Himalayan Farmlands Initiative

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Sanskara Development Trust F328 Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, Road New Delhi-110030 Phone No. 011-41486140, Email: [email protected] Protecting Natural Habitats in India SANSKARA DEVELOPMENT TRUST THE HIMALAYAN FARMLANDS INITIATIVE संकार सहित संरण Photo courtesy – Srinivas Garudachar

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Sanskara Development Trust is now looking towards the creation of organic farms in villages adjoining Reserved Forests in Uttarkhand in India. These forests have recently been further protected in November 2012, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). This was achieved through Sanskara’s efforts in conjunction with the State and the Ministry of the Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Transcript of Himalayan Farmlands Initiative

Sanskara Development Trust F328 Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, Road New Delhi-110030

Phone No. 011-41486140, Email: [email protected]

Protecting Natural Habitats

in India

SANSKARA DEVELOPMENT TRUST

THE HIMALAYAN FARMLANDS INITIATIVE

संस्कार सहित सरंक्षण

Photo courtesy – Srinivas Garudachar

Himalayan Farmlands Initiative Page 1

Sanskara Development Trust

INTRODUCTION: Sanskara Development Trust has initiated a new programme to protect biodiversity in himalayan farmlands bordering forest reserves in Uttarakhand, India. BACKGROUND: By way of background, Sanskara worked to protect natural landscapes along an elephant migration corridor in Uttarakhand and was successful in securing the Powalgarh Conservation Reserve in conjunction with the State authorities and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in November 2012.

THE PLACE: Along the Southern edge of the newly declared Conservation Reserve of Powalgarh, lies Kotabagh in the foothills of Nainital. The Kotabagh Block comprises of 35 villages and shares its boundaries with forests of the Ramnagar Division, adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve. The area is rich in wildlife and has been well documented in Jim Corbett’s books. THE THREATS: Over the years the villages in Kotabagh have retained their scenic beauty and these areas are still picturesque, but now the farm lands stand precariously challenged as the village folk are forced to choose harmful inorganic methods of farming to increase revenue and improve affordability. The possibility of village lands being sold for profit to urban developers also looms large, which threatens to undermine the dignity of the hill folk. Biodiversity in the region is also now under grave threat due to the use of harmful insecticides. THE MISSION: The objective is to protect the farmlands in the Kotabagh Block and create environmental, social and economic security for the village people by introducing sustainable and safe farming practices, allowing for the original hill folk to retain their farm lands thus protecting the health and natural environment for future generations.

GOING ORGANIC

A scenic village in Kotabagh at the foothills of the Himalaya

Himalayan Farmlands Initiative Page 2

Sanskara Development Trust

GOING ORGANIC: The project has been initiated and an officer from the Block is working to source organic seeds and fertilizers and introduce natural pest control measures for the farms by engaging the local community. Testing of ground water has been undertaken and certified by experts in the field from a reputed firm . So far, Sanskara has partnered with the Block authorities of Kotabagh and aims to have the soil tested by the Pantnagar University, the leading agricultural institution in the Uttarakhand region.

THE PROCESS: The project will undertake campaigns to stop the use of harmful pesticides in farms and help source marketing links for the organic produce from the villages of Kotabagh, with a buy in from retailers during the process. Initiatives like bee keeping will be encouraged to increase crop yield with a view to help generate additional incomes for the local people. Alternative methods of packaging, refrigeration and storage will be further examined with an aim to secure hygiene and greater shelf life of the farm produce being sold in the market.

Currently local preserves are sold in plastic jars – a mobile vendor with his cart

Fresh farm produce being collected for sale in local markets

The local people are hardworking, proud, friendly, simple and struggling to balance nature,

tradition and livelihood.

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Sanskara Development Trust

THE METHOD: STAGE 1: SURVEY The project will gather data about:

Number of households in the villages within the Kotabagh Block - 4 sample villages

Total area of farmlands - these are small holdings and the people are subsistence farmers

Sources of income other than farming Current plough and harvest methods Number and types of crops annually / seasonally Use of pesticides with regard to specific crops Whether the use of fertilizers has increased yield and

income / effected biodiversity Distribution methods and markets / source of seeds Awareness levels about the use of harmful pesticides Any known increase in disease / health related data Poultry and cattle / its maintenance, source of feed,

incomes generated from dairy Irrigation / scientific soil and water testing Level of education of local people / schools Access to television / internet / refrigeration Access to markets / local / national / international Willingness of farmers towards accepting change in

farming methods, include other sources of income

STAGE 2: ACTION

Create awareness through campaigns based on local findings of inorganic practices and combine national and international information and experience to the local issues

Create project mobilisers within the village community through ‘farmer’ or Kisan clubs Appeal to high level policy makers and government to stop the sale of harmful pesticides Advocate the need for organic farming to the local people in the farming district Include bee keeping as an additional source of income and create a show case for the community Source government means to increase alternative facilities including biogas for cooking Introduce bio fertilizers for the farms through government schemes Train local people to set up small scale business enterprises by availing Government grants THE OUTCOME: It is envisaged that Sanskara Development Trust in collaboration with local and

international organisations will enable villages in Kotabagh within the Nainital district of India to serve as model villages where within the period of one year, the organisations will help establish: 1.) a campaign displaying the consequences of harmful pesticides used in farming and seek government support to eradicate its sale, 2.) start the process for organic farms in 4 villages, 3.) identify market links for local farm produce. The second year will look at scaling the initiative and the project will include alternative farming practices towards securing better environmental, social and economic development for the long term benefit of the people and the land in the foothills of the Himalayan farmlands in Northern India.

Dairy: Collection centres for fresh milk are established in the villages, providing an additional source of income for the people, however currently there are no refrigeration facilities in the Kotabagh Block