3.4 On the site training programme for field level JFMC and FDA functionaries through exchange visits in north-east India to successful JFM/NAP sites.

A three day training programme was organized during 3 to 5 March, 2009 in Nagoan South Division, Hojai, Assam. The programme was inaugurated by Shri V. K. Vishnoi, IFS, CCF, Social Forestry, Assam. The welcome address was delivered by Shri. P. Sivakumar, IFS, DFO and the inaugural speech given by the Chief Guest Shri. T.V. Reddy, IFS, CF, Upper Assam Social Forestry Circle and Chairman Nagaon South FDA. The participants in the programme included the Chairman, Secretary and Members of different JFMCs from four State Forest Departments i.e. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura. The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions and a visit to the JFMCs plantation sites.

 

3.5 Capacity development training for JFMC members on management, processing and value addition of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and MAPs.

The capacity development training for JFMC members on management, processing and value addition of non-timber forest products, i.e. Broom Grass was done in collaboration with the Rural Resource and Training Centre (RRTC), Umran, Meghalaya. Ten persons, one from each project village/JFMC were selected for training on quality broom making for a period of one month starting from 9 July to 8 August 2008. Three Resource Persons from Mizoram led by Shri R. Ramhmangaiha of Hnam Channtu Pawl, NGO, Aizawl imparted training to participants through demonstration and practical steps of quality broom making.

 

3.6 TOT on micro- planning, accounts and book keeping in Meghalaya.

The training of trainers (ToT) on micro-planning, accounts and book keeping for Meghalaya was organized on the 5-6 March, 2009 at KJP Synod Conference Hall, Shillong. The objective of the training was to train the middle level forest officers such as Divisional Forest Officers, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Range Officers who are involved in the implementation of JFM/NAP programme. The officers trained in this programme may thereafter be engaged by the department to impart necessary training to grassroots level officers and Presidents/Secretaries of JFM Committees. The resource persons present in the programme were Shri C.P. Marak, IFS, Shri Robin Shullai, IFS, Mr. M. B. K. Reddy, IFS, Prof. S.K. Barik, Joint Coordinator, Regional Centre, NAEB, Shillong, Sri Kiron Joshi, Chartered Accountant, Shri P.H.S. Bonney, IFS, Shri P.S. Nongbri, MFS, Shri K.W. Marbaniang, Divisional Officer, Soil Conservation, Meghalaya. The programme was inaugurated by Shri V. K. Nautiyal, IFS, PCCF, Meghalaya. The inaugural session was chaired by Shri C. Budnah, IFS, CCF, Social Forestry and Environment, Meghalaya. The welcome speech was delivered by Shri C.P. Marak, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry & Environment, Meghalaya. At the end of the programme, vote of thanks was given by Shri P.H.S. Bonney, IFS, DFO (S.F.) Division, Shillong. A total of thirty seven participants attended the training programme.

 

WORKSHOPS 

3.7 Workshop/review meets of different stakeholders – 4 programmes in one FDA for SMFE.                                                             

Four review workshops were organized for stakeholders in the project villages in Ri Bhoi district during April, 2008. The first two review workshops were held for the first cluster in Umden Khasi and Diwon villages on 4-5 April, 2008. The second review meet was held for the second cluster in Mawbri and Umket villages on 14-15 April, 2008. In the workshops, the activities taken up by the SHGs in the past, their present performance and functioning, feedbacks on trainings received were discussed and future course of actions were finalized. 

 

3.8 Workshop on preparation of Small and Medium Forest Enterprises project as per the requirement of JFMCs – 8 for SMFE activities in one FDA.

The first workshop was organized on 20 May, 2008 involving selected SHG members to prepare a project for small and medium forest enterprises. Honeybee keeping was identified as a project to be formulated for funding from NEDFi and/or Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. It was decided that interested persons would be trained for honeybee keeping at RRTC, Umran, Meghalaya. Accordingly, 56 persons were trained on honeybee keeping in June, 2008. After the training, two project formulation workshops for honeybee keeping were organized on 16 and 18 August, 2008 for the two SMFE clusters. Two projects were formulated and were submitted to NEDFi for funding. Two more workshops were organized to formulate projects on bamboo shoot pickle preparation for each of the five villages in each cluster on 23 and 25 August, 2008. Similarly, two workshops on quality broom making project were organized during 1 and 2 September, 2008, where two projects were formulated including all the ten villages in the two clusters. 

 

3.9 Traveling/exposure visit of selected CEOs/Chairpersons of North-East India to other parts of the country.

 

The exposure visit for the selected CEOs/Chairpersons of North-East India to other parts of the country was organized during 11 to 16 May, 2008.  Ten Forest Officers from the states of Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were taken to Vellore FDA, Tamil Nadu to interact with the villagers and field officials to have first-hand experience in establishing linkages with various organizations for implementing NAP successfully. Some of the JFMCs visited were Agagaran Sheri JFMC under Oduguthur range of Vellore division, Parvamalai JFMC (Central Nursery), Kattian Pandal JFMC under Kangivaram FDA, Aurovindo Ashram Society and Kunjanur JFMC (Bamboo plantation in the RF).