Environment Conservation

Addressing conservation issues using both indigenous knowledge systems as well as contemporary innovative conservation technologies and practices to tackle climate change including but not limited to restoring water catchment areas, protection of water sources, restoration of wetlands, mountain slopes, soil erosion control on road embankments slopes, “growing” soil and water conservation trees and grasses (i.e producing seedlings, supplying seedlings and planting them at selected spots/areas and managing them to grow). NB. “Growing” is our guiding principle for our “turnkey conservation projects”.

As part of mitigating the negative effects of climate change using nature we have developed an innovative concept of planting conservation trees, bamboo and grasses to work as natural lake-walls and river-walls that act as a buffer against flooding and storms.

Our experience has enabled us to develop a model where we utilize close co-operation with the traditional custodians of the land in the communities. Village farmer group members and youth, once given information constitute a wide range of change agents. They play an active role in the management of land as well as in the field based activities oriented towards environmental conservation. The experience is that people must identify themselves with the socio-economic values and myths embedded in bio-diversity management before they take the preservation and rehabilitation of denuded environments seriously.

Once the communities and their leaders agree on what needs to be done in order to promote and conserve their land, water resources and natural environment, the project ceases to be seen as an outsider driven initiative.