Activities conducted with regard to project in the last month:
Activities (Summary)
From 12/05/07 to 17/05/07 field visit was done extensively in the Chunati Range. On 12/05/07 at first talked with Mr. Goutom at NSP site office, Chunati and collected latest information about improved chulla. Then talked with Sahima, FO of NSP and selected 2 FUG group for primary data collection in sector-3 of Chunati beat under Chunati Range. This sector comprises 11 FUG and total FUG members are 240. After a detail discussion with her we decided Borua Para FUG group (comprises 23 members) and Rahamania Para FUG group (comprises 18 members) for data collection. In Borua Para primary data is collected from 10 respondents out of 23 members and time is taken 02 days for that group (13/05/07 to 14/05/07). Then in Rahamania Para primary data is collected from 10 respondents out of 18 members and time is taken 02 days for that group (16/05/07 to 17/05/07). In two FUGS total numbers of respondents were 20 during that period.
Borua Para is situated a long drive from Chunati Site Office. On an average it is in total 4.5 km from Chunati Site Office. Walk way is not plane land; it is strip slope and combination of plane land. There is a natural beauty of that place. Peoples of that area are very much poor. They have the interest for having plantation in their homestead. From NSP only 3 members got training on organic fertilizer making and plantation program out of 23. Out of 23 most of them got improved chulla since one year back. In that area, only Borua community has been living since long. They have the interest for educate next generation. So for study their children come at chunati which is long distance. About nature conservation and wildlife protection, all of them are now aware of that. Female of that place always insists male for not going inside forest and they try to motivate their husbands for alternative income like poultry, plantation etc. at their homestead.
Rahamania Para is 15 minutes journey by bus from NSP site and then walk. This para is very much close to forest. It is down stage from the high way and then sloppy. In that Para 18 members have been residing since long. Only 10 members were interviewed through questionnaire method out of 18 members. This para is very much backward. No literacy is there. Peoples of that place do not know what the right age for start school is. They have wrong idea for schooling. There is no school near by them, so for going school, children have to go by walk to school. As a result schooling age starts from 08 years in that place for the children. From NSP out of 18 FUG members 9 members got improved chulla as a grant and most of them got seed including other logistics.
On 15/05/2007 there was a CMC meeting held at Chunati Union Parisad building. The main agenda of that meeting was very specific. What CMC will do in future in the PA management? After 2 hours open discussion, very important issues came up from CMC members. I was also present in that meeting for investigating them or about their performance regarding PA management.
Activities (Details)On 12/05/2007 I started for Chunati at 8 am and reached there at 11.30 am. After reaching there I met with Mr. Goutom who is the key authority of CODEC. I was introduced myself to him. Then I talked with him about NSP activities. About improved Chulla, he has given latest information, which is now under process of implementing at the field level. In collaboration with Grameen Sokti, it will implement. For pressure reduction of firewood, it will play a vital role. Each and every individual is allowed for installing such kind of Chulla. Total installation cost is taken 700 taka per chulla. Grameen Sokti will provide the technical support. For installation of improved Chulla, FUG will get the high priority. In that case FUG has to pay 50% of total cost 700 taka. NSP will provide rest of the payment as a grant, i.e. 350/- taka per chulla. He also informed about the next meeting of CMC, which will be held at Union Parisad Office on 15/05/2007 at 11 am.
After that I talked with 04 Field Organizers (FO) who have the key role at field level. Step by step I talked with them and set up next daylong program with them. At first I talked with Sahima who is responsible for sector-3 and under her jurisdiction there are 11 FUG comprises 240 members. This is 100% female-based FUG group. After consultation with her I selected 02 FUG and in that 02 FUG out of 51 members I have taken 20 respondents for questionnaire part. For selection of respondent, given preference of their education and also sincerity and commitment regarding PA management.
Accordingly on 13/05/2007 I started for Borua Para from Chunati Site Office at 9.00 am with the assistance of Sahima, FO of NSP project. Borua Para is situated a long drive from Chunati Site Office. At first Rickshaw and then walk way. On an average it is in total 4.5 km from Chunati Site Office. Walk way is not plane land; it is strip slope and combination of plane land. There is a natural beauty of that place. Peoples of that area are very much poor. They have the interest for having plantation in their homestead. We have seen some cash crop plantation like bamboo and also poultry in that area. After one hour journey we reached at Borua Para. At 10.20 am I started individual interview with Mira Borua. She is 32 years old and has 3 children. Her elder son now has been studying at Srilanka in class 8. He had gone there with the help of their relative. Other 02 are at primary level. She is now waiting for her son. Because of that her expectation is that if elder son is educated properly, then other will get the same benefit. In Borua Para, there is not any institution for primary education even. For study, children have to come at Chunati. In Cunati, there are 04 schools including 03 private and 01 govt. schools. For higher study only one private college is situated at Chunati she reported. For Madrasha education, only one male and one female Madrasha are established there. She also told that her Husband does agricultural works and also daily labour works. Per day wages are 150/- taka only on the basis of performance. Per moth they have only 4500/-taka (approx.) income on an average and it increases upto 45000/- annually. For maintenance of their family they are fully depend on bank loan. From Islamic Bank, time-to-time, they make loan 10,000/- and recover that by 275/- taka per installment system. Though they are now below the poverty level but about education still they have planned to do. For educating next generation is their objective. So for maintaining household, they have hen for financial support. About FUG activities, she reported that FO always insist them for attending meeting and also attain some training program. About selection of FUG leader, she told that it is an open support of all FUG members. Normally leader is selected for 2 years. About fuel wood dependence, she also told that for minimizing firewood, they are still depending on forest for firewood. Fire wood consumption is their requirement. As per requirement once a week she goes inside forest and collect fodder only for firewood consumption. Every week at early in the morning, she likes to go inside forest and can collect up to 10 kg at a time by head load. Never do they sell for household maintenance. Every day in the market firewood takes place for sell and only the local middle class people are purchaser of that firewood. Earlier firewood demand was high but now it is reduced because of that installation of improved chulla. She told that now per day they use only 03 kg firewood for three times cooking. One year back, improved Chulla established at Borua Para. Leader of that FUG got 5 days training on it. Then she helped her relatives for installation of improved chulla. Now she has been realizing that it is less costly and installation price is also less. Now she has a plan to do training on improved chulla. If she can do such then she can contribute monetary support to her family.
Then I came to another residence and interviewed Rumpa Borua, who is leader of that FUG. They are also very much ambitious for education. From NSP, she got training on improved chulla through the technical support of German Technology (GTZ). Now she always helps other for installation of improved chulla. Physically I visited that chulla at her residence. It is rally smoke free and less firewood consuming system.
Thirdly I talked with Rima Borua who is young lady and secretary of that FUG. She is not interested for any kind of interview. She claimed that at the very beginning of NSP, there was a commitment provided by NSP authorities. Even they ensured monetary support to members. But after 2 years implementation of NSP activities, she did not get any single monetary benefit form NSP. About training, she reported that out of 23 FUG members in their group only 3 members got training. Rest are still deprive from training or any other support from NSP. Time to time decision has been changing by NSP authority, as a result now being as a leader of FUG, she can not maintain her group members because of that what ever commitment is given, still it is not implemented at the root level.
At the same day, Shapla Borua is interviewed at her residence. She is 30 years old and her family size is in total 05. She is fully depends on spouse and occupation of her spouse is only daily labour. They are really below the poverty level. Per day wages is only 150/- taka. Miscellaneous jobs as a daily labour he has to perform for maintaining their family. Some time in the brickfield, some time sand supply works or some time does any other laborious job he has to perform. Being as a daily labour he cannot think about livelihood strategies. About training, she has not any idea. For family maintenance, they depend on grameen bank loan and it is very important to them because of livelihood. For fire wood consumption, still they are depending on forest. Being as a FUG member she got improved chulla as a grant. Now per day consumption is 2-3 kg firewood. About selling, she reported that never they had been done so.
Usha Borua faced last daylong interview. She has comparatively big size family. All are fully dependent on head of the family. Education is their dream. So children’s are studying at school level. Her husband has a tea stall and also does agricultural works on borga system. There is a provision of broga in that place. Comparatively they are richer than others. Being as a member of FUG, she got 02 days training on vegetable cultivation from NSP. Everywhere in the borua para, peoples are depend on Islami Bank loan. About firewood, they never go inside forest and even they have no improve chulla. So per day fire wood consumption is approx. 05 kg and they are aware about the advantage of that chulla. They have the plan for installing that chulla very soon. Being as a member of FUG awareness campaign is done by her to the locality. Now about nature conservation and wildlife protection of that area, female are very serious than male she added.
Next day i.e. on 14/05/07 we reached at borua para again and interviewed another 05 interviewees. At 9.30 am interview was started with Photo Borua. She is 45 years old & has 04 sons only. Elder son is now at out side country. Another is doing job at garment. Husband is garden mali and respondent is also does packaging work at garden. Now they have only one dependent son. Their livelihood strategies are for installation of improved chulla. Her family income per month goes to taka 5000/- on an average. They are firewood dependent on both homestead and forest. But never do sell firewood. About FUG activities, being as a member she does campaign of awareness to local communities. About forest patrolling she has an idea about that. For nature conservation and wildlife protection, it plays a vital role, she added.
At the same place another 04 were interviewed door to door. They have the opinion about firewood that they consume that for household purpose only but not for sell. Out of 04, 03 respondents have improved chulla and have been using that last one-year back. Now they can realize that improved chulla has given them an opportunity for less firewood consumption. Nature conservation and wildlife protection now a day is their dream for the sake of next generation.
On 15/05/2007 there was a CMC meeting held at Chunati Union Parisad building chaired by CF, Wildlife & Nature Conservation Circle and Project Director of NSP. Representative of USAID, Consultants of NSP, CODEC representative and also DFO, Wildlife and Nature conservation Division were present in the meeting. Total attendants are 56 including 19 CMC members of Chuanti Range and 19 CMC members of Banshkhali Range were present. The main agenda of that meeting was very specific. What CMC will do in future in the PA management? At first Mr. Utpal, consultant of NSP addressed the resource persons to the CMC members. Then consultant Mr.Shorma has given an idea for say something for the CMC members. After that PD given his speech in the way that FD is involved with forest management since long. But due to shortage of manpower natural resources has not been protected by them. There was a conflict between FD and local people. When govt. has seen such kind of situation, then NSP came up with the help of USAID fund. For managing such kind of resources, there made a Gadget Notification for CMC as well as council. He also said FD is not for ever, NSP is going to be closed next May, 2008. So it is moral duty of CMC for protecting natural resources. Until resources are available, CMC performance will also be available. So now this is the time to do for PA management. He also addressed management plan, which is now approved for PA management. About fund PD also said that it is now under process in the USAID Office. Very soon LDF (Landscape Development Fund) project will start up. Then he has given to CMC members for open discussion. After 2 hours open discussion, very important issues came up from CMC members. Then PD assured them CMC is held responsible for PA management. What would be the next plan prioritize that and then sit together, come up with the specific solution, what you are going to do. After that USAID representative DR.Ashrafuzaman has given assurance for less time killing of LDF project approval. Instead of MOU, there will be general approval system, which will be applied. Then after 2.00 pm PD has concluding the daylong program session declaring 23/05/2007 meeting of CMC in the same venue. I was also present in that meeting as an observer.
On 16/05/2007 I reached at Rahamania Para for interview along with Sahima, FO of NSP. We started for Rahamania Para from NSP sit office at 11 am by bus and after 15 minutes journey by bus we reached there. This para is very much close to forest. It is down stage from the high way and then sloppy. At first we reached at the residence of Minu Akther and interviewed her. She is 35 years old and has 1 son & 1 daughter. They have no education and about education, they are not interested at all. In their place, there is no school or any institution for study. For study, they have to come 2 km distances from their native place. As a result, still they are not interested for study. Her husband is a farmer and also does vegetable cultivation works. He got 2 marriages. For family future, they have not plan for that. From NSP they got seed for vegetable cultivation and also improved chulla since one-year back. For financial support, they have one domestic cow. Being as a FUG member they campaign for nature conservation and also wildlife protection. About firewood, still they are fully dependent on forest as well as homestead. Now the consumption ratio has been reduced by the inclusion of improve chulla. She told that earlier their firewood consumption was 5-7 kg per day, now it is reduced and per day they use only 2-3 kg only.
Then after came to Jasmin Akther’s residence. She is 20 years old and has no education. Her husband does agricultural works in two seasons. Rest of the year he rides rickshaw as rent. From Asha they have got 10000/- taka as loan and per week 300/- pay as installment. They have the firewood dependency on forest. But never go for sell. After one year using, they can realize that firewood consumption has been reducing. Similarly interview was done to another 03 respondents on same day. More or less all of them have an idea about nature conservation and also wildlife protection.
On 17/05/2007 at the same place interview was taken to another 05 residences. Here stated only the interview with leader of that group. She is Moriom Kathun. Age is 40 years. She has 2 sons and 2 daughters. They have no education. Children’s are adult and they are now separate. Her husband got another marriage and he is now life with 2nd wife in separate environment. Now a day, whenever she asks for help, then her husband helps a little bit. Mainly she survives with the financial support from her sons. From NSP she got one day leadership training. She has a domestic cow for financial support. Being as a leader she motivates FUG members for attending regular monthly meeting and also does campaign awareness about nature conservation and also wildlife protection. Members of that FUG select her. Being as a senior of that group, they selected her for next 2 years. About firewood she is fully depends on forest still. Once a week she goes inside forest and collects 05 kg fodder for the week. She always goes inside the forest in early in the morning. But never does sell in the market. From NSP last year 50% of her group members got improved chulla as grant. She also said that it is really smoked free and healthy. Also she said that consumption rate is less than traditional chulla. Per day she uses 3-5 kg firewood for cooking.
Fig: one of the improved chulla that has been using by some of them.
Fig: another type of improved chulla that have been using.
Problems encountered problems resolved
There is a gap between FUG, CMC and Council members. Most of FUG does not have clear idea about NSP performance, CMC and also Council. In NSP frequent decision changing by the authority plays a negative attention about PA management. Another is commitment gap still alive in the field level. Regarding training or grant provision, it is not still rational. So for solving such kind of issues, there should be linked up between FUG, FD, CMC and also Council through the sitting arrangement of all levels in the same venue at least six month interval. Any decision made by CMC or Council, it should have acceptability to all the surroundings. Whatever commitment is given at root level, at least minimum should be implemented at the same. About selection criteria for any kind of training, participation should be very much effective, most practical and maximum satisfaction of trainees.
Future steps/next actionsNext step is planning for visit sector -1, 2 under chunati beat, sector-4 under aziz nagar beat and sector-5 under harbang beat in two steps for primary data collection and also collect information from key informant about NSP performance.
Any changes from proposalIn Chunati Range out of existing 38 FUG, 27 FUG are female and 11 FUG are male. And the percentage of female FUG is 71% and male FUG is 29%. So for collecting primary data females are given more emphasis than male. Another is availability of respondents. Male go out side of residence for whole day where female are comparatively available at their residence. So 06 FUG is selected on sectoral basis. Except sector-3, from other sectors 01 FUG is selected from each sector where as in sector-3, 02 FUG are selected, because of that in that sector number of FUG is higher than other sectors. Any change need further, and then always it will be informed.
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