Project Detail

Conserving Biodiversity for Positive Human-nature Relationship through Nature and Tourism in Kausani District of Almora District

The project opens the avenues for eco-tourism as an enterpise to conserve biodiversity in the Kausani valley region located in Almora district of Uttarakhand state of India. There are 11 villages hit by the exploitation of natural resources like water and land degradation creating inappropriate environment to grow crops and vegetables. This has moved villagers to leave their tradition to grow cereals. Nature tourism provides resources both financial and physical for long term conservation of natural resources and incentives to improve biological diversity. Thus, mitigating the threats and producing the socio-ecological production landscape. This will advance socio-ecological production landscapes benefiting community and working towards an enriched bio-diversity. Village development Committee; Community awareness and motivation; Development Beautification of trek route; Development of facilitation hub(Bamboo cafeteria, information centers and small outlet); Maintenance of non-biodegradable waste; Revival of naula and afforestation in the catchment area of naula; Organic pits; Plantation of fodder Grass; Plantation of fruit trees and vegetable gardens to be raised in villages along with capacity building of the community members are the activities to create the sources of income for the villagers.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

MAHILA HAAT

Country:

India

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5-Y3 (Jul 13 - Jun 14)

Grant Amount:

US$ 32,565.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 11,698.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 24,778.00

Project Number:

IND/COMDEKS/SGP/2013/05

Start Date:

8/2013

End Date:

6/2016

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Photo Gallery

PRA village map showing forest and community location in Kausni valley located at Almora district of Uttarakhand State

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Project Characteristics and Results

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

A Village Development Committee is to hold the marketing linkages for the artifacts. The Facilitation hub consisting markets for artisans, cooks, cultural artists presents an innovative market linkage. The profits generated will be distributed as salaries of the workers and reinvest in the purchase of new assets and meeting out emergencies.

Gender Focus

Both men and women will are to be involved in project activities. The livelihoods based on farm activities and enterprising through information centre highlights the local handcrafts and the practices of local communities. The whole area is inhabited by marginal farmers and most of the agriculture activities are done by women folk, therefore activities invites participation of women community and it will provide equal benefits to men as well.

Notable Community Participation

The project addresses 204 households and 3804 members of 4 Gram Sabhas (Sunari, Bajel, Paya and Kotli ) of 11 villages of Ranman area which stretches about an area of 50 sq km. The community is to be involved in awareness building, baseline surveys with the local people in villages. In depth discussions with the community will be done regarding planning, taking of ownership of the project, implementation strategy of the project and expected contribution in kind. A Village committee will also be developed consisting of community members. They will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the project activities and will serve as biodiversity conservator group.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The project involves the local communities as beneficiaries.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Through awareness based programmes villagers will be moved to follow their traditional concept of Bara anaj (12 cereals on the same field). Development of facilitation hub - Bamboo cafeteria, information centers and small outlet for tourists help in linking around 500 members as producer groups, artisans, nature guides, cooks, cultural groups etc. with market. Segregation of waste help in generating ~1,000 quintals of compost for farming. For the purpose, 9 dustbins for bio-degradable waste and 1 dustbin for plastic waste will be maintained. Nali (narrow water stream) plantations cover in 0.2 ha of catchment area to revive traditional water resources. 10 vermicomposting pits will be prepared to manufacture quality manure for enhancing farm land productivity. Plantation of Napier will improve the health of the cattle thereby enhancing in milk yield by 50 %. Perennial rice will increase the vegetative cover in the region. - Plantation of vegetables and fruit trees in the private land of 700 farmers will earn a source of livelihood to the farmers.

Capacity - Building Component

To conduct eco-tourism activities villagers will be trained in following sectors: 1) 8 interested youths from the project villages who are economically weak would be selected to be trained as Nature guide. 2) Training to cooks and waiters-2 cooks and 2 waiters will be trained from Uttarakhand tourism development board. 3) Cultural groups: 2 cultural groups consisting of 8 villagers in one group would be developed in order to provide culture experience to the tourists. 4) Enhancement of local handicraft- 50 women from the women sangathans will be trained in local skills like hand knitting, sewing and crafts like Aipan etc.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Villagers to be made aware of conservation of natural resources and sustainable harvesting of local forest resources. The information will further be communicated to the tourists through Facilitation hubs and nature camps.

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