Transcript Renewable natural resource-use in peri

NRSP R7872: Renewable natural resource-use
in livelihoods at the Calcutta peri-urban
interface
Project overview
Project team:
Stuart Bunting, Institute of Aquaculture
David Little, Institute of Aquaculture
Samantha Punch, Department of Applied Social Science, UoS
Nitai Kundu, Institute of Wetland Management and Ecological Design
Madhumita Mukherjee, Dept’ of Fisheries, Government of West Bengal
Peter Edwards, Asian Institute of Technology
Phil Harris, Henry Doubleday Research Association
Project objectives
1.
Situation analysis: to define the nature and
extent of major peri-urban (PU) land-water
interface farming systems
2.
Livelihoods assessment: to assess the role of PU
production systems (and associated benefits) in
the livelihoods of poor people
3.
Institutional analysis: to explore the role of
policies and processes in regulating access to
land, water and waste resources
4.
Market analysis: including supply and distribution
networks
5.
Knowledge dissemination: to sensitise target
institutions and inform stakeholders and actors
1. Situation analysis
• nature and extent of PU farming
• distribution and timing related to:
processes of urbanisation
access to land, water and waste resources
availability of inputs
market opportunities
• wealth ranking of those involved in PU farming
• identification of key actors and stakeholder
groups
General indicators
• population in WRR ~62,000*
• literacy 31% (68% male, 32% female)*
• 76% Scheduled caste*
• 7% Scheduled tribe*
• 3,800 ha of fisheries employ 8,500 fishermen**
• 13,000 t of fish per year to urban markets**
• ~9,000 people employed in wastewater irrigated
vegetable and rice production**
• 150 t of vegetables produced per day**
Source (*Census, 1991; **CRG, 1997)
2. Livelihoods analysis
• target groups of the poor selected
wealth
numbers engaged in the activity
relative contribution of PU production systems to
livelihoods (food security and income)
• PRA techniques to assess:
role of assets and access in adopting PU farming
(and associated activities)
extent of competition with other users and
alternative livelihoods strategies
benefit derived from these activities
Table 1. Poor groups present in PU Kolkata
Poor group
Poverty
rank
Casual workers with no regular income
1
Rag pickers
2
Scavengers – cleaners
3
Fisherman's wives
4
Landless labourers
5
Sex workers
6
Transport workers (rickshaw pullers)
7.5
Vegetable venders
7.5
Agricultural workers
9
Fishery workers
10
Benefits from PU farming
• employment and income
• household food security
• food security for poor communities
• community health: sanitation and food
• economic benefit to society
• resource recovery and environmental protection
• functional and non-functional values: flood
protection, groundwater recharge, habitat, nonuse values
Table 2. Benefits of production in PU Kolkata
Benefit
Fish and vegetable production
Ordinal
rank
1
Control of water and air pollution from Kolkata, waste recycling
2.5
Groundwater recharge and flood control
2.5
Employment
4
Preservation of biodiversity
5
Income for dependable workers
6
Improved irrigation and agricultural production
7
Oxygen generation and ecological balance in Kolkata
8
Better living standards of local residents
9
Opportunities for eco-tourism
10
Constraints to PU farming
•
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•
•
•
•
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urbanisation: housing, industry, roads
social problems: poaching, theft, vandalism
contamination: industry, societal, agrochemicals
public health concerns
competition from other producers: market access
uncertain waste supplies
decreasing productivity
labour: migration to higher paid work
changing social and institutional perceptions
limited recognition by planners of PU farming as an
important land-use practice
Table 3a. Constraints to production in PU Kolkata
Constraint
Ordinal
rank
Silting up of water bodies and canals
1
Encroachment of water bodies leading to reduced employment
3
Social, economic, environmental and political setting
3
Delineation of wetland not clear
3
Lack of infrastructure for aquaculture
5.5
Lack of development project assessment (EIA/socio-economic)
5.5
Absence of clear policy or legislation for preserving system
7.5
Lack of awareness amongst non-users and planners of benefits
7.5
Table 3b. Constraints to production in PU Kolkata
Constraint
Ordinal
rank
Lack funds for fisheries and waste-reuse system maintenance
10.5
Poor communities have limited ability to fight encroachment
10.5
Unclear land ownership and absence of fishermen's rights
10.5
Insufficient sewerage supply - seasonal
10.5
Law and order problems and inaccessibility to general public
14
Unscientific farming and harvesting due to union intervention
14
Weakness of fishermen's co-operative
14
Lack of work culture
16
Table 3c. Constraints to production in PU Kolkata
Constraint
Ordinal
rank
Irregular and insufficient water supply
18
Lack of integrated aquatic resource utilisation
18
Coordination amongst government, NGOs and locals lacking
18
Lack of recognition of fisheries as industry
21.5
Mixing of domestic and tannery effluent
21.5
Lack of health and hygiene practices and education
21.5
Lack of groundwater mapping
21.5
3. Institutional analysis
• role of target institutions, planners and key actors
in managing activities at the Kolkata peri-urban
interface (PUI)
• opportunities for initiatives and policies to
enhance the benefits derived from PU farming
• important component in initiating a productive
institutional dialogue, engendering ownership
• identification of appropriate communication media
and pathways for dissemination
4. Market analysis
• seed supply network analysis
• assessment of distribution networks and market
arrangements
• the role of supply and distribution networks and
markets in supporting poor livelihoods
• the contribution of PU farming to food security in
poor households and communities
• consumer perceptions
• opportunities to add value, safeguard products and
improve access by poor communities
5. Dissemination
• knowledge on role of PU farming in:
livelihoods of poor people
food security of poor communities
wider benefits to society
• opportunities for livelihoods enhancement
• researchable constraints
• appropriate media for dissemination to target
institutions, stakeholders and NRSP Management
• institutional dialogue
Project Summary
• define the nature, extent and timing of farming
practices at the Calcutta PUI
• investigate the role of PU farming and associated
activities in the livelihoods of poor households
• study wider benefits to society: the supply of
cheap produce to markets, flood protection,
sanitation
• examine the role of institutions in managing
activities at the PUI
• disseminate new knowledge to initiate a productive
institutional dialogue and highlight opportunities
for livelihoods enhancement
R7872: Renewable natural resource-use in livelihoods
at the Calcutta peri-urban interface
Acknowledgement: Project funding from DFID NRSP
Contact:
Dr Stuart Bunting
Institute of Aquaculture
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
Scotland
email: [email protected]