AREA : 3703 Ha Project Cost : 555.45 Lakhs Bualpui NG, Lungzarhtum, Siachangkawn Prepared by PIA Lawngtlai District, Mizoram 1 INDEX CHAPTER Page No. 1. Introduction ------------------------------------------3 2. Project Profile ------------------------------------------8 3. History of Project Villages & ------------------------------------------13 Basic Information 4. Participatory Rural Appraisal ------------------------------------------18 5. Problem Typology ------------------------------------------19 6. Project Intervention Plan ------------------------------------------22 7. DPR Plan Abstract ------------------------------------------23 8. Watershed Development Work (Phy. & Fin.) and Other Activities.-----24 9. Preparatory Phase. -------------------------------------------26 10. Work Plan Details -------------------------------------------27 11. Consolidation and Withdrawal Phase. ----------------------------------- 54 12. Capacity Building Institute Identified ----------------------------------- 55 13. Institutional & Capacity building Plan ----------------------------------- 56 14. Basic Profile of the project location -------- ---------------------------58 15. Maps of the project ----------------------------------- 59 16. Institutional mechanism& Agreements. ----------------------------------- 63 17. SWOT Analysis of PIA. -----------------------------------64 18. PIA & Watershed Committee details. -----------------------------------65 19. Convergence Plans. -----------------------------------67 20. Expected Outcomes. -----------------------------------69 21. Expected Estimate Outcomes. -----------------------------------71 22. Monitoring & Evaluation. -----------------------------------72 23. Farm & Societies Registration format. ------------------------------------74 24. Plan & Estimates for various activities. ------------------------------------82 25. Drawing for Various activities. ------------------------------------88 26. Micro-Watershed work Plan for one cluster Area under IWMP.-----------94 27. Sample Beneficiary Card ------------------------------------------------------------95 2 1. INTRODUCTION: The natural resources management becomes more and more important for economic growth and development of the rural people. The once potential land became degraded due to inefficient management thereby, decreasing its productivity. Further degradation should be prevented with multi-dimensional approaches and its development requires scientific, holistic and innovative approach. Unprecedented population and cattle pressure and demands of Society on scarce land, water and biological resources and the ever increasing degradation of these resources is affecting the stability and resilience of our ecosystem and the environment as a whole. The expansion of human settlement and infrastructure, intensification of Agriculture, expansion of agriculture into marginal areas and fragile ecosystem emphasizes the need for integrated planning and management of resources. Most of the rural population depends on shifting cultivation for their livelihood. Shifting Cultivation is practiced by clearing forest areas. The previous year’s jhumland is kept fallow for 5-6 year’s depending on the area available for cultivation for each village. Shifting Cultivation results in burning of large areas of forest including those that are not required for cultivation thereby destroying forest cover, there are fewer trees and shrubs to decrease the flow of water, hence only the top soil becomes wet leading to increased runoff speed of rain water resulting in low underground water table. Those natural springs we have that we so proudly say never runs dry have now become dry during the winter months. The water we have left barely meets the requirement for human consumption not to mention those required for irrigation of farmland. The thinning forest cover decreases moisture content of the soil making it unsuitable for plantation of trees and crops. Temperature also increases considerably because of this. Our once fertile lands will soon become deserts if we do not put a stop to shifting cultivation soon. Each watershed area under the project is a micro level effort to achieve the objective of watershed programme through treating under productive and hitherto unproductive lands and taking up allied activities for the benefits of the rural poor and landless. This project adopt a common strategy of multi-resource management involving all stakeholders within the watershed, who together as a group, co-operatively identify the resources issues and concerns of the watershed as well as develop and implement a watershed plan with solution that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. 3 The objective of the project will be:- 1. Developing water, land/degraded land and abandoned jhum land on watershed basis, keeping in view the capacity of land, local condition and needs. 2. Promoting overall economic development and improving Socio-economic condition of the poor and disadvantaged section inhabiting the project area. 3. Restoring ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing natural resources. i.e. land, water and vegetative cover 4. Encouraging village community for sustainable community action for operation and maintenance of assets created and further development of potential of natural resources in the watershed. 5. Employment generation, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and development of human and other economic resources of the village. Watershed Management works will be taken up in multi-tier approaches as below:- 1. First Tier-Canopy/Ridge Area Treatment (a) Stoppage of Shifting Cultivation: Under IWMP farmers are encouraged to practice permanent farming in compact areas. All the areas which were previously used for cultivation will be left fallow and in due course of time natural forest growth will be regenerated. (b) Afforestation: Besides the natural forest areas, more areas are proposed for afforestation under IWMP and other Schemes. Increased forest area will result in decrease of runoff water, soil water content and increased precipitation/rainfall, increased underground water table. (c) Prevention of soil erosion: Due to the hilly nature of Mizoram and deforestation, rain water easily erodes the fertile top soil. Fertility decreases considerably in places of minimal forest cover. To prevent more soil erosion, construction of terraces, afforestation and other means are proposed so that there will be minimum soil content in the runoff water. 2. Second Tier-Horticulture Crop Area Treatment (a) Construction of water harvesting structures and better utilization of water resources: Rainfall is still moderate and whatever rainfall we get, if we have proper harvesting structures, is more than enough for every household use without any other source of water. In place of permanent cultivation where natural streams are available for water harvesting using gravity and in those places where water is not available by gravity also, water harvesting should be encouraged. The harvested water can be 4 used both for human consumption as well as for irrigating farmlands and will provide the required water during dry season. (b) Land Development: The areas covered under IWMP project are planned to be developed in such a way that the productivity will increase. The areas proposed for afforestation will be developed by making terrace. Construction of terrace will prevent unnecessary water runoff, thereby, recharging the water table. In places where permanent cultivation will be practiced, depending on the slope of the terrain, terrace, bench terrace and contour trench will be constructed. Cultivation of commercial crops will be practiced in such places and irrigation facilities for dry season will be provided. (c) Gestation period treatment: The Permanent Horticulture crops planted in the 2nd Tier-Area will be mostly Orange, Hatcora, Nimbu, Litchi, Mango, Avocado and other cash crops. These crops will be harvested only after 5 years or more. During the gestation period, farmers and cultivators will be encouraged and assisted to introduce annual cash crops to meet their daily weeks. 3. Third Tier-Agriculture Crop Area Treatment: (a) Wet Rice Cultivation & Mixed Farming: In places of permanent cultivation, the land will be prepared in such a way that 2 – 3 crops can be planted in a year. This cannot be achieved with only the natural fertility of the land; therefore, provision will be made so that the cultivators can raise domestic animals in their farmland. The manure collected from animals can be used to fertilize the land making the crops produced in these farms entirely organic. Organic products are easier to export and have a larger market. (b) Multiple cropping: If water and manure are available in plenty, farmers can plant different varieties of crop depending on the season. Even during the dry season, cultivation can be done and also permanent crops can be raised. 4. Rural – Urban migration: Due to lack of employment opportunities and for various other reasons, rural populations migrate to urban areas. In urban areas there is deficit of work due to large influx of population from rural areas, resulting in poverty and creating problem for resettlement to rural areas. Using IWMP this rural-urban migration is hoped to be kept in check by providing them with means for secure income. 5. Women empowerment: For an accelerated Socio-economic development of any community active participation of women is essential. In a social