The geographical area of Nagaland is 16579 sq.m. with 3 million population which is predominantly rural residing in 1119 villages. Vast areas in the state are denuded without any tree cover due to jhum practices and indiscriminate logging and such lands are left fallow without any economic activity. Realising the importance of conservation and development of forest resources in the face of severe degradation of land due to wide spread jhuming and deforestation, the State Government created in 1993-94 a separate full-fledged Department for waste land development. The Department has been encouraging Jhumias to take up settled cultivation through tree plantation and intercropping of annual crops with tree plantation.

Although plantation schemes are not covered under RIDF, a study was undertaken by National Bank to explore the possibility of moulding the project submitted by State Government to fit into the RIDF norms taking in to view the special circumstances prevailing in the State of Nagaland.

With the availability of subsidy from Rubber Board of India the programme was considered by NABARD.

Concept

Raising economic plantation of Rubber as cover crop to exposed Jhum lands in improving ecosystem.

Objectives

To encourage rubber tree planting as a movement and to provide an alternative to Jhum cultivation for economic development of watershed communities, reduction of soil erosion, generation of sustained income for growers and increase the national production of natural rubber.

Project Components

Rubber plantation establishment cost for first 3 years of its 6 years gestation period in which maintenance and processing supports are provided by the State Government and Rubber Board of India.

Major Features

Controlling harmful effects of shifting cultivation by creation of economic assets like Rubber plantation and economic shade crops under other economic tree species. Settlement of shifting cultivators in settled mode. Rubber, besides an important economic species, is giving biological cover to bare jhum lands.

Uniqueness

Project is giving desired forest cover in the State by involving people who take part in tree planting movement spearheaded by State Wasteland Development Department. Rubber was considered as infrastructure as special case in Nagaland.