One day workshop
of
International Tropical Timber Organization
-A Pre Project on
“Sustainable and Multipurpose Forestry to settle the Tribal Cultivators of Tripura with viable economic activities”

The Workshop was organized by TFDPC Ltd. at Pragna Bhawan, Pt. Nehru Complex, Gurkha Basti, Kunjaban, Agartala on 23-11-2007. This Workshop was attended by Hon’ble Forest Minister Sri Jitendra Chowdhury, Sri S.K.Panda, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Tripura, Sri R.P. Tangwan, PCCF, Govt. of Tripura, Dr. Ram Prasad, National Consultant, ITTO Project, Dr. V.K. Bahuguna, Addl. PCCF & Managing Director, TFDPC Ltd, Prof. Aparajita Mukherjee, Visva Bharati University, Faculty members of Tripura University, Government officials, NGO’s and practicing Shifting Cultivators [Jhumias].

Sri Pranab Kumar Das, Executive Director, TFDPC Ltd, delivered welcome speech.

The Hon’ble Forest Minister, Tripura Sri Jitendra Chowdhury inaugurated the workshop by lighting the lamp.
Dr. V.K. Bahuguna, Addl. PCCF & Managing Director, TFDPC Ltd delivered Key note address briefing the activities of Tripura Forest Development & Plantation Corporation Limited and role of TFDPC in successful implementation of Tribal Rehabilitation Programme by permanent settlement of over 3,000 Tribal Shifting Cultivators through Rubber Plantation.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. V K Bahuguna, Managing Director of the Corporation, who is also the Project Director of the Tripura ITTO pre- project. In his keynote address, Dr. Bahuguna stressed upon the functioning of the Corporation, the back ground of the project, the genesis, its relevance and necessity. Dr. Bahuguna through power point presentation gave an account on the quantum of damage done to the forests due the deleterious practice of shifting cultivation by the people in the hills of the state. It has been concisely explained by him as to how the reduced Shifting Cultivation (jhum) cycle has impoverished not only the economy of the tribal families but also rendered the topsoil of the land infertile, due to loss of soil nutrients going with the surface runoff and this has adversely affected the site productivity. He summed up his address by outlining the aim of the workshop which he said was intended to visualize the appropriate package of practices to be adopted in the project for eco-restoration of the ravaged shifting cultivation areas. These include raising and managing rubber plantations, either in pure form or in mixture with other hard wood species and bamboo through community participation. He impressed upon the stakeholders present in the workshop to actively participate in the discussion to help evolve a roadmap for eco-restoration of shifting cultivation areas of the state through economically viable option for the resettlement of tribal population and thus ensure sustainable forest management and sustainable livelihood.

Sri S.K.Panda, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Tripura while addressing the workshop suggested

proper care should be taken while finalizing the project to maintain balance between environment and development of Tripura. He also stressed on the need for adoption of latest technology and capacity building among rural people for sustainable development.

Sri R.P. Tangwan, PCCF, Govt. of Tripura pointed out that the issue of Settlement of Shifting Cultivators is not new and common to other states like Jharkhand and Assam. The reasons for failure of earlier programmes, as he stated were many.
- Settlement target was based on quantity not in terms of quality.
- Programme norms were rigid and also time bound.
So while making the project this time care should be taken not to repeat the same mistakes. He suggested that the project should have provision for creation of assets, lakes, education facility, selection of species which provides short term return and sustainable man-days.

Sri Jitendra Chowdhury, Hon’ble Forest Minister, Tripura highlighted that the amount spent on

rehabilitation programme since 50’s is huge. Most of the programmes were not successful mainly due to the programmes were not nearer to their indigenous livelihood & skill. The Minister expressed that only successful model for settlement of Shifting cultivators is Rubber plantation based Model. In case of Dhalai District, where most of the land is under Reserve Forests, Bamboo or similar models may be chosen as alternative to Rubber plantation.

 

Technical Session
This session was Chaired by the Hon’ble Forest Minister, Tripura.

In this session Dr. Ramprasad, National Consultant, ITTO Project made a power point presentation on the Pre-project and draft report on ITTO Project. He stated the objective of the project is to create conditions for Sustainable Forest Management and thus achieve sustainable forestry development in the state of Tripura. The project cost was also elaborated in the presentation. Detailed discussions were held in the workshop. Some of the questions asked by the participants and the comments given by the delegates are given below :

 

Plenary Session

The participants were divided into two working groups for dealing with Socio-economic aspects and Forestry & Natural Resources.
Working Group – I Socio-economic Group
Chairman:- Prof: Aparajita Mukherjee
Reporter: - Sri Indranil Bhowmik, Faculty, Tripura University.

Suggestion of this group are given below :
• The project should be based on local resource mapping & participatory planning at the Micro level.
• Formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) should be encouraged among the beneficiaries for ensuring effective participation & banking facilities should be provided to support their activities.
• Choice of plants should be made on the basis of local knowledge regarding soil condition and suitability of plants on one hand & cost-benefit analysis on the other. Question of market demand will have to be looked into.
• Rotational & multiple cropping in project area should be taken up, so as to address the problem of food security.
• Steps should be taken to ensure market linkage of the products.
• Provision of insurance against natural calamities should be included.

Working Group – II Forestry & Natural Resources Group
Title:- Eco-Restoration of Shifting Cultivation land and different plantation models
Chairman:- Mr. D.K. Sharma, IFS
Reporter:- Mr. P. Biswas, IFS

Factors affecting the models for Eco-restoration are as follows
• Ecological factors.
• Location (Physical).
• Degree of dependence on land.
• Market demands.
• Skill available.
• Opportunity available.
• Choice of people /attachment to land.
Options for eco-restoration are as follows :
• Plantation of the following species is very important
– Fuel wood
– Timber
– Bamboo
– Rubber
• NTFPs (Medicinal plants and orchids)
• Pisci-culture
• Apiculture and marketing
• Bamboo Bazaar
• Skill development for secondary sector production
• Education
• Agartbatti stick making based on Lijjat Papad Model

Motto:- Ecological security for economic prosperity

Conclusion:- With reference to suggestions of above working groups Dr. Ramprasad stated that there will be maximum flexibilities in the project. Formation of Self Help Groups will be encouraged. No plantation will be taken up without a series of discussion in the local area. Rotational and multiple cropping will be given preference. Fuel wood can not be the only means for sustainable development and idea of a Bamboo Bazaar was welcomed.

• Click for photographs