PTI
Itanagar, January 7
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]imed at transforming lives of the poor and marginalised tribal families in the north-east, North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) has been launched by the Arunachal Pradesh for troubled districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding.Union DoNER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar officially launched the programme at Changlang yesterday in presence of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering, Rajya Sabha MP Mukut Mithi and host of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and MLAs, official sources said here today.
NERCORMP for Upland Areas is a livelihood and rural development project aimed to transform the lives of the poor and marginalized tribal families in the North East region. It is a joint developmental initiative of the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
The project is into its third phase and includes three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Churachandpur and Chandel districts in Manipur.
NERCORMP is already under operation in Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. The first phase was completed in 2008 and the second phase (NERCORMP II) started its operations in July 2010.
The project adopts a holistic approach of development with two broad focus areas, including social mobilisation, organisation and capacity building to tap and realise the great latent potential of the communities by employing time tested traditional value systems and culture and intervene with the economic and social activities and infrastructure with predominant thrust on income generating activities to achieve economic transformation.
Major activities under the project includes capacity building of communities and participating agents, economic and livelihood activities, extension and technology transfer, credit, social sector activities, village roads and rural electrification, community based bio-diversity conservation, natural resource management and communication, convergence with ongoing government schemes and marketing support.
‘NEAT’ – North East Agro Business Trade, is the common brand name used for marketing of products and produces of the communities across the project districts. The project organizes ‘NEAT FEST’ annually, which gives the communities to showcase their products and exchange knowledge, sources disclosed.
The project would be funded by NEC, Ministry of DoNER, for a period of six years starting this financial year, sources added.
Launching the project, Ghatowar assured that it would benefit the villagers and youths, especially those who are unemployed.
Tuki expressed gratitude to the DoNER ministry for expanding the programme in the state. He said the project would usher in employment and thus bring peace in the three districts.
