Towards Self Reliance Amongst Himalayan Communities

The principles and practices of people's participation in Himalayan Conservation and development have been put to the test during 1993-97 through the partnership of Trees for Life (TFL) and Himalayan Consortium For Himalayan Conservation (HIMCON). The emphasis is on planting of fuel, fodder and fruit trees. The complete programme includes setting up nurseries, transplanting, protection and maintenance of trees. In addition, water harvesting, spring rejuvenation, water management, measures for income generation  and promotion of self-reliance are high priority tasks.

Any development will take place essentially with the active participation of the people concerned. A partnership has been worked out and practised in the last Ten years through women's organisations (Mahila Mandals), Self hedge Groups Youth organisations (Yuvak Mandals), schools and inter-colleges of the Himalayan region.

Tree for Life (TFL)

Trees for Life was founded by Balbir Mathur. Deepak Nirula is the Executive Director TFL (India). The Himalayan Operations are directed by Dr. M.L. Dewan Advisor, TFL and Chairman of HIMCON.

Trees for Life is non-profit, voluntary organisation dedicated to helping and encouraging people in rural areas to grow fruit trees in Himalayan Region for the better health of their families as well as to help uplift their socio-economic levels. Each tree protects the environment and provides a low cost, self renewing source of food for large number of people. The Trees for LIfe movement empowers people to solve problems for themselves. It is based on philosophy "If you teach him how to fish, he will never be hungry again."

By providing people with the motivation and training to plant and care for their own trees, TFL HIMCON programmes create a sense of dignity, self sufficiency and pride among themselves. Not only this, they also play an important and integral role in maintaining the ecological balance of their environment.

The whole life of trees is to serve. With their leaves, flowers, fruits, branches, roots, shade, fragrance, sap, bark, wood and finally over their ashes and coal, they exist for the purpose of others.