National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) Project ID: NMHS/ 2017-18/ SG39/39 Sanction Date: 28-03-2018 Conservation of Biodiversity and Livelihood Enhancement through Community-Based Forest Management and Ecotourism in and around Submergence of Small Hydropower Project Annual Progress Report for the period from 01/04/2018 to 31/03/2019 Dr Thiru Selvan Dr Sabyasachi Dasgupta PI Co-PI Tripura University (A Central University) Suryamaninagar, Tripura-799022 PI: [email protected] National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) Annual Progress Report Period from 01.04.2018 to 31.03.2019 1. Project Information Project ID: NMHS/ 2017-18/ SG39/39 Sanction Date: 28-03-2018 Project Title: "Conservation of Biodiversity and Livelihood Enhancement through Community-Based Forest Management and Ecotourism in and around Submergence of Small Hydropower Project" BTG: Rs. 17,20,600 (Livelihood Options and Employment Generation) PI and Affiliation Dr Thiru Selvan (Institution): Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura- 799022 Phone: +91-381-2379462 (O); +91-8974236218 (M) E-Mail: [email protected] Name & Address Dr Sabyasachi Dasgupta of the Co-PI, if Associate Professor & HOD, Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura- 799022 any: Phone: +91-381-2379461 (O); +91-9410127024 (M) E-Mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] Structured The project initiated with recruitment of Project Staffs (2 JPF’s). Informal Abstract - stakeholders consultations were done involving local communities, JUST (Co- detailing partner NGO) and other stakeholders. Permission from the Forest Department has the been sought. Interim communication and meeting done with the PCCF discussing current year the activities of the project. Various firms were called for quotations and based on progress the quotations; comparative statement and further processing, the Finance [Word Department, finalized supply orders and Purchase of all items stipulated has been Limit 250 achieved. Collection of secondary information; Bio resources listing, including words]: literature review on NTFP’s of Tripura has been accomplished. Delineation of catchment for study area demarcation and identification of village boundary for detail study has been carried out. Analysis of the Census information and identification of villages more dependent on the reservoir and the Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary was done using Cartosat-1 data from BHUVAN website and census data, using ArcGIS and 6 base maps were generated. Generation of detailed road network base maps has been prepared to have proper access and cover all the areas of the study site. Listing of Local flora and fauna from published study and reconnaissance survey has been initiated and is under progress. NTFP uses of the major resources have been recorded and study initiated on markets of the region. Identification of potential houses for developing home stay facility is in process. Questionnaire survey was carried out by the JPFs on Bio-resource to list out and to know the ethno-resources. Local governmental and non-governmental offices were visited to obtain necessary baseline information. Awareness program was organized in two different places on 1st March 2019 and 9th March 2019. Project Partner Affiliations Role & Responsibilities Name Jana Unnayan NGO SHG formation, Society Samiti Tripura registration, Eco-hut renovation, PRA exercise, Base camp establishment 2. Project Site Details Project Site Dumbur, Tripura IHR States Tripura Covered Long. & Lat. Between latitudes 23º19′ and 23º47′ N and longitudes 91º14′ E and 91º58′ E. Site Maps Fig2: Topography Map Dumbur Fig1: Study area of Dumbur Basin and Protected Reservoir area. Site Photographs Fig3: Site view of the study area, Stakeholder Consultation: PI, Co-PI, JUST Team, and the local community of the Field site (Dumbur reservoir) on 22/04/2018 Fig4:The team (PI, JPF) visited the project site in and around Dumbur reservoir on 26/08/2018 Fig 5:Bioresources and fish found in the market (Field Visit 18/09/2018 to 23/09/2018 Fig 6: Field Visit around Jhum area and Collection of flora Available in Jhum area (7/11/2018 to 14/11/2018) 3. Project Activities Chart w.r.t. Timeframe [Gantt or PERT] Project Work Undertaken period from 01.04.2018 to 31.03.2019 Output Activities Qtr. 1 Qtr. 2 Qtr. 3 Qtr. 4 (April- June) (July-September) (Oct-Dec) (Jan-March) Recruitment of Advertised for the One JPF joined the - Post of JPF was 2 Junior Project Project Staffs post of Junior project on Advertised by Fellow are and seeking of Project Fellow 26/07/2018. notification on recruited with Rs. under the Project Advertised for the 17/01/2019 and 16,000/ + 8% or administrative permission for followed by an post of Junior Project interview was 1800 HRA per interview on Fellow (2) under the held on month field study 18/05/2018 for Project followed by 25/01/2016. fellowship. the same. One out an interview on Recruited JPF, of two JPF 23/08/2018 and Mr Kiran vacancies was 13/08/2018 for the Kumar filled. same. The second Murasing JPF vacancy was joined on Permission from filled after the 11/02/2019 the Forest interview on Department has 13/08/2018. The JPF been sought. (2) joined on 05/09/2018. Interim communication has also been made with the PCCF. Stakeholders On 22/04/2018 The team (PI, JPF) 2 JPF visited Field Base Base camp was Consultation- Project PI and visited the project the field site on Camp has been established. Local CO-PI along with site in and around 7/11/2018 to established at communities the JUST officials Dumbur reservoir on 14/11/2018 Gandachhera along with visited the project 26/08/2018. (Fig: 4 (Fig:6) for, inside the site- in and above). Another initiating compound of JUST around Dumbur field visit was made selection of Wildlife reservoir for a from 18/09/2018 to families for Warden’s reconnaissance 23/09/2018 for home stay, office of Gumti survey and market survey. Documentation Wildlife informal meetings (Fig:5 above) of flora Sanctuary with were conducted at available in the assistance the project site Jhum area, for of Forest (Fig: 3 above ) conducting Department, PRA exercise Government of during the next Tripura. field visit Based on the After processing, the Ordered _ Equipment’s quotations Finance Department, equipment’s Purchased Purchase of received, have issued have been equipment comparative necessary supply received from statement was orders. the firms. prepared and presented to the Departmental committee. Collection of Bio resources Around 150 Mapping of - Bioresource secondary listing, Literature economically plants plants of the listing and NTFP information reviews on NTFP were listed for their Field site is use information of Tripura. medicinal, edible, continuing compiled from timber value. primary and Mushrooms and 80 secondary Fish with economic sources. value were also listed (Annexure -A from secondary to Q) sources Generation of Field visits were Analysis of the 6 thematic Road map has 6 thematic maps base maps made and GPS Census population maps Viz. been generated. locations were and Identification of LULC, Road generated recorded for villages who are network, different landuse more dependent on Village the reservoir by boundaries, category. using Cartosat-1 data DEM, PA from BHUVAN network, website, census data Vegetation map and using ArcGIS were generated with the help of Arc GIS- LULC for the study area of Dumbur reservoir Website and Process started Domain Process started to Mobile app to prepare the purchased and develop the Creation website and the Website is website and Mobile app in under Mobile app consultation construction. with the professionals in this field. Awareness _ _ _ Awareness 2 Awareness Programme program was programs was organised on 1st organised in the March 2019 at study area. Manubakta para and 9th March 2019 at Tarini para. Short PRA exercises were also carried out to prepare a seasonal calendar. Identification of _ _ _ Two JPF 8 Villages were beneficiaries staying at Base visited for camp from identifying 15/02/2019 to beneficiaries. 09/03/2019 kept continuous visit to a part of study area which cover 8 Villages. Traders _ _ _ This survey It was reported interview was done that as there is no among those proper marketing people who system they deal with Bio- cannot profit any. resource of the study area. Several vegetables sellers have been interviewed to understand the local market system. Bioresource _ _ _ Out of 8 In the survey 102 survey villages visited, species were Bioresource identified which survey was they use as carried out in Bioresource. two villages (Annexure –1 to comprising 36 6 ) households. 4. Financial and Resource Information Total Grant 1720600.00 Grant Received Date: 28-03-2018 Project Partner (s) Affiliation /Institute Budget Allocated to Work Done Partner 1 Tripura University Tripura University Tripura University, Department of forestry & Biodiversity Project Staff information S.no Name Qualification Designation Fellowship/Wages Paid 1. Mr. Francis H M.A Ecology Environment & JPF (Junior 16,000/- 8% HRA 25.09.2018 Darlong Sustainable Development Project Fellow) 2. Kiran Kumar M.Sc. Forestry & Natural JPF (Junior 16,000/- 8% HRA 11.02.2019 Murasing Resources Project Fellow) 5. Equipment and Asset Information S. Equipment Name Details Cost Photograph of Equipment Lowest Quotation, No (QTY) (Make/ IF NOT Purchased Model) 1 GPS (2 No.) Garmin Etrex 40,120.00 30x Lowest 2