Border Areas Development Officer Baghmara: Border Areas Development Department, Government of Meghalaya

BADO Baghmara

Construction of CC footpath at Chenggni Songmong

Name of the Scheme: Construction of CC footpath at Chenggni Songmong

Amount Sanctioned: Rs. 5.00 lacs

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16.

Chenggni Songmong is a remote village located on the Baghmara Moheskola PWD road. The village is bifurcated into Upper Chenggni which is perched on a hilltop across deep virgin forests. The lower part of the village is located near the international border and connected by the IBBR road. The want of villagers to avail a decent pathway was made known to the nodal department and action taken in right earnest. The villagers also mostly marginal farmers with few livestock in their custody. The remoteness in location added to the transportation cost of the materials during implementation. The materials had to be carried from the nearby PWD road which is nearly 10 Km. far from the village. The hardships faced by the villagers during monsoons had to addressed at any cost. So undauntingly, the village development committee took to the task to complete the project on time.

Construction of RCC footbridge at Karawani Butterfly Sanctuary

Name of the Scheme: Construction of RCC footbridge at Karawani Butterfly Sanctuary.

Sanctioned: Rs. 5.00 lacs.

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16

Karawani village with about 30 (thirty) households is located near Baghmara (Distance- 8.00 Km). It is reachable by a kutchha road and is bounded by rich flora and fauna. A peaceful retreat with the inhabitants offering housestays for the visitors who come to watch the rare butterfly species in this forests. The presence of many rivulets and streams in this village have to be transformed into a permanent structure in a phased manner. The nodal departments of Baghmara Community Block and the Border Areas Development have shared the responsibility in converting some timber bridges along the way leading to the village. The work was entrusted with the village development committee and the manual work was engaged among the villagers. Two(2) RCC bridges have already been alloted by the border department on this route. Now, there is a demand for blacktopping of the 1.5 KM. kutchaa road by the villagers. Proposals in this regard have been sent to the C&RD department.

Construction of CC footsteps with side drain at Bajragre

Name of the Scheme: Construction of CC footsteps with side drain at Bajragre.

Sanctioned: Rs. 5.00 lacs.

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16

Bajragre village is inhabited by 23 (twenty-three) households and situated on the Chokpot – Sibbari PWD road. It shares its vicinity with the Dareng river and agriculture is its main source of livelihood. It falls under Baghmara C&RD block and reachable by road. The increasing number of households over the years has led to new settlements towards the hills. Since the terrain is hilly, the twining pathways the villagers tread to reach their homes pose danger and hardships along the way. The school children comes to attend in Secondary Schools in Sibbari travelling the treacherous paths. Their plight is made known to the department and the project has been a boon to the old and the sick alike who requires medical attention and in emergencies. The horticultural produce such as cashew, areacanuts, leaves, etc. and cash crops such as rubber, shallocks which find ready market in Sibbari have to be brought along the same pathway. So, the CC footstep has become the lifeline of the villagers of Bajragre.

Construction of CC footpath at Netrigittim, Nelwagre

Name of the Scheme: Construction of CC footpath at Netrigittim, Nelwagre.

Sanctioned: Rs. 5.00 lacs.

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16

Netri is a border village located on the 1.0 Km. distance from the zero line. Inhabited by 13 (thirteen) households and growing, the villagers engaged in livestock and agriculture and selling of local horticultural produces. Due to the completion of International border fencing, fertile agricultural lands belonging to the villagers had to be parted with and compensation given to them did little justice to most of them. Mostly marginal farmers, the people cannot venture out in the night when the fencing gates closed the main thoroughfare. The RCC footpath has served the hilly dwellers of Netri and its adjoining villages of Rongdotchi, Adapgre etc. It has eased the travel time of the people who come and tend to their paddy fields. In addition to cultivation of paddy, the villagers have started rearing of fishes in privated ponds and with the assistance from the Fishery department.

Construction of Smoke House for Rubber Planter at Chambil Baniagre

Name of the Scheme: Construction of Smoke House for Rubber Planter at Chambil Baniagre.

Sanctioned: Rs. 8.00 lacs.

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16

Chambil Baniagre is situated on NH 62 and has a population of about 288 (2011 Census). The village is bifurcated from Chambilgre into two adjoining hamlets known as Chambil Tolejang and Chambil Baniagre. The two hamlets are diveded by Dareng river which originates from Chokpot block. It overlooks Sibbari towards the international border which is on the other side of the Dareng river. Being a border village, Chambil Baniagre and its residents have very little source of livelihood which is sustainable. Rubber cultivation was introduced in this area way back in 1970’s by the Rubber Board of India which was the only agency to garner their harvest in return for cheap merchadise. Sometimes the people had to shell out their product for as low as Rs. 40 per KG of rubber to the middelemen in bad times. Nevertheless, they have collectively wanted to continue the business but for the dearth of adequate smoke houses in the area. Although small in magnitude, the Smoke House built under SCA BADP will have cater to the needs of the planters here if the development committee set up continue to bring success stories. We are hoping for the best.

Construction of Community Centre at Kanai village

Name of the Scheme: Construction of Community Centre at Kanai village.

Sanctioned: Rs. 8.00 lacs.

Years of Schemes: SCA (BADP) 2015-16

Kanai village lies within 5 KM. from the international border. It consists of 22 (twenty-two) households with a population of 156 (One hundred & fifty six- 2011 census). Their primary activity is agriculture with a few livestock at hand. Cohesive in social structure, their want of a common platform to voice the community needs and aspirations has led to the demand of a community centre. The village is hilly and gradually tapers towards the south-western side to the plains. The location of the Community Centre is selected near the border road of Kanai overlooking a river. The site shares its vicinity with the BSF outspost and the main market of Kanai. So, the centre is accessible to all. Due to the remoteness of the village and dilapidated road networks, the carriage of materials caused some delay in implementation. Barring the locally available resources of stone and sand, other building materials had to be transported from Baghmara. The only visible mode of Sumo and Bus service which connects the district HQ. with the extreme Moheshkola ply only on fair weather and when the road permits. The inspection part of the department of the project took a day’s travel to and from the site. Nevertheless, the odds had to be ovecomed and the villagers themselves have made justice to their need on time. At the end, it was well executed and justied by all.