Community Development Plan (CDP) of Damchera village, North Tripura district, Tripura

April2014444Kabil, New DelhiCommunity Development Plan (CDP) of Damchera village, North Tripura district, TripuraNorth East Rural Livelihood Programme (NERLP)08Fall

Brief description about North Tripura district and Damchera villageNorth Tripura district having altitude of 12.80 meter; latitude of 24 19North; and longitude of 92 01 East is bounded by Assam & Mizoram in the East, North by Bangladesh, West by Dhalai district and in the South partly by Dhalai district and Bangladesh. Total area of North Tripura District is approx.2, 469.90 sq. km. and it has 210 km. of International Indo-Bangladesh Border line. North Tripura District consists of three revenue sub-divisions namely Kailashahar, Dharmanagar and Kanchanpur. There are six blocks in the district- Kadamtala, Panisagar, Jubarajnagar, Juri R.F., Jampuri hill, and Dasda; five Revenue Circle, 34 TK and 166 revenue mouja or village.Figure 1: Physical map of Damchera village

Source: Google maps accessed on 16/04/2014Damchera village is among the other eight villages in the Damchera block. It is 4.1 kms from the block headquarter at Damchera.The village shares boundary with Narendranagar in the east; Piplachhara in the west;Rahumchhara in the north; and Kacharichhara in the south. Mirozam state border starts quite nearby the main market and an over-bridge onArrang riverconnects the two states.The village has 25 hamlets (paras) and a total of 229 families.Halam, Reyang, Bengali, and Manipuri communities inhabit these hamlets. In Halamhamlet only, 83 families are living. Most of the people speak Bengali and Kokborok language but also understand Hindi.Most of the people either follow Hinduism or Christianity.

Figure 2: Damchera village

Village economy is dependent on rainfed agriculture and the village gets enough rains round the year. Other than agriculture, members of a few families have migrated to find service jobs in other states. Under MNREGS;road, water channels, and land leveling work has been done in the village. On an average, villagers have been paid for 12 days per month at the rate of INR 135 per day per person. Agricultural scenario of the village Agricultural farming is the primary occupation of the villagers and rice is grown in plain terrain only; not practised on jhum fields. Farmers are following mono cropping in which only one major crop is taken due to lack of sufficient amount of water. However, potato and pulses are the other major crops cultivated in the village.Jackfruit, pineapple, banana, arecanut, and orangestop the list of horticultural products.Traditionally, most of the indigenous population practised jhum method of cultivation however; the number of people dependent onjhumhas declined over the years.Pisciculturehas made significant advances in the village as fishponds can be seen at various places.The cropping season, which begins in March and continues up-to August isKharif while the Rabi season starts in September and ends in December every year.Rabi crops are mainly confined to vegetables. Use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and better implementscan be seen in the village but are limited to better off farmers.

Figure 3: Jhum land and plain terrain in the village where vegetables and paddy are grown

Land (soil)In general, soils of the area are acidic in nature. Alluvial soil rich in fertile deposits is found in the village and suitablefor cultivation of paddy, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables. The pH of soil ranges from 5.50 to 5.64. Nitrogen and phosphate is low, available potash is medium to high, calcium, magnesium and sulfur are deficient in these soils. The small isolated hillocks interspersed throughout the state are known astillas(hilly / small mounds). Lateritic soil is found in tillaarea; younger soils or river valley soils are found along all major river courses.LivestocksAlmost all the households to meet own consumption rear cows, pigs, goats, ducks, and hens for milk and meat purposes. RainfallThe average annual rainfall of the area is 2430 mm. Out of that the average monsoon rainfall is 1630 mm. The average nos. of rainy days for last 5 years is 110. Maximum rainfall of 4026 mm (1993) recorded at Kailashahar and minimum rainfall of 1598 mm (2001) recorded at Kanchanpur. The co-efficient of variation of rainfall in the area ranges from 19-21% suggested a low variability of annual rainfall. The temperature in the area varies from 5.1 0C to 35.6 0 C. The humidity is generally high throughout the year. In summer season the relative humidity varies between 50 to 90 percent and in rainy season, the relative humidity is over 85 percent in morning and in evening it varies between 70 to 80 percent.Table 1: Monthly Average Temp and Rainfall in the districtLevelAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDecJanFebMar

Max0 C32.733.93232.932.532.931.929.327.226.426.231.4

Mim0 C21.323.724.324.524.123.221.316.710.210.712.119.1

Mean0 C26.828.32928.728.228.125.422.918.318.319.125

Rainfall(mm)121.4196.6204.4165.6275.695.02100.3326.16012.7139.71169

Water As the village is scattered over a large space, villagers fulfill their water requirements from near by small perennial streams. The village has a perennial river, which provides water round the year, but in summer, its flow becomes very less. 20-30 families get water from a cemented tank, which collects water from a perennial source. Water through PVC and galvanized pipes has also been supplied to a few households and a few public taps but it does not fulfill the village requirement. We saw two dried and broken supply pipes and water supply was stopped long back. There are a few ring wells and a hand pump in the village but water table has gone down too much that it could provide water to 3-4 families only. With the support of Agriculture department, one small check dam was also constructed ona private land in the village.Figure4: Water sources available in the village

As far as irrigation requirements are concerned, villagers are dependent on rains and irrigate fields with water from river Sahayadeng. However, farmers expressed their interest more towards drinking water as fields produce enough produce even if dependent on rainwater. Forest The village has natural forest, which has been gradually replaced by rubber plantation and banana plantation. In some patches,Chhan(thatching grass) is planted mostly for the economical purpose. These forests are privately owned and have a tie-up with the state forest development corporation. The natural forest is disappearing with the economic benefits from rubber plantation. Fuel wood is collected from the remaining forest. Community Development Plan (CDP)Community development planning based on natural resources aimsat improving livelihoods,agro-ecosystem resilience, agricultural productivity, and environmental services. Involving community in all kinds of decision-making, planning aims at strengthening social, physical, human, natural, and financial capital of the village. It will help in resolving conflicting interests among stakeholders and empower villagers; foster efficient utilization of resources; make use of available technologies; and provide policy recommendations. With the objective of creating CDP for Damchera village, Kabil resource persons with experience in integrated natural resource management conducted the planning along with NERLP staff and villagers in the village. The following steps were followed with the purpose of creating a concrete plan for livelihoods promotion focusing on natural resource management as well as conservation of the existing resources in the village.SlStepsPurpose

1Baseline Data collectionPFT had earlier collected data about village profile

2Resource MappingPPT conducted PRA to get an overview of the available resources in the village.

3Land ownership and users mappingTo get an understanding of the land ownership

4Problem identificationProblem identification in sub-groups, discussion among the villagers and consolidation. Division of the consolidated problems in to NRM and Non-NRM issues. Generation of options along with brainstorming

5Visiting the important/top priority sites in NRM planningVisiting the sites for possible NRM intervention along with the villagers. To come up with a suitable NRM plan for the village. Suggesting villagers that these interventions can be done and getting their opinion about the viability of such options.

6Desired NRM and intervention plan the priority land. To come up with the NRM intervention plan with interventions and a tentative budget

7Presenting the plan for verification of the villagersTo present the whole exercise with a recap and suggest possible interventions along with the budget. If required further refinement can be done in the plan and tentative budget

8Approval of CDP at various levels Approval of the CDP at various levels (i.e. - Gram Sabha, DPMU, SPMU of NERLP office in Guwahati). As some of the plans need convergence, related departments will be contacted.

The process to develop a CDP was started with initial interaction with the NRM Coordinator, Block Coordinator, and PFT memberson the first day. The staff was introduced with the CD planning process and was informed about the steps involved to create a NRM based plan. With the help of videos and PPTs, NRM planning steps were explained to them. After briefing, they wereasked to share their understanding and their ideas to do planning in the village. Later, during the field visit a formal meeting with farmers and village leaders was organized at the community center in the village. Figure 7: Discussion with PFT staff and farmers in the village

Starting with an introduction on the first day, farmers shared about themselves and which CDG they belong to. Two teams of professionals visited two different paras and conducted the same exercises. The participants were divided into two subgroups and conducted the exercise of problem analysis in which they shared the problems related to natural resources with in the village. Both the groups listed about 4-5 most important problems of the group and asked the group leaders to a common platform to discuss and prioritize the problems of the villages. The villagers pointed the following most important problems in the village. 1. Insufficient amount of drinking water in the village. Even if water is available, it is not potable because of high iron content2. Absence of an over-bridge which disconnects a group of families who live on the other side of the water stream (nala)3. Lack of irrigation facilities in farm fields4. Forest fire which destroys agricultural fieldsLater to discuss the possible solutions to solve the problems in the area, farmers field visit and current sources of water available in the village were visited. NERLP officials, Kabil consultants, and five farmers visited water sources, reservoir, ring wells, vegetable cultivation farms, jhum fields, drinking water perennial springs, and water tanks in the village. Farmers along with the resource persons visited all these sites to ascertain the exact extent of the problem and possible interventions that can be made to help the villagers tackle such problems. Water availability and flow of water were calculated on the source site and measurements were taken. After basic measurements and understanding on the site, resource persons proposed following NRM activities that can be implemented under NRELP and convergence with other departments and programmes in Damchera village.1. Diversion based irrigation (DBI): A DBI is proposed in the stream for gravity flow irrigation. Construction of Masonry water-inlet system from the small stream having flow of over 5 liters per second (in April-the driest month). The proposed structure will divert the stream water to the pipe under gravity through 2,500 meters long pipe. The diversion structure would be prepared by a qualified engineer and constructed under expert supervision.2. Drinking water supply for 25 households inparaI3. Drinking water supply for 60 households inparaII (Halampara)On the second day, the proposed activities under CDP were explained to the villagers on white board and with the help of pictures and asked about their suggestions and any problems that might see. Farmers supported the idea of water tanks with pipeline supply to provide potable water and asked many questions for clarification. Farmers were willing to provide labour and any other help for construction of various structures in the village. Table 1: CDP estimate for Damchera villageDiversion of spring water (flow of 8 liters per second) to the crop fields (2 numbers)

SlItem of workUnitNo of unitsUnit CostAmount in Rs

AActivity - 1: Diversion based irrigation (DBI) - A perennial stream flows through the village. A BDI is proposed in the stream for gravity flow irrigation.

1Construction of Masonry water-inlet system from the small stream having flow of over 5 liters per second (in April - the driest month). The proposed structure will divert the stream water to the pipe under gravity through 2,500 meters long pipe. The diversion structure would be prepared by a qualified engineer and constructed under expert supervision. An estimated lump sum amount of Rs 50,000/- for the diversion based irrigation structure.Lump sum150,00050,000

2Stream Water will be conveyed through a pipeline of 160 mm diameter to the intended area for irrigation. Total length of the pipeline will be 2,500 meters. Some part of pipelines will be underground and some part will be exposed depend on the terrain. It has been estimated that the PVC pipe will be 2,000 meters and rest 500 meters will be galvanised iron pipe. Cost of Laying of 2,000 meters PVC pipe of diameter 160 mm buried under the ground is estimated at INR 300 per meter including cost of pipelines, earth excavation in lying of pipelines including fittings and fixtures.Meters2,000300600,000

3Lying of 500 meters Galvanised pipes of diameter 160 mm exposed on the ground. Estimated cost is Rs 1,000 per meter including cost of pipelines, Stony earth excavation in lying of pipelines including fittings and fixtures.Meters5001000500,000

4Accessories (i.e. joints, PVC pipe fittings, gate valve, riser etc). A lumpsum of Rs 20,000 has been estimated.Lump sum120,00020,000

5Small outlets for supply of irrigation water (1 mt x1 mt x1 mt) will be constructed - 6 such units are required. Estimated cost is INR 5,000 each.Cubic-meter65,00030,000

Sub-total A1,200,000

BActivity - 2: Drinking Water - I - for 25 families

6Construction of Masonry water-inlet system with proper net to protect from siltation and otherdirt, from a reservoir created under Watershed Program. It would cost Lump sum INR 10,000/-Lump sum110,00010,000

7Water conveyance PVC pipeline of 120 mm diameter to supply drinking water to the intended area. Total pipe length is 600 meters. PVC pipe buried under the ground will be used. The cost will be INR 200 permeter including the cost of 120 mm diameter pipe of 2.5 kg of pressure per square centimeters, earth digging, laying of pipeline etc. Meters600200120,000

8Accessories (i.e. joints, PVC pipe fittings, gate valve, riser and outlets etc.Lump sum120,00020,000

Sub-total B150,000

CActivity - 3: Drinking Water - II - for 60 families

9Construction of a Dug Well of 3 meter diameter and 12 meter depth with masonry lining at the foot hills of a hillock. The well will yield water flow of 2 liters per second (in April - driest month) from the sub-surface ground water. Estimated cost of the well is Rs 400,000/-Lump sum1400,000400,000

10Construction of Masonry water-storage tank of size (3 meter length x 3 meters breadth x 3 meters height). The well water will be lifted by a pump for storage. It would cost @ Rs 10,000 per cubic meter of storage. Cubic-meter910,00090,000

11A 2 HP pumpset (preferred electricity with a stand by of 3 HPdieselpump set) will be installed for lifting the water from the well to the storage tank. Estimated cost is Rs 50,000 including two pumpsets and electricity connection. Lump sum160,00060,000

12Water conveyance PVC pipeline of 120 mm diameter for carrying water to the intended area for drinking water supply. The total length is 800 Kilometer. PVC pipe will be used that would be buried under the ground. The cost will be Rs 200 per meter including the cost of 120 mm diameter pipe of 2.5 kg of pressure per square centimeters, earth digging, laying of pipeline etc. Meters800200160,000

13Accessories (i.e. joints, PVC pipe fittings, gate valve, riser etc.Lump sum210,00020,000

14Construction of water supply points - two numbers for two hamlets to cater 40 and 20 families respectively. Estimates cost of each supply unit is Rs 10,000.210,00020,000

Sub Total C750,000

15Contingency (primarily for preparation of estimate by qualified Engineer and supervision during construction) - around 5% 100,000

Grand total for all items2,200,000

The estimate for the plan is only about Rs. Twenty-two lakh only for more than 100 families.The proposed investment has the capability to sustain the needs for about three decades. The design of the proposed interventions will be similar to whatis given below.

Figure 8: Design of the proposed water supply model3Water SourceDistribution tank for supplySupply to the households through pipes

(drawn for illustration only)Implementation Plan The group discussions and site visits provided enough support to practice diversion based irrigation system in the village but PFT members would again discuss the plan and the proposed design among farmers to get their final agreement on this. A qualified engineer would be hired to finalize the proposed estimate and detail out all the measurements properly. Total 100 householdswill be benefited directly from the NRM activities under CDP. NRM Coordinator with the help of PFTs will facilitate CDG members to construct structures in the village and implement other project activities. For effective utilization of potable water, water usage system could also be created in the village, which will ensure that families pay as per the usage of water. Water meters can be installed at each household that will monitor water supply and excess usage by any family will pay as per the rates decided by the community. Kabil strongly supports and recommends for this water usage system for families for effective and efficient conservation and utilization of water in the village. Moreover, a community-based system will also help in repair and maintenance of the irrigation structures due to wear and tear._______________

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