3.3       Training programme on management of selected JFM forests for supply of ecological services based on user fee administration by JFMCs/FDAs

The training programme was organized during 14^th -16^th of July, 2005 in collaboration with Forest and Environment, Social Forestry Circle, Meghalaya at Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly Conference Hall, Shillong. Prof. B. K. Tiwari, Coordinator RC, NAEB welcomed the participants and briefed about the aim and objectives of the programme. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. K. C. Malhotra (Retd), Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. The programme was inaugurated by Shri. V. K. Nautiyal, PCCF, Meghalaya. There were three technical sessions and one day field visit to Khrung Khrung village, Cherrapunjee. During the field visit discussions were held with JFMC members at the project sites and some areas were identified where supply of ecological services based on user-fee administration could be feasible. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) Meghalaya, Prof K. C. Malhotra, AMC Member, the Coordinator and the Joint Coordinator, Regional Centre, NAEB were the resource persons in the programme. The Participants included one Conservator of Forests, six DFOs, 22 Forest Officials of the rank of ACF, Forest Ranger and Forester and 11 JFMCs representatives. The programme concluded with a valedictory session.

3.4       Training programme on constitution of SHGs by members of JFMCs and taking up micro-financing/micro-credit activities by the SHGs by leveraging group funds/EPA funds to assess grants/resources of other GO/NGO in Mizoram.

This Workshop-cum-training programme of 3 days was organized at Aizwal during 27^th-29^th September, 2005 in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Forests, Mizoram. It was inaugurated by Dr. R. Thangliana, Hon’ble Minister, Environment and Forests Department, Mizoram. Prof B. K. Tiwari, Coordinator, Regional Centre, NAEB, Shillong welcomed the participants and briefed about the objectives of constitution of SHGs by JFMCs members for taking up micro-financing, micro-credit activities by leveraging group funds/EPA-funds to assess grants/ resources of other GO/NGO programmes in Mizoram. He also emphasized on the need for constitution of self help groups in execution of various development programmes.  The training programme was divided into five technical sessions including field visit to two villages where SHGs have been constituted and one village functioning under DRDA. The participants included two Conservators of Forests, 11 DFOs/DCFs, 127 Forest Officials of the rank of ACF, Range Officer, Forester, Dy. Forester and Forest Guard and 23 representatives of JFMCs. The resource persons in the programme were Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests and DFO Aizawl, Mizoram, Dr. Jim Stevens, Full Bright lecturer, Portland, Oregon, USA, the Coordinator RC-NAEB, Shillong and three faculty members of Mizoram University. The officers from local financial institution viz., NABARD, Small Scale Industries Bank of India and State Bank of India, Aizawl also acted as resource persons. The topics covered in the sessions of the training programme were as follows:

i.                     Self help group: vehicle to address economic, cultural and social issues

ii.                   An overview of micro-finance

iii.                  Need of Micro-financing and micro-credit activities by SHGs leveraging Group funds and EPA funds

iv.                 Role of self-help group in NTFP development

v.                   Introduction to activities under micro-financing and micro-credit which can be performed by SHGs

vi.                 Assessing resources of other GO/NGO programme in Mizoram by SHGs

vii.                Constitution of SHGs by JFMC members in their respective areas in Mizoram

viii.              Activities under micro-credit and micro-financing systems to be taken up by SHGs to assess grant of Resources of other GO/NGO programme in Mizoram

ix.                 Role of NGOs including NAP, a success in Mizoram

x.                   Improvement of inter-sectoral cooperation and coordination for effective implementation of NAP.

The programme concluded with a session on interactions and discussions with the SHG members and beneficiaries. In the end various recommendations were made.