Himachal Pradesh
Biodiversity Conservation
Land Degradation
STORING RAIN, GROUND & SURFACE WATER,CONSERVATION OF LOCAL BIODIVERSITY, & PREVENTING LAND DEGRADATION
Introduction The Sai Engineering Foundation (SEF)
in 1989
Project BackgroundNGO
GEF/SGP
Dharampur block in Mandi district
is a voluntary organization registered in accordance with the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. It was established and is promoting Cooperatives in the fields of Construction and Hydro-development, providing hydro electricity to the people of remote unelectrified localities.
The approached the
with an idea to harness the runoff water and top soil from the hills. This fragility was exposed more during the rainy season in the region. Several discussions between Sai Foundation and NC, GEF/SGP, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), the NGO led to a more “Systems approach” ensuring more emphasis on community participation. Although, the total cost was Rs 100 lacs, the agreed to take forward the idea as the NGO promised to leverage balance funds from other resources.
has a unique topography. The area receives above 1100 mm
Global Environment facility (GEF)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP)/Small Grants Program (SGP)
Name of Organisation :
No. of Beneficiaries :
SGP Grant :
Co-Financing :
Geographical Area :
Project Time Period :
Project Partners :
Sai Engineering Foundation (SEF)
320 Households (HHs)
Rs. 19,50,000/-
Rs. 62,88,749/-
Answai & Chaswal VillageHimachal Pradesh
1st Oct 2005 - 30th April 2009
Deptt. of Fisheries; Irrigation; Forests Government of Himachal Pradesh, NABARD and Local Banks.
established in villages in last and more
made.
Water distribution plans and sharing mechanism among the villagers decided and capacity building for operations and maintenance of installed in villages.
A Check dam constructed within the gorge having leading to Conserve and harvest more than
annually. This activity has resulted to in the upstream and downstream due to the rain water harvesting. More than which were only marginally working for short periods are now perennially charged with water availability, reducing the drudgery of women having to carry the water from large distances.
Installation of 04 hydrams, construction ofponds, distribution channels and water tanks within the communities. These activities are being linked through the locals and other institutional possibilties. The local Government has extended the purchase of Hydrams.
two years than 40,000 fruit, fodder and wood
bearing tree plantations
•
04 Hydrams,
• 32 Sq Kms catchment area,
10 million liters of water
re charge more than 30 wells
10 wells
•
rainfall on an average, but due to steep slopes of 50-70%, the run off is high. Even though the land is fertile, People are conscious of water harvesting, the water retention is still low. communities grow traditional crops due to inadequate irrigation facilities. As their is greater loss of soil every year in the region, the
felt to create systems for harvesting water through a large check dam and also through the stone weirs/bunds along the contours. Have plantation on slopes to resurrect the hills.
Harnessing surface rain water and recharge the ground water through a large check dam
Improving the productivity of marginal lands including waste land, grazing land and range land using Hydrams for water lifting
Ensuring food security and livelihood sustainability though farm based and non-farm income generation activities
Management of soil fertility through vermin-composting and organic farming
Capacity building at village level to manage land and water resources
Strengthening existing village institutions, and develop a model for local women to influence and replication adjoining villages
Community mobilization and use ofparticipatory methodologies have led tofinalization of project plan in 2 villages Answai and Chaswal and now spread to another three villages with a total of nearly 600 Households (HHs).
Constitution of a for managing the water resources amongst the villagers. The locals have ensured that the benefits are shared equally, with the poor. Two Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed with 32 village women. They have made savings of nearly Rs 20,000. Loans arranged through local banks by the Foundation for allied livelihood actions.
Capacity building of the community members in vermin composting, high value crops and soil management. Two plant nurseries
Sai Foundation
Project Aims1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Project Activities•
• management committee
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Project Impacts•
60 acres
•
80 farming families
•8,000
fish fingers 2008 20,000
2009 10,000 2010.
•
•
Changed micro climate and emerging local bio diversity through nearly brought under cultivation
Proven and tested land use pattern; improved productivity and ensured food security for more than
Established linkages with agricultural university and fisheries dept. Nearly
have been put in the pond in the year and nearly fish fingers put in and in the year This is leading for better fish production. The benefit sharing mechanism is under way to be established between villages. The Irrigation Dept. has already made the survey for installation of a lift irrigation schemes in the area.
This project has instilled greater confidence, in the minds of the locals and the government. The effectiveness is maximised through the learning process.
The pilot GEF UNDP SGP Project has been an
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National Co-ordinatorGEF UNDP Small Grants ProgrammeCentre for Environment Education, Delhi, C-40 South Extension-II,New Delhi-110049Ph.: 011-26262878-80e-mail : [email protected]
R.S. Verma, Director SEFSai Bhawan, Sector 4, New Shimla 171009 Ph. 2670349, M: [email protected] www.saiengineeringfoundation.co
Regional Co-ordinatorCentre for Environment Education, C-40, Ground Floor, South Extension Part IINew Delhi 110 049Tel: 011-26262878, 26262881 Tel/Fax: 011-26262880Email: [email protected], [email protected]
example for Sustainable improvement in people's livelihoods. This is therefore impacting the MDGs on Poverty directly in the area. Many neighbouring villages in the area are keen to adopt a similar model.
Instill Confidence, motivate villagers through a consultative process & ensure their participation from project conceptu-alization stage itself.
Establish linkages with the universities & other institutions to acquire information and knowledge on best practices.
Facilitate extensive & intensive education & extension through regular capacity building exercises in the range of areas.
Technical capacity building of village youth to take on operations and maintenance (O& M) aspects at the check Dams hydrams etc.
Establishment of nurseries at village levels & have linkages with forest department for regular supply of plants in the region.
Establish a small scale industry based on bamboo in the region: To promote the bamboo farming on the waste land available in the gorges and provide training to the villagers about handicraft.
Involve these groups for income generating activities such as small scale industries
The sense of working together to strengthen the social bonding between villagers
The mulberry tree is native in the area. 5 Motivating people and imparting trainings related to silk weaving, ensure links to markets.
This industry will help to biodiversity conservation, increase the income level of the people and strengthen the silk industry of the country.
Promote farming of fruit trees in the region and imparting training to villagers by making small groups i.e. SHGs and establishing better market through value addition.
Project Strategies •
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Future Actions
A.Strengthen the Mahila Mandal and Yuvak Mandal in the region•
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B. Promotion of Silk Industry•
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C. To establish a small scale food industry•
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