N. Kipgen

At the very outset, I take this opportunity to introduce the first-ever Externally Aided Project (EAP) emanating from the Indo-German Cooperation framework for the betterment of Himalayas. The Community-based Sustainable Forest Managemen (COSFOM) for Water Resources Conservation in Manipur will be managed under the aegis of Community Forestry and Water Conservation (CF&WC) Society, a registered Society under the Societies of Registration Act of Manipur, 1989. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be overseeing the progress through a Project Management Unit (PMU).

Let me assure you all that COSFOM is going to help the state government transform lives of thousands in 50 villages spread across two districts of Imphal River Watershed, Shirui River Watershed, Ukhrul and Singda Dam Watershed. With the technical support of National/International consultants and village-based volunteer groups, as Project Implementation Agency, named as Water Resource Conservation Groups and its Committees (WRCGs/WRCCs), the project will pilot its interventions in first year and gradually will lead communities towards restoration, conservation, preservation and protection of forests. Simultaneously, the project will be constantly evaluating and where needed will help locals to improve the management of watersheds so that they can use water resources intelligently, efficiently and sustainably for domestic and irrigation purposes by developing channels and reservoirs in each of the participating village.