"To promote, conserve and manage nature in all its diversity balancing human needs with the environment on a sustainable basis for posterity - ensuring maximum community participation with due cognizance of the linkages between economics, environment and ethics through a process in which people are both the principal actors and beneficiaries."
MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project)
Project Update
Natural Resource Conservation Programme
Planning Workshop
Two day planning workshop was held at Gorkha from 17th-18th August 2005. The chairperson and secretary of CAMCs, FMsC, Mother Group (MG), along with 20 participants were actively involved in the workshop. The main purpose of the workshop is to develop effective proposal of MCA based upon real need assessment through the active involvement of the local communities. During the workshop, main discussions were on the need to clearly identify major problems/demands and how to overcome these through the active involvement of the communities and support from the project. Private Forest Nursery Operation
The KMTNC-MCAP supported for the operation of private nursery at Philim, Sirdibas VDC. The project supported the procurement of seeds of fodder and forest species and nursery tools for effective operation of private nursery. 2,381 seedlings of fodder and timber species were distributed to the local communities for private plantation. Supports to CAMCs
The project deposited fund for 7 CAMC as a remuneration for the CAMC’s secretary of 7 VDCs. The money was deposited in the respective accounts in the Rastriya Banijya Bank of Gorkha for the CAMCs.
Agriculture and livestock Development
Support to Conservation Farmers
Seven Conservation Farmers and one forest nursery were supported with vegetable seeds and agricultural tools. This support was rendered by the project to all VDCs in promotion of conservation farmers. Conservation farmers have received training on the integrated organic farming to promote organic farming practices with developed organic vegetable garden to motivate other local farmer for kitchen garden near their house for fresh vegetables . MCAP has supported a total of 3.57 kgs agricultural seeds and tools to produce seedlings for local distribution.
Community Development Programme
Wooden Bridge Construction
The construction of four bridges was completed at Sama and Bihi. In Sama, the bridges were constructed on Gheko River and on Yajuthanka. The construction of bridge at Yajuthanka, the most popular trade route to Tibet will provide easy access to the local communities. In Bihi, the bridges were constructed over Dyang Khola and on Onghe Lung River. These wooden bridges, which lasts about 10 years, were constructed with the help from the local communities. These wooden bridges will provide service to 1,676 local people and visitors. Trail Improvement
The improvement of 1.8 km trail from Namsang to Hinang was completed. Prior to the construction, the trail was in a bad condition. The local communities also constructed three short wooden bridges. The improved trail will mainly be used on the pilgrimage route to the most popular and historical monastery in Hinang. Both the CAMC and Hinang Monastic group were involved in the construction of the trail by mobilizing the local communities. School Building Construction Support
KMTNC-MCAP provided support for school building construction at Jagat in Sirdibas VDC. Financial and technical support was also made available to construct new school building with four rooms. The construction work is completed.
Conservation Education and Extension Programme
Newsletter Publication
The Conservation Education and Extension Programme (CEEP) contributes in building awareness and motivate the stakeholders to carry on conservation activities. The newsletter highlights on basic information about conservation and development activities carried out by KMTNC-MCAP. Recently 500 copies of “Manaslu Ko Serofero” was published and were distributed to all stakeholders. Scholarship Programme
MCAP awarded scholarships to 28 students of primary, lower-secondary and secondary level students to continue their studies. The recipients were selected through the respective CAMCs and in consultation with the schools. The reason for school drop out is that the parents prefer to send their children for monastic education rather than for modern education due to poverty. In monastic education, the children receive free meal and accommodation and also have the privilege of receiving it either in Kathmandu or in India. MCA has supported children studying in Gorkha as they come from very poor families and among them one is physically handicapped student.
Health and Sanitation Programme
Materials and Equipment Support for Health Center
To increase effective health services to the communities, necessary materials and equipment were provided at Chumchet, Chekampar, Bihi and Sirdibas health posts through the CAMCs. Equipment Procurement for Health Services
Health equipment were procured and handed over to the local health worker at Chekampar for effective implementation of the mobile health camp and regular treatment of the local people of MCA. Local health worker Mr. Tashi Lama was provided with one set of Blood Pressure measuring instrument, dressing sets, autoscope, CIMS book and thermometer. The equipment will be used in mobile health camps and will be provided to Chekampar CAMC for regular use. Mobile Health Camp
Medicines worth NRs.54,088.00 were procured and transported to the four units of Chumchet and Chekampar. Mobile health camps were conducted at two sites in Chumchet VDC and at two sites in Chekampar VDC. The mobile health camp was very effective as 3,203 patients from those VDCs visited mobile camp for medical check-up. Drinking Water Facility
During the reporting period at Prok VDC, nine community drinking-water-taps were repaired and two additional community drinking water taps were constructed. At Bihi VDC, one drinking water tap was constructed. The project also supported for the procurement and transportation of 350-meter long 20-mm wide HDPE pipe for Bihi phedi drinking water scheme. The construction of improved drinking water will provide service to 1,522 local people of Bihi and Prok VDCs.
Gender Development Programme
Knitting Training
To enhance the livelihood option of people living in Sirdibas, knitting training was conducted for one month to seven women. These women represented different women’s group. After receiving the training, they will start providing training to their group members. The resource person for the training was from Kathmandu. The training was mainly provided to Sirdibas villagers because of its close location to other VDCs. Also MCA is studying market linkage for their productions.
