Chapter IIIVSS - An Assessment
Table 3.3
Year-wise Activities of VSS
A statement of the result based on the Micro Plan and Annual Action Plan is given in Appendix X.Twelve SHGs have been formed for carrying out the major activities of this VSS. Two of them are women SHGs. The "Vanakarunyam" and "Vanasree" SHGs are carrying out plantation activities. The "Santhivanam" "Vanamohini", "Vanarani" and "Vanapushpam" groups are engaged in income generating activities "Vrindavanam" SH group is for art and literary activities. Each of the two women SHGs received Rs.10000 as financial assistance. The "Nava Jyothi" SHG run a curry powder unit. The "Nava Lekshmi" SHG is engaged in sales of tea, coffee, rice powder etc. The members are women and are availing loan facilities. Miscellaneous trees such as tamarind,jack fruit and other plants are grown in 6 Ha. area. The community actively participate in the conservation and management activities. A large variety of medicinal plants enrich the bio-diversity of Kurumbanmoozhy. The "Vanakarunya" SHG collect medicinal plants, make medicines, plant and protect medicinal plants. Ten fire volunteers are engaged in fire protection.
The list of medicinal plants planted and types of NTFPS are given in Appendix XI
Observations
i) All the SH groups are functioning well.
ii) The seedlings have been planted and guarded adequately
iii) Medicinal plants potential and bio-diversity is optimally utilised by the Samithi. The President of the Samithi and a few others are aware of the medicinal properties. The medicines are sold at 'Plappalli' (a place on the way to Sabarimala) during Sabarimala seasons. Last year they earned a profit of Rs. 5000 and this year the profit was Rs.4500. The profit thus received was distributed equally among its members.
iv) Five volunteers are appointed for fire protection
v) Smokeless furnaces have been supplied to almost all the houses.
vi) The VSS members constructed a road (1 k.m) and carried out maintenance works..
vii) Minor disputes in the locality are settled through the counseling centre of VSS (a sub committee formed for the purpose)
viii) An action council against illegal brewing have been formed
ix) Study materials, Umbrellas etc. have been distributed to the children. Spectacles have been given to hundred persons
x) Supplied house construction materials worth Rs. 20000 for 10 houses.
xi) The women groups actively interacted with the team about their activities and earning status.
xii) Vegetative fence has been built.
xiii) Conservation activities are done voluntarily by the members
xiv) Rs.500 is given as awards to the students who passed the SSLC Examination.
xv) All the events relating to VSS are registered and kept systematically
xvi) Activities are reviewed, monitored and follow up action taken regularly.
xvii) Activities are well co-ordinated.
xviii) Illegal brewing and anti-social activities of the outsiders have been stopped because of the joint effort of the members.
xix) The VSS has planted tamarind, jack fruit and miscellaneous plants in 6 Ha.
xx) The Executive Committee Members and the VSS Members and the Women Members co-operate in decision making.
xxi) Representatives from Ethiopia and Sri Lanka have visited the VSS for a study
xxii) The Samithi co-operate with other agencies such as Panchayat, Tribal Development, Anert, Health Department, Excise, Police etc.
xxiii) Medical Camps have been organised with the help of Lions Club.
Kurumbanmoozhy VSS has been very successful in ecological conscientisation and empowerment. The VSS is active in prevention of forest fire, plantation and social welfare activities. Economic development activities and empowerment oriented programmes as a group endeavour is progressing well. Social welfare activities like distribution of study materials free tution, cash awards for SSLC students, providing materials for house construction, conducting medical camps etc. are undertaken for the social uplift of the community. VSS has played a significant role in empowering the women community. The Women SHGs are very active and earning a regular income for its members. They participate in the decision making of the VSS. The women SHGs joined other SHGs to do away with illicit brewing. Medical camps helped to create awareness on health care.Teamwork and effective communal leadership are the factors which led to the success of Kurumbanmoozhy VSS.
Lack of proper co-ordination of activities at the division level, lack of assistance from other departments including ST Departments, destruction of crops by wild animals, delay in getting funds, non co-operation of the panchayat in the activities of women S.H.Gs and difficulty in the marketing of non timber forest products are the problems identified in this area.
Kurumbanmoozhy VSS has been ranked 4 representing 'high level of participation. Wild life damage, non issuance of caste certificate to the tribes, problem in the sale of MFP collected, treasury ban, permission to cut trees for own use planted by them in their settlements are the major issues of these VSS.