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A REPORT ON ORIENTATION TOUR TO GUJARAT
By
SPMU, West Bengal And
Directorate of Forest, West Bengal
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A Report on Orientation Tour to Gujarat
Date of exposure: October 03 to 09, 2012
Places visited: ICZMP office in Gandhinagar, and various site located at Bhuj and Jamnagar
region.
People met: ICZMP officials, PIA officials, CBO members, general community members, etc.
The team from West Bengal:
SPMU: Sanjay Pal (Social Development Specialist), Mrinal Kanti Bhattacharyya (Senior
Programme Assistant), Tarun Kumar Debnath (Advisor),SabyasachiSautya (Fisheries Specialist)
and Abhijeet Hazra (Prog. Assistant, Accounts, Placed at Forest Dept).
Directorate of Forest: Leading by N.V Raja Shekar, IFS (Spl CCF, Western Circle, West
Bengal), Prashanta Pal, WBFS (DFO, Purba Medinipur), ChhatradharSoren (Forest Ranger),
BanibrataSamanta (Forest Ranger), Sukumar Jana (Dy Ranger), Prabir Kumar Sen (Dy Ranger),
Gouri Sankar Das (Dy Ranger), BappaNath (Dy Ranger).
Description of the visit:
3rd
October, 2012 (1st Day)
On arrival in Gujarat on October 3rd
afternoon, the team received an initial
briefing from A.K Verma, IFS, Project Director, GEC about the overall project
and D.K. Sharma, IFS, CCF, Kutch Circle, Bhuj about the mangrove plantation
in Bhuj areas at SPMU office, Gandhinagar.
4th
October (2nd
Day)
The team leaves from Gandhinagar to Gandhidham at morning and the journey
took around 5hours to reach the destination. The team visited the mangrove
plantation site located at Tuna village and also interacted with CBOs there.
5th
October (3rd
Day)
The team visited to Ashirawandh village in Bhuj district. All people included
DCF, Bhuj interacted with CBO of Ashirawandh and discussed about their
development. The village is suffering from water problem, otherwise dairy
project and child education is developing there. The team got experience with a
boat journey in the charming blue-green shade of water through the Jakahau-
Sanghi Mangrove areas for around 2:30 hours. It was observed that soil in some
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of the areas has been restored after mangrove plantation. The team interacted
with CBO and saw their activities at Lukki village under ICZMP, Gujarat. One
big Well with pipe line connected to village, has built up for water harvesting.
The team visited pilgrimage sites, Narayan Sarovar is a different kind of holy
experience. The sarovar is looked at as one of the five holy ponds in India.
6th
October (4th
Day)
The team visited Dhorado village which is the last village of Kutch and located
just tip of the Rann of Kutch. Basically this village is developed as tourism
village. The team visited the Great Rann of Kutch after visit the village. After
visit the Rann of Kutch the Team started to rise up on the top of the Kala
Dungar which is found in Araballi hills range and a highest point of Gujarat. It
was the best panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch from the top of the
Kala Dungar.
7th
October (5th
Day)
All people started journey from Bhuj to Jamnagar and
reached at 12:30 P.M. After check in hotel at Jamnagar the
team visited to Dwarka Temple and to interact with local
EDC.
8th
October (6th
Day)
The team guided by Sri Kamboj, IFS, CCF, (MNP) Jamnagar visited the
mangrove region of Narara Marine National Park. They described us
various technique for mangrove plantation such as rise bed technique etc.
at the site. After look out the mangrove plantation the team moved to
Marine National Park area which is country’s first Marine Park filled with
various species of corals, invertebrates and many other organisms. The team
also interacted with SIKKA EDC which is mainly female based community.
The visited to Khijadiya bird sanctuary at Jamnagar at evening.
9th
October (7th
Day)
Leave Jamnagar and reached Kolkata via Mumbai airport.
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Wonder sharing of knowledge in Gujarat
A.0 INTRODUCTION
he Forest Directorate (FD) is one of the PIAs under ICZM Project being implemented by SPMU
in West Bengal. Primary goal of this component is to safeguarding the ecological security of
Digha-Sankarpur coastal area and providing livelihood opportunities to the fisherman and other
inhabitants living in the coastal area through the initiation of community based programmes too.
Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), being the SPMU in Gujarat has been operational in building
a long-term institutional sustainability, aimed at helping the coastal zone management of the
Department of Forest & Environment, as per the state’s medium-term capacity building plan. In
this context GEC started involving such communities that had a big stake in mangroves in its
restoration project, and in the process not only brought communities like fisher folk and
pastoralists on board, but brought private sector operating in coastal regions, with the common
objectives towards restoration of mangroves. So the basic purpose of the orientation tour of Forest
officers and SPMU people from West Bengal to Gujarat is to gain first-hand knowledge about
mangrove plantations, community contracting, and community directed mangrove planting as well
as other aspects of the ICZM Project being implemented in Gujarat.
B.0 SALIENT POINTS of the Programmes as observed by the WB team
B.1 The Mangrove Restoration Project
Gujarat has the second largest mangrove cover in the country. Mangrove regions are concentrated
in the districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Bharuch, with Surat and Bhavnagar too having
sizeable cover.
This project was launched through public-private partnership (P.P.P). The importance of
mangroves to men has been most acutely felt since the Tsunami of 2004. There was a sudden
awareness of the role mangroves played in protecting the defined shorelines and preventing it from
getting washed and swept away by strong winds. After Tsunami, it had been revealed/noticed
wherever the mangroves had been healthy; the regions were substantially less ravaged by Tsunami.
Specially, in Kutch, due to loss of farm lands nearer to mangroves by strong wave and wind
actions, the Maldharis Community felt great difficulties to feed their cattle, those were their most
support to maintain their livelihood.
Through the innovative public-private partnership project(P.P.P) launched by GEC, in 2007, the
people & the private sectors have come forward, and have partnered with the state in the plantation
and managing the new mangroves areas. More than 20 of Gujarat’s leading industries had joined
T
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in those innovative programmes even with contribution of fund. The P.P.P. (Public-Private
Partnership Project) has set a new benchmark towards restoration of mangroves in their state as
well as in country for a successful alliance between the government, the communities and the
industries in environment-related initiatives.
The Mangrove Restoration through P.P.P has evolved a resounding success for the communities,
the industry and the society at large.
The Project on Mangrove restoration through PPP by GEC is laudable, because of following:
i) In Natural regeneration
a. Creation of vegetative barrier to check erosion of mangrove areas by violent sea
action,
b. Reduction of fresh water inflow by construction of WHSs in upstream side.
c. Creation of vegetative spurs to check increase of salinity in soil and water.
ii) Reduction of over exploitation by local community caused due to non-availability of fuel
and fodder, non-management of natural resources by villagers, encroachments & lack of
awareness.
iii) Indiscriminate exploitation by Maldharies by free grazing for
camel and inter-conflicts of ownerships in community.
iv) Changes & un-scientific uses of mud flats for progressive
habitations.
v) Fish catching in degraded areas.
vi) Mono culture in forestry especially in mangrove areas.
vii) Influx of migrant labourers around industrial and port activities
& anthropogenic pressure.
viii) Non-availability of fodder for cattle.
ix) Diversion of mangrove lands for other uses like salt pans and
industries.
B.2 EDCs/ CBOs (Community Based Organization)
Selection of target groups: The Community having land with tolerable saline level, lack of
irrigation and having limited source of livelihood and earning.
Formation of committee and its registration, as well as selection of other functionary
members.
Preparation of Micro-Plan by P.R.A, by interaction and field visit with local community
inclusive of unanimous acceptance of appraisal.
Interaction with local EDC at
Tuna village
Interaction with local CBO at
Ashirawand village
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Prioritization of demands & its scopes of legitimate fulfillments, in time, through
continuous interactions.
B.3 Procedure of Management of EDCs/JMFCs/CBOs in community contracting
1. In case of GEC monitoring of entire works done by engaging village level coordinator
under direct control of GEC, on revenue lands.
a) Engagement of community mobilizer 1(one) number for 1(one) village on Honorarium/
Contract basis for preparation of Micro-plan by PRA.
b) For Bank transactions and keeping accounts done by engaging 1(one) member selected from
community & 1(one) member from GEC.
2. In case of Forest Department monitoring of entire works done departmentally, on forest
lands.
a) 1(one) staff up to the Rank Beat Guard (F.G.) to be entrusted for supervision/ execution of
works, who will be one of the joint signatories, as a member secretary of that community.
b) 2(two) members are to be selected from Community for assistance towards execution of
works. 1(one) of them should be elected member ( Sarpanch) who would be head of the
community and may be other joint signatory, on refusal of another one.
c) For Bank transactions and keeping accounts done by staff of Forest Department on behalf
of community until gaining self-sufficiency to maintain account.
B.4 MANGROVE PLANTATION TECHNIQUES
1. Old technique by Direct Dibbling:-
a) Seeds were directly dibbled in swampy soil/mud in line at 2.00m apart in line and line to line
2.00 m. The success of this method and survival rate of plants primarily depends on soil
conditions and water current. Loose/sludgy mud conditions do not allow the sprouted plants to
get established while high water current wash the dibbled seeds/sprouted seedlings away.
b) Planting by nursery raised seedlings, @ 2500 nos. seedlings/ha, by Dig and Plant method.
These methods require most after care by continuous gap filling by transplanting nursery raised
seedlings/ dibbling for re-stocking.
2. New/ recent technique: - (at Sikka,Jamnagar District along the coast of Gulf of Kachchh)
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Where there are least chances of survival ability of mangrove plantations due to existence of
sludgy soil with most erodible by tidal action of sea and high
salinity:-
i) Sowing of seeds on raised bed/platform made by local
sludgy soil having size of platform/ bed1m x 1m, 30 cm height,
at an interval of 5m in line& lines are 5m apart@ 400
nos.beds/platforms/ ha. One raised platform/ bed 60-65nos. of
seeds are sown/ dibbled, by assuming the target of survivality at
least1 (one) no. plant raised /bed/platform i.e. 25000 nos. seeds are
dibbled for raising 1ha of plantation.
ii) Sowing of seeds on raised bed/platform made by local sludgy
soil having size of platform/ bed 1m x 1m, 30 cm height, at an
interval of 2m in line & lines are 2m apart @ 2500 nos. beds
/platforms ha one raised platform/ bed 60-65 nos. of seeds are sown/
dibbled, by assuming the target of survivality at least1 (one) no. plant
raised / bed/platform i.e.150000 nos. seeds are dibbled for raising
1ha of plantation.
All these were done for:
1. Protective measures against loss /damage by sweeping action of
tidal flow of water, as general phenomenon.
2. As Avicenia marina, is characteristically dwarf and bushy, can
thrive in most sludgy& erodible soil along the approach of coasts
by tidal action of sea and increased high salinity.
3. A. marina is also a substitute fodder for cattle.
4. Ensure settlement as central stocks (at least1 no. plant, as a target/
raised bed/platform) by way of sacrificing peripheral stocks.
5. Expenditure towards soil works is absolutely less.
6. In initial stage due to congestion sweeping action of sea will be lesser, in compare to open &
flat bed of sludgy and erodible soil.
B.5 Development of Villages
Apart from restoration of mangroves joint venture by GEC and Forest Department following
praiseworthy activities were also made for development to villages:-
Raised bed technique at
Jamnagar mangrove region
Avicenia marina at Jamnagar
mangrove region
Looking to raised bed
technique
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Construction of WHSS e.g. Earthen Dams, Big masonry
wells, as EPA: In most of the village women used to travel
more than 8-10 hrs per day to fetch drinking water from quite a
distant for her family as well as for livestock. With a view to
giving relief to women for fetching drinking water for their
family as well as livestock, Construction of W.H.S.(Water
Harvesting Structure) e.g. Earthen Dams, Big masonry wells, in
the defined catchments were made for storing rain water and its ultimate uses through overhead
reservoir and its distribution through pipe lines, where water supply was erratic. Especially in
Ashirawand village, Jakhoa villages, as EPA.
Corpus Fund
A corpus fund was also created in each village for upkeep of the
mangroves. All expenses for maintenance of the plantations as well
as the other assets created under the project after the activities had
been completed would be met by this fund. Assets includes
mangrove plantations, fodder resources and godown, community
hall, soil & moisture works or anything else established under the
project. A separate bank account was created by each CBO for
maintaining and using such fund. This type of fund was set up by depositing part of the daily
wages into account. 70% of wages on execution of works were paid to the worker in cash, out of
balance wages 70% to be deposited as corpus fund, to be utilized towards up-keeping of executed
works and the rest amount to be donated as part of community contribution, to be utilized for
urgent need of any individual social ceremonies.
Inclusion of Female Members in Community
Women are most and important stakeholders; they routinely visit
the mangrove plantations for fuel and fodder. Their literacy levels
are low. Most of the time of a day they were only involved in
domestic tasks and never earned any income. In the project they
have been included as a joint member of her family and also
giving training on handicrafts, sewing/tailoring, embroidery, etc. on their desire for income
generation by forming SHG consisting of 10 members per group. These were done to reduce
pressure on older mangrove forests for collection fuel and fodder to maintain their daily needs.
Big masonry well at Jakhoa
village
Women of EDC at Tuna
Women community at
Ashiwand village
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Sikka community, in Jamnagar is the one EDC, under ICZM PROJECT is fully represented by
women.
Socio-Economic Development
a) Establishment of Day care Centers for children, where there
are no schools, especially in Kachchh. These centers are being
run by Community Mobilizers, in Jakhoa.
b) To grow importance of restoration of mangroves and to
conserve other natural sources from childhood school
children/ students were taken on exposure visit.
c) Installation of low cost toilets (Ring well type) in villages of Jamnagar & Kachchh to
maintain hygiene of the community.
d) Construction of inter connecting village roads for better communication.
e) Creation of pasture lands by raising grass lands to reduce pressure on mangrove forests for
collection of fodder for cattle.
f) Involvement of SHGs in ICZMP.
g) Training to Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture.
h) Coral transplantation at Narara Reef in Marine National Park & Marine Sanctuary.
B.6 Factors of Success
a) Lesser population density per capita.
b) Abundance of vast track of barren lands for forestry.
c) Least political interference to development works.
d) Active co-ordination among communities and private sectors.
e) Development in all respect is main motto.
f) Scientific uses of lands.
g) Restriction towards influx of migration.
h) Experience of tsunami’s effect.
i) Integrated campaigning to develop mass awareness towards restoration in all respects.
Interaction with Sikka EDC at
Jamnagar
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Thank you
Thank you
Visit us again……..