TURA: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh has suggested providing a source of livelihood to Garo Hills farmers engaged in jhum (shifting) cultivation to prevent further deforestation and preserve water catchment areas from the region.
Ram Singh made the suggestion during a consultative meeting on rejuvenation of Ganol catchment plan with the study team representing KfW Germany in collaboration with the District Administration, West Garo Hills which was held at Hotel Polo Orchid in Tura on Tuesday.
The meeting was held in order to understand the plan and inputs for the development of Ganol catchment and investment requirements.
Ram Singh spoke about the encroachment in the buffer zone of various catchment areas including the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve which may, in future, pose a risk to these reserves if encroachment is not checked properly starting now.
He also informed that matters relating to this have been discussed earlier and preventive measures have also been taken but need to sensitise the people every now and then.
He also urged the related departments to provide a source of livelihood to these people to stop ‘jhuming’ in these areas by providing agro-forestry or other means of livelihood such as tourism opportunities or other related activities.
He requested the officials to visit and organise meeting or programmes in these villages so that they can understand the ground realities and experience the kind of life they live.
Narendra Rathore, consultant, KfW Germany, in his power point presentation, showed the detailed study of the Ganol catchment area including people living near that area, expansion of inhabitants to forest land, impact of climate change, degradation of natural resources amongst others.
The KfW Germany consultant also informed that the main objective of the meeting was to discuss and improve water availability and security for the people of the region by mainstreaming scientific approaches to facilitate sustainable catchment protection and community forest management.
