INDIA: Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

INDIA Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (P007985)
G. Management of Social Issues and Impacts
24. The mission was pleased to note the good progress made in community mobilization in Gujarat. In order
to generate baseline data from the village and to mobilize the community, the Gujarat SPMU has
recruited about 35 field workers located in the villages and 3 coordinators located in the area. This strong
and dedicated field staff helped in mobilizing community through participatory methods. In all target
villages collection of baseline data is complete including identification of entry level activities. Self Help
Groups (SHGs) for income generation activities, Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) and Community
Based Organizations (CBOs) for mangrove plantations have formed. Several awareness generation and
capacity building activities including orientation or exposure visits for CBOs, EDCs and SHGs. For the
Project as a whole, there had been several initiatives, such as the toll free phone line, a theme based
interactive and informative website has been designed, which apart from disseminating ICZMP
information also serves as one of the channels for grievance redress. A day long workshop was also
organized by SPMU for judiciary officials to orient them to the ICZM project and its grievance redress
mechanism. The workshop was very well received by the officials of the State Judiciary, and the Chair of
the State Legal Aid Cell has recommended that such workshop should be taken up at all the coastal states,
and at the National level with involvement of the National Legal Aid Cell. Gujarat SPMU has also
initiated the idea of participatory monitoring by CBO, which is an innovative idea that can be replicated
in other Project states.
25. The Odisha SPMU has made an encouraging start, though more staff may be required, especially at the
field level. Interaction with the community members during field visits revealed that community
mobilization has been very effective. Substantial progress has been made in the activities related to
livelihood enhancement pilot investment by the Fisheries Department 221 SHGs have been identified and
22 SHGs have already received Rs. 50000 each towards entry point activities. The Directorate of
Handicraft and Cottage Industries is also involved in developing alternative livelihood options for
fishermen through coir making and has identified 5 SHGs to start with. It was revealed that the
Departments (such as the Department of Fisheries) is involved in operating the bank account of the SHGs,
which all agreed will be avoided from now, to avoid the issue of conflict of interest, and to provide
operational freedom to the SHGs. It was also agreed that all SHGs will have a separate bank account for
this Project, as far as practicable. For many of the pilot investments where not much progress has been
otherwise made (such as the activities of the Forest Department; the Odisha Tourism Development
Corporation or the Department of Culture) communities have been informed about the activities, but
formal mobilization and participatory processes have not started. These processes are essential
particularly because the assets will be managed, operated and maintained by the communities in most
cases. Though none of the Project activities require any acquisition of private land, government owned
land will be transferred to the project. It was agreed that SPMU will conduct social screening to ensure
that all such land parcels are free of encroachment and other encumbrances. In the event any use of such
land is found to trigger physical or economic relocation (including for non-titleholders), resettlement
action plans will be prepared as per the agreed Resettlement Policy Framework for the Project. For the
overall project, the SPMU has installed a toll free phone line and has also launched a dedicated website
with an interactive grievance redress link.
26. In West Bengal, the social/rural development specialist is yet to be hired in the SPMU. Though no
private land acquisition will be required for any of the activities in the Project, government land will be
transferred to the project at various locations. It was agreed that SPMU will conduct social screening to
ensure that all such land parcels are free of encroachment and other encumbrances. In the event any use
of such land is found to trigger physical or economic relocation (including for non-titleholders),
resettlement action plans will be prepared as per the agreed Resettlement Policy Framework for the
Project. For most of the pilot investments, especially related to livelihood enhancement of the coastal
communities, where not much progress has been otherwise made communities have been informed about
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