Tura, June 10: Reacting to an article published in The Shillong Times two weeks ago on the critical Nokrek Biosphere, the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), which has been charged with the implementation of the PES scheme in the state, clarified on the situation and how they have been working to ensure the implementation of the scheme to ensure the protection of the Biosphere.
PES actually stands for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) under which villages or individuals who are willing to pledge the protection of their forests for a period of at least 30 years will be repaid back by the state to maintain these reserves. The scheme is looked after by the MBMA and is being implemented as Grassroots Response towards Ecosystem Enhancement & Nurturing (GREEN).
MBMA authorities firstly refuted the claim that most villages or communities do not have knowledge of the PES scheme as they have explored every possibility of spreading knowledge through various media – both print and electronic.
“The project has appointed GREEN Field Associates in all the Blocks and also PES Field Associated (PFAs) in this particular catchment to address these critical issues. The PFAs and GFAs have visited these villages a number of times Daribokgre (20 visits), Baladingre (10 times), Chandigre (25 visits), Dura Kalakgre (15 visits) to conduct awareness with the community members of these villages,” informed MBMA authorities through a statement.
“Apart from this the teams from the district (DPMU) have also visited these villages numerous times to create awareness. It is possible that he (the author) had interviewed with only one or few selected individuals of the village who are not aware of these developments (interestingly these included Nokmas),” the statement said.
The MBMA added that GFAs have physically visited more than 3,500 villages across the state and used weekly markets to spread the message on GREEN Meghalaya. Additionally, several awareness programmes have been organised at block level, district level and traditional institutions.
“PES or GREEN Meghalaya is implemented across Meghalaya and as on date we have received more than 4,500 applications. Of these 2,700 have been processed and more than 1,500 eligible applicants have received the benefits. This number would be increasing in time,” they added.
Acknowledging the importance that the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is an important catchment for the Ganol River, a pilot project, as per the MBMA, has been taken out in 18 of the villages in the Biosphere.
They further added that many communities from these villages have received considerable funds from MBMA under this scheme: Daribokgre – received Rs. 14,59,240; Chandigre – Rs. 53,480; Dura Kalakgre – Rs. 80,900.
“These villages will continue to receive this funding if they conform to the guidelines prepared by MBMA on GREEN Meghalaya for the next 5 years. Baladingre did not receive any benefits as there are some administrative disputes with a neighbouring village. As of now, the verification (Transect survey and Field observation) by PFAs of activities implemented in these villages is under process, so the 2nd instalment of the financial incentives can be given to the eligible beneficiaries as per the MRV protocols developed by MBMA,” they added.
