SHILLONG: The Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Soil and Water Conservation, Rowell Lyngdoh said on Tuesday that the department is looking for support and resources from other departments to implement the Sohra eco-restoration scheme on a convergence mode.
Replying to a call attention motion moved by UDP legislator from Sohra, T. Chyne on the withdrawal of funds meant for the Sohra project, Lyngdoh said that the programmes of various ministries of Government of India would also need to be integrated into the project in order to address the multiplicity of challenges to holistically address the problems.
“This is especially essential in order to carry out action for rejuvenation of the areas affected by coal mining. The department is also trying its best to find out other resources available for the implementation of the scheme,” Lyngdoh said.
Earlier, there were reports that Rs 27 crore meant for the scheme was withdrawn due to fund crunch. Admitting this, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the total amount sanctioned and implemented for the project till date is Rs 49.35 crore.
The fund released for implementation of the project during 2010-2011is Rs 16 crore from Special Central Assistance and in 2011-2012 Rs 18 crore was released both from Special Plan Assistance (Rs 13.35 crore) and Special Central Assistance (Rs 4.65 crore).
The fund released in 2012-2013 was Rs 15.35 crore from Special Plan Assistance.
According to Lyngdoh, the estimated cost of the scheme as per the detailed project report is Rs 87.16898 crore.
The physical target include among others treatment of 365 hectare arable land, 2449 hectare non-arable land, construction of 3268 number structures for drainage line treatment and creation of 18795 units of livelihood and eco-tourism activities.
The scheme was proposed for implementation in six years. Accordingly, the funds earmarked for each year is Rs 16 crore for 2010-11, Rs 18 crore for 2011-12, Rs 27.3494 crore for 2012-13, Rs 15.82136 crore for 2013-2014, Rs 6.545553 crore for 2014-2015 and Rs 3.4211crore for 2015-2016.
According to Lyngdoh, the scheme, Cherrapunjee Ecological Project- Restoration of degraded land under Sohra Plateau was prepared by the department during 2010-201l.
The programme encompasses an area of 11092 hectares more or less covering 45 villages. The scheme aims at ameliorating the ecology and environment of Sohra Plateau.
“Restoring degraded lands, strengthen village level institution on natural resource management and minimize human activities detrimental to the environment and create avenues for sustainable livelihood are the objectives,” Lyngdoh said.
The cumulative physical achievement of the Sohra eco-restoration scheme till date:
Arable land treatment (311 hectares out of 365 hectares), non -arable land treatment (2049 hectares out of 2449 hectares), number of structures in drainage line treatment (1111 out of 3268), livelihood and eco-tourism activities (10607 out of 18795 units).
The scheme was proposed for implementation in six years. In 2010-11 (Rs 16 crore), 2011-12 (Rs 18 crore), 2012-13(Rs 27.3494 crore) 2013-2014 (15.82136 crore), 2014-2015 (Rs 6.545553 crore and in 2015-2016 (Rs 3.4211)crore.