WWF India is proposing to promote alternative conservation-based livelihoods for local communites in two villages - Thembang and Zimethang located in:
1. Chander-Thungri area of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh under Dirang CD Block. The area is traditionally owned by Thembang Village.
2. Nyamjang Chu Valley Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The area is part of Zimithang CD Block and the customary right over the area is with Zimethang village.
The communities residing in these villages have traditionally been carrying out various livelihood activities. In year 2003, WWF- India introduced organic farming and cultivation of fodder as two activities for complementing community incomes.
In order to find out the viability of these options in long term as well as to explore other livelihood options, the services of “Earthy Goods” was used to carry out a feasibility study of setting up a community based enterprise.
The study conducted by “Earthy Goods” led to some interesting observations: Both these villages still have the traditional Barter system existing, which is very rare to find. Though surrounded by forest, the villagers refrain from hunting, fishing and even extraction of milk from the cows, in some cases. There is a great sense of belongingness for the forest which has led to conservation efforts. Both these areas are a perfect example of how Common Property Resource Management is practiced.
In the study conducted by Earthy Goods, the feasibility of setting up several livelihood enterprises was carried out based on the Human, natural, physical, social and financial capital available in the area. Some of the livelihood ventures that came out to be a possible alternative to generate income for the people were handmade aggarbatti, handmade paper, vegetable cultivation and fruit processing unit.
Deepak
