Chapter 3
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
SCDP's integrated approach to development encourages local people to address various
aspects of development. SCDP identified three major components of sustainable development
as environmental management, social development and economic development. In each SCDP
district, CBO members selected one of these components as an entry point, or
"focus" for development activities, and then progressively change their focus to
each of the other components. At the end of SCDP's first three-year phase, all three
districts had 'focussed' on all three of the SCDP sustainable development components. SCDP
encouraged CBOs to approach development in an integrated manner, and frequently CBO
activities simultaneously supported more than one of the above mentioned sustainable
development components.
In all three SCDP districts, the activities undertaken by the CBOs while they were
focusing on a particular sustainable development entry-point were similar. As such, the
Programme's achievements for 1999 are presented in relation to each of the three entry
points.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
One of SCDP's primary environmental management
goals was to improve the quality of the watersheds in the Programme areas. Unsustainable
exploitation of natural resources was the principal threat to the integrity of the
watersheds in the Programme areas. As a result, many Programme activities related to the
'Environmental Management' entry point focused on reducing local peoples' dependence on
forest products. Furthermore, to complement this initiative and promote a healthy natural
environment, SCDP also encouraged communities to help revitalise degraded areas. The three
main objectives of the environmental management component of the SCDP were:
- To create environmental awareness so that villagers could use their resources wisely
- To establish multipurpose nurseries and plantations to help combat deforestation and
improve the condition of degraded watersheds, areas, and introduce alternative energy
sources to minimise pressure on Nepal's forests
- To support community-based initiatives to conserve biodiversity
|
|
Thanks to SCDP on behalf
of our School family for changing our school into an Eco-school. It has helped teachers to
generate environmental awareness among students. The great thing is the location of
multipurpose nursery that is close to our school premises and thus has added a new
dimension. It has also helped school management to mobilise communities. Mr.
Govinda Bahadur Thapa Magar,
Principal of Janata Primary School
Chauripur, Kailali. |
Environmental Education
During 1999 SCDP facilitated several activities to
promote environmental awareness among the Programme communities. In each district SCDP
organised activities to celebrate World Environment Day. Also, to promote the importance
of a healthy natural environment to all members of the community, SCDP has helped
establish eco-schools, and has conducted environmental literacy classes.
Celebrating World Environment Day
World Environment Day 1999 was celebrated in
all three Programme districts. In conjunction with DDC and VDC officials, SCDP staff in
each district helped organise activities that promoted environmental conservation and
sustainable use of natural resources. Thousands of people participated in such awareness
generation activities.
Celebrating
World Environment Day 1999
|
|
Women CBO's celebrate
World Environment Day
|
In Eastern Surkhet SCDP helped organise a folksong competition.
The participants composed and performed songs about saving the Earth. Each and every
singer emphasised that a healthy environment was fundamental to leading a prosperous life.
The competition was attended by approximately 500 community members, and 14 singers
participated in the competition. In Western Surkhet SCDP hosted a district level
Volley-ball Tournament in Babiyachaur. This event helped draw the public's attention, and
emphasised that all community members can make a contribution towards conserving the
environment. The events focussed on the roles of the youth and sports-persons. Volleyball
teams from Six different VDCs participated in the two-day tournament. The participating
VDCs borne the cost for lodging and food and provided uniforms for competitors.
Volleyballs were provided by the District Sports Council. This tournament was an example
of cost sharing between SCDP and the VDCs in such activities.
In Kailali, activities were organised at three different locations (Chuha,
Bhuruwa, Seukaliya) to observe the Day. A folksong competition, an essay competition and a
poetry recital / dance competition were hosted by SCDP. SDF Kailali provided awards to the
winners of the competitions. Participation of the VDC authorities and general public
reflected their common concerns and commitment to environmental conservation. Communities
marched by the competition venues displaying special World Environment Day banners.
SCDP Dang hosted a variety of activities at the VDC level including a Gaun
Parikrama (community parade through the villages), a quiz contest, a debate and a number
of other game competitions. The theme of all the contests was "Our Earth, Our Future:
Just Save It". The VDC Chairpersons helped celebrate the occasion and showed their
support for environmental conservation by providing and presenting awards to the contest
winners. Approximately 70 CBO members from Lalmatiya VDC marked the day by planting
different plants on 0.17 hectares of land.
Eco Schools and Eco Clubs
|
Eco-school Teacher Posing for Photograph after completing training
|
In April 1999, SCDP organised a Training of Trainers on environmental education for
school teachers in the SCDP areas. After participating in the training the teachers helped
set up Eco Clubs at their schools. In the SCDP Programme area there are 13 active Eco
Clubs at 13 different schools. Students in the Eco Clubs learn about the importance of
their natural environment, and participate in various conservation-based activities in and
around the school premises. The children in the Eco-Clubs have planted trees around the
school area and the Eco-Clubs are responsible for taking care of the trees. The students
involved in the Eco-Clubs have also volunteered to help complete maintenance work in the
multipurpose nurseries close to their schools.
Involving the students in environmental management activities and teaching them the
importance of a healthy environment will help develop the children's level of
environmental awareness and teach them how to act responsibly. Furthermore, students are
able to share their environmental knowledge with their friends and family members thereby
spreading the environmental conservation message.
Surkhet:
In Ghatgaun the Saraswoti Eco Club has planted 2500 saplings in
the school premises. In Tatapani the Bidhya Jyoti Eco Club has planted 8000 saplings. The
Ghatgaun Eco Club planted 832 seedlings and the Rakam Eco Club planted 500 seedlings. All
the trees were planted in areas surrounding the schools.
Kailali:
In Baliya VDC, eco club of Janata Primary School of Gidhiniya
planted 200 saplings of dalbergia sisoo in the school premises. It has dig out two
separate garbage pits for decomposable and non decomposable garbages. Such garbage pits
are also being constructed and used at three Primary schools of Ramshikhar Jhala VDC. As
the Nilam Multipurpose Forest Nursery is adjoined to the school premises, the students
worked there especially helped their guardians weeding and keep it clean.
Dang:
In Dang-Rampur Eco-school planted 200 trees in the school
premises. The Eco-club members keep the premises clean every morning mobilising all
students.
Chure Conservation Workshops
Two workshops on Chure hill conservation were
held in Dang in 1999. These workshops were jointly organised by SCDP Dang and the DDC
Dang. The main objectives of the workshops were to create awareness about Chure
conservation, to formulate a strategic framework for Chure management and to create a
forum for discussion for all the stakeholders. SCDP and SGP staff moderated the workshops
and presented concept papers. Over 150 people (community members, NGO representatives,
government agency representatives and private sector investors) participated in the
workshop. At the end of the workshops the DDC chairperson and the DDC members helped
prepare an action plan that clearly states the DDC's commitment to saving the Chure hills.
Environmental Literacy Classes
Although the SCDP's environmental literacy
classes are primarily geared towards increasing literacy levels among the rural poor, the
content of the classes is based on an environmental conservation theme. In this manner,
the participants learn how to read and write while learning about the environment and the
importance of conservation and environmental management. In 1999, 11 environmental
literacy classes were held in 7 VDCs in Kailali. Classes are held 6 times per week for 12
months. In this year 330 women participated in the environmental literacy classes.
ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT
|
TABLE 4: MULTIPURPOSE NURSERIES |
| District |
Name of
the Nursery |
# of plants
produced |
# of plants
distributed |
| Surkhet |
Aali |
51000 |
39000 |
| Ghaatgaun |
51500 |
38190 |
| Nada |
50000 |
43000 |
| Digo
Multipurpose Nursery, Tatapani |
52000 |
55545 |
| Gumi, Lekh
farsa, Rakam |
400 |
400 |
| Kailali |
Nilam
Multipurpose Nursery, Gidhiniya |
80000 |
20477 |
| Nilkamal
Multipurpose Nursery, Motipur |
8000 |
12339 |
| Shiva
Multipurpose Nursery, Chuha |
1100 |
5450 |
| Dang |
Gyanjyoti,
Rampur |
50000 |
45750 |
| Shankar,
Rampur |
50000 |
11000 |
| Shanti,
Sisahaniyai |
10000 |
9023 |
| Gagan, Seuja |
15000 |
3500 |
| Total |
12 |
419000 |
283674 |
|
|
|
Multipurpose Nurseries
The programme CBOs have established 12 multipurpose
nurseries. The nurseries are owned and managed by the CBOs themselves. The seedlings and
saplings raised in the nurseries are planted in public and private lands to green the
landscape. The nurseries also sell seedlings and saplings to other CBOs and individuals as
requested. Fruit trees, fodder trees and ornamental trees, vegetables and a number of
non-timber forest products are grown in the nurseries. In 1999, these 12 nurseries
produced a total of 283 000 seedlings and saplings. Table 4 gives details on the
production and distribution of the plants.
Greening the Landscape
|
|
SPECIES
RAISED IN SCDP NURSERIES Dalbergia sissoo,
Acacia catechu, Terminelia tomentosa, Syzygium cumini, Shliechera oleasa, Bamboo sps,
Eucalyptus sps, Melia azaderach, Calamus tenius, Shorea robusta, Rhainograss Terminalia
belarica, Castanposis indica, Calestomon viminalis, Magnifera indica, Antho-cephalus
cadamba, Nigalo, Rainch, Phalant, |
During the monsoon CBOs from all three districts planted
seeds and seedlings in degraded and barren patches of land. A total of 414 hectares of
land were planted in 1999. In Surkhet, CBOs planted 282 hectares of land, in Kailali CBOs
planted 86 hectares of land and in Dang CBOs planted 46 hectares of land. In total 842108
seedlings were planted in degraded watersheds, community forests, private land, roadside
(in Kailali only) in all three districts. Seeds and seedlings were frequently purchased
from the CBO multipurpose nurseries or purchased from outside sources. To show their
support for planting and reforesting activities the DDC chairpersons from each district
visited the Programme area and encouraged the CBO members.
Forest Protection Strategies
Nursery Naike K.B. Shahi caring the nursery at Nada, Aagrigaun VDC Surkhet
|
|
Community-managed forest in Kailali
|
SCDP CBO members have developed two
methods of protecting their community forests. In many cases, community forests are
protected by CBOs by formulating their own rules and some of them have employed forest
guards. The forest guards are paid directly by the CBO members. The second method of
community forest protection is known as the Mana Pathi system. With this system, the
forest guards take grains from every user household as turns guarding the forest.
|
|
A STICK PROTECTS THE TREES…
A recipe for Success
The Pashupati Women's CBO of Kalimati, Dang, has made great efforts to green the nearby
hills. The women have planted seedlings in the forest, and the forest is now well
protected because the CBO members watch the forest on a rotational basis. As one CBO
member said, "We have a unique rule for protection of this community forest. We have
a wooden stick. We hold it while watching the forest. In the evening, we drop the stick in
the yard of another house. When the household gets it, one of the household members has to
bear the responsibility of guarding the forest. It has worked for one year and no single
family has been found absent."
The CBO stick is also used to control open grazing in their plantation site.
"Before this rule applied for watching the green site, it was close to becoming
treeless. Now the forest has new life."
Source: Interview with Ganga Thapa: CBO Member- Pashupati Women's CBO,
Kalimati Dang. |
Riverside Conservation
The Singrahawa Nala and Kandra Rivers were
causing extensive soil erosion and threatening agricultural areas in Kailali. CBO members
participated in a river bank conservation training and then used their new knowledge to
construct two check dams. Financial assistance for constructing the dams was provided by
the DDC and the SDF.
Alternative Energy Systems
Reforestation and planting activities alone
are not sufficient to curb deforestation in Nepal's forests. To work towards sustainable
use of the forest resources it is also necessary to reduce peoples' dependence on forest
products. As much of the wood collected from Nepal's forests is used as fuel for cooking
stoves, SCDP helped introduce improved cooking stoves and bio-gas plants to the Programme
communities. Furthermore, SCDP has helped introduce micro-scale hydroelectricity in one
area where developing micro-hydro was feasible and would help reduce pressure on the
forests.
Improved Cooking Stoves
Improved cooking stoves (ICS) are more
fuel-efficient than traditional cooking stoves and are relatively inexpensive and simple
to install. SCDP has trained 73 CBO members to be improved cooking stove mechanics in all
three Programme districts since1997, so that they can install the improved stoves in their
villages and reduce pressure on the forests. Once trained, the mechanics charge between
Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 to construct and install a stove, and so the mechanics are able to earn
a living. At the end of this year, the mechanics had already installed 1793 improved
cooking stoves (See Figure 14). It is estimated that installing these improved cooking
stoves saves approximately 240 tons of fuel wood per year.
|
Improved cooking stove
under installation
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Housewives enjoy with bio-gas stoves
|
In addition to reducing pressure on forest resources, women and girls do not have to
spend as much time collecting firewood. This has meant that they have had more time to
spend participating in other activities. In some cases, this has meant that girls are able
to spend more time on their studies (contributes to social development), and women have
used there time to engage in small enterprise activities (such as basket weaving) which
contribute to their household income. In addition, women have said that their health has
improved as a result of installing the stoves, because they do not have to inhale as much
smoke.
Bio-Gas Plants
| "Before installation
of an improved cooking stove at my home, my daughters spent hours collecting firewood from
the jungle. As a result they did not have enough time to study. After installation of the
cooking stove at my home my daughters have enough time to study." Mr,
Guru Prasad Baral, Vidhyajayoti CBO member, Vidhyapur-4 Surkhet |
|
|
SCDP helped introduce bio-gas technology to the Programme
districts. Bio-gas plants collect the gas that is produced while animal dung and human
wastes ferment. The gas that is produced can be used as fuel for gas cooking stoves or
gas-lights. SCDP has provided SDF loans to 101 in 1999 households so that they could
install bio-gas plants. It is estimated that installing these plants saves approximately
13950 tons of fuel wood per year, and thus installation of these bio-gas plants has
significantly reduced pressure on the local forests.
In addition to reducing the amount of firewood required
by the household, installing a bio-gas plant can also help improve a number of social
conditions in the household. Because women do not have to walk to the forest to collect
wood for cooking they are able to participate in other activities. The women from the
Temhi Community Organisation (Prithvipur, Kailali) are using their new "spare
time" to make traditional Tharu baskets which they sell at the local market. Other
women have started similar income generating activities, or used their extra time for
other domestic and community development works. Furthermore, as gas-fuelled cooking stoves
do not produce smoke, women's health is no longer harmed by smoke inhalation. Human wastes
can also provide fuel for the bio-gas plant, so attaching a household toilet to the
bio-gas plant increases the amount of gas produced while helping improve sanitary
conditions. At night, bio-gas fuelled lights allow children to read and study after dark.
Finally, the slurry that is left over from the bio-gas plant can be used as fertilizer,
and in some villages this has helped reduce amount of inorganic fertilizers and chemical
pesticides used.
Micro-hydro Electricity
In 1998 a feasibility study was conducted to
determine if micro-hydroelectric power plants could be developed in 12 sites in the SCDP
programme area. The study concluded that 8 sites would be well suited to the development
of micro-hydro. One of these sites, Dangdunge Cholpa, Khanikhola VDC, Surkhet, was
determined to have a capacity to produce 5 kilowatts of energy, which would be much more
helpful to meet the needs of the community. Four CBOs from this village have formed a
Micro-hydro Functional Committee that submitted a work-plan to the SCDP Surkhet. In
December, 1999 SCDP Surkhet has provided a Rs. 30 000 seed grant to support the project.
Installing the micro-hydro plant is expected to help reduce pressure on the nearby pine
forests as community members will no longer need to rely on Diyalo (pinewood torches) to
light their homes after dark. It will also reduce the amount of money villagers need to
spend on kerosene, and the villagers will save time as they will not have to travel to the
market to obtain kerosene. Furthermore, with electric lighting it will be easier for
students to complete their homework after dark. The micro-hydro plant was still under
process in December.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Protection of Wetlands and Lake
Systems
Each of the three Programme districts support
important lakes and wetland areas. The Ghoda-Ghodi lakes in Kailali, the Jakhera lake in
Dang and the Jajura Daha in Surkhet are important wetland areas that provide habitat for
many of native and migrant birds and other aquatic flora and fauna.
The areas surrounding these lakes and wetlands are densely populated, and the pressure
that the residents are putting on the lakes is leading to rapid siltation and
eutrophication of the lakes.
|
Chuchchi mushroom
(Morchella Conica)
|
Alpine Biodiversity Conservation Area Programme (ABCAP
21) one of the SDN members NGOs replicating SCDP process and methodologies in Jumla, has
created awareness among the CBOs about the economic value of the natural resources like Ghuchchi
Chyau (Morchella conica), an indigenous species of mushroom, that is rare and only
found in Karnali zone. The local people have been mobilised for conservation and
sustainable harvesting of this rare species through conservation education activities.
This has helped them to understand its high economic value. Prior to this, the local
harvesters were getting Nepali rupees 2500 (equivalent to 37 US$) per kilogram while its
market price in New Delhi, India was Nepali rupees 8000 (equivalent to 118 US$) per
kilogram.
Ghoda-Ghodi Tal
Paradise of Birds and aquataris
creatures
|
|
A viable source for local people Raulphia Serpentian
|
Over 200 species of birds have been
identified in Kailali's Ghoda-Ghodi Tal area, and the Ghoda-Ghodi Tal is considered to be
an internationally significant wetland as it is used by a variety of migratory birds. The
intake area of the Ghoda-ghodi was once covered with Ratan that is reflected in its name
Beteni. The influx of people from the hills has lead to deforestation of this area, which
has in turn led to siltation and encroachment problems in the lakes. Three VDCs
(Ramsikharjhala, Sandepani and Darakh) around the lake have initiated activities to help
protect this wetland's resources. SCDP together with the Global Environment
Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) has made efforts to make the local
population more aware of their natural assets. CBOs from the surrounding VDCs have
gradually come together to address the problems encountered. SCDP has made a map and
information board to inform the visitors about the lake. The Janasewa CBO of Sandepani VDC
has planted 10 800 Ratan plants on 6.8 Ha of land around Budhiya Lake (one of the lakes
near the headwaters of the Ghoda-Ghodi) in an effort to reestablish the Beteni.
Furthermore, issues pertaining to conserving and preserving the lakes are continuously
raised during CBO meetings.
In these three areas SCDP has helped raise local
awareness about the importance of wetlands and lakes. The Signboards have been placed at
each site by concerned CBOs that emphasize the need of conservation of these wetlands.
Conserving Non-Timber Forest Products
|
|
CONSERVING
ASPARAGUS KURILO - NEPAL'S WILD ASPARAGUS Wild
asparagus was once commonly found in the forests of mid hills and terai of Nepal. These
days it is considered as an endangered non-timber forest species because it has been
overexplosted and uprooted to meet the demands of cross border buyers. SCDP made the CBOs
aware of this situation, many of them have initiated to conserve and cultivate Asparagus
officinalis and Asparagus recemosus. Since Asparagus has medicinal values Tatapani
VDC, Surkhet, has strictly prohibited the harvesting and uprooting in the community
forest. |
Many of Nepal's non-timber forest products (NTFP) are
marketable. A number of different species of plants with medicinal properties are found in
the forest and as such extracting these resources can produce a new source of income for
villagers. Unfortunately, some of the species, such as wild asparagus, are being extracted
too rapidly, and by techniques that are causing the plants to become more and more rare.
To help preserve the biodiversity of the NTFP in the programme area forests, SCDP has
hosted two training programmes on non-timber forest product cultivation. At these
trainings, participants learned about the importance of biodiversity conservation and the
proper techniques for sustainable extraction of NTFP from the forest. They also learned
skills on cultivating the NTFP so that the villagers can grow the plants instead of
removing them from the forest. The "Biodiversity Conservation and Asparagus
Farming" training was conducted in April 1999, and 20 farmers from Surkhet including
three women participated. The second training, entitled "Sustainable Community
Forests through Promotion of NTFP", was held in Surkhet. The seven-day long training
was attended by 16 male and two female CBO members. Since the training on Biodiversity
Conservation and Asparagus Farming, five CBOs in Surkhet have started to cultivate
Asparagus in 1.5 ha in 5 demonstration plots (1 in Babiyachaur, 2 in Tatapani and 2 in
Bidyapur).
SCDP has also supported one NGO from the Sustainable
Development Network for the promotion of NTFP. The Alpine Biodiversity Conservation
Programme (ABCAP 21) is using the SCDP approaches to sustainable development to implement
development activities in Jumla district.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Programme
The social development component of the SCDP
involves a diverse set of activities. Activities tended to focus on either (1) improving
the skills of the community members and support organisations so that they increase their
ability to analyse their own problems and develop solutions, or (2) enhancing the overall
quality of life in the villages through improvements in health and education. The specific
objectives of the social development programme were:
- To help communities learn how to analyse their own problems, initiate plans, make
collaborative decisions and implement and modify sustainable development activities.
- To evaluate their own progress and repeat the cycle in subsequent decisions with greater
efficiency.
- To invest at present to improve basic education, maintain basic health care and
services, and revive indigenous cultures.
The key activities planned and implemented by the CBOs were: improving literacy through
non-formal education, improving human and animal health, attaining safe drinking water,
maintaining and constructing village trails, culverts and roads, promoting women and
children's development, supporting school development, and providing scholarships to
students from poor families.
Social mobilisation and community initiatives are the main instruments in achieving the
sustainable social development. These activities are supported through providing seed
grant and developing working relationship among different line agencies and the CBOs.
Promoting Education
Infrastructure Support for Schools
Some of the government schools in the
programme areas were in need of additional supports and repairs. Many schools did not have
enough furniture or proper roofing, and in some cases there was no safe drinking water or
toilets at the school premises. These prevalence of these conditions was limiting the
students' ability to study. To address this situation, CBOs from the communities set out
to equip the schools with desks, chairs, benches, tables and proper roofs.
TABLE 5: DISTRICT-WISE SUMMARY OF SCHOOL SUPPORT AND COST SHARING |
| District |
Description |
Amount of Contribution (Rs.) |
CBO |
SCDP |
VDC |
DDC |
Total |
| Kailali |
Furniture and roofing
(12 Schools) |
231324.4 |
197778.0 |
25000.0 |
100000 |
554102.4 |
| Dang |
Furniture and roofing
(9 Schools) |
128607.0 |
155695.0 |
- |
- |
284302.0 |
| Surkhet |
Roofing
(1 school) |
36480.00 |
12000.00 |
80000.0 |
- |
128480.0 |
| |
Pit latrine construction
(1 School) |
2965.00 |
- |
- |
- |
2965.0 |
| Grand Total |
3,99,376.40 |
3,65,473 |
1,05,000 |
100,000 |
9,69,849.40 |
|
|
In 1999, SCDP provided seed grants to 23
schools to improve the school infrastructure and furnish the buildings appropriately (See
Table 5). With the seed grant money CBOs improved their schools by purchasing furniture,
corrugated sheets and cement, or installing ring wells. To complete the projects the CBO
members supplied timber and other locally available materials and completed all of the
necessary labour themselves.
In the future, the CBOs plan to continue supporting their schools and promoting
education by increasing accessibility to the schools- during the monsoon many students
have difficulty reaching their schools as they are unable to cross streams that do not
have bridges.
Sustainable Scholarships
|
Raji Students: Being helped to make the future bright
|
SCDP has awarded sustainable scholarships to needy
students in all three Programme districts. To generate the scholarship money, SCDP
provides seed grants to CBOs that then use the seed grant to provide credit to the
community. The interest earned from the loans to the community is divided among the most
needy students at the local school to help them pay for their school uniforms, text books,
stationary and tuition fees.
SCDP provided two CBOs from Surkhet with seed grants for
sustainable scholarships. The Raji CBO Matiyar Samuha from Ghatgaun VDC received a Rs. 20
000 seed grant for sustainable scholarships which has been used to support three girls and
one boy. SCDP has also supported the Badi Community of Rakam VDC by providing Rs. 20 000
to create a Sustainable Scholarship Fund to help them educate their children. The Badi
Community has provided scholarships to two girls and two boys.
SUPPORTING THE UNSUPPORTED - SCDP AND THE BADI COMMUNITY
The Badi community traditionally led a nomadic
lifestyle and had no permanent settlements. Now approximately 50 families have settled at
Jamuney Bazar, Rakam Surkhet, but these families have still not become amalgamated into
the local school system. Badi people do not have citizenship, which limits their rights.
Sending children to school was often too costly for parents, and so SCDP provided the Badi
Community CBO with a seed grant that is used to meet the micro-credit needs of the Badi
residents. The interest earned from this fund has been used to provide scholarships to two
girls and two boys in the community so that they can attend the local school. |
| |
In Dang scholarships were awarded to 20
girls based on their scholastic performance and financial need. CBOs of Kailali have
awarded 46 girl students with scholarships to support them in continuing their classes.
Child-Care Centers: Prepare
Children for Schooling
Children are one of the most vulnerable
groups in Nepali Society. Many Nepali children are malnourished and their parents do not
have sufficient time to care for them adequately. Until recently, there were no facilities
or day care centers in which parents could enroll their children so that they could have
proper care while their parents worked.
| TABLE 6: SCDP SUPPORT FOR CBCDC |
S. N. |
District |
Name(s) of CBO(s) |
Location (VDC) |
# of
Children
who Attend |
1 |
Dang |
Muna CBO ageswari CBO |
Rampur |
21 |
2 |
Kailali |
Belar |
Sandepani |
22 |
3 |
Kailali |
Seukaliya |
Ramshikharjhala |
26 |
4 |
Kailali |
Badhipur |
Masuriya |
28 |
5 |
Kailali |
Solta |
Sugarkhal |
30 |
| |
Total |
|
|
127 |
| |
COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS HELP CHILDREN PREPARE FOR SCHOOL
Ms. Naina Chaudhari is a member of the Temhi CBO, and
she is the facilitator of the Community-based Child Development Center of Prithvipur
Kailali. She tends to the 22 young Tharu children at the centre. "I use songs and
dance and tell stories to help the children learn." she says, "Our CBCD centre
has not only helped the mothers to spare time for other productive works but also helped
children's overall development. They will be prepared to go to school and easily adapt to
the school environment."
Prior to the implementation of SCDP in her district Naina
had been trained on Early Childhood Care and Development by Save the Children U.S. |
|
|
SCDP has helped 6 CBOs in Dang and Kailali set up and
manage 5 community-based child development centers (CBCDC) (See Table 6). At these
centers, children below five years of age have an opportunity to get pre-primary
education. The CBOs raise funds to support these centers and three CBOs have helped
construct two cottage buildings to be CBCD centre. The Muna and Bageswari CBOs from
Rampur, Dang, worked in collaboration to construct a cottage for their joint CBDC centre.
Also, Belar CBO of Sandepani, Kailali, has constructed a building for the same purpose.
SCDP has supported these 5 CBCD centers by paying for
instructor training, providing initial salaries for the instructor and supplying
stationary and other supplies.
Non Formal Literacy Classes
Literacy levels in many of the Programme
areas were very low, particularly among women. During 1999 SCDP, in collaboration with the
Kailali support organisation BASE, conducted 11 literacy classes in 7 VDCs in Kailali. A
total of 330 women graduated from these classes in which basic reading and writing skills
were taught using an environmental conservation theme. Women attend classes 6 days a week
for 11 months.
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Non formal education class inprogress
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Environmental Literacy classes were also held in Surkhet
in 1999, when classes were held at 17 different locations in the district. Three hundred
fifty women participated in those classes. SCDP in Dang has also planned to conduct basic
literacy classes in coordination with the District Education Office, which provided
training to the facilitators selected by the CBOs.
Health and Sanitation
Drinking Water Supply
Increasing access to safe drinking water
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Most of the rural households in the Programme area suffer
from scarcity of water at their settlements. These settlements do not have a sufficient
supply of safe drinking water. The water in nearby streams carries deadly waterborne
diseases and is thus unfit to drink. To obtain safe drinking water women and girls must
often spend hours walking to other areas where the water quality is better. When women and
girls have to spend so much time fetching water it limits the amount of time they have for
other activities. Female children often have difficulty tending to their studies, and in
some cases are unable to attend school altogether. Women do not have time to initiate
income generating activities and attend CBO meetings.
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think that such a project (drinking water) could be accomplished by women like us. We
learned what and how women like us can improve life. Gambling and drinking is also
controlled in our village by our CBO. I am very much impressed with SCDP." Mrs. Sumitra Vishwakarma, CBO member from Gankanda, Surkhet. |
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During 1999 SCDP helped CBOs from 17 VDCs (7 in Surkhet,
5 in Kailali and 5 in Dang) implement 20 drinking water supply and spring protection
projects (See Table 7). SCDP's involvement in water supply development has helped promote
cost sharing at the local level and has helped solidify the working relationship between
SCDP and the local government bodies. For example, in Agrigaun and Tatopani, SCDP
contributed Rs. 48 000, while the CBOs contributed Rs. 75,000 in labor, and the VDCs also
sponsored this project by contributing nearly Rs. 63,000.
Improving Sanitation
To clean up the villages and improve
sanitary conditions SCDP encouraged CBO members to construct pit toilets and garbage pits.
SCDP trained five CBO members (all from Surkhet) as pit toilet construction specialists,
and these individuals helped CBO members construct toilets in their villages. In 1999 CBO
members constructed and used 828 toilets and 412 garbage pits. In Surkhet, CBOs also
constructed 750 manure pits which allow animal wastes to ferment and be used later as
organic fertiliser. In addition to increasing the fertility of cropping lands without
chemical fertilisers, removing animal wastes from the villages helps clean up the village
environment.
Better Health Facilities
In 1999 three Community-based Health
Clinics were established with support from SCDP. At these clinics patients are charged a
nominal registration fee which is put towards maintaining the clinic. The Health Clinics
are located in Sugarkhal VDC in Kailali, Loharpani VDC in Dang and Tatapani VDC in
Surkhet. In Sugarkhal VDC, Kailali, SCDP provided a seed grant to purchase furniture and
install a toilet in the compound at the Ajingare health post.
Even with new health clinics many of the programme areas are quite distant from proper
health care. Many CBOs indicated a need for trained birth attendants. For this purpose
SCDP trained 35 women as Traditional Birth Attendants in 1999 (7 from Surkhet, 19 from
Kailali, and 9 from Dang). The women learned how to assist with deliveries using safe and
hygienic methods. The participants also learned how to teach new mothers about
immunisation, the benefits of breast feeding and other reproductive health issues.
During 1999 SCDP Kailali also held a Women's Health
Awareness Programme to help women learn about proper nutrition, health and sanitation. The
five-day programme was attended by 44 female CBO members. The participants were then able
to return to their villages and share the information they learned with other villagers.
CBOs from the Surkhet Programme also assisted the District Health Office and the VDCs
in managing National Polio Drop Campaign especially providing volunteer service and
motivating the parents.
Infrastructure Development
Village Trails/ Culverts/ Roads
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Chautara (rest place) constructionwith tree: a local
strategy for sustainable development
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A total of 40 kilometers of village trails and roads were
constructed and repaired during the year. In Dang, 6 CBOs from 3 VDCs placed gravel on
roads to improve transportation routes to the market so that they could sell their goods
more easily. Samaj Kalyan Digo Samudayik Sangathan CBO from Gidhiniya, Baliya VDC Kailali
placed gravel on 3 Km. of road to the local market in Lamki. This has made it easier for
the CBO members to transport their goods to the market and has also made it easier for
children to travel to the local school. Prior to putting gravel on the road the road would
become extremely muddy in the monsoon season, and was thus difficult to navigate. In the
hill areas of Surkhet other CBOs repaired and constructed foot paths and trails. All of
these community roads, trails and paths are extremely important in terms of increasing the
accessibility of remote villages and increasing the ability to transport local
agricultural and cottage industry products to markets. During 1999 twelve CBOs from 5 VDCs
in Surkhet, and one CBO from Kailali were involved in trail construction and maintenance.
Irrigation and Water Management
In the hill regions of the Programme areas
large scale irrigation projects and canals are not feasible. However, at a small scale
similar projects can provide great benefits to hill communities. In 1999 SCDP has
supported three CBOs to help them construct or repair small irrigation canals. For
example, four CBOs from Rakam, Jamuney Bazar, Surkhet repaired the 2.5 km irrigation canal
in Rakam VDC. Similarly, in conjunction with the VDC and SCDP, the Siddhapur CBO from
Ghatgaun VDC Surkhet is constructing a new canal. The VDC had allocated Rs. 24 000 for
this canal and SCDP has contributed Rs. 30 000.
CBO Office Construction
CBOs generally have their weekly meetings
in public places such as Chautara (rest place) or at a house that is easily accessible for
all the CBO members. Several CBOs have decided that it would be better to have their own
CBO meeting house, and have begun constructing the meeting house. In Surkhet, two CBOs
from Bidyapur VDC, and a third CBO from Tatapani have constructed meeting houses each of
which costs Rs. 12 000. Similarly, four CBOs from Agrigaun VDC have established offices in
rooms donated by four CBO members. All of these CBOs have placed signboards in front of
their new offices. The CBOs paid for these signboards from the interest earned from their
CBO Community Fund loans.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The objectives of SCDP's economic development
were:
- To enable local communities to plan, select and implement environmentally friendly,
agro-forest based income-generating activities.
- To encourage local communities to begin self-help micro enterprise development
activities.
- To build the capacity of the local communities for sustainable economic development.
COLLABORATING FOR CANAL CONSTRUCTION
Kumala is a small village consisting of 53 households located at the
bank of Karnali River in Ghaatgaun VDC, Surkhet. Most of the villagers are from so-called
formerly untouchable caste classes. Adult male members of the community used to go to
India to work because they were unable to produce sufficient food grains. To improve
farming conditions, the Siddhapur CBO decided to build a canal that would irrigate 21
hectares of land on a rotational basis. The Ghatguan VDC agreed to co-sponsor the project.
Mr. Nara Bahadur Shahi, the VDC Vice-chairperson of Ghatgaun VDC said,
"This canal is a symbol of our joint effort. The Siddhapur CBO members came to us
asking for contribution to this project. Digo (SCDP'a popular name) made a contribution
and the VDC also had a willingness to join hands. People of the ward are very poor but
rich in working for such a project that can change their life. We can do a lot to bring
changes in common people's lives."
CBO members completed all the non-skilled labor necessary for the project,
and the local women were particularly supportive of the canal- as expressed by one smiling
women CBO member, "It is for us!". |
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To work towards the first objective, SCDP's initial
activities regarding economic development focussed on getting CBO members organised and
prepared to take on new economic development initiatives. To do this, SCDP facilitated CBO
training workshops and seminars to give CBO members marketable skills, and helped CBOs
start savings and credit activities.
Building Sustainable Economic-base
CBO members from the Programme districts were
always willing to increase their income, but two significant obstacles stood in their way-
first, many people were lacking the skills or knowledge they required to improve their
economic status, and second, most people did not have the financial resources necessary to
initiate an activity even if they possessed adequate skills and knowledge. Prior to
implementation of the Programme community members were seldom able to receive credit from
formal financial institutions as they were not able to provide collateral. Thus, to enable
the community to improve their economic status by initiating income generating activities,
SCDP focussed on helping people acquire the skills and knowledge they needed and
developing micro-credit schemes so that credit was available to meet the communities'
demands. SCDP facilitated a number of training seminars and workshops with focus on
developing community members' capacity for sustainable economic development. These
activities are discussed in the subsequent sections.
SCDP helped develop two micro-credit schemes to serve the community members. Individual
CBOs were required to collect money during their weekly meetings and put this into their
CBO Community Fund (CF). The community fund money could then be used to provide small
loans to the poorest and most needy CBO members. For loans on a slightly larger scale, the
Support Organisation was responsible for managing the Sustainable Development Facility
Credit Capital Fund (CCF). These two micro-credit schemes enabled community members to
borrow enough money to initiate small enterprise development plans that helped them
increase their household income.
CBO Loan Process and Activities
Once CBO members have started having regular
weekly meetings and contributing money to the CBO Community Fund they were able to start
loaning their CF savings out to needy CBO members. CBO members who wished to borrow money
from the CF had to explain to their fellow CBO members what they would do with the loan.
They had to state how much money was required, and how and when the member would pay back
the loan. During a CBO meeting the CBO members would discuss the needs of the members and
provide loans to the members deemed most needy by the other CBO members. CBO CF loans have
been used for small-scale income generating activities such as poultry farming, goat
rearing, vegetable farming, and establishing small businesses. In some cases CF money has
also been loaned to CBO members for emergency use, to cover medical expenses or other
immediate needs. When CBO members are able to borrow money from the CF, they are no longer
dependent on local moneylenders who frequently charge between 36 and 72% interest on their
loans.
Weekly Meeting of Women CBO
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CBOs are in total control of their CF
money. Each CBO sets the interest rate and repayment schedule and determines loan
regulations themselves. All CBO CF money is circulated and re-circulated as it is loaned
out and then repaid (See Figure 15). In December 1999 the total amount of the CBOs' CF
savings was Rs. 5.13 million. Approximately Rs. 4.7 million of this was loaned out to and
being used by CBO members.
In SURKHET CF savings in 1999 amounted to Rs.
515981, of which Rs. 479813 (92%) was loaned out to CBO members. The total CBO CF savings
in Surkhet for 1997-1999 was Rs. 752917 while the total amount of CF loans was Rs. 652753
(87%).
In KAILALI CF savings for 1999 totaled Rs.
1944144, while CF loans to CBO members amounted to Rs. 1770311 (91%). The net amount of
CBO savings in Kailali for 1997-1999 was Rs. 3230982 and the net amount of CBO CF loans
was Rs. 2915678 (90%).
In DANG the total amount of CF savings for 1999
was Rs. 968451, while the total amount of CBO CF loaned out to CBO members was 858210
(89%). The total CBO savings for 1998-1999 was Rs. 1152347, and the total amount of CBO
loans was Rs. 1005215 (87%) (See Table 8 for details of community fund).
