By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 9: With the ban on illegal coal mining by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) continuing to impact livelihoods in East Jaintia Hills, efforts to promote sustainable and alternative sources of income are gradually gaining ground in the region.
Communities that were once heavily dependent on coal-related activities are increasingly turning towards agriculture, horticulture, and livestock farming for sustenance. In many villages, farming continues to be practised on both community and private lands, largely for subsistence needs rather than commercial purposes, amid ongoing concerns over livelihood security.
In this backdrop, the Block Resource Management Committee (BRMC), a community-based organisation established in 2010 under the erstwhile MRDS-IFAD LIPH project, has been actively supporting rural communities through convergence programmes and targeted interventions. The BRMC has been working closely with villages in select pockets of East Jaintia Hills to strengthen local resource-based livelihoods.
A major initiative under this effort is the Community Livelihood Improvement Project (CLIP), supported by the Meghalaya Environment Protection and Restoration Fund. The project, currently being implemented in 10 villages across Saipung and Wapung C&RD Blocks, focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS).
The initiative also aims to bridge critical gaps in access to information, technical knowledge, skill development, and government schemes, particularly for communities affected by the coal mining ban.
As part of ongoing activities, the BRMC, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Umiam, conducted a field visit to Kairang village on April 7. The visit brought together scientists from ICAR, officials from the district horticulture and agriculture departments, and members of the BRMC to assess the progress of the IFS model under the CLIP project.
The visiting team included soil science experts and agricultural specialists, who interacted directly with farmers and provided technical guidance on soil health management, efficient use of organic inputs and better integration of crops and livestock within the farming system. The objective of the visit was to review implementation of the IFS model, evaluate soil-related practices, and strengthen coordination among key stakeholders, including ICAR, the Horticulture Department, ATMA, and the BRMC.
During the interaction, officials saw that farmers are actively adopting integrated farming techniques, though there’s room to improve resource use and system integration. Experts emphasised the need for sustained technical support to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability.
The initiative has improved collaboration between farmers and technical agencies, with participants benefiting from expert input to increase farm output and resilience. Plans for continued monitoring and follow-up support were also discussed to ensure effective implementation of the programme. Officials expressed optimism that such livelihood interventions would play a crucial role in building economic resilience among rural communities and provide viable alternatives to coal-based income, while promoting sustainable development in the region.
