VILLAGE REPORT ON LOWER MENDAL VNRMC

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	5-6
6	Methodology	6
6.1	Primary source	6
6.2	Secondary source	6
7	Ground survey	6
7.1	Natural resource	6
7.2	Water bodies	7
7.3	Forest Management	7
7.4	Spring Inventory	7
8	Awareness Program	7
9	Participatory rural appraisal exercise	8
10	Community Natural Resource Management plan with estimation	8
10.1	Plan and Intervention of the village	8
11	Brief justification of the proposed activities	9
11.1	Contour Trenches	9
11.2	Check Dam	10
11.3	Tree plantation	10
11.4	Gabion Wall	11
11.5	Community Nursery	11
11.6	Spring Chamber	12
12	Problem Analysis	12
13	Conclusion	12
14	Seasonal Calendar	13
15	LULC Map	14
16	Photographs	15-16

1.DISTRICT PROFILE

The North Garo Hills District, Resubelpara form the Northern part of the Garo Hills. It is the gateway to the entire Garo Hills region and shares a border with Assam. The population is a mixture of indigenous Garo Tribes along with other minor tribes comprising Rabhas, Hajongs, Kacharis, Boros. The climate is subtropical with adequate rainfall.

The headquarter of North Garo Hills district Resubelpara and its administration was upgraded to full-fledged civil subdivision that went into effect on April 30, 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 Resubelpara 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, Resubelpara C&RD block, Bajengdoba C&RD block, Kharkutta C&RD block and it has four legislative comprising of Resubelpara constituency, Mendiphatar constituency, Kharkutta constituency and Bajengdoba constituency.

2. CLLMP INTRODUCTION

The Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) is under the Basin Development Management Unit (MBDU). The CLLMP Project is being supported by the word Bank. It is a unique project that seeks to leverage on the strength of the community to develop the natural resource management system. The purpose of this project is to develop skills and capacities relating to community – led project management, fiduciary skills and natural resources management. The aim is to strengthen community –led natural resources management in landscapes in the state of Meghalaya.

Meghalaya's population is heavily dependent on natural resources for the sustenance which are under the various stages of degradation. On the other hand, the traditional institutions manage the natural resources such as soil, forest, spring and other water bodies.

3. VILLAGE PROFILE

The villages consist of 52 households and 453 populations according to ASHA worker’s census. It is located in North Garo Hills Districts, in the state of Meghalaya India. The village is under the Bajengdoba C&RD Block. The village PIN CODE is 794002 and the village P’O is in Mendal. Lower Mendal is situated 28 km away from Resubelpara District and 12 km from Bajengdoba Block. The main language spoken by the people and their dialect is ‘AWE’. The village P.H.C is in Mendal Megagre. The people are mainly engaged and dependent on paddy field and bettlenut. The majority of the population turns to farming and Job-Card under the MGNREGA for employment. The people of Lower Medal go to nearest market Rari and Gokol for their essential commodities.

The village is presently land-locked by Rongjal, Dingrepa, and Mendal Songma. NH 51, PWD road lying just 9km away from Bajengdoba block. The black top road connects the two villages Dingrepa and Mendal Songma.

There are three denominations of Christianity they are; Catholic, Baptist and seventh-day Adventist. Majority are Baptist and 100% of the population are Christian. The following are some of the schemes that are being implemented in Lower Mendal village. They are:

1.NOAPS(National Old Age Pension Scheme)

2.Anganwadi center

3. BPL(Below Poverty Line)

4. APL ( Above Poverty Line)

5. NREGA

6.Widows pension schemes.

4. HISTORY OF VILLAGE

In the year of 1964, the village was named after the Sorder Shri, Manjing Marak who humbly welcomed the migrant people of Bangladesh without any objection and helped them to settle in the village. As they had to continue to support their community settlement in the village, which later grew in number and population. The village sordar gather up the entire village to give the name of the village.

The village has a huge area for habitation with a large number of households and population. Some other people of the village come up fractionally to the village with 13 households and 45 population. Since then the village came into existence in the year of 1992 named as Lower Mendal.

Following were the founder of the village:

1.	Majengka Marak
2.	Suren Ch.Sangma
3.	Sotish Ch. Sangma
4.	Alapdi Momin
5.	Pokindro Sangma
6.	Mohan Marak
7.	Suresh Ch.Marak
8.	Nibaron N.Sangma
8.	Sudir Sangma

There were only a few houses 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 cultivate rice, millet and different types of vegetables like ladies’ finger, pumpkins, brinjal, chilies etc. The soil was fertile during those days and the productivity was good. The major agricultural commodities in the villages are:

• The village is one of the leading villages in the production of ginger, tapioca, bamboo shoot, sorrel leaves (gongura), millets etc.

• The land is fertile and covered by fruit crops like banana, pineapples, melons, oranges, jujube etc.

• Seasonal vegetables occupy the most land like yam, brinjal, chilies, beans etc.

After Resubelpara got its District, the village changed their Cultivation and Plantation of Areca nuts and bananas. Till date the people are dependent on betel nuts and paddy fields.

5. SOCIAL PROFILE

The total number of 52 households and 453 population rely on Agriculture, forest product 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. Majority of the villagers are using firewood and some other households are using LPG (gas) in the village. The village has good electricity connectivity. The VNRMC was formed on 9^th September 2019. The Village Literacy is 90%.

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 participates in other work like NREGA and Sorkari (men’s group)

Community youth club-The village has a youth club with a huge number of members. Youth can play an important role in the development of society. They are the one as a team who gives the social work support to the family and community. Youths are responsible for making a good society in the village, they sponsor an annual sport once a year. If some occasion or event had happened to the family under this village like, wedding ceremony and funeral programs they have the rules to come and social work support to that family, in absence of each member, the youth club itself fixed the fine with the amount of Rs.50/-.

Population:

Age group	Male	Female	Total
0-4	12	19	31
5-14	21	26	47
15-30	27	29	56
30-60	64	53	117
Above 60	8	14	22

OCCUPATION: The people of the village rely on agriculture and forest products for their livelihood. The main occupation of the villagers is farming and local business.

Occupation	HHs
Farmer	43hh
Govt. job	9hh

BPL/APL

Particulars	No. of households
BPL HH	35hh
APL HH	17hh

CARD HOLDING HOUSEHOLDS:

Particulars	No. of households
Total HH	52
Ration card	32
Health card	20

FUEL TYPE

Fuel type	Total HH
Charcoal	0
Biomass	0
Wood	41hh
LPG	7hh
Electric heater	4hh
Kerosene	0%

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, Namasa ( SHGs)

b, Remikkang (SHGs)

c, Damsan ( SHGs

d,Ritimkari ( SHGs)

3. Women’s Association

4.Youth club

Some other development of the village they are:

1.The Indian Govt. provide the electricity to the household. 80% of the household has been electrified

2.100% of the household have a bank account.

3.Old age pension is distributed to aged people

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 choose the President, the secretary and the other executive members of the committee.

The following were the members of this project:

SL	NAME IN FULL	GENDER	AGE	EDUCATION	DESIGNATON	OCCUPATION	COMMUNITY	CONTACT
1	Robitha sangma	Female	32	SSLC	Secretary	farmer	Garo	8787744922
2	Jackiush sangma	Male	28	High school	President	Farmer	Garo
3	Osis marak	Male	29	High school	Bookkeeper	farmer	Garo
4	Proma momin	Female	29	High school	Member	Farmer	Garo
5	Nirmalla marak	Male	35	Primary	Member	Farmer	Garo
6	Jentilla sangma	Female	35	High school	SM/KM	Farmer	Garo	7358432215
7	Salwan marak	Male	25	SSLC	M&E	Farmer	Garo	7085346228
8	Gaseng marak	Male	28	High school	Evn/GIS	farmer	Garo	9366397170
9	Barollin sangma	Female	22	BA	Nokma	Student	Garo
10	Mansilla sangma	Female	35	HHSLC	Nokma	Farmer	Garo

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 Natural Resources: Natural resources provide ecosystem services that provide better quality to human life.

7.2 Cultivated Land:The village has 23.83 hac. of agricultural, horticultural and plantation land. The land is becoming less productive due to unavailability of irrigation facilities. The villagers are engaged in multi-cropping which are season based. The farmers have been suffering from pest attacks which have been destroying their paddy fields and other plantations.

7.3 Water Bodies:The community has 3 springs (Dengrakra chiring, Do’balbu chiring and Karie chiring), 1 stream (Dingatra Dobalbu), and 1 river (Didram) passing through the village. All the water bodies are perennial, however, during the dry season the water discharge in many springs and streams reduces to a large extent. Only one spring has been tested out of these water bodies as on date for intervention. Community has a huge Didram river with direct or indirect benefits of the people for irrigation and domestic purposes.

7.4 Forest Management: The village itself has 12 hac. area of Do’balbu chiring Rubber reserve forest and 10 hac. area of bamboo community reserve forest. Deforestation, Jhum cultivation, and hunting is banned in the village. This forest cover includes some indigenous fruit and non-fruit bearing species such as mango, jackfruit, bolsil, snaru, me’gong, ambare, chram etc. In addition to indigenous species, there are a large number of fodder species used by the villagers for feeding the cattle. Due to the reduction in forest cover and unavailability of food, the existing fauna such as fox, deer, leopard, jungle fowl are in danger or in non existence as on date. Community has a Medical plant plantation in the village.

7.5 Spring Inventory: The Master trainer has taken the discharge measurement Rubber chiring latitude of 25.84155 N and longitude of 90.46766 E with elevation of 74 m. It's a depressed spring with perennial in nature with the bamboo outlet. The water of the spring is used for drinking and for domestic purposes. Spring discharge was calculated at 22 LPM through the stopwatch-bucket method. The PH value of the spring is 6.9 LPM. The catchment area of spring is in the community land.

8. AWARENESS PROGRAM

On 5th October 2019, an awareness program on the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) took place in Lower Mendal 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 50 community members participated in the program, with 22 males and 28 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.

9.PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL EXERCISE

During the initial stage of the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise in Lower Mendal village, a meeting cum orientation program on the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) was conducted. The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the community members with the CLLMP and inform them about the upcoming exercises for the development of the Community Natural Resource Management Plan (CNRMP) for the village. The key informants, including the Village Natural Resource Management Committee (VNRMC) and the Village Community Forests (VCFs), played a crucial role in facilitating maximum participation.

The dates and times for the PRA exercises were fixed in consultation with the community members, and they were encouraged to actively participate in the exercises. The schedule was announced at the end of the meeting to ensure that all community members were aware of the planned activities.

On 16^th, October 2019 the PRA exercise took place in Lower Mendal village with a total of 35 villagers participating. The primary objective of this session was to form the CNRMP and identify key areas that required improvement. The following topics were discussed:

Different types of plans: The team members of the CLLMP discussed various types of plans that could be adopted by the village. They emphasized the need for holistic and sustainable plans that would benefit the entire community.

Interrelatedness of plans: It was emphasized that all the plans should be interconnected and complementary to ensure effective implementation and overall development.

Intervention site assessment: The importance of understanding the area of intervention before implementing any activity was highlighted. This knowledge would provide a better understanding of the specific characteristics and needs of the intervention site.

Soil assessment: Before undertaking any afforestation activity, it was important to identify the nature of the soil in order to select tree species that would thrive in the village's environment.

Proper forest management: The community members were made aware of the importance of managing the available forest resources properly to prevent exploitation, such as unnecessary felling of trees for firewood. Sustainable practices and conservation efforts were emphasized.

These discussions and information exchange during the PRA exercise aimed to gather valuable insights and perspectives from the community members, ensuring their active participation and ownership in the formulation and implementation of the CNRMP.

10. 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.

List of Interventions.

Name of proposed intervention	Site	Land ownership	Start date (dd/mm/yy)	Completion date (dd/mm/yy)
Check Dam	Dingatra stream	Community Land	03-Feb- 20	04-Mar-20
Water Reservoir	Jongsik Stream	Bijoli Marak	27-Apr-21	28-May-21
AgroForestry	Sakalnang	Osis Sangma	24-Jun-21	24-Jul-21
Agro Forestry 2nd year			06-Jun-22	24-June-22
A forestation	Community reserve	Community Land	26-Jun-20	28-Jul-20
A forestation 2nd Year	Community land	Community Land	06-Aug-21	06-Sep-21
Hot Composting		Community Land	14-Jun-21	14-Jun-21
Gabion Wall	Community Pond	Community Land	11-Aug-20	25-Aug-20
Gabion Wall	Community pond	Community Land	07-Jan-21	05-Feb-21
Contour Trenches	Reserve	Community Land	09-Jun-20	09-Dec-20
Erosion Control Gabion Wall	Community Pond	Community Land	07-Jan-21	05-Feb-21
Community Nursery	Community Land	Community Land	07-Mar-20	31-Jul-20
Contour trenches	Dopram	Community Land	05-Oct-21	14-Oct-21
RCC Check Dam	Rubber Stream	Community Land	22-Nov-21	23-Dec-21
RCC Check Dam	Dobalbo Chiring	Community Land	18-Apr-22	23-May-22
Concrete Weir and water storage		Private Land	04-Aug-22	27-Sep-22
Spring Chamber Box	Rubber Chiring	Private Land	08-Aug-22	07-Oct-22
Horticulture		Community Land	07-Jul-22	02-Aug-22
FMP	Permanent Nursery Forest fire line control In-situ Ex-situ conservation	Community Land	09-Mar-23 04-Mar-23 11-April-23	09-Mar-23 04-Mar 11-April-23

11. BRIEF JUSTIFICATION ON THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

The villagers of Lower Mendal have decided to treat a significant portion of land, approximately 19.6 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 Lower Mendal. 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 Lower Mendal.

11.1 Contour trenches:

The villagers of Lower Mendal have undertaken a significant initiative by constructing contour trenches (CCT) in the Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal reserve forest and promoting long-term ecological resilience in the region.

11.2CHECK DAM:

The construction of check dams at Dingatra stream as part of the CLLMP scheme has proven to be a significant blessing for the Lower Mendal village community. These check dams serve the important purpose of providing irrigation and domestic water supply to the village, addressing the issue of unavailability of irrigation facilities during the months of August to October and increasing productivity.

The proposed construction of two check dams in the village will have a direct positive impact on approximately 20 households. By capturing and storing water, the check dams ensure a consistent and reliable water supply throughout the year. This availability of water for irrigation purposes will enhance agricultural production and contribute to increased income for the villagers.

Irrigation plays a vital role in agricultural productivity, particularly during periods of limited rainfall. With the implementation of the check dams, the villagers will have access to water for their agricultural activities even during the dry months. This will enable them to cultivate crops and maximize their yields, improving food security and economic stability for the community.

Additionally, the availability of a sufficient domestic water supply is essential for the villagers' daily needs, such as drinking, cooking, and sanitation. The construction of the check dams ensures that clean and reliable water is accessible to the households, promoting better health and overall well-being.

The check dams not only address the immediate water scarcity issue but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the village's water resources. By effectively managing water through these structures, the community can mitigate the impact of climate variability and maintain a more resilient agricultural system.

Overall, the construction of check dams in Lower Mendal village provides significant benefits to the community by improving irrigation facilities, increasing agricultural productivity, and ensuring a consistent domestic water supply. It is an important step towards sustainable water management and enhancing the livelihoods of the villagers.

111.3 TREE PLANTATION:

The people of Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal. 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 Lower Mendal.

11.4 GABION WALL:

The creation of a gabion wall on Lower Mendal, 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.

BEFORE DURING

AFTER

11.5 COMMUNITY NURSERY:

The residents of Lower Mendal 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.

11.6 SPRING CHAMBER:

Springs are indeed valuable natural resources in hilly terrains, serving as points of emergence and flow for groundwater. In the case of Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal 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 Lower Mendal 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.

12.PROBLEM ANALYSIS

The information collected from the community through random one-to-one interviews and group discussions provides valuable insights into the problems and challenges faced by the Lower Mendal village. Here are some key findings from the problem analysis:

Need for more government schemes and projects: The community expresses the need for additional government initiatives that can address their specific needs and improve their living conditions. This indicates a desire for more support and resources from the government to uplift the village.

Literacy rate of the village: The literacy rate of 30% suggests that there is room for improvement in educational opportunities and awareness within the village. Enhancing literacy rates can contribute to overall development and empower the community members.

Limited government job opportunities: The village lacks sufficient employment opportunities in the government sector. This highlights the need for initiatives that can create more government jobs or promote skill development programs to enhance employability.

Forest condition and community management: The condition of the forest is relatively good, mainly due to community ownership and management. This indicates the success of community-led conservation efforts and highlights the importance of community involvement in natural resource management.

Conflict resolution through traditional governance: The traditional institution of village governance, known as the village sordar, plays a crucial role in addressing disagreements and conflicts within the community. This indicates the effectiveness of traditional systems in maintaining peace and harmony.

Economic activities: The majority of the population engages in business and farming as their primary occupations. This suggests a reliance on entrepreneurship and agriculture for livelihoods.

Access to drinking water: The village is divided into nine springs, providing relatively better access to water for the community. However, one stream faces water scarcity issues, leading to conflicts. Ensuring equitable access to clean drinking water is essential for the well-being of the villagers.

Improvement of ASHA and Aganwadi: The community identifies the need for the development and improvement of ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) and Aganwadi centers. These healthcare and childcare facilities play a crucial role in addressing the health and well-being of the villagers, especially women and children.

Development of primary health center (PHC): The community highlights the importance of developing a primary health center in the village. This would provide better healthcare services and access to medical facilities for the residents.

Implementation of NREGA scheme: The community expresses the need for the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme. This program can provide employment opportunities and social security to the villagers, addressing the issue of livelihoods and income generation.

These findings provide valuable insights for designing interventions and development plans to address the specific needs and challenges faced by the Lower Mendal village.

13. 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 of 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.

14. SEASONAL CALENDAR

The seasonal calendar of Lower Mendal village to help identify heavy workload periods, credit crunch, food security, etc.

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

15. LULC MAP

1.Main agriculture is paddy and areca nut

2. 2 community forest

3.Spring and river are present in the village

4.Habitation is not confined to one place but spread all over the village

16.PHOTOGRAPHS

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN ACTIVITIES

Report prepared by

Knowledge Management,DPMU

Resubelpara, North Garo Hills.