations and challenges, providing valuable information for planning and implementing development interventions under the CLLMP scheme. By addressing these concerns and building on the community's strengths, the project can have a positive and lasting impact on the village's sustainability and well-being.

The village's open forest is increasing and it seems that there is no more dense forest anymore in the village. Many species have become extinct due to deforestation and jhum cultivation. Cutting down trees for timber, fuelwood, and for rubber and arecanut plantation etc. For immediate economic benefits. These have resulted in less water discharge of water for spring, streams and rivers which has brought about low moisture content in the ground, loss of soil fertility and crop production.

17. CONCLUSION

The people of the region had taken the decision to take a further step in maintaining and protecting surrounding areas of the forest and wildlife or its biodiversity; Since, the village people are bound by the laws framed for betterment of the society. Apart from the effort sacrificed by the residents, the area lacks certain basic needs like connectivity, poor network connection and other lifestyle as compared to other developed parts of the region. Therefore, in order to take further steps to maintain the region properly the region needs further assistance from several organizations. The developments till date have been done due to the effort made by the residents. The village residents have a positive mindset in developing and protecting such areas and maintaining the environment as well as decision making for betterment of their livelihood.

The activities are facilitated by the CLMMP District Project Management Unit Resubelpara. Through the variety of planning, capacity building and on- the- ground interventions to promote the conservation, sustainable use of nature resources management, social inclusion and community mobilization; building traditional knowledge and learning mapping of natural resource management; strengthening the community institutions and creating linkage with financial institutions and community organizations.

The Community Led-Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) Team thanked all the members of the VNRMC and VCFs who had worked with the team from the first day in order to help bring changes to help the entire community.

18. SEASONAL CALENDAR

The CLLMP team also mapped the seasonal calendar of Baralipara village to help identify heavy workload periods, periods of relative ease, credit crunch, diseases, food security, wage availability etc. This will prove helpful in project timeline framing.

Sl no	CRITERIA	JAN	FEB	MARCH	APRIL	MAY	JUNE	JULY	AUG	SEPT	OCT	NOV	DEC
1	Water scarcity	1	2	1
2	Rainfall			1		2	3		2		3	1
3	Rubber plantation						1	2	2
4	Rubber harvesting						1		3	2	2	1	1
5	Arecanut Plantation					1	1			1
6	Arecanut harvesting	1	1	2
7	Ginger cultivation						2	1	1
8	Ginger harvesting			2	1
9	Forest fire			1
10	Collection of fuelwood	1										2	1
11	Prone to sickness	1											1
12	Seeking job		2	1
13	Social participants	1	1	1								1	1