4. RESEARCH STUDIES

      4.1 Study on assessment of socio-economic and ecological implications of cash crop plantations in community forest areas in Meghalaya.

The study on assessment of socio-economic and ecological implications of cash crop plantations in community forest areas has been taken up in the Ri Bhoi and West Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya. The cash crops considered for the study were rubber and cashew nut. These cash crops were selected after detailed deliberations about the extent of its plantation and overall impact on the economy. Relevant literature survey and available secondary data pertaining to cash crop plantation in both Meghalaya and North Eastern India have been collected. The methods opted in the study comprised of participatory data collection (PRAs, FGDs, SGDs and household surveys) with the villagers on their socio-economic conditions, biophysical resources, biodiversity assessment by people’s perception and phytosociological studies, soil analysis, resource mapping, role of social institution and its structure. Rubber plantation in community forest area of Khulia village in Ri Bhoi district has been surveyed and relevant primary data have been collected. The field work in another study sites in Garo Hills district of Meghalaya has been completed. Relevant data related to both the socio-economic and ecological implication of cash crop plantations are being analyzed.

4.1  Study on best practices of shifting cultivation of north-east India in Nagaland.

The study is being undertaken with an aim to identify the best practices of shifting cultivation for sustainable livelihood of the local communities. The study is being carried out in collaboration with The Missing Link, Guwahati. The literature survey has been done. Sites have been selected. Questionnaire has also been prepared for the village and household level surveys. First survey for identification of the study area has been completed.

4.2  Study on best practices of shifting cultivation of north-east India in Meghalaya

The study on best practices of shifting cultivation of north-east India in Meghalaya is designed with an aim to identify the best practices of shifting cultivation practiced by the local communities. The study will help identify the best shifting cultivation management practices in NE India in terms of soil, water and biodiversity conservation. Initially literature survey has been done for the collection of secondary information. The study site has been selected after extensive field visits by the research team of the Regional Centre in several places of Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya. In total six villages have been selected in the three districts of Meghalaya i.e. Kuswai and Khulia villages in the Ri Bhoi district, Khrang and War-War villages in the  East Khasi Hills district and Sasatgre and Chekwatgre in West Garo Hills district. Photographic documentation of the sites visited and preliminary discussion with local people that included village headmen and elders were done before selecting the areas. Village level survey (PRAs, FGDs, and SGDs) and household level survey approach have been adopted for the study. Resource mapping of the villages have also been done with the help of the villagers. Primary data relating to collection of socio-economic and phytosociological data have been completed for all the selected six villages across three districts. The East Khasi Hills villages are inhabited by War group of Khasis. The agricultural pattern followed, the type of species grown and conservation methods opted for soil and water conservation have been documented during the study. Similar methods have been followed for the collection of primary data in Khulia and Kuswai villages of Ri Bhoi district inhabited by the Karbi people. The phytosociological studies in and around the shifting cultivation areas has also been completed. The survey for the selected sites in Garo Hills districts inhabited by the Garo communities has also been completed and the requisite data pertaining to both socio-economic and phytosociology has been collected. The research findings are being analyzed.