On January 8, 2021, Awangbow Newbai, Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Manipur launched a website for Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resource Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM) – www.cosfom.mn.gov.in at the Forest Headquarters, Sanjenthong, Manipur.
i.COSFOM is a component under Indo-German Programme ‘Climate Change Adaption in the Himalaya’.
ii.It is a project of the Government of India supported by the Federal Government of Germany through KfW, a German development bank.
iii.Manipur Forest Department is the implementing agency and it is managed by Community Forestry and Water Conservation Society-Manipur (CF & WCS).
Gist of the Project:
i.The Indo-German Project focuses on sustainable community forestry, soil & Water conservation.
ii.Initially the project will cover 2 districts – Ukhrul & Kangpokpi divisions.
iii.The project employs a community-based & holistic approach to improve and conserve water resources.
iv.The project aims to
- Improve Climate resilience of upper watershed ecosystems
- Improve capacity of forest dependent communities through sustainable forest management
- Restore close-to-nature stream management
- Improve spring shed development & Biodiversity conservation
v.It also aims to enhance sustainable livelihood strategies, income generation opportunities and peace & conflict assessment.
Consent of the Community:
Every transaction and activities have to be carried out only after the approval/consent of the community.
Recent Related News:
i.On May 22, 2020, Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, listed Khudol (gift), a crowdfunded initiative of Imphal (Manipur) based NGO Ya_All, among the top 10 global
initiatives for an inclusive fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
About Manipur:
Capital – Imphal
Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh
About KfW Bank:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Gunther Braunig
Headquarters – Frankfurt, Germany
