Tribal Empowerment: (HARITHA SAMRUDHY”) TDF Project.

The main tribal belt under the operational area of HDS is at the forest land of Marayoor. These settlements can be reached from a walk of 6 kilometers from Marayoor town through the forestland. Highrange Development Society is taken various developmental activities in the tribal settlements including Formal Education Programme, Integrated Tribal Development Programme (HARITHA SAMRUDHY”) TDF Project. HDS always promoting participatory approaches in the development field as we collaborate with PRIs and other Development Institutions for the sustainability. The decentralized system enables us to perform our role as a facilitator more meaningfully.

HARITHA SAMRUDHY (TDF PROJECT), Marayoor

Introduction

The Haritha Samrudhy (TDF Project) is implemented by the  Highrange Development Society (HDS), a registered NGO working in the district of Idukki. The ultimate goals of the project are sustainable agriculture development, environmental protection, income generation and women empowerment among the tribal people of the project area. There are  also activities to  ensure participation in the developmental process, improvement of their social status and empowerment of people’s organization which may  guarantee the sustainability of the project. Though there are few challenges, it is going away smoothly and we are able to notice visible changes within this short time.

Location of the Project

The location of the project is Koodackattukudy, Ward No.1 of Marayoor Grama Panchayath, Idukki district, Kerala. The HDS identified and selected 412 tribal families who belong to the ‘Muthuvan’ tribal community. These families are scattered in eight tribal settlements (Kudies) in the Koodackattukudy area namely Kavakudy, Periyakudy, Kuthukallukudy, Nellippettykudy, Vengapparakudy, Kammalamkudy, Overthattukudy and thakarakudy. For the better functioning of the project, they are divided into six clusters. They possess around 2000 acres of land and out of which 355 acres come under this project i.e. around one acre per family. Though they do not have a title deed for the land they are in possession of a government certificate called ‘Vanavakasa rekha’ which permits them to cultivate, construct houses and undertake various livelihood development programmes.

The Main Components

The main components of the project are divided into eight categories namely establishment of orchard and maintenance, soil conservation, water resource development, renewable energy conservation, livelihood activities, women and health development, training programmes, marketing and processing and labour. Almost 30% of the activities are put into action so far.

Present Status

The project was inaugurated by the Idukki MP, Adv. Joyce George and it is completing 18 months of activities. 17 self help groups are formed in various settlements for the smooth functioning of the programme. Each SHG consists of 15-20 members having pass book for each member, regular meetings of the members and having bank account in the SHG’s name. Awareness camps, trainings, workshops etc. are conducted to strengthen the SHGs.

A portion of Pepper, coffee, mango tree etc. are planted and seedlings were prepared in the nursery which is set up in the project area. Annual crops like vegetables, raggi etc. were very successfully cultivated. Soil conservation measures, water resource development activities etc  are started. 80% of the families were already given solar lanterns.  Livelihood activities are also in progress.

Programme Management

Besides the executive director and the programme co-ordinator, there is a field co-ordinator and four assistant co-ordinators and five field animators for the effective monitoring of the programme. The field co-ordinator and the assistant co-ordinators are ladies and they stay together in the project area. The field animators are from among the beneficiaries. There are  Settlement Action Teams (SAT) for every settlement and a Village Action Team (VAT) comprising the representatives from every settlement and the project management team.

Challenges in the implementation

The project area is a rain shadow region and there is scarcity of rain and water. There was heavy drought during the initial stage of the project and so we were unable to supply planting materials in time and those given could not survive. This adverse weather was a major challenge. Another challenge was the non co-operation of the tribal people in the beginning of the project due to lot of suspicions and wrong assumptions. But we are able to overcome the same. Since the location is in the deep forest, to get the support from the part of the forest department was also challenge many a time.

Success stories

Herewith we explain a few success stories of the project within a short time.

1. Vegetable/Ragi cultivation- We facilitated the people to cultivate vegetables in a large scale. 140 families were selected and provided with seeds, seedlings, irrigation facilities and labour changes to cultivate vegetables. Each family adopted an average of 0.5 acres of land and cultivated beans, ragi, banana etc. and got an average of 50 kg vegetables per week for three months. An average of Rs. 50/- per kg was earned and received around Rs.15000/- as profit, besides fresh vegetables for household purpose. As we arrange irrigation facilities, they are able to have three times crop every year.
2. Marketing- We could also arrange marketing facility for vegetables with the support of Forest department. There is an open market named “KILA” functioning on every Thursdays under the guidance of the department. As these products are from traditional organic cultivation, a better price is ensured. Merchants from Tamilnadu and Kerala used to participate in the auction.
3. Solar Lantern- Since many of the families do not have electricity, the lanterns distributed were of great help. These lanterns mainly helped the students in their studies and in keeping the safety of the family.
4. Agriculture Nursery- The agriculture nursery, sep up in the project area is another notable outcome of the project. We have already prepared seedlings of coffee, jackfruit tree, silver oak as supporting plant for pepper and distributed among the beneficiaries. This nursery helps to distribute more seedlings than envisaged in the project and such components will be spread even outside the project area. There is also a possibility of replanting at a cheaper cost, if seedlings are lost.
5. Livelihood – cows are distributed among 20 families. Mr.Suresh from Vengapparakkudy started selling milk among the tribals and earn money. This is a new practice as they do not have such habits before. It enhances the income of the family as well as the health of the members.
6. Water storage Tank- So far we have constructed 5 water storage tanks having the capacity of 10000 litters each. All the five tanks are full and more than 50 families get sufficient water for irrigation and other needs.

Conclusion

The society feels that this project will definitely change the lives of the tribal people both in the financial level and in the health level. The rejuvenation of agriculture in the tribal area and the preservation of the natural resources are also ensured. Though there are a number of challenges, we hope to achieve the goals by the completion of the project.