Creating Awareness in the Community

After finalising the site, awareness among the community people about the concept of REDD+ was created. Meetings were conducted with the villagers informing them on climate change, impacts on natural resources, and the role of forests in mitigating climate change using lectures and audio-visual media.

Interaction was done in their own dialect to gather feedback, ideas, and seek an understanding of the project's purpose. Flyers were distributed to every household.

Socioeconomic Survey

To understand the socio-economic conditions, dependence on forests, income levels, literacy, livestock, and occupational patterns, a complete survey of all the households in the Raid was conducted using a predesigned questionnaire.

Forest Cover Mapping

Forest cover mapping of the Raid was done using IRS P6 LISS IV data (October 2015). Mapped into two classes: Dense Forest (canopy density > 0.4) and Open Forest (canopy density 0.1 to 0.4). Scrub areas show canopy density < 0.1.

Forest Inventory

Forest Inventory in the Umket Raid and village forests used a Stratified Random Sampling approach. Forest cover maps were used as strata (dense and open forests). Inventory was done with 18 sampling plots in open forest and 26 sampling plots in dense forest in area proportion to size.

Baseline of Forest Cover & Reference Level

REDD+ involves performance-based payments for enhanced carbon sequestration. Reference levels (Business-As-Usual) take into account historic data to measure mitigation activities against without any intervention.

Forest Carbon Reference Level

Tree Plantation Activity

An innovative participative approach was used. Vacant lands in open community forests were identified using Google Earth and ArcGIS (8.8 ha total). Families volunteered to raise plantations on assigned plots and received financial incentives based on verified performance.

A total of 200 sampling plots were generated (324 sq. m each). 10,000 saplings (indigenous, fast-growing, fruit trees, and bamboos) were planted with 50 saplings per plot.

Forest Fire Management

Fire is the most destructive threat to local forests. To prevent and control forest fires, the following activities were established:

• Creation of a network of fire lines along the periphery of the forests.
• Appointment of fire watchers during the fire season for prompt detection and extinguishing.
• Community awareness programs on fire control.

Introduction of Improved Smokeless Chulhas

Traditional open fires consumed high quantities of firewood and produced harmful smoke. Improved Smokeless Chulhas were introduced to 30 households across 6 villages (Umket, Umtung, Palwi, Mawdwar, Nongtarian, Bangla Nongtraw).

One master trainer from each village was trained in collaboration with the State Council of Science Technology and Environment.

Almost a 50% decrease in firewood consumption!

Bamboo Workshop cum Training

A workshop-cum-training program on Bamboo was organized at the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) at Byrnihat. 22 interested individuals from the six villages under Raid Umket participated.

Installation of Solar Lights

Surveys found 20% of households lacked electricity, affecting students and evening workers. Solar light systems (panel, LED bulbs, battery, charge controller) were installed in Community halls/Schools across all six villages as an entry point activity for REDD+ participation.

Project Design Document Released

A Project Design Document (PDD) for the REDD+ Pilot Project in Raid Umket was prepared and released. This serves as a vital guiding document for future capacity building and the implementation of community REDD+ projects across the State.