Training was carried out over a period of twelve days, with the
workshop segment of the training held in the Forest Lodge of
Sodhi and the field-based learning in the villages of Ucchali,
Uggali and Dhadar. The training involved three stages: (i) introduction
to PRA philosophy, concepts, principles and methods, (ii) field
work in the village using the methods and developing priorities
for wetland management, and presentation of findings in the village
meeting, and (iii) report preparation, reflection and evaluation
of the workshop.
The workshop segment of the PRA training was carried out in a
location somewhat removed from village realities. The participants
were housed in the forest lodge as well as in different houses
in Sodhi and in another forest department lodge. This meant that
much time was spent travelling to and fro, often to the detriment
of proper time keeping.There are a number of other issues regarding
organisation of the training programmes and the training methodology
which indicate scope for improvement. These are described in
section 4 of the report.
The materials supplied to the participants included a background
paper summarising the management plan proposed for the Ucchali
complex and a basic text on PRA methods by Robert Chambers (1992).
Other audio visual and written materials(PRA case studies, illustrations
of methods etc) were on display and could be borrowed overnight
by participants.
Programme Description
Day 1 (10 December 1994)
Arrival of participants and facilitators in the village of Sodhi
Day 2 (11 December)
Paired introductions and two good things (was helpful as a number
of participants were meeting each other for the first time).
Objectives of the workshop and the proposed programme
Expectations and suggestions chart
Introduction to the Ucchali complex
Group Discussion on methods used by participants for
- - collecting information
- - planning
- - increasing people' participation
Overview of development and conservation issues in the world
Biases in rural development and normal professionalism
Indigenous knowledge
Philosophy and evolution of PRA
Basic principles of PRA
The importance of behaviour and attitudes
Evaluation of day's programme
Video on MYRADA
Day 3 (12 December)
Neighbourhood mapping by the participants
Analysis of difference exercise
Participatory mapping
Transects
Semi-structured interviews: overview and applications
But why? Exercise on different approaches to interview
Social mapping and Wellbeing ranking
Matrix ranking and scoring
Video on ICRISAT's participatory research programme
Day 4 (13 December)
Seasonality analysis
Trend analysis
Livelihood analysis
Venn diagraming
System diagrams
Problem solving exercise
Overview of management plan for Ucchali complex
Key issues to look at in the field work and check list
Matching methods to check list and developing sequence of methods
for interactions with villagers (field work design)
Team contract, allocation of responsabilities and preparation
for stay in villages
Institutional case study based on AKRSP's video on Joint Forest
Management
Days 5 and 6 (14, 15 December)
Field work in villages of Uggali, Ucchali and Dhadar
Day 7 (16 December)
Debriefing, information exchange and group presentations
Time for rest and reflection
Days 8 and 9 (17 and 18 December)
Field work in villages
Analysis of information for presentation at village meetings
Wrapup meeting with the village community, involving presentation
of the village findings, soliciting feedback and encouraging discussion
within the village community
Day 10 (19 December)
Presentations within groups and at the village level with and
by villagers
Day 11 (20 December)
Report writing in groups on process, methods and analysis
Priorities for wetland management plan
Day 12 (21 December 1994)
Reflection on participatory planning process and limitatations
of PRA
Implications for project cycle and other issues like village institution
development
Village analysts, facilitators and extension volunteers
Discussion on personal and institutional action plans for use
of PRA methods in design of wetland management systems
Open house (Questions, doubts, comments...)
Evaluation and feedback
Summing up and thanks to organisers and hosts in Ucchali
Since the PRA methods are later described in terms of the process,
lessons learnt and analysis, they are not discussed in detail
here.