Community led initiatives for wasteland regeneration
SAGP18
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Activities undertaken for development of the village commons 1 Check dams and staggered trenches were constructed for the purpose of soil and water conservation at the three sites so as to prevent further degradation and improve productivity. 2 Pits were dug for the plantation of different forestry trees to improve vegetation cover. 3 Direct seeding of grass was done at all the sites. The fodder varieties chosen were Hameta (Stylosanthus Hamata) and Dhaman (Cenchrus Siliaris) which grow well in the area. After the development of the three sites, norms and rules regarding protection, management and fodder harvesting were finalised by the Gram Vikas Committee in order to ensure equitable distribution of benefits within the village. These norms included the appointment of guards to keep watch on the sites, and catch those who broke agreed rules. The honorarium of these guards was initially paid by Seva Mandir, and is presently met from the interest earned on the Gram Vikas Kosh* The penalty for grazing on the protected sites was Rs. 12/- for small ruminants, and Rs. 51/- for large ruminants. Further, the committee decided to open the JFM sites for an agreed number of days every year with one person from each household allowed to cut grass every day. Each household has to deposit Rs. 20/- per cut/harvest into the Gram Vikas Kosh. |
