The SLNA team interacting with participants during their visit to villages under Ukhrul district, Manipur on April 20 to 23. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, May 2 (MExN): A team of experts from State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), a registered Society under Land Resources Department, Nagaland for assisting them on preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of two Springshed based watershed Development projects covering four villages with funding support from NABARD.
As per a DIPR report, Volunteers for Village Development (VVD), an NGO based in Ukhrul, Manipur had requested the SLNA for assistance on preparation of DPR for the projects.
Accordingly, a team of six technical experts from varied backgrounds including Seteno Soukhrie (GIS expert), Alno Kennao (Social Science), Shanilo Seb (Hydrologist), Lopen Pongen (Civil engineer), Kalito J Sumi (Livelihood) and Yangthungo (Agriculture) visited Ukhrul from April 20 to 23.
The team visited four villages- Luireishimphung, Kuirei, Ngahui and Nungpi under Ukhrul district and conducted baseline survey, detailed Hydro-geological survey and Inventorization of Critical Springs that the communities depend upon for their domestic use, the report informed.
The team also conducted community sensitization and mobilization on Springshed management and development which saw healthy participation in all four villages. The sustainability of the project will be based on how well a community is sensitized and empowered to take forward the works even after the exit of the project period, it added.
The team also imparted hands-on training to the NGO functionaries on all aspects of the Springshed.
Based on their survey, the team observed the prevalence of the Disang formation (shales, siltstones and sandstones) and the ophiolite suites in the proposed project villages which will be taken into consideration during the DPR preparation.
Engineering interventions depending on the feasibility of the structures such as trenches, percolation tanks/dugout ponds, bench terraces, gully plugs, brushwood/boulder/ check dams are found to be feasible for recharging the aquifers, it added.
The communities were also encouraged to take up afforestation of local species trees in the barren land and the recharge area of the springs .Based on the prevailing landscape of the Springshed areas, Alder (Alnusnepalensis) tree would be most suitable to grow for vegetative cover, the experts observed. The occurrence of Alder is linked to the availability and abundance of water besides having nitrogen-fixing properties. For the vegetative measures in the watershed, horticulture and plantation crops like lemon, banana, parkia, avocado, cardamom, coffee, sugarcane, etc. are found to be quite suitable.
For economic upliftment, livelihood activities such as rearing of large black and Hampshire swine breeds for breeding, fingerlings and layer birds and pottery making were found to be viable.
Based on the field survey assessment, the team will be preparing two DPR for the NGO for submission to NABARD. The SLNA has also assisted other Nagaland based NGOs on such assignment which have been accepted by NABARD and already in full implementation phase, the DIPR report added.
