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What is our Vision Our vision is that of a more prosperous Himalaya and our goal is the improvement in the quality of life, specially woman and children of the region and overcome environmental degradation. Practical terms of this vision A. Transforming the vision into reality involves identification of socio-economic programs in line with the strategies already developed. The examples are :
B. Training Programmes : 1. Training sessions have been conducted with the students of the inter colleges and others in giving them talks, demonstrations and planting instructions on site. About 24 such training sessions have been conducted till now. 2. Training of Mahila Mandals for nursery lay out and execution, planting, spring rejuvenation and tanks construction have been carried out in Ten such nurseries. 3. Eight trainees have been selected on a scholarship to work with our Forestry and Water Management/Renewable Energy Associates and with Operation Manager and watershed management project. 4. The Advisor and other staff of the TFL/HIMCON has participated in about 30 such training courses, seminars, workshops, etc. in different parts of the Himalayas. 5. Collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra located at the Pantnagar Agriculture University Hill Campus at Ranichauri and the technicians of the NGO'S for various needs of local communities which are being strengthened. 6. Training Programme carried out in five inter-colleges. i) Rajkia intermediate College, Ranichauri: With the help of students and teachers 1000 plants per year were painted during the monsoon period. A polythene tank of 10,000 ltr. Capacity was also built during this year. A nursery was set up as a demonstration in the college campus. Every year scholarships have been given to students/poor girls for environment related work. ii) Rajkia Intermediate College, Gaja : A programme for regeneration of forest and nursery development was started here by TFL/HIMCON. Five hundred plants were grown/planted. Polythene tank of 10,000 ltr. Capacity was built. In the nursery, saplings of Walnut and other trees were planted. A student was given a scholarship: An eye camp was held in Sept. 1997 iii) Rajkia Intermediate College, Kafulpani : About 1150 plants per year were planted in this college in which the students participated in a big way. A Walnut nursery was also started within the college compound. iv) Rajkia Intermediate College, Saklana : A programme for forest regeneration and Mulberry nursery were set up. V) Nagini - intermediate college students and teachers have planted over 1000 lemon trees which are a great example of school planting program to the students and teachers of their schools in Teri Garhwal and whole of Uttaranchal.The programme initiated in these colleges has led to a positive response from the students. The programme initiated in these five colleges have progressed as anticipated, Initiation of these programmes has led to a positive response from the students. They have understood the need as well as the importance of such programmes. School plantation program is being strengthning with help of TFL & others. C. HIMCON PROMOTES AND RUNS TRAINING CENTERS
Mahila Mandal Dals (MMD) The idea is to provide a platform to the women to participate in developmental initiatives and be partners in development . Thirteen MMDs have so far been organised in chamba block. Swayam Sahayata Samuha (Self Help Groups- SHG) The idea is to muster the internal resources of the villages. These are being managed by MMDs and every member contributes a fixed sum every month. Revolving funds of these thirteen SSS have crossed Rs. five lac limit; with Paturi alone accounting for one lac. Mahila Shakti Programme This programme funded by CHIRAG and jointly managed by CHIRAG and TFL/HIMCON was started about 1995 the empowerment of women mostly in the energy sector and through the use of technology. The main programmes are promotion of Biogas, Water harvesting, Smokeless Chulha, Solar Cooker, Solar Water Heater and Pressure Cooker. The Mahila Shakti has been extremely successful till now. The following targets were achieved, for both Garhwal and Kumaon, benefiting directly the women involved. 1995-96 Cumulative Biogas
plants
133
322 The partner NGOS feel strongly that continuous training and technical support are essential for a project like this. Considerable time and effort has, therefore, been devoted to these activities. Quarterly training camps for user groups were organised and emphasis was placed on maintenance of biogas plants and smokeless chulhas. Surveys were carried out by the technical team during the summer, monsoon and winter to document and evaluate the efficiency of biogas plants.Himalaya Shakti II is being continued also through CHIRAG and Himcon Urja Kendra, Ranichauri. A survey of 100 households in 4 districts with biogas plants was conducted by the team of motivators. Some interesting insights have emerged from the survey there is a reduction in time spent in collecting fuelwood, in other words the works load has reduced
Tree
Plantation Nine partner agencies reported planting of trees on wastedland, common land, in nurseries and distribution of fuel, fodder and fruit trees through people's groups. Nearly 5,00,000 trees were planted and the survival rate is estimated to be 55 60 per cent, not enough, but moving towards increasing survival rate. Water Harvesting Rainwater harvesting is the key to solving water related problems of the area as also reducing the workload of the females of the region. More then thirty ferocement tanks have been constructed so far by HIMCON. For enhancing recharge of groundwater the tradition of Chaal - water holding ponds making is being promoted. Spring Water Harvesting There exist a large number of natural springs in the region. Seepage of water from these generally runs downslope unutilised. HIMCON is attempting management of this water by construction of water collection tanks as also suitable protection of the recharge zone.Water collected in these tanks is being utilised for agricultural as well as household purposes.Ten such tanks have so far been constructed. Faigul village of chamba block had a large traditional water harvesting structure that was revived and the canal feeding it was repaired. Community Plantation Village communities is Uttaranchal own large tracks of barren lands and pastures. In Kot village of chamba block with the support of the MMD more than four hectares of such land was planted with various fruit bearing trees. A stone wall has been erected to safeguard this plantation. The village community looks after the manure and other needs of these plants. Landslide Mitigation HIMCON is undertaking stream bank stabilisation and landslide mitigation work in the catchment of manyar Gad (tributary of Bhagirathi). With the help of Geographic Information System, GIS and remote sensing. An inventory of landslides is also being prepared. Fencing A total of about one and a half kilometer length of stone wall fencing has been constructed in Dorgi, Dabarkhal, selected parts of Sabli, and around the inter-college campus in Ranichauri. Alongwith some of the stone wall fancing, bio-fencing with Agaves and other cactus plants have been planted. Bio-fencing plant nurseries are also under development. TEMPERATE GRASSES PROGRAMME TFL/HIMCON had initiated this 'Grass Programme' in 1994 with an objective of providing fresh fodder in the hills during summers also. The seeds and plants have great nutrition value than the grass available around. Also plantation of grasses on hilly slope slows down the soil erosion. The varieties available are Italian Rye Grass, Tall Fescue and White Clover. In all about 3,200 gms. Or 3.2 kg of seeds were sold as well as sown between December 1994 and April 1996. These seeds were purchased by people living in different villages like Khadi, Fakot, Khandari, Jwarna and Semwalla. Apart from the seeds sold and sown, some seedlings were also distributed. In all about 17,300 grass seedlings were sold from September 1995 to April 1996. The main varieties of seedling sold were tall fescue and Italian Rye. The seedlings were sold to villagers from Dargi, Saimalta, Khadi, Majgaon, Jwarna, Nawa Gaon and Shemwala Gaon. The seeds were provided by TFL/HIMCON in Samalta and Dargi villages and other places. It has been agreed that in the future the grass prgramme will be strengthened in the monsoon season. Demonstration units are being set up at various places like in villages and schools/educational institutions. In August 1996, 20.000 seedlings were given to Mahila Samakhaya which has greened Pratap Nagar and surrounding villages near Tehri. The follow up rains have helped in the growth of the seedlings and the survival percentage is close to 100%. In 1997, over 50,000 grass seedlings were distributed. The Programme is contuining and strengthend. Medicinal Plants a hope India lives in her villages. A large population lives in rural area where adequate formal medical facilities are not available. Since time immemorial people have been using herbs for their day-to-day ailments. Majority of these medicinal plants are also used by established indigenous medical systems. More than 250 species of such medicinal plants are being used commonly by Ayurvedic physicians, local practitioners and pharmaceutical industry. Poor socio-economic status of rural population prompts us to explore the medicinal plants wealth which is available in the Himalayas and is cost effective. Use of medicinal plants in common ailments does not often require resources and technology beyond the village. So far medicinal plants have been exploited mostly from their natural habitat. But this has been under severe strain due to deforestation, indiscriminate commercial exploitation and export. The traditional pattern of collection and utilisation by Vaidyas is slowly vanishing. Hence there is an immediate need for conservation and propagation of medicinal plants to meet the individual needs and market demands. There is a need to design simple technologies to convert these medicinal plants into palatable forms to cater to rural communities and family health (Ayurvedic) kits have been prepared for common ailments(12 in number). The Agricultural and Horticultural Universities are becoming centres of training for various non-governmental agencies regarding the propagation and collection aspects of medicinal plants. they also impart knowledge on how to start seed banks and nurseries. The task of the forest research institutes is the survey of local medicinal flora with the help of Ethnobotanist and Conservation of endangered species. It is a matter of great concern that in our country, and specially in Himalayan region, being a potential source of a large number of medicinal and herbal plants, very little work has been done on their Agro-Technology. This is being worked out in various agro-climatic conditions. Alternate Energy Options Energy is needed in the hills for lighting and heating. Fuel wood is for the cooking as well as for heating and fuel wood is the main source of energy.in order to reduce pressure upon forest HIMCON is promoting biomass briquettes and has set up Urja Kendra at Raichauri.It is also promoting concentration type solar cookers (SK-14) and solar lighting devices. Also Rural Energy Enterpreunership and Institutional Development (REEID) and Women and Renewable Energy Devevelopment (WRED) have been supported by MNES for training programmes by HIMCON Solar Energy Center including Mini Micro hydel Planning on small streams plus Aditya Solar shop are expected to be included in the HIMCON URJA KENDRA in Ranichauri, Chamba block of Tehri Garhwal and all intrested are invited to visit this URJA KENDRA a large building which is in the heart of village Ranichari on way to Ranichuri hill tissue culture and Greening of Himalayas carpus of Pant Nagar Agriculture University. The plantlets are being brought to Polyhouses in Ranichari, by our senior Horticulturist and coordinator of Horticulture program experienced and trainer in Tissue culture. Greening of Uttranchal and Himalayas also with cooperation of Ministry of Food GOI and World food programme under "Food for Greening Programme" jointly with " Food for work" and "Food for Education" is being planned to be executed jointly with partner NGO's, with PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution), CBO (Community Based Organisation) in Chamba block and Tehri Garhwal district of Uttaranchal. A volunteer group including one at Parmarth Niketan and other Youth and Mahila groups will be working for planting. National and International volunteers interested on tree planting and greening movement are invited to join this movement. For more information contact Chairman HIMCON. Nut Fruits Programme Nut crope are very important tree crops of the temperate region. These are rich sources of vitamins, fats, proteins and minerals. The Uttaranchal region and north-west Himalayas offers a great opportunity for the growers and promoters of this activity. Also being non-perishable in nature, nut fruits can be a high income source as against other perishable fruits. Walnut seeds and plants from Banihal area of J&K, were planted here and subsequently skills pertinent to raising of nursery for walnut, almond and chestnut etc., were imparted by organizing training programmes. Also superior genotypes of walnut and almonds were imported from California for establishing mother orchards of these crops at few selected sites.Efforts ate also underway to form a consortium of Nut Fruit growers in this region. The objective of this consortium is to share skills, experiences, plant material, information etc. The consortium will aslo stimulate its collaboration with nut-growers in J&K, and Himachal Pradesh.Tissue culture work is in progress after 2400 plants of wallnuts and Almonds were imported from a high quality nursary in California's donations and air freight given by National Hoticulture board who are supporting a "NUTFRUIT REVOLUTION PROJECT BY HIMCON". Other Activities
May I close ending this by a quatation on Love from Swami Vivekananda
True love can be regarded as a triangle
I give you my little prayer and you give The
Second angle is love knows no fear, The
third angle, the apex, is, love is always Can Himalayan Communities & all Himalayan Volunteers from all parts of the world turn into to be Himalayan lovers and use Swami Vivekananda's Poem on Love in their relationship to the Himalayas and its Rejuvenation for present & future generation not only of India but of mankind. Himalayas invited you also to all & to come & join in this International Year of Mountains & Eco tourism promote in an inspiring kind. For
further details please contact: |
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