TAWANG, Apr 5: The first community owned Rhododendron squash production Unit in Arunachal Pradesh has started functioning in village Sakpret of Tawang district.
The centre was established as part of Joint Livelihood Enhancement Programme of IVth Battalion of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Winrock International India (WII).
Twenty community members have already been trained in Rhododendron squash production. The squash production unit was under trial run for three days under the supervision of ITBP and WII officials, the results of which show that the unit can produce 150-200 litres of Rhododendron squash per day, with a market value of Rs.80/litre.
Training is being given to the community for sustainable extraction of flowers from the community forest area of Sakpret village in Tawang. The processing centre is capable to produce food products like jams and squashes from other fruits and flowers as well. In a very short time frame, after FPO certification is obtained the products from this unit will be marketed. The community is also raising a Rhododendron nursery for producing saplings which will be utilized for forest landscape restoration.
While Commandant Jackson P. Therattil of IVth Battalion of ITBP inaugurated the unit, Brigadier C. P. Mohanty, Commander 190, Mountain Brigade presided over the function.
Jackson P. Therattil emphasized on the fact that the project effectively demonstrates the commitment of ITBP to provide sustainable livelihood options to the local community through proper utilization of locally available natural resources.
Brigadier C.P. Mohanty appreciated the initiative and expressed the interest of 190 Mountain Brigade in joining such activities. He also hoped that such activities, which aimed at livelihood enhancement along with natural resource conservation, will spread all over the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
As an encouragement to the overall initiative, Secretary General of Yuva Arunachal, Chombey Kee donated seed money for the labour work which will be invested by the villagers in the project.
Monalisa Sen and K.M. Jayahari, Programme Officers of Winrock International India said that with support from DST and SRTT, the organization will continue to provide guidance and support to the villagers for running the unit till the year 2012.
The programme was constantly guided by Daljeet Singh, Inspector General of Police (Eastern Frontier) and Dr Kinsuk Mitra, President, Winrock International India. The villagers appreciated the dedicated efforts of Assistant Commandant Rajesh Luthra and Havaldar Ratan Singh.
The overall project is supported by the Civic Action Plan (CAP) of ITBP and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) through Winrock International India. DIPRO