Much
of the land in Seva Mandir’s work area is severely degraded.
Widespread encroachment of the commons, which constitute
some 73% of the land in the region, has been made possible
by the absence of the required norms, management systems
and institutions. The regeneration of these lands is central
to sustainable local development because of its positive
ecological, economic and socio-political benefits. Thus
while Seva Mandir's initial interventions had focused
on encouraging plantation on private wastelands, as the
work matured it shifted increasingly to the degraded commons
– including both pasture lands and forests.
Common
pastures and private wastelands
To date, Seva Mandir has taken up work on some 162 common
pasture lands amounting to a total of almost 2,700 hectares.
Joint Forest Management
Joint Forest Management provides a mechanism whereby communities
are able to share control over local forest resources
with the government.
Under
this scheme, Seva Mandir has till date supported the development
of over 1,100 hectares.
Van Utthan Sangh
A critical contribution made by Seva Mandir in the field
of forest management has been the formation and strengthening
of the Van Utthan Sangh (VUS), an independent federation
of 101 Forest Protection Committees, based in Jhadol block.
The Van Utthan Sangh organises dialogue and provides guidance
and technical support on a wide range of forestry issues.
With the recent introduction of the Forest Rights Act
2006, which permits the regularisation of encroachments
on common land, ensuring the effective protection and
restoration of forestlands has become even more challenging
than before. One of the major activities of the VUS is
to talk with villagers and forest protection committees
about the implications of this policy in order to motivate
them to value and protect their forest resources.
Nurseries
To support the various activities carried out under the
afforestation and watershed programmes, Seva Mandir supports
villagers in establishing yearly and half-yearly nurseries
and annual rhizome nursery.
Watershed
Development entails comprehensive soil and water conservation,
developing water harvesting systems and direct seeding
work. The process of developing a watershed entails careful
and participatory planning and also active involvement
from the local Gram Vikas Committee. As such, watershed
development activities serve not only to strengthen local
livelihoods but also to strengthen village institutions
– both of which better enable villagers to address their
other developmental needs.
To
date, Seva Mandir has taken up watershed development activities
across 34 sites.
The
scarcity of water in Seva Mandir’s work area puts a major
dampener on the potential for enhancing agricultural productivity.
It even means that adequate drinking water for both people
and livestock may not be available, thereby exerting a
strong influence on people’s livelihood security, health
and dignity. By storing rainwater received during the
monsoons, establishing a variety of irrigation methods
and more recently exploring drinking water interventions,
Seva Mandir has been working to help communities address
these concerns.
To
date, Seva Mandir has supported the construction of 69
anicuts (earthen water harvesting structures), 46 talais
and 44 irrigation systems.
Farmers are involved in a variety of interventions under the agricultural programme. These interventions cover training for improved farming practices, support for horticulture plantation, vegetable cultivation, crop development through crop trials and taking up vermi-composting.
Ellie's
Diary of Little Children
Bhurki is a small, beautiful,
quietly
child with big brown eyes and a little smile that
plays on her lips, Both her parents......
