“MegLIFE project empowers communities to take ownership of forest, land, and water resources” – Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, June 17: In a major fillip to livelihood activities taken up at grassroots level in Garo Hills, chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated 125 community centres set up under Meghalaya Livelihood and Forest Ecosystem Management Project (MegLIFE) across the region.
Constructed with Rs 24 lakh each – Rs 13 lakh from MegLIFE and Rs 11 lakh from state government – the community centres aim at providing a platform for communities to initiate various activities, including income-generating initiatives.
Altogether 452 community centres will be built across the state under the project.
Inaugurating the community centres in Garo Hills, the chief minister said the MeGLIFE project focuses on restoration of degraded forests, strengthening natural resource management, and improving rural livelihoods.
The project empowers communities to take ownership of forest, land, and water resources, he said.
“We want to build a community that initiates intervention for sustainable livelihood. Through MegLIFE project, we are creating environment consciousness and ensuring sustained income through different activities,” the chief minister said.
The programme was attended by Speaker Thomas K Sangma, ministers Marcuise Marak, Rakkam A Sangma, Abu Taher Mondal, and several MLAs.
Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), MegLIFE project focuses on community-based forest management and livelihood improvement in 500 villages across 12 districts of Meghalaya.
Besides construction of community centres, several income-generating activities, including community nursery, plantation, minor irrigation check dams, dug-out ponds, plastic tanks, and RCC water storage tanks have been initiated under MegLIFE.
Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCSs) and Self-Hel Groups (SHGs) receive benefits under the project and play a vital role in its implementation.
Meanwhile, thanking JICA for the support, the chief minister informed that another 150 plus community centres will be completed in Garo Hills.
The community centres were virtually inaugurated from Dobakol Awemong under Baghmara C&RD block in South Garo Hills where the chief minister was present to witness the event. Underlining the importance of these community centres in fostering community development and promoting livelihood initiatives, he explained the project’s focus on community empowerment and sustainable development.
