WORKSHOPS
3.5 Workshop on prospects of developing linkages between JFMCs and Industries/Business houses for value addition and marketing of NTFPs and MAPs in Nagaland
Workshop on Prospect of developing linkages between JFMCs and cottage industries for value addition and marketing of non-timber forest produce and medicinal and aromatic plants was organized on 30-31 May, 2009 at Tourist Lodge, Mokokchung. Representatives of Forests Department, members from Farmers Cell, School of Agricultural Science and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland, Medziphema campus and members from various JFMCs participated in the workshop. The objective of the workshop was to impart skill training and capacity building of target groups on processing of vegetables and fruits in order to enhance their value and develop the entrepreneurial capabilities of the local farmers for employment and income generation. The keynote address was delivered by Shri Dharmendra Prakash, IFS, CF. During his keynote address he dwelt on the importance of NTFPs and their importance to livelihood security. He also emphasized on the contribution of NTFPs in the tribal economy and their importance to the forest-dependent communities. Dr. Pauline, SARSD, Dr. J. Longkumer, SARSD, Ms. Narola, SASRD, Shri K. Khekiho Shohe, Nodal Officer, CAT Plan Doyang and Shri T. Sosang, DFO were the resource persons who interacted with the participants in the workshop. The resource persons in their lectures stressed on the importance of SHGs at the grassroots levels towards economic self reliance and ensuring livelihood security for rural development, poverty alleviation and empowerment of womenfolk. A power point presentation was also made by Shri Lima, Nagaland University on locally available medicinal plants and alsothe indigenous health traditions as practiced in the different parts of Nagaland. The participants were also taken to various JFMC areas for experience sharing. The workshop was attended by 50 participants.
The topics discussed by the resource persons in the technical sessions included:
Value addition of various forest products
Self Help Group: Doyang CAT experience
JFMCs under FDA: Potentials and opportunities
Shri Dharmendra Prakash, IFS, CF delivering the keynote address
Participants of the Mokokchung workshop
3.6 Workshops on identification of locations rich in artisans using forest resources and devising strategies for conservation of the resources and enhancement of their livelihoods in Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam
A three day workshop was organized on the 26-28 May, 2009 at the Conference Hall of Kalpataru hotel, Silchar. The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Professor G.D. Sharma, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Assam University. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. S. Singh, IFS, DFO. Professor G.D. Sharma, Pro-Vice Chancellor, in his inaugural address talked on the importance of such workshops for enhancing the livelihood support base of artisans using forest resources. Sri Y. Suryanarayana, IFS, CF and the Chairman of the inaugural session of the workshop, in his address laid emphasis on livelihood of artisans using forest resource like Cane, Bamboo and Patidoi (Sitalpatti) in Cachar and other adjacent districts of Barak Valley of Assam. The inaugural session ended with a vote of thanks from Shri Debashish Chakraborty, Forest Range Officer. There were three technical sessions and the resource persons delivered relevant lectures and interacted with the participants. The resource persons were Dr. T.C. Bhuiyan, Research Officer, Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Mr. H.R. Bora, Research Officer, Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Mr. Ganesh Kothari, Executive Member, Bamboo and Cane Development Institute, Agartala and M/s G.D. Traders, Kolkata, Mr. D.K. Singh, Chairman, Crafts World (NGO), Agartala, Mr. S. Deb Roy, Lead Bank Manager, Silchar and Mr. A. Sharma, Asst. Manager, DICC, Silchar. There were sixty participants in the workshop. Location rich in artisans were identified and recommendations were adopted for conservation of forest resources used by the artisans. The topics discussed by the resource persons were:
Rattans for prosperity
Patidoi: Prospects and challenges
Bamboo: An opportunity to meet livelihood needs
Micro-crediting and other Bank support for artisans using forest resources
Bamboo: A better means of livelihood with special reference to value addition
Marketing of cane and bamboo products
Development of Small Industry for bamboo crafts, cane crafts, patidoi, etc.
Tripura
A three day workshop was organized during 13 - 15 October, 2009 at Pragna Bhawan, Tripura. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Jitendra Choudhury, Honble Minister Forests, Rural Development and Industries, Tripura. Shri R. P. Tangwan, PCCF, Tripura, presided over the function. The welcome address was delivered by Shri S. K. Paul, DFO, Training and the vote of thanks was given by Shri M. L. Chand, Additional DFO, Training. The inaugural programme was followed by four technical sessions. The resource persons of the workshop included Dr. D. K. Sharma, CCF, Dr. Panna Deb, Research Officer RC, NAEB, Shillong, Shri G. Jenner, Director of Industries, Sri G. R. Paul, CF, Southern Circle, Shri P. Bhattacharjee, CF, Northern Circle and CEOs of different FDAs in the State. Dr. P. Deb, Research Officer, RC, NAEB talked on Small and Medium Forest Enterprises. During the Workshop, location rich in artisans were identified and recommendations were formulated for conservation of forest resources used by the artisans. The strategies for enhancement of the livelihood of artisans were drafted.
Arunachal Pradesh
The workshop was organized during 28-30 January, 2010 at State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), Itanagar. The workshop was aimed to identify the locations rich in artisans using forest resources and devising strategies for conservation of resources and enhancement of their livelihood. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri J. Singh, IFS, PCCF, Arunachal Pradesh. The welcome speech was delivered by Shri G.N. Sinha, IFS, Director, SFRI. The key note address was delivered by Dr S. Deb, Research Officer, RC, NAEB, Shillong. The participants were taken for a field visit to Van-Vigyan Kendra, Chessa (SFRI field station) and Poma village. There were ten resource persons. The topics discussed by the resource person were:
Forestry related laws and their role in promoting local entrepreneurships in Arunachal Pradesh- Shri G.N. Sinha, Director, SFRI
Overview of Forest Resources of Arunachal Pradesh- Shri S.J. Jongsam, CF, Department of Environment and Forests, Itanagar
Artisans using forest resources for livelihood and conservation: Issues and suggested remedial options- Ms. Biny Yanga, Chairperson, Oju Welfare Mission Naharlagun
Non Timber Forest Produce- Livelihood options in Arunachal Pradesh- Shri T. Gapak, DCF (HQ), Department of Environment and Forests, Itanagar
Role of Industry Department in utilization of forest resources: its problems and prospect- Shri Subu Tabin, Joint Director, Department of Industry, Itanagar
Forest Resources and their prospects in small scale Industries in Arunachal Pradesh- Shri G.N. Roy, CCF, (WAC) Department of Environment and Forests
Present status of trade and commerce activities in forest based products and its future prospects in Arunachal Pradesh- Shri S. Modi, Deputy Director, Trade and Commerce, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
Role of Regional Centre, NAEB in promotion of Forestry Sector in N.E. India- Dr. S. Deb, Research Officer, RC, NAEB, Shillong
Marketing problems and prospects of forest based products in Arunachal Pradesh- Shri Khoda Ruja, Director, Textile and Handicraft, Government of Arunachal Pradesh
Role of NEDFi in promoting forest based industry and banking- Shri Kabak Tani, Manager, NEDFI, Itanagar
Participants of Artisans workshop at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
Field visit to Poma village, Itanagar
3.7 Traveling Workshop for JFMC members from North-East India to other parts of the country to experience successful linkages of FDAs with other agencies and efforts to sustain JFMCs through alternate income generating activities and organizing self help group in Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh
A traveling workshop for JFMC members from North-East India to Mancherial, Asifabad and Belampally forest division of Adilabad Circle, District Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh was organized from 22nd September, 2009 to 2nd October, 2009. JFMC functionaries from the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura were led by Dr. S. S. Chaturvedi, Core Group Member, RC, NAEB, Shillong. The objective of the workshop was to gain first hand experience on successful linkages of FDAs with other agencies and to see the efforts for sustaining JFMCs through alternate income generation activities and organizing SHGs. The participants were taken to the different Van Samrakshan Samithis (VSS) of these forest divisions by the local forest officials. The VSS is basically a village level forest protection committee constituted by those who reside within the jurisdiction of the allotted forest area. It is remarkable that in Mancherial division more than 684 households have been trained in agarbatti stick making. They are also engaged in making handicraft products, leaf plates, beedi leaves collection and the maintenance and protection of Eucalyptus plantations. The forest department has developed linkage with buyers from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur, Eluru and Punjab for selling their different forest based products.
Field visit to plantation site at Jandavenkatapur
3.8 Workshop on community forests of North-East India- Status and strategies for conservation held at Shillong
A one day workshop was organized on 10th December, 2009 at the Conference Room of NEHU Guest House, Shillong. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prof. R. Lalthantluanga, Pro Vice-Chancellor, NEHU. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. S. S. Chaturvedi, Core Group Member, RC, NAEB, Shillong. The keynote address was presented by Prof. B.K. Tiwari, Coordinator, RC, NAEB, Shillong. The programme ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. S.K. Jha, Core Group Member, RC, NAEB, Shillong. A total of 25 participants attended the workshop.
Topics discussed by the Resource Persons were:
Sacred Groves of Meghalaya: Dr. K. Upadhaya
Village Forests of Meghalaya: Dr. Hero Tynsong
Policies and customary laws related to Community forests of Meghalaya: Dr. H. J. Syiemlieh
Sacred Groves of Nagaland: Dr. Lucy Jehol